a blossom knits

I'm finally ready to post the progress on my socks for the Sockapalooza 4 exchange! I'm so excited that I'm coming into the final stretch . . only two more regular patterned rows, and then I start the heel. After that, I'll be on the way to just finishing up the leg and . . done!

Here's one completed sock and the other still on the needles:

For all of the details about these socks, please see my previous post. I've made a couple of very, very small "oops's" and I hope she won't notice. But then again, this will be my first completed pair -- I never did get around to finishing the pair from Cookie A.'s show on Knitty Gritty (I had knit the first sock waaay too tight and just consider it a learning sock) - so I kinda feel both happy and sad about this project. On one hand, I've been excited about how much thought I put into making these socks for her and how eager I am to share . . . but then I feel this strange feeling about how something I will be knitting (and doing for the first time too!) will be given away to a total stranger. And what if she hates them? *sob* I sincerely hope she doesn't pull them out of the package I will send her and think, " . . . uh . . . these are ugly!!".

Some comments/tips about the yarn and needles I'm using:

This is Fleece Artist's Sea Wool Bordello, commonly sold as a "kit." I'm really not sure what the difference is between the regular Sea Wool and the Sea Wool Bordello other than they're sold with a pattern on the yarn wrap. I'm using KnitPicks dpns in US3, which I have fallen in love with. They are super sharp and make it so easy to knit! Unfortunately, what I'm finding is that either these needles are just so sharp and I'm not completely used to them yet . . or the Sea Wool splits, regardless. In the pattern, I have a few k2tog's and almost every time I'm picking up little strands from the other stitches. It drives me crazy! I've learned to live with it and do catch them and work the little strands off . . but I'd have to say that it's taken some time from this entire project. I probably would have already been done if I didn't have to deal with this. I'm wondering if any of you have worked with Fleece Artist's Sea Wool and have experienced this same issue using other needles. If so, then I know it's the yarn and not the KnitPicks. Aside from this, I'm in love with the yarn itself. It feels SO soft and comfortable!! I've already purchased another skein of this yarn in Mahogany for myself and will be knitting the same pattern. Yes, even though I've had a few glitches and this splitting seems to slow me down a little . . the yarn is that good that I'm willing to do it again for myself. I highly recommend the pattern, if not the yarn. These socks are beautiful in person.

I hope everyone's knitting is going well and you're completing your projects too! I can barely sit still waiting for the new Harry Potter book and to finally get out and see the movie after the huge crowds die down a bit. Have a great weekend. :)