See Jo knit!

I have started my mom's birthday socks more than a whole month in advance! The brioche rib stitch is incredibly addictive, and the yarn (Dream in Color SMOOSHY) is wonderful to knit with. This is my first pair of socks in Smooshy, and I'm getting a whopping 9 sts/inch. The pattern is Roza's socks, by Grumperina, from the spring 2007 Interweave, except I'm knitting mine toe-up (surprise) and added a pattern repeat for 66 sts around. They're really nice and stretchy, so I think they will fit my mom well.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that the tight gauge will survive the abuse my mother inflicts on the poor socks I make for her. I know I've said no more 100% wool socks, but the SMOOSHY is so soft, and it is superwash, so maybe these will manage to last.

It's a balmy 50 degrees here today and the snow is melting! The grass is still dead and brown, so I'm having to inject a bit of color into the landscape. Zitron Trekking in color 100 (rainbow!) is just the ticket. I started these in January when my winter blues were at their worst, and I've made it to the other side. Pattern is the always-entertaining Jaywalker.

My dad has been the recipient of not one, but TWO pairs of handknitted socks; however, he doesn't often have an appropriate occasion to wear them, living in the desert in California.

He was in Chicago last week, though, the week they got 2 feet of snow and temperatures were in the single-digits the entire week. How fortunate it was that he had packed the socks I made for him! He told me that he would start the day out in regular socks, but before lunchtime he was always up in the hotel room, layering his warm wool socks over his thin dress socks. They were the only socks that could keep his feet warm.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I knit.