A New Pair of Socks...
Certain knitting patterns can almost be described as "viral" the way they spread. Nearly every knitter has made Clapotis (I say nearly every knitter because I haven't and I think there are 3 others in the world that haven't), Central Park Hoodie took off a couple of years ago (again, haven't made it myself), but when it comes to socks, Jaywalkers and Monkeys have to be in the top 5 most popular sock patterns. (I just checked Ravelry and according to popularity, Monkeys are the most popular socks and Jaywalkers are at number 3.)
I've done Jaywalkers and enjoyed them, but had never done Monkeys. I decided it was time I had a pair of Monkeys!
I drew out the chart on a note card to keep in my sock bag, but didn't write down the edging used in the pattern - and as I write this, I realize I still haven't checked to see how the edging was done in the original - so I just worked 5 rounds of K2, P2 ribbing to keep it from rolling without distracting from the Monkey stitch pattern. The yarn I'm using is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in Grimm's Willow Wren and I'm using my size 1's (US)/2.25 mm needles. It's a pretty easy pattern to follow and work, and as you can see, you get some really great texture in it's unblocked state.
Thanks for all the support and advice and references for Ramius. I tried to find some information online when we first got the diagnosis and most of what I found was memorial sites to kitties who had died of kidney disease. Freaked me out quite a bit and put me off searching online for answers to my questions. I did interrogate the vet quite a bit and got my immediate questions answered, but now that you guys have given me some places to get more information, I'll dive back in and see what I can find. Thanks.
Labels: socks
posted by Melanie at 9:24 AM
10 Comments:
Just finished my Monkeys not too long ago. It's a really satisfying and super quick knit. I am about to start on a pair of Jaywalkers for a Christmas gift.
...just thought it was funny that out of all the viral patterns you mentioned, monkeys is the only one that I have done. Enjoy it! Of course, I'm also planning to do the toe-up no purl monkeys (Los Monos Locos) at some point just to see the difference.
I've not done the Clapotis either! Never understood the attraction - I find the pattern unappealing, I guess. But Monkeys are a different story. They're addicting! I've only made a few pairs, but I could do them in my sleep now. It's amazing how quickly they knit up. If I have a lovely new yarn I MUST use right that second, but no pattern is speaking to me, Monkey it is. You'll love them!
As a casual reader I am somewhat loathe to stick my nose into your business, but I would like to suggest doing some research into a raw diet for your cat. These go somewhat against conventional veterinary wisdom, but I think it's definitely worth reading about. I feed my two cats and dog on a raw diet, and am thrilled with the results (fat dog and fat cat lost weight, all pets have fantastic coats, cats are well hydrated).
I had a cat who died of lymphoma a couple of years ago, and (long story short) during the period where he was getting diagnosed, I did a lot of online research about cat nutrition. I remember coming across a lot of people who were advocating raw diets for cats with kidney disease (the high moisture content is ideal for cats, who are biologically used to getting most of their hydration through food, and the general idea is that although the diets are high protein, the proteins are the most naturally digestible and do not strain the kidneys like the processed proteins in commercial dry foods). Although my cat's problem ended up not being dietary, my research was enough to convince me to switch my dog and subsequent cats to raw.
Again, take this all with a grain of salt, but I think it's worth reading about and seems to have a more optimistic outcome than what you've been reading online!
--Emily
Count me among those who haven't knit Clapotis. I didn't really get the fad at the time, I don't like how it looks. I do, however, have Monkey in my stack of sock patterns, waiting to be knit.
Up until July, I hadn't knit a Clapotis, either. I just finished mine on Sunday and wore it for a short while today. Oh, and no Central Park Hoodie here, either.
I haven't done a Clapotis either, but I have my eye on some yarn that would work great.
I haven't knit either Clapotis or CPH! (I've got the yarn for the Clapotis though.) I have knit Monkeys (twice) and Jaywalkers. Both are fabulous patterns!
I can say that I have never made one of those items, but only because of a lack of time.
I haven't knit any viral patterns yet but most of my projects are socks. I do have monkeys queued for after my Baudelaires are finished (which due to my changing the gauge may take all year)
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