If you live along the East Coast of the US, you can blame me for the heat wave. I'll take it. We barely had a Summer at all in Holland, so I was openly hoping for some warm weather when we returned to the States.
Boy did I get it. It's 90F and sunny! Hooray for July in October! I know most of you have probably been gearing up for Fall knitting, but at least one person out here is enjoying this second lease on Summer.
I won't apologize for the sunshine. It hasn't rained once in the nearly three weeks since we've been back. It's humid and sticky, and honestly I love it. The moisture is good for the skin, and sweating releases toxins. I look and feel years younger. Woohoo!
Knitting in the Thick of It
Throughout this year's regularly scheduled Summer, I read post after post about the stinking heat in North America. There were even a few spots in Europe that felt the full brunt of the Sun's rays. As I said just before, this was not the situation in Holland. I was merrily knitting (and wearing) wool sweaters and socks in July. As I read all these posts, I couldn't get my brain around all the fuss about it being too hot to knit.
Now I know. The So-Called Awesome Wollmeise Scarf that I started on the plane has been shelved for breezier days when the wool won't stick to my fingers. Thankfully my Peaches & Creme arrived from Elmore-Pisgah last week so I could get cracking on my 100% cotton bath mat.
I ordered three 1-pound cones of the double worsted weight in the mint chocolate colorway. The pattern calls for you to knit three strands together, creating the thickest mush of cotton you'll ever step upon. It's all luxury, and is so far a quick knit. Garter stitch! Yeah!
Experienced cotton knitters would not be surprised to learn that this knit is a bit tough on the hands. I'm hoping that it will condition my gnarly talons for climbing. As soon as the heat breaks, we'll hit the rocks.
Ugly Betty's Socks
I'm sure that even if you haven't been watching "Ugly Betty," you at least know the premise of the show. My Bellatrix socks are a bit like Ugly Betty herself. They smack of "what were you thinking?" Yet... I like them. They're warm, squishy, and oh-so-soft. Once you look past their garishness, they're definitely cool to hang out with.
My FO photo did a good job of showing off the splotchiness, but today I set my mind to getting some decent close-ups of just how ugly the colorway is.
Behold, the better-lighted look at my fugly Bellatrix socks. You'll see that they're not red and black, but red and everything else.
Those cones are the prettiest colorway! I wish we could have a bit of the heat right now!
Posted by: tiennie | October 08, 2007 at 09:10 PM
I'm getting ready to finish my Central Park Hoodie and I am determined that I WILL be able to wear it once it is finished (without it felting from the sweat within.) Therefore, enjoy the heat while you can because I'm certain to have it finished by the weekend. : )
Posted by: becky | October 08, 2007 at 09:30 PM
I personally like the heat too, not so much of the stickiness, but definitely the sun. I AM going to cast on Hemlock Ring Blanket soon so I'm hoping for a breezier day soon. Super bulky wool and hot sticky weather some how just don't mix together...
Posted by: jennsquared | October 08, 2007 at 09:49 PM
Glad SOMEONE is enjoying the heat. Love those cones, so bright and cheery!
Posted by: Heather | October 09, 2007 at 06:31 AM
Holy Cow, your Absorba is rapidly coming along! Really like that colorway. Had forgotten that it is a bit hard on the hands. Make sure you knit loosely on the last row so when you pick up stitches it is much easier.
Could ya tone down the heat a little bit and for heaven's sake make it rain!
Posted by: Debbie | October 09, 2007 at 07:02 AM
I thought of knitting that bat mat but guessed it might do my hands in. Yours is coming along beautifully!
The Beletrix socks are awewome! Okay, so they're not the delicate knitted lace socks everyone is monkeying around with, but I love the combination of the colors and the texture.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 09, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Okay, those socks are ... interesting. :-)
Posted by: Dave | October 09, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I like that mint chocolate colorway - never seen that before.
I think the fugly socks aren't near so fugly anymore! That photo makes them look better to me.
Posted by: KelInCal | October 09, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Call me crazy, I really like your Belatrix socks. I like these photos that show off the stitch definition.
Posted by: Sally | October 09, 2007 at 02:46 PM
That's funny--when I saw them I instantly craved my 12 hole Dr. Marten boots and thick black tights. I'm actually really loving the socks. I'd wear them. That may not say much though, but hell I'd wear them proud!
Posted by: April | October 10, 2007 at 12:26 PM
If I knit with that much of that cotton my hands would scream! It's really pretty though. The socks are quite interesting. :)
Posted by: Jessica | October 13, 2007 at 04:21 PM
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Posted by: DALEGuadalupe | July 04, 2010 at 11:39 AM