Note to recommended amount of yarn: “I have ripped out and restarted this project so many times that I’ve had to discard yarn (mostly beige) that was too short or too damaged to use. I have no idea how much I discarded, but maybe one or two skeinsworth of yarn?”

You’re a legend.

One of my favourite sock patterns! I love the way the heel looks, with eye of partridge flap.

I’ve started reading Hominids already and finding it interesting but the writing is annoying me - there’s some lacivious drooling over the lead scientist’s lacy bra, plus details of her appearance, while her male assistant is merely “gawky”. It seems a quick read though so I’ll hang in there. (Speaking of Neanderthals, the Kim Stanley Robinson novel Shaman is set at a time when we coexisted, very interesting speculation on their mentality and interaction with our mob.)

Next on my list is Leckie - I loved the Ancillary trilogy and am looking forward to more Radch.

Thanks, brilliant list and I love the summaries. I’m taking a few recommendations because it seems we have similar tastes.

Thanks for sharing that! More info about the project: https://www.sanquharknits.com/

Thumbs up for Shaman. I got the strong impression that KSR ran around in the woods at night naked to research that book. Some really interesting speculation on Neanderthals too.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-for-all-cowl

I’m also keen to learn colourwork so I’ve been boning up. Top tip so far: don’t use full balls of the additional colours. Instead, wind a goodly length on to a bobbin. https://fullywoolly.co.uk/products/clover-knitting-bobbin-set-332 This makes it easier to control the yarn.

Also, there’s a technique of holding the main yarn in one hand and the colour in the other. Knit one using English method (throwing) and other using Continental. https://youtu.be/JOYBE11s640?feature=shared

The big caveat here is that I haven’t actually done any of this! I have the yarn to make a fair isle hat, but my one attempt was a terrible failure, because I had done zero research. Once I’ve finished my current project I’m going to have another go. Keep us posted on how you get on…

I’m baffled I tell you, baffled. It’s the inside out kitchener toe all over again!

Damn, where has the first pic gone? I’ll put it here…

They can’t! The wool soaks up water like a sponge, stretching the fabric down almost to the backs of your knees. Hideously uncomfortable.

I learned to knit as a child - my mother was an incredible knitter and made us a lot of knitted garments, including a horrendous bathing suit (!!!) and a jumper with a fair isle yoke that was so beautiful I grieved when I grew out of it. In my teens I knitted a pair of gloves, but they felted badly and I lost interest in the craft.

Fast forward to age about 60, when I was given a pair of hand-knitted socks. I was beyond thrilled, and set out to learn how to knit them myself. What really set me on fire was discovering the advances in yarn. Not just machine-washable merino, though that is brilliant, but the number of independent dyers creating the most sensational colours and effects. My sock drawer is now ablaze with colour, and all my friends and family flaunt socks, shawls and scarves I’ve knitted. Along the way I was introduced to Ravelry and its forums and patterns, and I attended several yarn festivals where I got to fan-girl over my favourite designers and dyers. Such fun!

My ambition is to knit myself a beautiful jumper with a fair isle yoke. I’ve had a few goes at colour work but it went badly, so I’m going to find a workshop and learn properly.

Thanks for posting this. I’ve got an Oppo Find, a few years old now but it’s the best phone I’ve had in terms of keeping up its speed, battery etc with age. The camera is a little sub-par though, so it’s interesting seeing how much better this new Oppo’s camera is. I would never have considered buying a foldable, but I’m curious to see one in person after reading this. I reckon my current phone has another good year in it though.

I did! On to the gussets now…

This was me yesterday!

Or in my case, fourth time is a charm! It took me that long to figure out that knitting the socks on to the long circular was never going to work. I had to MOVE the second needle stitches on to the second needle. I used to knit magic loop socks all the time, I think some old muscle memory finally clicked in.

(Scots does have all the best words. I’ve been glaikit tonight for sure, a real daftie.)

My first pair of socks (top-down, four needles) I knitted inside out. I was halfway through sock one of pair two when I realised. I’m still not sure how it happened! Dozens of socks later I’m in Team Toe-up, with a fleegle heel, on two circulars. The next challenge is to learn to knit two socks at a time…

You are spot on - they are to be house/bed socks! I’ll be interested myself to see how they wear. My street socks are generally a merino/nylon mix - hard-wearing, machine washable. I made the mistake of making socks in a bamboo/wool mix one time and they just shredded.

My WIP is a pair of alpaca socks. It’s a mash-up of two Ravelry patterns - Honey Badger for the stitches and Time Traveler for the structure.

I started out top-down, and had begun knitting the gusset - and stuffed it up completely. I sat staring at it for a minute, then said some swears and frogged. I’m so much better at toe-up, Time Traveler’s heel is so easy.

That’s how I get WhatsApp on a desktop browser, have done for years. Sometimes I’m sending a photo that’s only on the hard drive. Also it’s easier to type.