Shades of Purple

I finished the spiral rib socks and delivered them to The Daughter yesterday. They came out very well with a great fit and nice bouncy ribbing. I'm glad the project is over though. Despite the excellence of the Trekking yarn, there's something about the shade that I don't love. Violet toned purples have never been my favourite and, as you know, if you don't love your colour, the knitting can be a bit of a slog. 
I much prefer blue and plum tones. So I dug out my Wellington Fibre in the colourway Midnight and have cast on another Wild Plum Shawlette - for myself this time - that will actually be plum.

Repairs

My Misti Alpaca scarf popped a wee hole in the edge. It looks like it may have gotten caught on something and two strands of yarn broke. To pull on the strands so I could tie them off, I used my Lantern Moon repair tool. Yes, one could use a crochet hook but why would you when you can use this pretty little dark-wood hook that comes in its own adorable cloth sleeve? Priced under 10 dollars, this is one of those delightful fibre tools that makes knitting even more of a pleasure.

Radishes

I have had my share of black moods
and feeling blue; I have seen red
until flames licked the hems of sweaters;
but today - eternal return of the not same! -
my head became a radish
planted by banter
and watered by wry asides.
You could lay me on a plate
and frugally dine; I'd like to be
so consumed; but better still
was the sweet surprise (our roots tell truths)
of another radish swelling by my side.
With two deep secrets spilling themselves,
with these red faces, the wonderful garden grows.

Rachel Wetzsteon
Sakura Park
Persea Books, 2006

A Reversal

I've just finished the toe on Sock 1 of the latest pair. I can't believe I have never noticed this before. The "wrong side" of spiralled three x one ribbing is quite fetching. I just may have to use it as the right side of a future pair.
Also surprising, to me anyway, is the fact that I've been sock knitting for years and this is my first experience using Trekking XXL. It's just great. The hand feel is satisfying and I am not having any problems with splitting strands. Good definition too. I guess that's why there are over 21 000 projects on Ravelry in this yarn.