IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT RED.

Actually, there's a book about the search for red dyes. A really good read, if you're interested in the history of textiles.
Anyway, I decided that I needed some yarn in a colour somewhere between these rose pictures. A deep, velvety, blood red. With a slight hint of blue. No orange. Not a flat, dull burgundy. I've ordered some yarn. Not perfect, but close. I hope. It won't be yet another new project because, technically, I've been working toward it for ages. This will be the third attempt at ''just the right yarn''. I was given some money by an old family friend, to treat myself to something just for me. So I did ! I'll tell you about it when the yarn arrives. I'm ready for my exuberant foolishness ! ;-]

We were laughably pathetic on New Year's Eve. Having driven for seven hours, from a family visit, we sat down with a nice bottle of not expensive, but really good champagne [ no harsh bubbles, it really did harbour hints of lemon mousse !], toasted each other and the New Year, and promptly zonked out on the sofa. Woke up at 2.00 a.m., stiff and achy. We did finish the bottle before we crawled up to bed. Quite pathetic.

Pathetic is also how I'd describe my holiday knitting. Such is the way of holiday good intentions. The time gets swallowed up. Oliver went back to school on monday and I've been moping round the house, missing him. I'll get over it ! Much as I miss his company and constant chatter I am ready for some quiet ! And the chance to do something. Even if it's just laundry and tidying. Then my mind can roam free. Lovely !
So. The knitting. I'm on my third attempt with the Schaeffer Anne sock. In order :



I'm still not sure. I'm wondering if a lacy border and the daisies is a bit over the top. Way too girly. I envisage these being worn with Doc Martin shoes, or some similarly austere footwear, by a non-girly woman artist.
We shall see.
The daisy pattern, whilst very pretty with nicely defined lace holes, is, as written, incorrect. Easy to correct [you need another 2 knit stitches between repeats]. It is a nice sock pattern. Should I tell the designer ? Probably yes, but with my current e-mail phobia [!] will I get round to it ? I owe loads of e-mails. It's awful really. I do appreciate the friends who stick around, patiently waiting. Those who don't...well, you know !
Ooh ! I've just noticed that I've missed out the row of central holes in the daisies ! Can you see me blushing ?
I'm not ripping the sock out ! I've decided to keep knitting the socks and, if they're no good for J I'll gift them elsewhere. I've been knitting some back-up socks whilst pondering this.

The flash has washed the colours out a bit. It's even more neon than this in the wool. Colinette's new Jitterbug sock yarn, in Popsicle. Nice to knit with, although I've heard tell it fades. I'm knitting the bog standard ball band pattern.

I'm going to attempt to catch up with stuff, but I'm sure that some of the posts I've written in my head, and some of the photos I've taken, will fall by the wayside. Nevermind. A whole new year lies ahead of us. No resolutions from me. I see no point in setting myself up for failure. If I decide to change something I do my best to do so, regardless of the time of year.
So there ! :0)