This fall I have been trying to finish any socks that have been set to the side while I did the baby knitting and the hat knitting. I am coming along on this mission. I have not been working on CookieA's Monkey sock because I have to think a little more and not be interrupted. So I have been knitting on the socks that I am using Yarn Harlot's Basic Sock Recipe pattern. These particular socks are a redo of the second pair of socks I made while learning how to handle four needles at one time. That was back in 2004 when I used a pattern out of a magazine and size 3US needles. Yes, we have had the discussion on these before when I made the orange Regia redo socks last year. These socks were ginormous and sat in the drawer never worn. So in my quest to use up the sock yarn I have in my stash, this simply to make room to go get more sock yarn, I got out the Regia blue stripe socks that I had ripped out and put into balls. I knew there would not be enough of the original blue, green, black yarn to make two complete socks. So I went to Shabby Sheep and got a blue in a very close match. I decided to make the rib, heel and toe blue and the body of the sock the stripe. I think the first one came out really nice. It took me 6 days to knit it. That must be a record because usually even with concentrated knitting it takes longer. The second sock is cast on and already halfway down the leg. I used my favorite 2.5mm needles. The blue is Regia 4 Fadig #1988, Royal Blue. The stripe is a mystery. I do not have the label to check it and I looked in my stash and my knitting journals and there is not record of the color. I looked on the internet but it must have been discontinued by this time. It was a Regia 4 Fadig too but I have no color number. If you happen to know the name/number of the color let me know as it has been bugging me not to be able to add it to my list.
I made this helmet liner this weekend. Yarn Heaven, a LYS in the DFW area is collecting helmet liners to send to our troops in Afghanistan. This pattern came from Lion Brand Yarn that is linked to Yarn Heaven's web site. The pattern was originally from Bonnie Long. I have never made this style before but it was super easy and actually very fun. I used Dark Horse Yarns Rhapsody in color #64 brown that I purchased from Shabby Sheep. It is 100% Merino wool and very soft. I was pleased with the feel of the yarn but it must definitely be washed as it does have a shall we say woolly smell. When Joseph was in Iraq we were told to send things in 100% wool for two reasons. One, it is very warm. Two, you do not want any type of acrylic because of the danger of it melting. Even those great UnderArmor t-shirts were not allowed simply for safety. If you are interested in supporting our troops by making these helmet liners the info is at http://www.yarnheaven.com/. and there is also a group on Ravelry. 
Well, I finished what I called the Regia Redo 2. I actually feel a real sense of accomplishment. I am trying to use stash yarn for my socks before I buy anymore yarn. Yeah, right I know. These are the ones I talked about earlier the yarn being rescued from the bottom of the drawer since I would never wear the socks since they were huge. What was funny was as I started the second sock I noticed that they would not match. Actually this would make my sister very happy as she likes things that are "off" a little whereas I like things that match. This must be because that is the only place in my life where I have any control, my knitting. And at that thought, my RA has been giving me fits lately. I think it is the weather change and the fact that it has been nearly 80 degrees in November. I wake up and think what the heck is going on here. But I digress so back to the socks. Thank you Yarn Harlot for your Basic Sock Recipe. It has changed my thoughts about socks and now I cannot knit enough of them. As I knew there was not enough of the "old" yarn left I bought the blue to "match" for the rib, toe and heel. I really like them even though the stripes don't match exactly and no JE, you live in Florida so you can't have them.
