Sunday, May 06, 2007

Do you love the Monkey or do you love me?*

Time to start something new, whether to mark the beginning of my summer or because of time spent recently at Ravelry. (If you haven't heard of Ravelry yet, frecklegirl Jess explains the site here.) Last night at 10 p.m., I chose a skein of Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 -- from my four-skein stash of precious sock yarns -- that I bought about two years ago at The Needle Emporium (before F.A. had actual colourways). I then enlisted Bill's help in winding the skein into a ball, since he's so talented that he is able to hold a skein and watch a hockey game. (Go, Sens, go!)

Then, to choose a pattern. I wanted something textured, and interesting, but not cabled or holey. I picked Tropicana and cast on, but my fingers were aching after only one round of increases (of a total 66 sts., I'd have to knit into the front and back of 36 sts. every 4 rounds!!), and that just didn't bode well. Too bad -- I think it's a great-looking sock.

Next, I felt the pull of the wonderful world of Cookie A., and settled on Monkey. I cast on and knit the twisted ribbing and three pattern repeats.


There are many, many versions of these socks online, and I always liked them but never loved them -- until seeing them blocked by Gleek. Yep, blocking is magic. This stitch pattern just looks weird and puffy when left alone; it needs to be stretched out, and then it's awesome. (Vanessa pointed this out, too -- check out the difference.)

* You don't have to choose. It's just a George Michael song.

19 comments:

miss ewe said...

Great monkeys... and I'm jealous of that yarn! I almost bought some last weekend, but my wallet resisted. Incidentally, we should do a rewrite -- "Do you love the MOOKY or do you love me?".

Nadia said...

Love the purly texture in the subtle colourway!

goodkarma said...

That is a gorgeous colorway. My favorite tones. Yummy! And not too variegated for a complex pattern like Monkey. Great combo!

La Cabeza Grande said...

The Monkey looks right smart in a nearly solid! This bodes well for me as I will be doing a blue Monkey in STR Star Sapphire.

Anonymous said...

I love the colour you chose for the monkey socks.
And yeah, I've lost all my time to Ravelry in the last few days. Addicted! And motivated to start new things!
The 'Nucks are out, so go Sens!

Chris said...

Lovely Monkeys! And thanks for the link to Tropicana - I'd forgotten all about it.

LaurieM said...

I choose you! I don't like the monkey socks. I know, I'm weird.

Veronique said...

Your glass makes a perfect off-the-cuff blocking tool!
I'm having tons of fun with Ravelry too. It's a total time sucker as I upload all my projects then check out everybody else's :)

Anonymous said...

I can't stop fussing with Ravelry either! love it, love it, love it.

and that yarn looks fantastic with the monkey pattern. makes me want to hvae a second go at it...

www.twin-knit.com

Elinor said...

I love the subtly of that colorway and agree that blocking makes all the difference!!!! I'm a ravelry addict too. :-)

Anonymous said...

That song makes so much more sense as an adult. It might have been better before. Lovely socks. I might have to follow suit!

spajonas said...

yep, i love my monkey socks. they are awesome! and i loved knitting them too :)

knittingphilistine said...

Ooooh, old school Fleece Artist... very pretty!

Anonymous said...

And that song will now be in my head for DAYS.

Love the monkey sock! And brilliant idea of using the glass to model it.

Lolly said...

These socks have my number - they have been calling me too :) Lovely Fleece Artist!

vanessa said...

thanks for the link to my blog! i have been ignoring it lately though. naughty me!
i love the blue of your monkeys!

Stacey said...

blocking is so cool - amazing what it does for knitting!!! they look great!

Anonymous said...

Most of the time monkeys in a variegated yarn make my eyes hurt but I really like yours. The blues totally work!

Thanks for the link action! :)

Love This Space said...

Ah yes, I'm working on Monkey right now too. My yarn has more verigation which I'm afraid will hide the pattern. I like your monochromatic pallett better.

And you know, your yarn is about the color of Cookie's hair!