Today or Someday

Today I finished two projects - hurrah! One is slightly more successful than the other I have to say. Luckily it is the gift that has triumphed.

Here are Dad's Christmas socks finally finished. I'm pleased with how these turned out, I'm getting better at this basic pattern and can even even see the difference in speed and confidence between the first and second of this pair.

The wool is part of a batch of old Patons Purple Heather I got from ebay and it is just perfect for socks, feels like it should be hard wearing, not the cosiest socks but good for some tough love which I know my Dad will give them. I think I used about 3 balls - about 60 grams for the pair.

I put a double line of reverse stocking stitch in at the top to distinguish these from the other Christmas socks for my friend in the same yarn and I like how this looks.

I am really enjoying sock knitting and think they will become a particular passion of mine; can't wait to try some toe-ups and something with a pattern. Maybe not both at once...

It's been a lovely knitting weekend all round (in between some DIY - I see how dusty the house has become from the photos, not sure I should have put my new items on the floor!) I really enjoyed episode 10 of the BritKnitCast podcast which helped me along through the end of the socks.

The second slightly less succesful FO is the hat that was looping the loop - called Peacock originally after the yarn (Sirdar Flash Peacock) but I prefer River and as I'm going to knit a Water Aid river square from it I think it should be called River. The hat is lovely, soft and snuggly, I like how the rolled brim looks but yes it is tiny! It doesn't really fit me let alone my 1TB who can just squeeze it on:
I thought it was small and not very deeep as I was going along but was too trusting that it would stretch out at the end. The magic looping was okay and I got along quite quickly once I was used to it but I think it is a bit of a faff. It's useful to have the option, especially while I'm building up my set of needles but I can't see it ousting dpns for me either Alice, Marianne and Carrie Anne.

I'm glad I tried this pattern out before using my more precious Sumo yarn for the real version for the 1TB. I'm tempted to have another practice with the Sirdar Flash to try and get a better sizing as it will make a lovely hat, maybe I'll go for a top down pattern which I could then add to as required.

I'm at a stage where it's hard to know whether to push on and go for difficult projects with the 'best' yarn or to try and consolidate a bit. I'm leaning towards the consolidation at the moment as I like to do things as well as possible!

I read a post from Lolly on Friday which made me think a bit more about the today or someday question. It encouraged me to list out some projects in two categories - ones to tackle in the near future, and a list to tackle someday. I see so much at the moment that I would love to try but feel that I would benefit from some patience and a bit more learning before I jump in thumbs first. I'm glad to have them here on my blog though to encourage me on.