Socks for Soldiers

Although I'm not a supporter of the war in Iraq, supporting our troops overseas is the reason why I joined the Socks for Soldiers group, and decided to knit at least one pair of socks. The specs for the socks are very specific, from the type of yarn (from the approved list of wool blends) to the color (has to be black) to the length of the cuff (12 inches!). The long cuff is needed so that the socks are above the boots. The toughest part for me was the length of the ribbing at the cuff, as I chose to make the entire 12 inches in 2x2 ribbing and to continue the ribbing down the top of the sock for a closer fit. This pair is going in the mail tomorrow:


Here is a closer picture, but the camera's flash caused the socks to appear gray.

Great day to snuggle up to the yarn stash

It's been sleeting all day, and the temperatures are predicted to pludge into the single digits in the upcoming days. School was cancelled, as well as many activities at night. It's been almost a no-winter winter this year, with moderate temperatures and no lingering snow, while many parts of the country which typically get little snow getting the big storms.

It is a great day to rummage through the yarn stash. Sometimes I buy yarn which I like, without a specific project in mind, and decide what to do with it later. This summer, I bought two skeins of (mostly red) Noro Big Kureyon, but didn't have a specific project in mind. Made two different hats out of the skeins and still have a bit of yarn left. This hat is a newer style (the beanie)



and this hat is an older, more traditional style.