Beginner's Lace Socks

I have been dedicating myself lately to building my skills with socks.  I have now completed (and worn and washed a couple of times!) my third pair.  The first pair were a disaster which resulted in a 2 year hiatus from socks.  Recently, I completed a 2nd pair that were plain, but well fitting and I was hooked. 


Now I am happy to say that my 3rd pair are self-designed to ease me into lace socks.  This is a simple lace pattern that any novice (me!) can master.  I am not ashamed to show these off. 

They are made in Berroco Comfort Sock using sizes 1 and 2 dpn. 

This so super charged me that I plunged right into another pair with a pattern that I found on the internet.  I quickly discovered that I had become too ambitious for my fledgling lace skills.  I started that pair 3 times, the last time with a less complicated pattern.  They are on the needles, and yes -- I see ways to improve my skills. 

However, I am proud of my beginner's lace socks and will repeat them to test the language of the pattern for others who may want to try it. 

There is one significant disadvantage to knitting socks in North Texas.  We don't get enough time with cold weather to enjoy handknitted socks very much.  Although we have had a very mild winter this year, it is getting milder:  yesterday was 73 degrees and today is expected to be in the low 80's. 

Next up - Letterman

We left Bryce  Canyon for Boise by way of the interstate, with a stopover in Cedar City, UT as well as Orem.

While in Orem, I left our hotel for a few necessities at a nearby Walmart.  While there, I passed the music department and could not resist looking through the CDs.  There was a prominent display entitled HOT and NEW, with a half dozen featured CDs.  In the center appeared LIFE AT BEST, the latest release of the Eli Young Band.  For those who are just now tuning in, the bass player is Husker's baby boy, Jon.  The release went to 3rd on the top country albums during its first full week and dropped to 5th during the second week.  Needless to say, we are excited.  The single release that came earlier, CRAZY GIRL, went gold and currently is nearing the platinum mark.  Their first bona fide hit.

Speaking of going gold, there is an official plaque that is distributed commemorating this.  Husker's son, Jon,  arranged for a customized (i.e., nameplate) plaque that recognizes Husker as the owner of that particular copy.  Husker is a very proud papa.

You can catch them November 4, 2011 on Dave Letterman.  

My knitting is about to get stupid ambitious shortly.  I am nearing the end of my current project, a cropped pullover, that I started as we left on our two-week odyssey to the Pacific Northwest, and frogged twice.  The band has a logo, and I want to make Jon a cap with the logo.  This is probably going to be frogged a few times, too, because the logo is very curvaceous and will require mucho trial-and-error.  The plan is to make it with this gray yarn with a gold (of course!) logo.  My first step will be to transfer the logo to graph paper after I do a gauge piece.  I am using sock yarn.  Pray for me . . .