Thursday, April 03, 2008

Fire and Earth

The third edition of Project Spectrum has just transitioned from the element of Fire to Earth, and as usual, I am a few days behind.


Pattern: Primavera Socks
Yarn & Needles: Trekking XXL, US2 & US1 needles
Rav info here

In a world full of delicious sock yarns, it was with some relief that I relegated Trekking to my "not for me" yarns. I had used it twice, and really suffered through the last pair in August 2006. I found it splitty and rough, and too thin for my tastes. As you can see, though, I've had a change of heart, and I am pleased to welcome Trekking back into my stash. Having knit more than 30 pairs of socks in the last couple of years, I have developed genuine affection for workhorse sock yarns, like Regia, Jawoll, and Trekking. Socks made from these yarns really do stand up to hard wear, and do not need to be treated with special care in the wash. As the chief (well, only) laundress in our household, I do appreciate that. I've also gotten used to knitting at fine gauges, so the thinness does not bother me as much anymore.

I do have these socks of Nova's to thank for the inspiration to give Trekking another go. I just loved the colorway instantly, and bought it the first chance I had. Project Spectrum provided the perfect excuse to get it on the needles and the Primavera pattern is a great match for the yarn.

Once I finished the Primavera socks, I moved on to a couple of skeins of Shibui yarn in a nice, mossy green for my first Earth project, Hedera socks. I'm much further along than the picture below shows, thanks for daily swimmming lessons for both kids.

And, without planning it at all, I realized that my current sweater WIP (Rav link) fits beautifully into the Earth element, as it is being knitted with the gorgeous Karabella Aurora 8 in the Anthracite colorway. I'll either finish this sweater this weekend or force it into hibernation until fall, in favor of another project I'd like to have done by MDSW!

10 comments:

Sally said...

Oh, do finish the Drops sweater - it's so pretty!!

The socks are lovely. And so are you. You were missed at group last night. <3

Anonymous said...

Love it all! I haven't worked with Trekking yet but really want to. I just knit with Regia for the first time and was SO pleasantly surprised by how it washed.

Anonymous said...

Those fire socks look great! And I really love the way the Hedera socks are looking in that green Shibui yarn.

Ann said...

I just love how Trekking wears. I do nothing special for my socks (well, I don't dry them in the drier) and Trekking deals with my laziness very well!

I am such a sucker for a good green -- those Hederas are gorgeous!

Lolly said...

LOVE the socks!! cute pose too ;)I am with you on Trekking - except I loved it from the beginning. I knit my first pair in Trekking, and I have knit 2 more pairs since with more to come from the stash. Workhorse is a good word for it ;)

nova said...

Ooh, these socks are nice! I think I like this yarn/colorway, much more knit up in a pattern. Have you seen Schrodinger's Twisted Tweed sock pattern? It looks really great knit up in Trekking. There is a really great purple colorway.. In any case, I am trying to get some Earth sweaters done before it hot. I need to plan better for my laziness.

Elinor said...

Your orange socks look wonderful! And I think there is a lot to be said for hard wearing sock yarn. I've never tried Trekking but once I've cleared out my current sock yarn stash, I really want to try some of the Trekking Pro Natura - it feels so soft!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty! I love all your WIPs, the grey sweater is gorgeous and elegant and your hedera socks are so pretty too!

Madge said...

Your WIPs always inspire. I love your elemental socks. Will you be making a pair in water and air colors, too?

Octopus Knits said...

Great socks (I've got some Trekking I need to use... hmmm), and your sweater is such an interesting design : )