Progress report

I've recently cast on two new projects, and while I'm perfectly happy with both, the progress has been slow-going, so there hasn't been that much new and exciting to report.

After a day of indecision, I cast on a new sock, using some Fleece Artist I've had caked up for ages. Apparently it's not good to cake up yarn too far ahead of time (it stretches the fibers), and since the shop caked it up for me when I bought it in January, I figured I should get cracking. The picture doesn't do the colour justice, I'm afraid. It's a lovely shade of brown with some reds and gold thrown in, and I think it'll be perfect for the "Gentleman's socks", picked out from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.

My only problem is that, while I've made socks to fit a size 11 man's foot using this yarn in the past, this pattern's gauge is slightly tighter than my usual 8sts/inch (and therefore, will require more yarn). Add to that the fact that Fleece Artist does not include yardage information on their packaging, and I feel like I'm flying blind. The pattern calls for 600 yards of fingering weight yarn, though I suspect it's less than that (she couldn't possibly have used all of her three 200 yard skeins, could she?). Flying blind? I'm flying blind, in the Alps, with a plane that has a faulty fuel gage. Oh well...

The second new project is Emilie's sweater. Remember I was waiting for more appropriate colours? Isn't this better? I'm quite happy with the new colours, but I'm finding that colour-work takes FOREVER!!! I managed a staggering 6 rows in just over an hour of knitting last night. I'm really going to have to kick it up a notch if I want it to be ready for Emilie to wear at Rhinebeck. Will I have to commit to project monogamy? We'll see, it's far too early to tell...

So that's what's been going on chez Dear Knits. I think I may be going through some form of shopping withdrawal as well, I'm feeling lethargic and anxious all at once... I've got a gift certificate for Chapters that has yet to be spent... Maybe I could buy a new knitting book (this one is particularly tempting), just to take the edge off? :)