Monday, June 18, 2007

New, improved Monkey sock...

Now bigger!

293-9354_IMG

Well, I did some real, in the round swatching and discovered that US 1 (2.25 mm) needles were the right size for my Sockapalooza Pal's socks. So far I have reknit the first sock and started on the second:
293-9352_IMG

I like the Monkey pattern a lot. The yarn I'm using does obscure it a bit, but I think it kind of works (the yarn is "Phoenix" yarn, and the pattern sort of looks like flames or feathers). Here are some close-ups:
293-9364_IMG
293-9355_IMG

You may not be able to tell in the above pictures, but the sock really should be big enough for my larger footed pal. See, there is extra room in the toe area...
293-9372_IMG

...and in the leg:
293-9370_IMG

I made the instep gussets deeper, too. I'm crossing my fingers that these will fit my pal passably. Moana is crossing her whiskers:
293-9375_IMG

I swatched today for a new project. I will be making Iris G's Pencil Sketch Camisole in this yarn:
293-9365_IMG

It's Filatura Di Crosa Adhoc Pepe, a pretty viscose/linen blend I found on sale last year. The color is not the greatest in this photo, but it's a soft, almost licheny green (not the chartreuse kind, mind you). I can't seem to find mention of it online, so the yarn store I got it from may have been holding onto it for a while. I got gauge on US 4 needles (Iris G suggests US 6).

You will be happy to know that Bug and octopus are getting along better lately (although octopus still has a nasty habit of jumping on Bug's head without warning).
293-9339_IMG

36 comments:

Sarah said...

Hooray for socks that fit!

That yarn for your camisole looks oh-so-luscious. The fiber blend should be great for a summer top.

Anonymous said...

Your pal will be very pleased with the Monkeys.

Susan C. said...

Lovely Monkeys! The colors are wild and fun, and will be a hit, I'm sure!

Risa said...

Your monkeys are gorgeous! I love the fun colors.
And pictures of the octopus attacking your cat always make me laugh!

Amy said...

What lovely Monkeys!

Kara said...

Hurrah! The monkeys look so great. And as a big-footed person, I appreciate the effort you had to go through.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure your pal will love the Monkeys- the kitties approve, after all! ;) PS: Thanks so much for the compliments on my dresses- I really appreciate it!

Annie said...

This is so funny! I have Phoenix yarn and it's in line to be Monkeys -- now I know how they'll look! Nice work.

Stephanie said...

wow, it seems like you really need the gauge swatching! I can *usually* get away with it. can't wait to see how that cami turns out, the pattern and yarn look so pretty.

Octopus Knits said...

Thanks for all your nice comments, guys!

Annie (can't seem to figure out which blog is yours), wow, you have "Phoenix" yarn, too -- for Monkeys? That's quite the coincidence (although with the Monkey pattern spreading like wildfire, or some kind of virus, across the world, it's certainly bound to happen)! Did you get your yarn during Dani's big Harry Potter yarn update at Sunshine Yarns on May 29th?

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

I love those Monkey socks, every pair is so appealing...and I love how your cat looks so startled by the Octopus!

LisaB said...

The monkey sock looks so good!
So I bit the bullet and ordered some sock DPN's and book from KnitPicks this week. There is some sock yarn in my stash and I will finally, really try my hand at socks!

That camisole is a beautiful pattern.

Kasia said...

I love your Monkey socks! They are lovely! I am sure that your sock-pal would be more than happy to get those!

Unknown said...

Oh My those Monkeys are swell! I love that colorway & I don't think it's too much for the pattern. I wound my Koigu into a ball last nite so I can cast on for my 1st pair of socks...if I do half as well as you I'll be happy.

That Cami pattern is gorgeous! I think it will look great on you since you have such a lovely, slim waistline.

Bug's expressions are priceless. Have you seen the Moo cards? You need to get some of your furry family ( and Octopus of course.) www.moo.com
I just ordered a set and they are great.

Alison said...

Beautiful Monkeys! (And kitties!)

Marlena said...

Love that yarn! Love that Monkey! Love that sweater pattern!

Iris G said...

Oh these monkeys are so vibrant and cheerful! I've been buried by work and other stuff so obviously I missed a lot of your wonderful adventures here!

And I definitely need to go back and write up more sizes for the cami ;-). Thank you so much for giving it a try!

Micky said...

Just finished looking through all your posts. You do very lovely work.
And I just love that pic of the octopus actually knitting.
Thanks for coming by my place.
:)

Madge said...

I'm green with sock envy! Your Phoenix Monkeys are awesome. Is this really your second pair of socks?! Egad, I really AM a sock idiot. Hee.

*scritches to Bug*

Madge said...

Oops. *scritches to Moana, too!*

Anonymous said...

Whew, I get a little bit of vertigo when I look at that sock. Cool! I love how the Monkey is one of very few interesting patterns that work well with interestingly patterned yarn.

Glad they worked out well for you -- I'm sure they'll be a hit with your pal!

Anonymous said...

Belated catching up here - congrats on new socks, and getting the Monkeys to cooperate! Love all the great pix, it's wonderful to see lots of them. Also love your cats. ;) Moana crossing whiskers, LOL. And Bug? Well, I <3 Siamese (at least I presume he's one), 'cause I had a dear one of my own when a teen. (Not to ignore Moana, I hastily add, who is also a lovely cat. And amazingly patient, despite any modeling lapses. [g]) Kudos on all the progress, and your pal is going to love those Monkeys.

rachel iufer said...

3 cheers for foot sized socks! hip hip, hooray!

they look lovely!

anphoe said...

First of all, how can I get 23 comments for my post? you must be a great person in order to have so many friends.

I was thinking to start knitting the Monkeys since last Monday. But since I have just joined the Mystery Stole 3 on Saturday(start getting clues next week), and I want to finish my lace top and others WIPs, may be I shouldn't have even thought of casting on another pair of socks... However, after seeing your Monkeys, gorgeous by the way, I really really want to cast on the socks... I am going to wind the yarn now, we will see what will happen...

Hege said...

Great sock! And your cat models are beautiful! :)

YarnSnob said...

inspired to start on Monkey socks :)

Micky said...

Yes it's the Forest Path. I am a member of the KAL as of today.
:)

amber said...

did you use 2x2 rib to make it fit over your heel better? I ripped a monkey that was really tight gettign over my heel. Wondered how you fixed that part :)

Tammy said...

Just discovered your blog. Your knitting is absolutely gorgeous! Can I have your cat?

Knitts-N-Purrs

Lara said...

Wow, you are a quick sock knitter! They look great and that yarn is very fun.

Beverly said...

Thanks for stopping by. The socks and the yarn work! They are fabu. I hope to get to the Monkeys sometime soon.

amber said...

thanks so much for the response to my monkey dilemma :) Now I'll make a pair (again) that fit! Your knit ocotipus is fabulous too. I feel like I should start posing my knitting on my cat now :)

Micky said...

I do like the way the colors seem to be working through. It's going to be exciting to see how it looks as I get further along.
As for the stitch holders, they are a little clunky at first. But that will even out the further I get.
:)

Anonymous said...

The socks look fab - and the colour just looks like they are meant for happy feet, but one question - does kitty get socks? (kitty is looking a bit sad in the photo as though kitty could do with some monkey socks). The orange monkeys are definitely the equivalent of Dorothy slippers.

schrodinger said...

You've gotta love those monkeys, even if you have to knit them 3 times - and what happy colours too!!

Anonymous said...

Omg, octopus on cats! That's too cute. It's definitely challenging to knit socks for someone whose foot is so different from your own, but those monkeys are looking good!