(psst -- thanks so much for all of the sweet comments on the shawl, they were most kind!)
socks so small
pattern: baby fixation socks
yarn: scrap sock yarn from a thrift store grab-bag + shibui sock yarn in color #6 at the cuff and toe
needles: US2 dpns
Being for the tiniest of toes, these knit up remarkably quick. I don't know if they can quite qualify for socktober as others are making beautifully intricate creations and these are so simple. But in the knitterly spirit of the month, I've taken on learning some new sock making skills in a class at a really wonderful local fiber shop, Paradise Fibers. One of the hardest things about knitting socks (and mittens and anything that comes in twos) is motivating myself to make the second after the first one is complete. In the class I am taking I've learned a much speedier method of knitting socks from the toe up on one big circular needle, but will also learn how to make two at the same time on the same needle. And then what production of full-sized socks you will see from me!
I wanted to add a little extra challenge to this practice pair of socks, too, so I created my own lace and rib pattern for the basic diy pattern we are using in the class. Its a whole lotta math (see all those scratches? math's not my thing), but it keeps the length of it more interesting to knit and its pretty spectacular to see something that you envision in numbers of stitches and yarn-overs actually form into a design. One more class to learn the heel-turn and we'll see how it turns out...
And on the subject of handmade things to warm a body, yesterday afternoon I went on another use-up-the-apples venture and made this incredible bread. There is a going on to aim at making one good loaf of bread each week. One loaf per week seems a totally accomplishable goal just about now (when a lot of other things don't) and this one was definitely good.
I made a few minor adjustments, adding a good 2 heaping cups of chopped apples and nixing the whole wheat flour for the all purpose. Next time around, I think I would cut down or eliminate the nutmeg, too, as it became the dominant flavor in the bread and it, for whatever reason, isn't my favorite of spices. And add more of the saigon cinnamon.
There was a moment when I poured the melted butter over the mixture of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and such that the most comforting smell came up from the bowl and I felt like nothing could be more right in the world than baking bread on a thursday afternoon. Energy crisis? The smell of hot butter and cinnamon is warmth like no other.
