Hello, my name is Elaine and I am a sock knitter. ("Hello Elaine"). On a recent blog crawl (when one can't yarn crawl...) I found Lolly's site, and that blessed fiber mistress is hosting Socktoberfest! This is a type of knit-a-long that I can participate in. How many socks can I knit in one month? Let's find out. 
Pair number 1 was started on September 30 (do I get special dispensation to count these? I would have waited a day had I known about Socktoberfest back then). Earlier I said they were knit out of Sockkotta - but I was probably smoking crack when I wrote that - they are knit from something all-together different, but I can't remember what and the label is at home and I am not. The wool is a little scratchier than I usually prefer, but I just love the colors. Besides - a little Downy goes a long way in the name of soft socks. 
Next up is a recently cast-on pair in Fortissima Colori - much softer. (EDIT: the picture shows the first cast-on, it was quickly ripped and replaced by a different cast-on and method, see following description) The yarn unspools as a near perfect rainbow, but the indigo looks black once knitted - these look to be the most obnoxious socks knit to date. I am really proud of something though - the cast-on edge. Taken from "The Big Book of Knitting" it is called a Kitchner Rib Cast On, but I haven't seen it called that anywhere else. I think it is more of an invisible cast on. The edge is super smooth, no cast-on loops or chains. I did it and had to smile and pet on it for a while "oooh pretty edge - look at the pretty edge - oooh look at the pretty edge I made". I'm surprised BLING didn't call the men in white coats to come and pick me up. Another new thing I'm trying for these socks is knitting from alternating skeins (OK a ball and a skein), I didn't want another pair where the colors spiral around one ankle and blotch on the other.
And now for something completely different: Gefelted Fish. Don't ask why, just love him with all your heart.
Now those socks are gorgeous! I am really curious about the yarn... maybe Trekking? It almost looks like Noro, but that would be a lot bulkier... I just love them! Your new socks are off to a great start too. Great colors :)
That Gefelted Fish is officially the coolest thing I have seen ALL day!!
Posted by: Lolly | October 12, 2005 at 04:55 AM
That fish is too cute! Your socks look very cozy and I agree that usually socks soften up with a good wash. I love the color of your new socks.
Posted by: Michelle | October 13, 2005 at 06:43 AM
ok, the socks are nice and all . . . but I LOVE THE FISH!!! I must make one of these for the Passover table centerpiece!
Posted by: JSC | October 13, 2005 at 10:57 AM
Your socks are beautiful! I love the completed socks and the socks you're working on are wild!
The fish! The fish is delightful!!!! If that is your own pattern you must publish at once! How fun!!!
Posted by: Fannie Pie | October 14, 2005 at 03:37 PM