This sock is the result of on-the-go knitting. We traveled to PA this weekend and the first thing I packed was the knitting. But what project? Babette involves too many skeins and would be an unwieldy traveling companion but I was almost to the bind off row of Lotus Blossom. And I had been warned about this row.

*I shall take a moment to speak of the Lotus Blossom bind off. The shawl is lovely, the charts are impeccable, the bind off? she is a MoFo. Eight hours of knitting to get that shawl off the needles. During the blocking portion, I had a horrendous moment of thinking that the center bottom bobble was in the wrong position —- my heart stopped for the briefest of moments before I realized that everything was okay. phew.

Anyway, Carole had given me the bind off heads up, so I knew to take another project along for the ride …. and that’s where this sock comes in. The pattern is Roza by Grumperina and can be found in Spring Interweave Knits 2007. I am using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Superwash – which happens to be one of my favorite sock yarns.

This is a great pattern. First and foremost, I like a sock to hug my leg. While I can appreciate the beauty of a flat-fabric sock, for wearing comfort I like some kind of ribbing pattern. But knitting ribbing can get boring. Until now, Retro Rib was my go to sock pattern. Not that this has replaced Retro Rib, let’s just say that in my sock family, Retro Rib has a new little sister!

mommy loves you all ….. really.

how about a little dining room pig picture?

• Lotus Blossom Shawl by Dorothy Siemens
• Knitting Notions Yarn
• Mods: 2 additional pattern repeats – one of chart three and one of chart five alá Enchanting Juno.

This shawl has to be one of my quickest knits on record. I love everything about it – especially its sweet fresh-from-blocking smell (that’s right up there with baby heads and puppy breath).

I believe that Typepad and I have resolved our differences. Or more to the point, we’ve both decided to ignore and move past them. This is an element of all great relationships. Plus I’m scared to try any other blogging software.

Fall is in the air. It has been cold and rainy and there has been a definite winding down feeling around here. Weeds are growing unchecked between the bricks on the patio. Potted plants are looking leggy and spent and I all I can see are pumpkins. D#1 is packing up and we head out on Friday to take her back to college.

Here’s a little something to entertain on those frosty evenings ….. leaning double jowler!