Twinkle Toes

My holiday knitting is coming along. The Scala sock is pretty brutal. You don't have to do too many tricky stitches, but you really have to pay attention. I'm also not so good on the cabling without a cable when it comes to US 1 needles, so it's made some rather wonky stitches that have really pissed me off. So what does a good little knitter like me do...start another project of course!

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Yesterday, I decided to pick through my stash and make a pair of socks. This pattern would be the first sock pattern from my little ole bean. The first yarn I settled on was Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. The bright red color was really pretty, but I couldn't see myself ever wearing it. It's just not my thing. Why not give it away. But, worsted weight red socks? Why not! Who says friends don't need socks to wear in their boots or, heck, in their apartments? After all, it gets darn cold in New England! So with my mind resolved, I began boot socks. After touching the yarn, seeing the cable start to spiral down that bright red leg, and thinking of the recipient, I dubbed these socks "Spanish Dancer". I think they are simple yet gorgeous. Socks made for boots are often so blah! Why not spruce 'em up a bit:)

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By the by, I blocked my first pair of socks. I usually just put them on my own feet, and I don't care how "pretty" they look. Since I am giving socks away this year, I wanted them to look just right. (See my self-fashioned sock blocker above:) I have a question though...

How do you get rid of that wet dog smell!?!?!? Argggghhhhhh!
I love wool as much as the next person, but walking around smelling dog on my hands after I washed my socks in mild detergent almost drove me bonkers. And the sock still smells like it! What am I doing wrong? Please help me keep my sanity and sense of smell!

Until we meet again...