Calling in Sock

I've caught the edge of a nasty bug making the rounds at work (how is it that schools & germs just never change, regardless of students' age?) Anyhoo, I seem to have missed the worst of it, but only coz I decided to stay home and sleep in today. Yesterday was mostly a total loss, except for the amusement my students (rightfully) had at my expense - I was more than a little out of it!

So I had a good long sleep, woke up quite late this morning, and am feeling almost human again. Which is good - coz starting next week, the rest of the month stands a good chance of being pretty chaotic, with lots of germ-sharing on over-crowded public transit, so I'm really glad I had the sense to stay home and not tough it out. I think my immune system (and my brain) are going to need all the help they can get for the next few weeks!

Am just thinking of having another wee lie-down, but first thought I'd take advantage of being the only computer-user at home, & post a bit of knitting content. Haven't seen much of that lately, have we! There are reasons, my pretties. One - I've been very busy plowing through some UFOs, trying to clear my plate for the Ravelympics; and two - a couple of the subsequent FOs had to be kept Top Sooper-Secret, until they made their way to their recipients. One FO has found its new home, so I can show you it:

Fingerless mitts for Baby Sis, after much nagging on her part. Pattern (which I have cleverly named "Git Yer Paws Off My Mitts!") largely of my own devising, with a little help for the thumb gussets. Yarn: STR superwash, in their Lucky colourway. They knit up a lot faster than I expected, and I'm quite tickled with the end result.

Next up, a pair of socks from some of my SS09 stash:

A basic 2x2 spiral rib; I tried an Eye of Partridge heel for the first time, and fell in love! I also managed to consistently use Cat Bordhi's "Slim & Trim SSKs" for the decreases, and I'm absolutely a convert. The yarn is "Wisteria" from Miss Babs - gorgeous colours, and it washes up wonderfully. Also, I've ordered from her a couple times since Sock Summit, and she gives fantastic customer service!

(The pic is somewhat crap, but if you look closely, you can see that I've cleverly reversed the direction of the rotating rib...Which took at lot more concentration than I should probably admit!)

Last, but not least, I have cast on a new pair of socks in this:

Sweet Georgia's "tough love sock" in her tres-sexy "Riptide" colourway. (I sort of had a little accident a couple weeks ago, when I saw the new stock at TBF. Oops!) I'm turning it into a pair of Tidal Wave socks, which seemed appropriate given the name of the colourway. I'm modifying the pattern a wee bit - the Eye of Partridge heel again, and the Slim & Trim SSks (Seriously, go google it & use it if you don't already. A bit finicky till you get the hang of it, but it looks sooo good!) Also, I'm carrying the pattern down the foot. Just coz I like how the yarn knits up...I can really feel the nylon in it, and it's a wee bit splitty, but I have faith that it will wash well, and wear even better.

And that, Gentle Readers, is about all I've got for you today. It's definitely feeling like it's nap-time again!