A name and a finished pair June 19, 2008
Huge, huge thank-yous to everyone who voted in my little sock-naming poll. I loved every vote, including all the write-ins from folks who voted “other.” Quite a few write-ins were for the yarn color, Figgy Pudding. Other write-ins included Lacy Ladders 
(Jan is sadly blogless); ZigZag River, Zig Zag Railway, Traverse, and Traverse Trail (Kristie); Purple Rain (Robin is also blogless); and Denise (sadly blogless) thought that Wassail would be fun instead. The majority vote went to Grandiflora, because this pattern has been such a thorn in my side. Since that name sticks with me, too, that’s the name that I chose.
I finished up the second sock yesterday afternoon, including weaving in all the ends. I sent a note to my dear friend Mikki to make sure she saw my post yesterday in time for me to finish up the second sock. She did. Since her feet are actually shorter than mine—hard to imagine—she’s always begging for socks, and I really, really didn’t want to go back and lengthen the first sock after having woven in the ends and all, I offered her this pair. To say that she jumped at the chance is putting it mildly. I got the vague idea that she’d sort of like to own this pair. Mikki, I’ll send these to you next week after I show them to my Monday night knitting group. 
- Pattern: Grandiflora, my own devising. Pattern to be released soon.
- Yarn: Bambino from Chameleon Colorworks, in Figgy Pudding, 1 hank.
- Needles: Size 1 (2.25 mm), Knit Picks nickel plated DPNs, set of 5.
- Gauge: 7½ stitches and 11 rows per inch in stockinette
- Elapsed time: March 27 to June 18, 2008.
- Notes: Once I found a stitch pattern that didn’t pool for me, I loved every minute of knitting this yarn. It’s soft, has a nice sheen from the bamboo content, and knits up like a dream. The stitch pattern is a simple two-row repeat that makes for truly portable knitting.
I’m working on the pattern. It’s getting close. Kristie’s going to test-knit it for me. Yea!
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Dear Kathryn, one of my test knitters, lives outside the U.S., and desperately wanted to place an order with Knit Picks. She asked if she could have it sent here, for me to forward on to her. Why certainly! In exchange for the cost of shipping her order to her, she sent me yarn. Not just any yarn, but Posh sock yarn. Squee! Four hundred yards of Laura, 4-ply sock weight 80% supermerino, 20% cashmere yarn. The color is called Earnest, and it’s a soft combination of a grayed blue-green and a rusty-brown. Sort of. However you describe it, it’s lovely. And soft. If poor Dave could wear wool, it’d be his for sure, but he can’t, so I’m going to hog it all for myself. 
I’ve been wanting to knit up another bag to felt. The left over yarn from knitting Emerald has been burning a hole in my knitting bag, as it were, and so I cast on a No-Sew Felted Bag (pattern on Ravelry) yesterday afternoon as soon as I was done with the second Grandiflora sock. I don’t have much done on it yet, but hope to make good inroads this afternoon.
Danielle from SW MO June 19
YAY!! Grandiflora Socks are done!!! I cant wait for the pattern to be available :-)
Jocelyn June 19
Hooray for the successful completion of socks! Congrats on finding just the right pattern for the yarn :)
~Kristie June 19
Seriously, those are probably in my top 3 favorite sock patterns you’ve designed. I’m going to wind my CC yarn right now. Not that I should take on another project, but I just can’t help myself. ;-)
That’s a great trade from Kathryn. I can’t wait to see the yarn in person. Sounds & looks yummy.
I may take the Amanda’s Squatty Sidekick out of my queue and replace it with the no sew felted bag. I love that! It will be fun to watch yours develop.
Robin June 19
Whew, finally. That yarn sure did give you the fits. I bet Mikki will be thrilled to pieces with them. The yarn Kathryn sent you is absolutly gorgeous, it even looks soft, to bad for Dave that he can’t wear wool. What a cool bag. I haven’t looked to much on Ravelry for felted stuff. If I go there now it will be hours before I get back to my knitting, I’m trying to finish because we have a date!!!
Mikki June 20
WHAT! I have to WAIT until after Monday to get them? Sheesh!
Instead of you mailing them, how about we make a plan for me to pick them up, have a cuppa tea, with a bunch of chit chat! I haven’t seen you in a while…
kathryn June 20
I can’t wait for the pattern for Grandiflora - I don’t usually do patterned socks but those are calling to me…Btw which colourway is Kristie going to do?
So glad you liked the yarn and thanks again Laura!
Erica June 21
Those socks are beautiful! Way to conquer uncooperative yarn!
gilraen June 24
I absolutely love that pattern!!! Figgy pudding is a favourite colourway of mine!!! I will be eagerly waiting on the pattern :)
Rosanne — Firefly Nights June 25
I love the colorway you used for these socks so much that I had to go order some for a shawl. It’s really pretty.
Karen C June 30
Laura: Your socks are AWESOME! WOW! so cool….er, warm. :-)
Nicely done.