December 23, 2005
Speedy Christmas Socks
Mom, if you are reading, now is the time to stop. Also, if you a member of my family who I will see tomorrow, no clicking below!!
All week I've been trying to figure out what to knit for my mom for Christmas. That is, while working from home and waiting out the NYC transit strike. All those commuters on the news walking over the bridges? not me. I've learned the secrets of telecommuting, and FYI, its quite cool. But I'm with them in spirit.
So after ruling out flapover mittens and really really speedy sweater knitting, I decided on socks for Mom.
Check out that striping! I didn't think this yarn would do that. Its koolaid dyed, dyed way back in June. Actually, full credit for dyeing goes to my brother Lars. He came over one day after work, and next thing he knew, he was dyeying yarn. His rather unconventional dyeing method:
We used a very long skein that I'd prepared for self-striping sock yarn, but didn't mark off the colors in advance. Lars put sections of the skein in the dye, added koolaid, and exhausted the solution before moving on to another section. I have no idea about the specific colors... though I didn't have any blue at the time.
I am just past the heel turn on the first sock. I figure if I am on the second sock by Saturday for some good plane knitting, its golden.
Comments (21)
i love the colors, and i think the fact that they'll be knit by you, dyed by your brother makes them the perfect mom gift.
have a great christmas!
Posted by jody | December 23, 2005 9:37 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 09:37
Very cool color combo. The striping is very nice and subtle. Go Lars!
Posted by Pumkinmama | December 23, 2005 10:58 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 10:58
Your brother seems to have a gift! Cutest stripes ever! (you tell him I said that ;))
Posted by grumperina | December 23, 2005 11:04 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 11:04
Fantastic! I just love rule breakers!
And they are turning out great!
Good luck with finishing these - I just finished a pair for my daughter!! You can do it!!
Posted by Teyani | December 23, 2005 11:13 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 11:13
lovely colors. happy holidays to you!
Posted by blossom | December 23, 2005 11:16 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 11:16
look at that pretty yarn! your brother is a natural! (re: his name - any scandinavian heritage in your family?)
Posted by kris | December 23, 2005 11:18 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 11:18
Exactly. How sweet is it that your brother dyed the yarn (my brother would NEVER do that) and you knit the socks. Your mom will be all verklempt. Merry Christmas!
Posted by Karma | December 23, 2005 11:40 AM
Posted on December 23, 2005 11:40
Beautiful dye job Lars! And beautiful kniiting on your end.
Posted by Stephanie | December 23, 2005 12:08 PM
Posted on December 23, 2005 12:08
I'd say Lars did an excellent dye job! Maybe he has another calling...
Posted by MJ | December 23, 2005 1:51 PM
Posted on December 23, 2005 13:51
Very nice! Look at you...great under pressure, as myself! Happy Holidays!
Posted by carolyn | December 23, 2005 2:32 PM
Posted on December 23, 2005 14:32
They are beautiful! Great job on the dyeing, Lars!
Posted by Steph | December 23, 2005 2:53 PM
Posted on December 23, 2005 14:53
Your brother is a natural! What a nice combined effort for your Mom.
Posted by Siri | December 23, 2005 4:51 PM
Posted on December 23, 2005 16:51
Very pretty socks! And kudos to Lars for the great dye job! Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.
Posted by caitlyn | December 23, 2005 9:40 PM
Posted on December 23, 2005 21:40
Totally gorgeous yarn. I've never gotten color like that from Koolaid.
Posted by Chris | December 26, 2005 10:08 PM
Posted on December 26, 2005 22:08
Can I borrow Lars? Don't worry, it will be only for dyeing purposes...... Those are great socks!
Posted by beth | December 27, 2005 11:42 AM
Posted on December 27, 2005 11:42
Those stripes work out great!
Posted by Emy | December 28, 2005 3:26 AM
Posted on December 28, 2005 03:26
Very nice stripes! I'm going to try same with my almost 7 year old niece this week. Sometimes those outside the process can bring a fresh creativity/perspective, eh?
Posted by Monica | December 28, 2005 4:28 AM
Posted on December 28, 2005 04:28
it came out so pretty :) what yarn did you use? is it superwash or have any nylon in it? i've done some kool-aid dyeing, but not with sock yarn, and i think knitpicks has some natural sock yarn intended for dye-your-own. .... something, i must try :)
happy new years!
Posted by graylagran | January 1, 2006 11:14 AM
Posted on January 1, 2006 11:14
That is some pretty sweet Kool-Aid yarn if you ask me. He gets major kudos for that one! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a fab new year :)
Posted by Dani | January 1, 2006 8:42 PM
Posted on January 1, 2006 20:42
Beautiful colors - I hope she loved them! :-)
Posted by vicki | January 10, 2006 11:28 AM
Posted on January 10, 2006 11:28
Hey Diana!
i wanted to tell you, Blogger deleted my blog on accident so i had to start a new one [rage]. new address is brooklyntweed2.blogspot.com. dont be a stranger now!
Lovin the socks by the way
Posted by j a r e d | January 11, 2006 11:09 AM
Posted on January 11, 2006 11:09