You Should Be Jealous

That's right.  I've thrown you over....temporarily.... for this lovely little bit of technology.   Or what's loaded on it, more like.  Don't feel too bad, as I've thrown over my family, my television shows, my talking relationships in general -- you can still cook, clean, and do laundry while listening to an ipod.  Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon and narrated by Davida somebody or other is ... well ... a bodice-ripper.  And a splendid romp in the Scottish Highlands.  I have to say, I'm not generally given over to bodice-rippers, preferring a little more substance than fantastical sex.  But this book's got both -- interesting historical fiction, inadvertent time travel (one of my favorite dilemmas, I must say), and romping sex with a huge Highland hottie.  Now that's gonna get me some weird Google searches.  Beware though -- it's long, like 4 8-hour sections long.  Ah, well, it's getting me though the dog days, ya ken?  The other thing you can still do while listening to an ipod?  Knit -- but you knew that. 

What you can't do?  Blog.  Talk.  The thing about listening to a book?  Well, if you're reading a book, folks can see what you're doing -- reading requires a certain physical attitude.  They walk up to you or poke their heads in the door and either clear their throats or say something like "excuse me".  But when you're listening, or maybe when you're listening too much, your family tends to stand in front of you and gesticulate wildly or try to get you to read their lips as they mouth their question in broad, exaggerated fashion -- they may even yell, depending on the degree to which they feel they've been ignored for the day.  Very disconcerting indeed.  But, as I say, you can knit.  And contemplate knitting.  But, and this is the other downfall of listening to a novel, especially one narrated by as good a narrator as Davida Whatshername -- I'm bound now and until I can get another voice in my head to hear everything I read in a deep, fabulous, rich, Scottish brogue.  Dear God in heav'n.  (They all say that a lot in Scottish bodice rippers)
Finished?  The Sockotta socks.  Color number 5618 to answer a question Cindy asked (I think it was Cindy) awhile back.  Chevron pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks with a heel flap rather than a short row or bull's eye heel.  Knitted by Magic Loop method on Addi Turbo US number 1s.  I do have to say as well that this seems to be the only chevron pattern I can accomplish -- Jaywalkers are right out as far as I'm concerned.  This pattern?  Easy peasy.  Hmm.  The feet look freakishly long -- in the picture and in person -- but they fit fine.   I think the fabric draws in a bit in the leg and makes the rest of the sock's proportions look wonky.  The cotton/ wool/ polyester blend?  Harder to knit with than wool, I'll give ya that, but such a fine, soft sock when ya're done, lassie.

Contemplating?  The sweater on the cover of IK this season.  We stock the yarn at the shop and I've picked out my nine or whatever the sweater takes.  Luckily we have enough of the main body color I'd like to do in stock.  While I like the dusky purple of the model, I'm not a fan of that particular color on me -- I'll do mine, if I decide to do it at all, in a blue heather shot with green as the body color.  Which the Classic Elite website just happens to use as their picture of the yarn alongside the color card.  Serendipitous.   My hesitation?  The "updated neckline silhouette".  Do you think it'll stay spread out like it is on the model and not squinch up and throttle me?  I love this yarn.  I love the colors it comes in.  The pattern seems straightforward and comes in my size.  I've been eying fair isle sweaters in stores -- hearkens back to college in the '80's doesn't it?  Now all I need are some Levi's cords in colors to match.  What's not to like?  What do you think?

I've got to dash -- work at the LYS and Dear Son wants to play Club Penguin.  Yeesh.

Comments

[Carole]

Great socks! Jaywalkers don't stretch and that means they don't fit me very well. Did you find this chevron pattern to be more stretchy than Jaywalkers?

[trek]

ipod addiction!

[Jennifer]

I've heard that book is a good one! I have it in print form. Now if I could just get the time...

The socks looks great!

[Lucinda (That other Cindy)]

Well, your reason for avoiding blogging is a bit better than mine. I'm just having password issues with my blog site.

Fair Isle sweaters make me think of exactly the same things, high school & college in the early to mid 1980's. I like the look of that sweater, but I have pretty wide shoulders, so I'm also worried about how it would actually fit me.

[shelly]

Yeah, I've been eyeing that fair isle sweater on the cover of IK, too. I think the blue heather will be lovely, I'm still contemplating my color choices, I really like the colors she's chosen, though. I think the neckline will be pretty, it's almost a boatneck style, which I really like. Do you think the Inca will hold up to wear? I'm a little concerned about it's overall quality. Is it spun tightly enough do you think?

[Zarah]

That sweater is very pretty - and you can always KNIT while you listen to your books, I guess as long as you're not too distracted by the hot and steamy action! =)

[Jenn]

Club Penguin?

[CindyCindy]

Yup, it was me. Love the socks. I really like the sweater on IK's cover, so go for it. The neckline looks like it might be tricky, but check the directions (since I haven't). I can't help but think it would lay flat. Or, you can do like I do and wait until someone else in blogland has knit it.

[Kelly]

Love those socks! I think the ipod is one of the best iventions. It's great to be able to listen to a good book and knit at the same time!

[shona]

The sox are brilliant, the Diana Gabaldon books are even more brilliant!!! I've read them all, but I have an advantage......I read them in my head in a Scottish accent and I'm married to a 6'2" Scottish Hottie!!!!! I suppose it helps that I come from Scotland!

Thankx for being a great SP spoiler, I've really enjoyed this round.

[Jan]

Strange is surfing blogs & coming across a sock that is the SAME yarn that I just finished knitting a sock in!!

Great lookin' sock!!

[Judy]

I have read ALL of the Gabaldon books. I loved them, and believe me, they are not the type I usually read. Then, I went back and downloaded Outlander onto my Ipod and listened to it. Just as good. The first book is still my favorite. Have fun.