Tooth and Claw Socks

Well, between finishing off Lizard Ridge and then deciding to make that "quick" "little" hat (aside: should I have put "hat" in quotes, too? It's really more of a parachute, don't you think?) it's taken a while to finish off the Tooth and Claw socks. They are now done, however, and fit like a glove. Well, more like a well-fitted sock than like a glove, really.


The pattern up the instep and the front of the leg was pretty easy and never got tedious. It also makes the sock fit very nicely, since it is, in essence, an angled rib of sorts. There is a lace pattern up the back leg (which I have just now realized I didn't photograph) which was a bit more work, as it involved a decrease while cabling, and thus necessitated a cable needle. It's a long time since I used one -- I usually cable without a cable needle, and doing those cable rows reminded me why. How fiddly to have to pick up and put down (or in my case, hold in my mouth) a cable needle every time you need to do a cable. It's a mug's game, I tell ya.


In any case, these socks are just what I dreamed they would be. The colour is so lovely (but you'll have to trust me on that since the photos don't really do it justice, even in the natural light.) The little dragon ridges are tamed a bit when you put it on, but they still don't go away altogether, and I think they are really charming. They do flatten out when you push on them, so I don't think they'll be a problem in shoes.

I enjoyed this pattern a lot -- it taught me a new way to do a toe-up gusset and heel flap, and it was a real treat to knit with the tosh sock yarn. Finishing them leaves me with only one knitting project on the needles (not counting the one which is in hibernation.) Perhaps I should go cast on for the other RSC January sock -- especially since the next kit will be coming by the end of this month!

Weighing In

I remember the first time I read about a knitter using a scale to weigh her yarn, to figure out how much she'd used with her project.
At the time it seemed pretty crazy, I must admit (and I assume you're thinking as much, as you read this.) Today, however, I was knitting the leg of my sock, trying to decide if I had enough to do another repeat, or if that would leave me short on the second sock. What better way to figure it out than to drag out the kitchen scale and weigh the sock and the remaining yarn, to figure out whether I'd used nearly half of the yarn, yet.

It was a bit more complicated than that, of course -- after all, I had to figure in the weight of the needles (rather heavy nickel-plated ones: 8 grams, for the record.) Fortunately I remember basic algebra well enough to do that sort of calculation. In the end, I decided I wouldn't risk another repeat; if I used more than another 10 grams of yarn, then I would be eating into the second half of the skein, and I still had a bit of cuff to do, plus the bind-off row. So I finished up the first sock and got set up for the second.

Meantime, I am still waiting for the arrival of the yarn to finish off Lizard Ridge. I know you are all as anxious as I am, to see the finished project (not to mention what I'm going to make with the leftovers...)

Here Be Dragons

A long time ago, I read a cool novel called Tooth and Claw, by a Canadian author named Jo Walton. It was a sort of Jane Austen-ey tale of manners and love and strife amongst a family of dragons. Not only was it unique, it was also really entertaining, funny, and engaging. I've never forgotten it.


When I saw one of the sock patterns in the January Rockin' Sock Club shipment, it reminded me of dragons, with these little spiny ridges up the top of the foot. I immediately thought of this Madelinetosh sock yarn that I had sitting around from Sock Summit (which those of you with longer memories may recall had previously been knit into an ill-fated wrap and summarily frogged.) The colour is such a perfect dragon colour, and really suited the pattern. I couldn't wait to start knitting them up, and immediately thought to name them after my favourite dragon novel. I am nearly to the heel and am really enjoying these ones. The yarn is so soft and the colours make me swoon with every inch I knit. The green is a little bit darker and mossier than the photo, but the purple is very true to life. I am so glad I get a second chance to knit up this yarn.

p.s. Don't worry -- the also-stunning January RSC yarn will be knit up in the other pattern with the shipment, so you will get a chance to see it, soon enough. Fear not, my lovelies.