For years I stated I couldn’t wear wool. I once got a beautiful creme colored angora sweater wich I never wore because it itched like crazy and it gave me a rash. “But, look at the red bumps , mom! It itches!” I cried out to my mom. The sweater ended up in the back of the closet never to be seen again.

And then there’s socks. Knitted socks. Made from wool. WOOL! I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing knitted socks, let alone wool socks! There’s a Dutch expression “goatwoolsocks” with matching sandals that stands for very old fashioned people, you know the ones who got stuck in the late 60’s early 70’s? It’s etched in my brain. There were some knitted acrylic socks…and I don’t want to talk about it.

What happend to change all that? Why is it, when I walk past my ever growing stash, I can’t stop petting it? Just a little fondle….you know?

Is it because the sheep suddenly produce softer wool? Probably not, but the choice we have nowadays wich wool to knit with has grown over the last decade or so. I don’t think the dutch sheep got any softer, but if you are faced with the choice between milksheep and Texelaar or Merino and BFL, I sure know wich ones I’m taking home to meet my stash. And what about those merino/silk or bamboo blends!

Still, it’s a shame the angora sweater is gone. I wonder if I would wear it now. Honestly I don’t think I would. Nothing to do with the wool though…it’s the size. I was 10 or 11 years old back then

Besides, everyone knows socks are knit with a merino/nylon blend, not wool from goats! Right? Wich brings me to my latest project: the september SKA Mystery sock*!

*You’ll have to become a Ravelry member to see. Come on, you know you want to 

Yellow, yup yellow. Participating in the SKA challenge sometimes requires stepping outside your comfort zone. To be eligible for this months prizes (yes there are prizes), you must knit these socks with yellow yarn. Personally I’m more of a ‘purple’ person but it’s a happy color. And I need happy colors because it’s raining, again. The summer ended way too soon if you ask me.

And, I can allways overdye them if I don’t like it when it’s done.

I even learned a new knitting technique! It’s called the Vikkel Braid. It’s the little braid across the top.

Looks difficult but it’s not hard at all. Just follow the link above, there’s pictures on how to do it.

Remember the angora sweater? It’s made from rabbits fur by the way, not wool. Maybe that was my problem…