These socks have been off the needles for some time. They've been shooting me nasty looks from across the room and shouting, "Hey, LADY! Yoohoo. Remember us. Take our picture. Put us on the blog. We're pretty".  

I've been feeling spread too thin a lot lately. More on that later, but suffice to say, It's been a chaotic summer. Sometimes my real life gets in the way of my blog life. I have a feeling time constraints are going to increase before they decrease. But, I'll be checking in from time to time whenever I'm able. And, no, I'm not pregnant, just to throw that out there.

Back to the socks. If they look familiar, it's because they use the same stitch pattern as the Alec XL I knit for Mike. Actually, I cast on these socks more than a month before I started work on Mike's sweater. Which, says a lot about my productivity. The pattern is Scott Base by Sarah Ronchetti. And, they're everything that a good sock ought to be. Sturdy. Elegant. Classic. Understated. 

This stitch pattern is very easy to memorize and these socks make for a wonderful purse project. I like them enough, they rival Hermoine's Everyday sock, my long-standing favorite sock pattern, for the #1 slot on my list of favorites.

While we're on the subject of new favorites, I knit these with my new needles. I wish I could give credit to the blogger who guided me towards Dyakcraft, alas, I can't track down the post. Regardless, since I discovered circular needles, I've not knit with anything but. I also tend to knit pretty quickly, so I prefer metal needles. I have three sets of interchangable needles Boye, Knitpicks and Addiclicks, the latter being my preferred, but none of these sets contains needles smaller than a size 4US. I've also been building my collection of Signature Needles, but the smallest they run is size 3US. This is a huge issue for me, because I prefer to knit most of my projects with smaller gauge. All my fine tipped needles are fixed, which means having to buy multiple sets with different cable lengths. Not awesome. Well, the geniuses at Dyakcraft created an entirely new system of interchangeable needles that come exclusively in smaller sizes. The set contains needles Size 0US- 3US. I would have spread the word about them sooner, but these socks were the first project I used them, and I wanted to be able to back-up my endorsement.  

To be frank, I LOVE them. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. They (or I) were a bit clumsy in the beginning. Their steel construction makes them both heavy and non-flexible in comparison to other varieties of metal needle. It took me a minute to get comfortable knitting with them. Once we got acquainted, there was no stopping us. In addition to my admiration of their small sizes, I love that these needles come in a custom sewn and signed needle case, and they're craftsman made in Vermont, USA. Aside from the Heavy Metal set, they make an array of beautifully painted wooden needles and crochet hooks- Something for everyone. Go check them out. Dyakcraft is in no way involved in this glowing review. Heck, I'd be surprised if they managed to stumble upon it. I just really enjoy this product and I bet some of you would too. 

Pattern: Scott Base  by Sarah Ronchetti
Yarn: Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Tumbled Stone
Needles: Dyakcraft Heavy Metal Size 0US

I warned you I planned to make more Datura blouses. I wasn't messing around.  I have a few more envisioned in my mind's eye, but I think I'll switch gears temporarily and give a few other summer blouse patterns a try before I revisit this one again. This particular version turned out a bit more... risque than I originally anticipated. After I finished it, I was nervous that I might be too old and/or bashful to pull it off. 

I scored a wonderful piece of embroidered chambray at an estate sale, and I couldn't wait to use it. My initial thought was to pair it with some leftover eyelet I'd used recently. But, I didn't have adequate yardage. I've seen lace paneled shirts walking around downtown all summer, so I searched my stash for a piece that would work well with the chambray, and a new idea formed.  Chambray and lace. Something about the combination SCREAMS 1990's to me... Probably because the 90s was the last time I can remember wearing them together. But, it's working for me in a nostalgic, throwback kind of way.  

I sewed this version exactly as I sewed my first Datura, skipping the front facing and using French seams throughout. My second attempt went together even quicker than the first, which makes it doubly difficult not to continue returning to this pattern repeatedly.  

I took this blouse with me to Wyoming for a weekend get away with my substitute photographer/sister. We had a very important first birthday to attend.  Gosh, time flies. 

And there you have it. My wild shirt, in the wild West. Oh, just in case you were wondering, This blouse was tamed with the assistance of my favorite "go-braless" tool.