Calla Lily Socks, Start to Finish

I was so excited to see this beautiful package arrive in June. Sundara pays attention to every detail. The yarn wound up enticingly, and pretty soon, I had a finished pair of socks! I can't wait to get started on the next pair....

I decided to knit the pattern exactly as presented in order to try some new techniques. I really like this heel - it seems to cup my heel better than a standard heel flap. I love the way the purl seam stitch continues down the heel flap. And I think I like the star toe (am reserving final decision until I wear these).

I don't love the reverse stockinette cuff-ette, though - it is tight and tends to roll. I think I will add some ribbing to my next Petals socks even though the pattern does not call for it. Does anyone else have ideas about the cuff?

Another Note from the Host

Hi everyone! I know that many of us have received our Hydrangea packages and, not surprisingly, there's lots of enthusiasm about it. Sundara really outdid herself!

Just a reminder -- if you're still receiving packages, it's not too late to join the knitalong. Just drop me an email at affiknitty at gmail dot com and ask to be added to the group.

If you have received a blog invitation and have not responded to it, please do! This will allow you to post to the blog. If the links in the blog invitation are not working, email me and I will resend it.

I recently got a question about whether and when members could post pictures of the packages to the blog. For the blogless among us, this may be the only place to post them. On the other hand, I know the delivery times varied pretty widely for the last package, especially for the international members. I think, though I may be wrong, that most people would prefer not to see a spoiler. Of course, I do think that people should post pictures of FOs and WIPs whenever they like.

Should we have some sort of general guideline about posting pictures of the packages? Limit it to links to blogs or Flickr pages? Have a time period after which it's fair game? What do you think? Leave a comment!

Laura from affiknitty

I posted this yesterday but I think Blogger lost it. I'll try again;
Hello, just posting that my August petals collections yarn came today(Monday 8/28) in the mail. So people are still just getting their shipments, apparantly. My 14-year old followed my package and I around the house until I opened it up - she seemed as curious as I to see what the new yarn would look like. It is really pretty. My 14-year- old got the Calla Lilly socks but the socks from this yarn will be for me!

Yarn Alert!!

I just received the August installment from Sundara. (I love getting packages at work!!) I won't spoil it for you, but it is GORGEOUS!!

I'll post some pictures on my blog when I get a chance for those who do want to be "spoiled."

Just in Time!

I wanted to finish these before I received the August shipment and I think I made it in just under the wire! All the particulars:

Yarn and Pattern: You know!
Needles: 1 32 inch Knit Picks Classic Circular, size 0 (2 mm)
Modifications: As you can see, I went down a needle size. But even still, I had to cast on fewer stitches to get gauge. I cast on 28 sts for the top of the sock and 31 for the back, then increased to 32 sts on needle 2 for the foot. When I had gauge, I got stripes. When I didn't, it was more mottled. Both were pretty. I did not alternate skeins. Because I had fewer stitches, I did a different toe -- I used the pointed toe from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. It looks very nice, though I prefer a squarer toe in general.
What I Loved: The gorgeous colors. The "just right" amount of lace. Surprisingly, working a heel flap and gusset. I almost always substitute a short-row heel and this time decided against it. I have to say I like the way the gusset looks, and it seemed to make knitting the foot go more quickly. That could sound crazy, I know.
How Much Yarn I Had Left: Quite a bit, actually. If you're wondering what you will do with your leftover yarn, may I make a suggestion? The redoubtable Mintyfresh offers a sweet little pattern for a lace headband, designed for leftover sock yarn. Check it out! If you do, leave a comment and tell her Laura sent you.

New Yarn?

Anyone know when the next shipment is due? Or anybody gotten theirs yet? Getting anxious@

Finished socks

I finished my socks in July, took a photo, then had trouble with my camera. Anyway, it works fine again after a trip to Sony, and here is the photo in question. I love these socks -- the yarn, the colours, the pattern. I love the surprise you get with each package, the choice of colours which you would not necessarity choose on your own, and the originality and entertainment value of the pattern. The package was so thoughtfully put together, such an attention to detail. I look forward to the next shipment!

Found It!

Now, come on! How cute is that? Rachel reports that the jacket is size 3-6 months, she used a size 2 needle, and it required about half a skein of the yarn to make both sleeves. It sounds as though the hardest part is taking apart the jacket. Here's another shot...

Hello from Your Host

Hi everyone! It's been fun seeing all the great socks ... mine are almost done. I'm on the foot of the second sock. I'd really like to get them done before I get the next shipment, which I know we are all anxious to see. I really can't wait to see what Sundara has come up with. The Calla Lily socks are a hard act to follow, but I am certain that the August kit will be equally enchanting!

I have been very busy and distracted lately, not in a good way, so I apologize for being such an absentee hostess. Also, someone emailed me pictures of her project (not socks, but I don't want to spoil the surprise -- it's cool!) and I think my muddled brain may have deleted them. If you see this, will you please send it again? Thank you for your patience with me!

Finished

Calla Lily socks are finished. I am very happy with the way the yarn “happened” in my pair. Less structured than the way it appeared in many pairs at the KAL, and in Sundara’s picture. I followed the pattern as written, except to shorten the toe a bit. As Sundara said, its a simple sock with a little detail to make it fun. I was going to give this pair as a gift, but while I was testing them on my foot, I decided to keep them. I did not tell the intended recipient yet that she is about to receive socks from me, so no harm done… she’ll get the next one. See more photos on my blog.