Well, yes. Here (click on all pictures to get a closer look), in what is record time for me are the beautimous SockaPal2za socks. Considering that I am still part of knitalongs that started years ago, I think I should get a gold star for my singleminded dedication to completing these in a timely fashion. The ingredients for successful project mania included three seasons of Alias, which means I watched a shocking amount of TV in the course of knitting these (apparently spycraft and lace knitting go together like peanut butter and chocolate).
The details: Two and a half skeins of ArtYarns SuperMerino in color 115, a riot of pink, on size 4 Clover Bamboo needles (which were pink by the end of the project – heh).
If you wanted to do toe-up socks, you could probably get away with two skeins because you could just end the leg when you ran out of yarn, but it’s not exactly a hardship to knit with this stuff, so I was happy to have a third skein on hand. The pattern was Ellie’s Holey Socks from the Knitlist, well-written and easy to follow, extra points for intructions on ensuring the lace pattern on each sock mirrors the other. That was a nice touch. [note: I didn’t use this version of the pattern (I used this one – they’re the same), so finding this link was the first time I saw a picture of someone else’s finished Holey Socks – isn’t it reassuring that mine look like that?]
What’s next? Dude, I have so many UFOs my mail gets delivered to Area 51. I’m about to turn the heel on the second rainbow Opal sock, so I think I’ll plow ahead with those. Two sleeves and a turtleneck are between me and a finished sweater; I’d be lying if I said this was my favorite project, but I can’t wait to see if I can make a sweater that fits – the suspense is killing me. Then it’s back to the Bearfoot Retro Ribs. Once I’m well into the second sock (rather than at the heel of the first), then and only then will I cast on for something new…what will the new thing be? A Christmas stocking (see pattern details here) by request for my husband’s godson
(I am his official Fairy Godmother, which puts me squarely in charge of Treats, Surprises and Special Things. Can I finish my first piece of two-color knitting in 80 days or less, plus get some of my many other goodies off the needles? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…Why not? eighty days is a long time, and after all, I’m on a project-finishing roll here.