Close but no cigar

After miles of grafting, I tried my first Sidewinder on because I was a bit worried the leg would be too tight. Yay! The leg fit. Oh no! I felt something dreadful happening.


Ack! I had missed some stitches and they unraveled.


I almost frogged the whole thing in disgust but stopped myself. Put the edge stitches on some waste yarn, picked up the others. And promptly put the fiendish thing in Time Out. I really like the vertical patterning of the colors so will eventually finish them. Lesson learned - don't try to graft a gazillion stitches and teach a class at the same time.


To calm myself, I cast on some Diagonal Rib Socks, a free pattern by Ann Budd from Knitting Daily. I am using Toasty Toes yarn left over from one of the pairs that Peach liked.

Really enjoyed I Heart Huckabees. Goofy and intelligent, enhanced for me by my past studies of Buddhist teachings and French philosophy and criticism. A loving and wacko comedy with Lily Tomlin, Dustin Hoffmann, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Wahlberg, Jude Law, Naomi Watts and the ever exquisite Isabelle Huppert.

Also saw and was touched by Imagine, a documentary about the life of my favorite Beatle, John Lennon.

Black Sheep

Black Sheep got a great review in The New York Times. I missed it but Melanie sent me the link. Wonder if it will come to Richmond?

SoS Progress + 2 movies

Finished my Horcrux socks on Sunday. They only had part of a toe left to complete when the Mystery Stole 3 clue came out. They were a quick, easy knit. Now they are waiting in the sock drawer for cooler weather.


I am not really crazy about the way variegated yarn knits up but still find it hard to resist in the skein. This Posh Yarn from The Loopy Ewe was sitting in my stash, waiting to become a pair of comfy, 30% cashmere socks. Nona recently designed socks that are knit flat & then Kitchenered. This results in vertical, instead of horizontal, stripes. I am half way through my first sock. The pattern for the Sidewinder socks is free on her blog.

Two movies so far this week -
I thought The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou was stupid and boring. Even though it tried, it wasn't funny enough, quirky enough, cute enough, charming enough or touching enough. Too bad when it had a cast that included Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett and Jeff Goldblum.

On the other hand, Hugo Pool, directed by Robert Downey Sr. in 1996 was genuinely quirky, charming and touching. Alyssa Milano, Malcolm MacDowell, Robert Downey Jr., Sean Penn and more - plus Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy) as the love interest, confined to a wheelchair with A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

Movie Night (plus Feist)

As part of my informal completist project of watching movie versions of novels by Jane Austen I rented Bride and Prejudice by the director of Bend It Like Beckham. This tribute to Bollywood musicals moves the story of Pride and Prejudice to contemporary India. A very funny and enjoyable film, no more unrealistic than most romantic comedies. The clip is from early in the movie at a party celebrating a wedding.


This week has been a good one for movies. I also watched and enjoyed -
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, a very well done documentary about a flock of feral parrots in San Francisco and the man who befriended them.

Songcatcher, a 2000 film set in the mountains of North Carolina in the early 20th Century. It featured wonderful music and musicians with magnificent scenery. The script was nothing very special but the music and mountains made it enjoyable. There were two fleeting moments of knitting content. In one, the main character's sister was knitting what appeared to be a dish cloth with lots of mistakes. In the other, she was holding a skein of yarn while a young girl was winding a ball of wool. Iris Dement, Taj Mahal and Hazel Dickens all performed. Aidan Quinn played the hunky mountain man.

And, last night, I watched Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslett. An excellent, somewhat true, story of J.M. Barrie's inspiration for the creation of Peter Pan. Well acted and produced.

I have been seeing Feist's name but have not really heard her music until this morning on Morning Edition on NPR. Oooh, I immediately went to iTunes and downloaded her newest CD - The Reminder. Check out her version of the traditional song - Sea Lion Woman. (aka See Lyin' Woman)



I've been contemplating what to do for a summer knitting project (besides socks) and now I think I have it. Mystery Stole 3 begins June 29.

Movie Time

First Greenfingers, one of those cute movies that is easy to watch and easy to forget. It stars the very hunky Clive Owen who would have made a convincing Bond if he had been selected instead of Daniel Craig. Loosely based on a true story, a bunch of hardened criminals become master gardeners, coached by Helen Mirren's character. A romantic comedy for those times when you want some brain candy. Oh, and watch for the Irish Wolfhound.


I had never seen the 1980 BBC mini series version of Pride and Prejudice until last week. The script was written by Fay Weldon and was more faithful to the novel than the more recent versions. This is not to say that I preferred it, it was a bit too slow and understated. David Rintoul, who played Mr. Darcy, was much too stiff and expressionless, even for a shy and very proper Regency gentleman. Elizabeth Garvie's Eliza Bennet was much better, perhaps even preferable to Jennifer Ehle or Keira Knightly. She was young, pretty and intelligent. There was less comedy and more wit in this version.


Now I am waiting for the second disc of the 1983 BBC mini series of Mansfield Park. Fanny Price is my least favorite Austen heroine. I tend to find her timidity annoying. Fortunately, this version, while quite faithful to the book, does not focus on this aspect of her personality.


Filch's cat, Mrs. Norris, was named by J.K. Rowling after Fanny's dreadful aunt.

The Magdalene Laundry

Christy Moore singing Joni Mitchell's The Magdalene Laundry.

Last night I watched The Magdalene Sisters (2002) and the accompanying documentary Sex in a Cold Climate. Both were about a terrible period in recent Irish history when young women and girls were confined for years, even lifetimes, and forced to perform hard labor for the sins of being sexually active or victims of rape or merely pretty.

More Movies & A New Blob

Laura Linney is one of my favorite actresses. She was just about perfect in The Squid and The Whale and Love, Actually. Since I had never seen You Can Count on Me I added it to my Netflix queue and it finally made its way to the top last week. It is another tender hearted, independent film about a family - this time a single mother (Linney), her son (Rory Culkin), her brother (Mark Ruffalo) and her boss (Matthew Broderick). The film won the 2000 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and truly deserved it. The acting was consistently good, the story was full of truth and the first time director (Kenneth Lonergan) did a very good job. I tend to like independent films because they have to rely on good acting, a good script and good direction - the budgets are just too small to disguise flaws with fancy costumes, locations and special effects.

Sometimes, though, I make a poor pick and XX/XY was one. I chose it because Mark Ruffalo was the star and the plot seemed somewhat intriguing. Too bad his character was immature, shallow and annoying. That would have been forgivable if the movie had been at all good but it wasn't. Only two scenes were worth the time - in one, Ruffalo's character (a director) is recognized by someone who has seen his film. He asks for his money back. The other good scene was a very well acted monologue by Petra Wright who plays Ruffalo's live in girlfriend. For once the commenters at Netflix were right.

All four characters in Mike Nichols' 2004 film Closer were pretty repulsive, especially the ones played by Julia Roberts and Jude Law. Lying, betrayal and sexual misbehavior were the dominant themes of the movie which was based on a play by Patrick Marber. If you don't mind spending a couple of hours with people you have no respect for, this film by a deservedly respected director is definitely worth your time. Clive Owen & Natalie Portman also star & were both nominated for Academy Awards.

Wit, based on the play of the same name, was an HBO movie starring Emma Thompson and directed by Nichols. Thompson plays a literature professor who is diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. The film chronicles her aggressive treatment and decline. She has devoted her life to the study of John Donne, to the exclusion of most human relationships. She endures her ordeal alone with only the comfort of her primary nurse (Audra McDonald). The film was grueling, truthful, sometimes funny and very beautiful.


My new blob in progress is the Split Neck T Shirt from Knitting Pure & Simple. I am using some Elann Peruvian Highland Wool that has been in my stash since November 2004. It is going pretty quickly even though I am working again (whew!). I have even gotten a bit of knitting done while I wait for the next task at my current temp job. It sure beats staring into space or playing Solitaire.

All the parts of the Equestrian Blazer have been finished since last week but I haven't had time to block them. That should happen this weekend.

Moonlight & a movie

What a difference blocking makes!


This lovely pattern by Shui Kuen Kozinski is available free at Elann. I happened to have the very yarn called for - Elann's Baby Silk. It had been in my stash for at least 2 years. I used #4 needles and knit 8 instead of 10 repeats in order to avoid the dreaded Jemima Puddleduck effect.


Sorry this detail is flashed out. I can see how easy it would be to get addicted to lace. I am planning to make Eunny's Print o' the Wave with my loot. But I am going to try to restrain myself from full blown compulsion because I do like to use the things I make and how much lace do I really need. And I think socks are probably more useful gifts than lace shawls. At least, I can't really imagine that my sister would prefer a shawl over socks.

I watched another good indie film about a family last night. Amy Adams was nominated for a 2005 Academy Award for her role in Junebug. It was the story of a visit to family in North Carolina by the older son and his new wife. Very truthful and touching with excellent acting.

Saturday Songs, Movies, Moonlight & a UFO

Songs

1. Boogie - Paolo Conte
2. Junko Partner - Dr. John
3. Rescue - Lucinda Williams
4. Au Suivant - Jacques Brel
5. Ai Vida - Cristina Branco
6. There Will Never Be Another You - Chet Baker
7. Singapore - Tom Waits
8. Tall In The Saddle - Joan Armatrading
9. Sous Le Soleil Exactement - Serge Gainsbourg
10. She Said She Said - The Beatles


Movies

I have 133 movies in my Netflix queue. At about 4 movies a week & adding at least two for every one I watch, I will never catch up. I must have added these first two after last year's Academy Awards.

Capote starring Philip Seymour Hoffman in an Oscar winning performance as Truman Capote. The film was visually stunning and the entire cast was excellent. I particularly like Catherine Keener as Harper Lee. Hoffman is one of his generation's great actors. I first saw him in Owning Mahowny based on the true story of a mild mannered, compulsive gambler who embezzles millions from the bank where he works in order to fund his habit.

Syriana was a very effective thriller that pulled me in, despite my confusion about what exactly was going on. The story grew by fragments until it fell into place shortly before the conclusion. George Clooney (another 2005 Oscar winner) did his best to look ordinary by gaining 30 pounds, growing a beard & shaving his hairline. Can't escape those gorgeous eyes though. The rest of the top notch cast included Matt Damon, Chris Cooper & William Hurt.

Too bad I saw Casino Royale around the same time. Yes, Daniel Craig is hot but the movie was waaay too long for such a simplistic story.

And then, last night, a wonderful independent film, Lovely & Amazing, directed by Nicole Holcener who went on to Friends With Money (now in my queue). A terrific ensemble cast that included Brenda Blethyn - Secrets & Lies, Little Voice and Mrs.Bennett in the Keira Knightly version of Pride & Prejudice, Catherine Keener (again), Jake Gyllenhaal - pre-Brokeback Mountain and Raven Goodwin, a child actress who played the most sensible character in the movie.

Moonlight


The shawl is finished and ready to be blocked tomorrow. The Walker Treasury blog has a swatch of the lace - called Sunspots in Barbara Walker's book - as a recent entry.

UFO


Remember this? I got as far as completing the back and beginning the left front last November. The concentration required to follow row by row instructions eluded me and the whole thing was left to marinate for months. After Swallowtail and Moonlight Sonata, the pattern suddenly seemed much less complex so I picked it up again. I finished the left front in a day and am now working my way up the right front, increasing, decreasing and short-rowing along with ease. The pattern for Kate Gilbert's Equestrian Blazer is in the Fall 2006 Interweave Knits if you want to check out the instructions.

Music, Movies & Moonlight

Friday iPod Shuffle

1. Shopping Trolley - Beth Orton
2. Shotgun Boogie - Don Walser
3. Guess Things Happen That Way - Johnny Cash
4. Somebody Who Loves You - Joan Armatrading
5. Out of Touch - Lucinda Williams
6. Buckets of Rain - Bob Dylan
7. Railroad Lady - Willie Nelson
8. Go To Sleep Alone - Jimmie Dale Gilmore
9. Close Your Eyes - Queen Latifah
10. Cold Blue Steel & Sweet Fire - Joni Mitchell

Movies


This movie opened yesterday and got an excellent review in today's New York Times. Directed by the Canadian actress, Sarah Polley, who starred in The Sweet Hereafter and No Such Thing (recently written about here), it has an extraordinary cast that includes the luminous Julie Christie. I won't wait for it to come out on a dvd to see it.


Last night I watched Jules and Jim - Truffaut's masterpiece from 1962. Jeanne Moreau is another actress who combines exceptional beauty with true talent.

Another highly recommended film is Vera Drake starring Imelda Staunton who was Oscar nominated for her role as the ordinary working class mother and loving wife who has a secret vocation as an illegal abortionist in 1950's England. Directed by Mike Leigh and perfectly acted, this film is an excellent reminder of a time to which we cannot revert. Hey Supreme Court, Keep your laws off my body!

Also seen and enjoyed -
Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl, wonderful Johnny Depp and a marvelously complicated plot. I don't need to see the sequels though.
Broadcast News. Love Holly Hunter but, boy, those 1980's fashions sure haven't aged well.

Moonlight

I've finished the third repeat. For more details, come on over to the Elann shawlknit-along.

Music, movies, a book and........OH NO!

Junior Brown - My Wife Thinks You're Dead

Friday iPod Shuffle. Tell me about yours.

1. A Little Blues - The Be Good Tanyas
2. It's Tight Like That - Georgia Tom
3. So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad) - John Prine
4. Yanzi (Swallow Song) - Yo Yo Ma
5. Creeps Like Me - Lyle Lovett
6. Five Finnish Folk Songs - Yo Yo Ma
7. Hillbilly Hula Gal - Junior Brown
8. Reason to Cry - Lucinda Williams
9. Kingfish - Randy Newman
10. Young Blood - Rickie Lee Jones

Rogue, the Deerhound with his own blog, told me about a website devoted to covers of Bob Dylan songs. I should have known such a site existed.

Movies to see:
Rabbit Proof Fence, an Australian film based on the true story of 3 part Aboriginal girls. They were taken from their mothers and sent to a boarding school, escaped, and walked 1200 miles through the outback to get home. Well acted, beautiful photography, moving story.

Sisters, a very early (1973) Brian De Palma film. I wanted to see it because one of the leads, Jennifer Salt, was a student at Sarah Lawrence when I was. As was De Palma but I didn't know him. The movie had way too much scenery chewing to be scary and I surprised myself by enjoying it. Charles Durning had a part in it too and I do like him.

One of my favorite bloggers, Crazy Aunt Purl has a book coming out called Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair. It will be published in October and, if it is one tenth as funny and sweet as her blog, it should be a huge hit. How could it miss with a title like that?


OH NO! This is how close I got to finishing the Swallowtail Shawl before I ran out of yarn. Rather than ordering one ball from the only place in the world where it is available, I tinked back and eliminated the row before the bindoff so I would have enough yarn to finish. I hope to block tomorrow so should have FO pictures Sunday or Monday.

Sublime to Silly

A Very Long Engagement with Audrey Tautou (Amelie) and Gaspard Ulliel (now on screens as the young Hanibal Lecter). A very beautiful and romantic film that is not for the faint of heart due to the graphic scenes of World War I. Jodie Foster plays a French war widow who assists in Matilde's (Tautou) quest for the answer to Manech's (Ulliel) disappearance. This film rates a very rare five stars.

I also watched French Kiss (1995) with Meg Ryan & Kevin Kline. Silly movie - no chemistry between them. And I just don't find most characters who are petty criminals to be all that attractive. Some good musicians on the soundtrack though - Les Negresses Vertes, Paolo Conte & Van Morrison.

The chewed sock is in the landfill by now. It wouldn't have been worth the time to repair. The Yarn Lounge will have a washed Toasty Toes sock yarn sample & I will make myself another pair with the yarn left from the giant skein.

Peach generally confines her shredding to stuffed dog toys & empty food containers. For some reason, Moose (her uncle) did not get the Whippet shredding gene but it definitely runs in the family. His father was notorious for destroying his beds.

Book & Movies

More about life than knitting, this book was an enjoyable, but not memorable, read. The plot centers on Georgia Walker, a single mother and yarn store owner, and the women who are drawn together on Friday evenings. We learn their stories and watch as friendships form. Georgia has to deal with the re-entry into their lives of the father of her child. Anita allows love and romance to blossom. Darwin finds a good friend. Cat leaves her husband. All their lives change in small or large ways.

I enjoyed the prefaces to the sections - short essays on different aspects of knitting. It was fun to imagine the store, the women coming together, knitting and sharing food. Unfortunately, the plot shift near the end of the book seemed abrupt and gratuitous. With that as a warning, I do recommend this book to fellow knitters or those who like to read books about friendships between women - with some romance thrown in.

Two movies to recommend. One still in theaters and one on dvd.

The Lives of Others won this year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. It is set in East Germany during the Communist regime when the secret police permeated the country. Brilliantly acted, beautifully filmed, it was more than worth the price of the ticket.

L'Auberge Espagnole (The Spanish Apartment) was a delightful film about a young Frenchman's year of study in Barcelona. He shares an apartment with five other students - each a different nationality. His romantic and cultural escapades are amusing and the acting is excellent. There is a sequel called Russian Dolls and I have it in my Netflix queue.

Miters & Movies

This is why I began these socks! To get to the mitered squares. Wendy Johnson has started a garment made of small mitered squares of sock yarn. It is very painterly. And January One is working obsessively on mitered squares for a coverlet. Very Op art-ish.
The quilterly part of my brain sees all sorts of possibilities.


I fear the socks are not going to be stretchy enough to fit my sturdy leg. I have decided not to try them on until the second one is finished. That way I won't end up with just one sock.


The yarn arrived for my next sweater. Cotton Fleece from Brown Sheep. It is 80% cotton & 20% merino wool in the Emperor's Robe color. Even though the instructions say to hand wash, I took the chance and tossed my gauge swatch into the washing machine on cold. It turned out just fine and I plan to machine wash my finished sweater. I won't put it in the dryer though. It will be a very simple top down v-neck cardigan from Knitting Pure & Simple. I had a moment of wondering if it will look as if I just bought a sweater from J. Crew. Quickly shoved the thought aside and reminded myself that the sweater will fit me and have nice subtle details. Certainly better buttons than any from a catalog.

Movies watched recently -
I did not like Gangs of New York. Too violent, too long and too smug. It was so highly choreographed I kept expecting the gangs to break into song and dance routines - an 1860s West Side Story. Maybe Martin Scorcese is too much of a guy type director for me. I did truly enjoy the series about The Blues that he produced for Public Television.
In The Name of the Father directed by Jim Sheridan was better. I was caught up in the story of the innocent Gerry Conlan & his father sent to prison for many years for as IRA terrorists. I am a sucker for injustice.

Sock Progress

Amazing how much progress I can make in a day when I am not working. I am not a particularly fast knitter but I spend quite a bit of time knitting when I should be doing other things. I really enjoy the Fleece Artist merino sock yarn. It has just the right amount of twist and the dye jobs are all very beautiful.

Thanks for all the comments on my sock surgery. Suzann, thanks for the reminder about knitting a few rows of ribbing when starting a picot edge. I had never tried one until the two pairs of socks following the pattern in Jo Sharp's Knit 1. Knitting the hem seemed so satisfyingly clever but next time I will wait, wash the socks & then sew the hem. Robin, the yarn I used was Jo Sharp's Silk Georgette. I know the care instructions say to hand wash but I would never wear my socks if I had to hand wash them. I put them all in the washer on cold & then hang them to dry. They do just fine.

I recently re-read The Knitter's Almanac just because Elizabeth Zimmermann is so inspiring in her attitude towards knitting. She gives me courage to experiment and try new things.


Many thanks to Debbie who told me about this album. Rosalie Sorrels sings one of the songs. I heard her perform in about 1971 at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, New York. I was shocked to discover she does not have a Wikipedia entry. She sang with and influenced many folk singers.

Speaking of singers, I watched The Last Waltz, the film of The Band's last concert. Even though Martin Scorcese directed it, I was disappointed in it as a film. Perhaps if I had seen it when it first came out - 1978 - it would have seemed more exciting. I did enjoy the music, especially Muddy Waters.

Irish Hiking Scarf

No, I did not knit this at the speed of light. It has been sitting on the needles, nearly finished, for months. When I became a participant in a Secret Project, I thought of this scarf for my contribution. I completed it yesterday using Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in the Night colorway. The yarn is 85% wool, 10% cashmere & 5% silk. It looks rugged but has a soft hand - perfect for a cabled scarf. The pattern is available free at Hello Yarn.

Last night I watched Dead Man with Johnny Depp, directed by Jim Jarmusch. It was funny & mystical & very, very beautiful. You may have gathered by now that I enjoy films by independent directors. Jarmusch is a favorite. I have seen Stranger Than Paradise, Down By Law, Mystery Train and Night on Earth, some more than once. Night on Earth is a particular favorite. It depicts taxi rides in four different cities - Los Angeles, Paris, Rome & Helsinki - and has a soundtrack by Tom Waits.

Friday iPod Shuffle

1. Via Con Me - Paolo Conte
2. I've Got The Blues - Lyle Lovett
3. Lake Marie - John Prine
4. Birmingham - Randy Newman
5. Mean Eyed Cat - Johnny Cash
6. California Dreamin' - Queen Latifah
7. Diddie Wah Diddie - Blind Blake
8. Count Me Out - The Del McCoury Band
9. Hold Up - Serge Gainsbourg (he's back!)
10. A Prision Perpetua - Chavela Vargas

Watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind this week. I wasn't sure what to expect because Jim Carrey can be so obnoxious (although I loved Dumb & Dumber). He was actually quite good and Kate Winslett was wonderful, as usual. The movie was funny, touching and interesting. I gave it 4 stars.

Then I was terribly disappointed by The Importance of Being Earnest. How could a film based on an Oscar Wilde play with Judi Dench, Rupert Everett & Colin Firth go so terribly wrong? I blame the writer/director Oliver Parker.

The Snap Cardigan is drying. Just have to sew in the snap tape. It will debut at Yarn Church on Sunday.

Another Friday, Another Shuffle

(See #7)

1. Heartland Truckstop - Beth Orton
2. Metal Firecracker (live) - Lucinda Williams
3. I've Got Love If You Want It - Slim Harpo
4. Cry, Cry, Cry - Johnny Cash
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long - Otis Redding
6. Tramp - Otis Redding
7. Transito - Lila Downs
8. Coconut Island - Junior Brown
9. (We're Not) The Jet Set - John Prine & Iris DeMent
10. Blue - Joni Mitchell

And continuing with my watching of quirky independent films, I enjoyed Festival in Cannes directed by Henry Jaglom with the ever fabulous Anouk Aimee plus Greta Scacchi, Ron Silver, Maxmillian Schell and others.

iPod Challenge, Alan Rickman & More

1. Annie's Lover - Taj Mahal
2. You're Still Standin' There - Steve Earle
3. Safe in Your Arms - Beth Orton
4. CCKMP - Steve Earle
5. That's No Way to Say Goodbye - Leonard Cohen
6. Keep Your Hands Off Her - Taj Mahal
7. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Lila Downs
8. The Last Time - The Blind Boys of Alabama
9. Soledad - Yo Yo Ma
10. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (live version) - Lucinda Williams

Many thanks to Benne who told me about Maria Muldaur's album of Dylan love songs. It is now on my nano.

I loved Alan Rickman's Col. Brandon in Sense & Sensibility. Everyone was right, Emma Thompson was too old for Elinor. She is such a marvelous actress, though, that it didn't really bother me. Even Hugh Grant was tolerable. Having to play a shy, serious & extremely polite gentleman must have kept his mannerisms under control.

I also treated myself and watched Truffaut's Day for Night for the first time in years. What a tender and funny tribute to actors and crew.

Last night I saw Hal Hartley's No Such Thing. People either really like his movies or really dislike them. I happen to like them. This one had a monster, an ingenue, Icelandic scenery, Helen Mirren and Julie Christie.

Tonight I am going to watch The Winter Guest which was co-written and directed by Alan Rickman. It features Emma Thompson and her mother, Phyllida Law, playing mother and daughter.

All this movie watching has meant progress on my Snap Cardigan. I have finished the back, both fronts and am nearly finished with the first sleeve.

Ruby Red (socks, not slippers)

The Fleece Artist merino wool socks are proceeding. The Ruby Red color is a bit richer than my picture. I cast on 68 sts as recommended on the ball band for women's large but am thinking that the feet may be too loose. Trying to decide whether to decrease when I get to the heel, switch to 0s (I'm knitting on 1s) or just enjoy a pair of roomy socks. The stitch pattern is from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlotte Schurch. I don't follow her extremely thorough and helpful sockmaking directions, but am inspired by the stitch swatches. The Baby Cable I used on the orange socks came from the book as well.

Woven Stitch
Rnds 1 & 2 - K2, P2
Rnds 3 & 4 - Knit
Rnds 5 & 6 - P2, K2
Rnds 7 & 8 - Knit

I am also making progress on the orchid Snap Front Cardigan. The weather has been beautiful the past couple of days and I want to wear my lively cotton sweater. Watched the 1981 BBC version of Sense & Sensibility last night and made headway with the stockinette slog. The more recent version starring Emma Thompson is in my Netflix queue. It will be interesting to compare them. I am also looking forward to Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon.