Wednesday, October 10, 2007

What's in YOUR Salad Spinner, The Grinch Came Early This Year AND A CONTEST!!!!

Do NOT adjust your monitors....you are NOT crazy....That IS Yarn in the Salad Spinner!!!




Bibby ran by yesterday morning and brought me this!!! What a GREATidea!!

After soaking my single ply yarn the entire hank was bone dry the next morning.....despite rolling my 2 ply yarn in a towel it took 3 days for it to get completely dry...I could NOT get all the water out.......enter Bibby's fabulous Salad....I mean Yarn spinner!!!!!!!!! (and this is a Wayyyyy nicer spinner than the one I use for FOOD)!! LOL!!!

Got to have your priorities straight......right????????????? LOL!!!!!









Also included....SAFF Survival Kit!!! All those little essentials that you wouldn't think about until you need them!!! Smart gal that she is even included chocolate....yep....I can survive anything SAFF has to offer!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!









My Sweetie.....they sure can fool you sometimes can't they??? You never know what they are "listening" to when you are talking......but apparently he was listening several months ago because he remembered I love lillys and Fall flowers!!! He got these for me, eagerly telling me how he hand picked the flowers for the girl to arrange!! I'm not sure what the burgandy flower is...sort of looks like a variation of a magnolia bloom....but the lillys smell stinky/good....I love them!!!!!! The picture doesn't do them justice at all!!! Didn't he do good......and to top it off he is color blind!!



Sunday with my family, wonderful food homecooked by Mom, (always a treat to sit down to someone else's home cooked food), evening out with my friends....just so very blessed to have great family and friends!!! More than this girl deserves I can tell ya!!!!!!!!!!!


And now for the GRRINCH!!!!!!!!!! (link to lyrics)

Whodathunk that the Grinch coming would be a GOOD thing??!! LOL!!!

NO heart full of unwashed socks with THIS Grinch (see lyrics). This pic does NOT do this yarn justice at ALL!!

I LOVE these colors and can't wait to get it wound into a yarn cake!!!





Cindy, of the aptly named Yarn Nut Blog and one of my many "enabler" friends gave me this yarn nestled amongst a pumpkin patch of gourdylicious gifts.....(if gourdylicious isn't a word is should be)!!

After a wonderful evening out with friends.....phone calls and more than a girl deserves (which I won't post but thank you each and every one) I feel the need to pay some goodness forward a bit.

SOOOOOOOOOO.....I am having a CONTEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel the need to share the love!!!!!!!! (All while humming the Grinch song to myself)!!
And this contest is no three decker saurkraut and toadstool sandwich With arsenic sauce let me tell you!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!

Here's the deal:

Leave a reply on this email letting me know your favorite sock yarn and favorite sock pattern. (Because I LUV to knit socks...and because it is my contest I get to choose)!! LOL!!!

Winner will be drawn by random and receive one skein of STR yarn (my favorite sock yarn).

In the event that I can get 50 comments on my blog I'll draw a second place winner to receive a skein of my second favorite sock yarn....which I will leave as a surprise until the winner is drawn. If you can provide a link to the sock pattern you use that would be GREAT!!


Spread the word....spread the love!!!

I will leave the contest open until November 9th or till I receive 50 comments, whichever comes first ....that should give everyone time don't you think?????


Hmmm maybe the 50th commentor deserves something too!!!!!!!!!!

(addendum..I didn't choose 50 because I turned 50...not that it is too far off....but I'm stopping birthdays before I get to 50!! Hee! Hee! Fix that little problem right there!!)

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT....now I have the Grinch song stuck in my head........

CONTEST UPDATE 10-11-07:
Oh MY....WOW!!!I thought it would take me a month to H.O.P.E.F.U.L.L.Y get 50 comments but looks like I am going to have my 50th comment by lunch time today!!!In order to give folks more time to participate here is what I am going to do.First 50 folks go into the drawing for the STR yarn as well as for the drawing for my second favorite sock yarn as stated above. When I get to the 100th comment I will close the contest and enter the last 50 into the drawing for another skein of yarn!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I am so tickled to find so many new bloggers and will be checking out your blogs!!! I have already seen so many patterns I haven't heard of not to mention so many of you love some of the socks that I felt I was missing out on!!! Been feeling guilty for awhile by just sticking to my tried and true "vanilla"sock...but looks like a lot of you enjoy it too!!!!!

October 15, 100 comments!!! Contest Winners To Be Announced!! Thank you Very Much for your comments!!!

100 comments:

Chris said...

Belated happy birthday!

My favorite sock yarn is Wool2Dye4 Supersock as dyed by myself or my friends. :) Second is a toss-up between Lana Grossa Meilenweit or Trekking.

My favorite sock pattern right now is the 9-to-5 pattern (although, as with every sock pattern, I just use the stitch pattern plugged into my own generic pattern). Second would be Los Monos Locos (the Crazy Monkeys!).

Theresa said...

My favorite is Koigu, and my new favorite pattern is Monkeys. I know, not very creative. But I'm about to cast on again . . .

Anonymous said...

A favorite sock yarn?? I have to pick just one? Ok, at current writing, my favorite would be the Merino/Bamboo sock yarn that I got from Elliebelly. My favorite sock pattern is an absolute no brainer.....the Knitting Pure & Simple Beginner Lightweight Socks. I love this plain vanilla sock because I can do it anywhere without much thought at all and since I love handpainted variegated yarns, the yarns get to shine and not the pattern itself.

Anonymous said...

Ack, I can't believe I missed your birthday! Happy Birthday!!!

LOVE that SAFF survival kit!

I'd have to say my favorite sock yarn is Koigu and my favorite pattern is Child's First Socks by Nancy Bush.

Heather said...

Happy Birthday! I am glad to hear you enjoyed every minute of it.

My favorite sock yarn at the moment is KnitPicks Felici. I love to knit plain cuff down heel flap socks because they are my take everywhere projects and I don't need instructions.

I swear I'm not as boring as my socks.

Susanne said...

My favourite sock pattern is the Basketweave sock from Stitches of Violet. www.stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com I love using it with a solid sock yarn which is not something widely available these days. So I have used it with some of the variegated yarns and still love it!! It is easy peasy, stretchy and comfy..who could ask for more. I have used it with Opal, Trekking (how I love thee) and some Lange Jawoll cotton/wool blend. There is a yarn available in Canada called Confetti and it has some nice solid and variegated yarn selections. STR is wonderful yarn I usually knit a plain sock from it though to let the colours blossom. So take your pick and Happy Birthday!!!

Anonymous said...

I am going to go and buy a salad spinner this weekend. That is a TERRIFIC idea!!! Bibby is a genius.

As for socky goodness...I gravitate towards Lorna Laces sock yarn and I am really digging the Monkey sock pattern as possibly my favorite sock pattern of all time. Which would make you think I'd finish them, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

I love me some Woolarina yarn. I prefer the superwash merino, but the merino/tencel also is nice. And the favorite pattern I've knitted would have to be the Zokni Socks. They're just so lovely!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Happy Birthday! It sounds like a wonderful one.

My favorite sock yarn is still Mountain Colors Bearfoot. It's so nice and warm and fuzzy. My favorite pattern is just a plain, top down, stockinette stitch with a picot edge on the cuff. It's boring, I know, but it suits almost all yarn and I can almost knit these in my sleep.

Anonymous said...

Hey Darlene, I keep threatening to get a tattoo when I turn 50. I will probably have forgotten about it by then. I don't have a favorite sock yarn or pattern per se, I wanna knit 'em ALL! Happy belated b'day

The Yarn Nut said...

Hey, I don't have a favorite sock pattern because I only know how to make one pattern. LOL! My question is, did Libby put some money in that survival kit because you gonna need some money at SAFF!!!!! I didn't know it was your 50th!!!!!! OMG!!!!! I thought you told me last year that you was 48.

Karen said...

Happy belated birthday!

My favorite sock yarn is Opal and my favorite pattern is just a plain vanilla sock or a simple ribbed sock.

Jane said...

It's hard to choose a favorite, but I think I have to say Trekking XXL, with their pro natura a close second. My favorite sock pattern is Melanie's Twise (that's the same Melanie who designed the Swan Lake/Mystery Stole 3)

Bubblesknits said...

Happy (late) Birthday! ((hugs))

And what a fabulous idea the salad spinner is! I'm definitely putting that on my must have list. LOL

As for the contest, my fave yarn is (of course) STR. You knew that one was coming, huh? LOL Favorite pattern is just a plain vanilla sock that I can knit while watching Grey's Anatomy or CSI. ;-)

Brook said...

I like the Trekking yarn although I have yet to complete my first pair of socks. I like to attempt from timie to time Knitty's Universal Toe Up Sock http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTuniversalsock.html

It's super basic but it speaks to me!!! Brook :)

Tonni said...

Did I Miss Your Birthday??!? What wonderful gifts! Your sweety sure knows how to pick out flowers. That is pretty amazing for someone that is colorblind :)

My favorite sock yarn is Blue Moon. My favorite pattern is just a basic ribbed sock. I love all those fancy patterns, but just love me a plain sock with wonderful yarn.

Rooie said...

Belated happy birthday! That is a gorgeous bouquet. Your sweetie did good!

I'm a relatively new sock knitter, so I'd have to say that my most-used sock pattern is just a top down, ribbed cuff, plain ole sock. (I use the pattern in Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles.) Though I do have a slightly more adventurous sock on the needles from Charlene Schurch's book...this sock actually has a knit/purl pattern on the leg portion. Such risk, such daring!!

Favorite sock yarns...that's tough. If you looked at the amount of sock yarn I have in the stash, you'd think I knit a pair a week. For sheer yummy color blending, I'd have to say Trekking. For cushiness, Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Sock...not that I've actually used it yet but my favorite shop has a pair knit up in LL's and they are so cushy and soft. I also love some of the hand-dyed yarns I've gotten from Black Bunny and Etsy shops and Loopy Ewe. What can I say? I'm a pushover.

michaele said...

My current favorite is the sock I finished last night. It's Marina Piccolo, a pattern by Kate Gilbert. I'm knitting it with yarn dyed by Scout of the same name to go along with the pattern. Today I get to cast on for the mate! The finshed sock is BEAUTIFUL. http://www.kategilbert.com/ms_marinapiccola.html

Anonymous said...

My two favorite sock yarns are STR and Colinette Jitterbug--it's hard to choose between them! But the STR just might win, because there are so many fabulous color choices.

As much fun as it is to try different patterns, nothing beats a plain stockinette sock--fun to knit, fun to wear, and shows off the yarn best.

AllyB said...

Happy Birthday! Looks like it was a fabulous day. And really, 50 isn't that bad, I made it to 51 this year and am no worse for the wear, lol. Think Barry Manilow..."I made it through the rain"...there now you can get that Grinch out of your head for the rest of the day, hee! Ok, to the contest stuff...my favorite sock pattern is the Monkey and my favorite yarn, right now, is Gypsy Girl Creations, Ice Cream Sundae.

OzKnitter said...

Hmm... not sure I can pick just one yarn or pattern. I think I'd have to go with Lorna's Laces for the yarn, and for the pattern "Elegance" from Sockamania which is what I'm currently knitting (as the current pattern tends to be my favourite).

OzKnitter said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY too!

Unknown said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I have heard of people using salad spinners to spin out their yarn, but I don't have one, so I actually put mine in the washer and just set it to spin. I may end up getting a salad spinner one of these days.

Hmm, favorite sock yarn..probably The 3 ply superwash merino that I dye myself because it's so soft and squishy. Favorite pattern is the plain old Fiber Trends "Helen's Favorite socks" k3p1 ribbing, becuase I have made them so many times and have the pattern memorized and can take my sock project anywhere and not need to take the pattern with me.

SissySees said...

Happy belated birthday!

My favorite sock yarn is Tofutsies. I love the colors, the feel... everything.

And just because it's my first toe-up pattern, I have to say that the Summer Daze pattern (available with the purchase of the August Tofutsies sock of the month package)is my favorite at the moment.

Alchemy said...

Fun post! Action, gizmo, flowers, contest--it has it all! Happy Birthday!

Favorite pattern is Blueberry Waffle Socks: http://www.knitlist.com/98gift/blueberrysocks.htm
It's been around forever, it's free, no snazzy photo, but it knits up quickly and stays up well.
Favorite yarn: I like Opal for all of the theme colors, especially the Rainforest line. I thought I just had to have caterpillar-colored socks for some reason. Very generous on the yardage for my large feet.

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday! That is great yarn! Now, you want to know about my favorite yarn and pattern??? At the moment it is Wollmeise using the Rococo sock pattern by Wildhorse Farm designs. I love the Wollmeise - it knits up beautifully and the colors are rich and vibrant. I like the sock pattern because it looks complicated but is really very straight forward!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! My favorite sock pattern so far is Embossed Leaves. I love most all sock yarn but lately my favorite is Claudia Handpaints.

Redheadskydiver said...

My favorite is also STR of course! And my favorite pattern is Jaywalkers which can be found at www.magknits.com. I know, pretty predictable but I love them!

Danielle said...

Happy late birthday! I love Koigu and Artyarns Ultramerino (though it's not the sturdiest yarn, it is a delight to knit with and so soft on the feet -- I've made 2 pairs with this and have another stashed!)

Patterns -- I like Embossed Leaves, which you can find in the new IK sock book. I also like Friday Harbor from Knitting on the Road (though it's written for a sportweight). It's just a pretty pattern with a beautiful cuff. I've made 2 pairs of Jaywalkers (the only pattern I've knit twice so far!), and I also like Saucy (http://www.cidermoon.com/cm0127.html) and my Baudelaires (http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer06/PATTbaudelaire.html).

And, I want to try a pair of Vinnlands, though I have not yet made any -- http://theanticraft.com/archive/beltane07/vinnland.htm

K. said...

Ooh that's a good contest! My fave sock yarn so far is Yarn Ahoy's because of the color. I don't know what she uses as a base, but it's super fluffy and thick which is perfect for the impending winter...

Pattern wise, it's a toss up between the Pomatomus's's and Charade socks...both end up looking so gorgeous!!!

vegasangelbrat said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!! I love socks but not a knitter that good yet..Chan sent me over so i figure any yarn any pattern she likes, maybe she would make them for me..lol
I do hope you get to your 50 posts, that would be so neat! Good luck with the contest!

Ellie said...

I haven't tried many different sock yarns, maybe 4 or 5, but I will say that STR is my favourite. My fave pattern is Crusoe from Knitty's Spring '03 issue. It's my favourite because it was the first non-vanilla sock pattern I was able to complete successfully :-)

Jodi said...

Happy birthday! What a fabulous haul of birthday loot.

Favorite sock yarn - Fleece Artist 2/6. Favorite sock pattern -- Breeze, from Knitty.

Anonymous said...

My favorite sock yarn is my own handspun in BFL. Favorite pattern - I love Baby Cable Rib.

Lapdog Creations said...

Happy Birthday my fellow Libra!

Favorite sock yarn... just about any! LOL No seriously, how about Scout's Swag and Seacoast Handpainted! YUMMYNESS. Favortie pattern? I really don't have just one... but am about to cast on the Loopy Ewe Anniversary socks!

starrypurplehaze said...

My favorite sock yarn? Fiesta Boomerang...so squishy. :) And honestly...I haven't knitted socks yet, but I love the way the embossed leaves socks look. :)

Nancy @ the Jersey Shore said...

I'm not a sock knitter, but appreciate the patterns and many colorways. I think my favorite would be Cookie A.'s Pomatomus. I saw them in person the other night at my knitting group. Awesome pattern. My favorite yarn? Well, since I've not used any...I like the looks of the hand dyed and painted.
Happy belated Birthday!

Nancy @ the Jersey Shore said...

oops...here's the link. http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter05/PATTpomatomus.html

Debra said...

Ohh, soo many sock yarns to love!

I've been eyeing Pigeonroof Studios, but haven't made the plunge. Koigu and Trekking are an 'old' standby, and STR is one of my favorites. My favorite right now? I'd have to say Wollmiese! (Claudia's new store just opened up, too.)

For patterns, I've just finished a sock in "Elongated Rib"- a simple eyelet rib from Sensational Knitted Socks in Wollmeise. Simple enough for knitting groups, yet gorgeous results.

I just started Maia Discoe's Mystery sock pattern. Oh, love. It's genious-- and it's free!

Links + pictures of all described above at www.kitchencotton.blogspot.com (or, just photos to to flickr and search for user 'cashmeredreams')

Thanks for hosting! If you have time, post with your favorite sock yarn and pattern suggestions from commenters.

knit on,
Deb

Debra said...

p.s. Why Wollmeise? Very tightly spun, almost silk-like sheen. They're 100% merino superwash that looks like it's going to wear like iron!

Dotty said...

My current favourite sock yarn is Cherry Tree Hill. I just love love it. And my favourite sock pattern is Monkey by Cookie A. I've knit 2.5 pairs of Monkey socks. I love it so much that I even joined the Monkey sock swap.

And nice flowers. I wish my husband would get the hint sometimes.

Anonymous said...

I haven't knit many socks--yet--but so far my favorite has been the Broadripple pattern from Knitty using the Cascade Fixation yarn.

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday.

Favourite sock yarn... ummm... still haven't tried enough yet, but so far I love the colour transitions on Trekking XXL, and I love the softness of Shepherd Sock Yarn.

Must. knit. more. socks...

Favourite sock pattern? (Shameless self-promotion) - Reverse Psockology - on Ravelry, or you can find it at
www.pettigrew.org.uk/anne/images/crazysocks.pdf

Doogle Knits said...

Happy Birthday again!

I love the monkey pattern and STR yarn. Of course, I collect sock yarn and sock patterns because I can be compulsive in that way. So much so, that I've had to consider new storages options to hold it all. :-)

Ana said...

Happy Belated Birthday!

My favorite yarn is Socks that Rock! I absolutely love all the colorways. My favorite pattern, well I've knitted Monkey's twice and they are such a quick knit so I would have to say Monkeys! I also like SockPixie's Groovy Pattern.

Adrianna said...

I'm a new sock knitter (just 3 pair under my belt), so I don't really have a favorite sock yarn. My favorite sock pattern right now is any ribbed variation because it hides my awful ladders.

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Still looking for an absolute favorite sock pattern, but I adore the garter rib socks from Sensational Socks. As for sock yarn, I've been trying some new stuff, Oceanwinds from Woolgirl is very nice, looks and acts like Koigu, but is superwash!

Jeanne said...

I don't think I've met a sock yarn I don't like, but STR is up near the top of my list, as well as stuff I dye myself that gives me skinny stripes. (I don't know why, but I really get a kick out of those skinny stripes.) My favorite pattern is the Gentleman sock over at Fiber Fool. http://blog.designedlykristi.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/DKGentleman.pdf

Scrabblequeen said...

Many happy returns on the anniversary of your birth! My favorite sock yarn so far is Lorna's Laces, and my favorite pattern....whatever I just knit! Which means that today it is the 3X3 Cable with Moss stitch.

Susan said...

My favorite sock yarn has to be the cashmere/merino from The Knittery. I have so many favorite sock patterns to knit, but the one that I like wearing the most is probably Hedera (from Cookie A in Knitty).

Andi Knit said...

Happy Birthday!
I love the yarn spinner idea...gotta go dig mine out and give it a whirl.

My favorite sock yarn is Silkie STR and my favorite pattern (for the moment) is Go With The Flow (from IK Favorite Socks).

sheep#100 said...

Visiting from Chaos' place.
My favorite sock yarn is STR and the patterns I've knit most are Jaywalkers and Little Runes.

Happy B-day!

renee said...

STR is also my favorite sock yarn - the colors and the cushy, smooshy fabric are too hard to resist. I think my favorite sock pattern is the BFF sock by Cookie A. I love little cables.

Anonymous said...

favourite yarn, Claudia's Hand Painted, so yummy and soft.
I really love this pattern by a local knitter to me,diamante from knitty. Here's the link http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTdiamante.html

Ann-Marie MacKay said...

Favourite sock yarn: Fleece Artist (love that stuff)
Favourite pattern--Monkey's from knitty.com

wenat said...

My favourite sock yarn is usually whatever I'm working with at the time, because there's so much lovely stuff out there. It's a copout answer, I know. And my favourite pattern is going to be Coriolis, I just know it. I just have to get all my gift knitting done, and then I'll be making nothing but socks out of Cat Bordhi's new book.

Jen C said...

It's hard to pick one and there are so many "famous" yarns out there that I haven't tried yet. I have a skein of STR in my stash that I'm dying to try out. Of the sock yarns I have worked with I like Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock.

My fave pattern is the plain ole toe-up in stockinette. I almost always wear ankle socks to this works for me.

Anonymous said...

I may be too late! I know I already did this....must not have saved it!!!
My favorite yarn is Sophie's Toes & my favorite pattern is called "Peaks & Valleys" by Betsy McCarthy in her book Knit Socks.

Nana Sadie said...

I love CTH and STR - and my favorite pattern is Wendy's Toe-up in Feather & Fan or...the plain stockinette with picot edge.
They are ties in my mind!
:)
(((hugs)))

Berry Gal said...

My fav yarn is STR. I love the knitty toe up pattern because I can throw in any pattern my heart desires. Current fav pattern is the twirling pattern from grumperina's odessaa hat on the cuff.

5elementknitr said...

My favorite sock yarn is anything from Fearless Fibers over at Etsy - fantastic colorways, tons of yardage, great yarn and so reasonable!

I also love this sock pattern, perfect for variegated yarns.
http://pepperknit.com/patterns/anastasia.html

Anonymous said...

I love LL Shepherd Sock yarn.

My fave pattern is whatever I'm currently knitting, which right now is a basket weave pattern using the Riverbed master pattern from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways... book.

I'm going to get a salad spinner for my yarn. Great idea!

MNLacer said...

I'm currently working with Trekking sock yarn, making two toe-up socks at the same time on two circular needles! The pattern is Los Monos Locos (the Crazy Monkeys!). This is the first pair where I've done two at once. I like it now that I'm past the fiddly toes. :-)

Kenyetta said...

Happy Belated birthday! I love the "yarn spinner" idea!
My favorite sock yarn is Mississippi Katia 3 print. It's a cotton blend that is cool and soft.
My favorite sock pattern, is Knitty's Monkey. I know not very original.

Deenz said...

My favorite sock yarn is Artyarns Handpaint Stripes. They're quick to knit up, make beautiful self-patterns and are so nice, soft and squishy to wear!

Favorite pattern...so many, but right now I think it's Falling Leaves from knitty.com - the second sock of which I have to finish! I'm very intrigued by the new Cat Bordhi book, New Pathways in Sock Knitting, as well!

Surviving said...

I don't have a favorite sock yarn or pattern at this point. I haven't even tried knitting socks yet. I want to but I'm trying out felting right now. I think socks are next on the list of new things to try.

Emma said...

My favorite--hard to narrow down--is Fleece Artist. Love the Monkey pattern too!

Michelle said...

Getting ready to cast on my first pair... and I'm using Lorna's laces.. it's such a pretty yarn...

Happy Belated birthday by the way!

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday!

Favorite sock yarn? So far I like Colinette Jitterbug.

Favorite pattern? Grumperina's Jaywalker.

bellamoden said...

My favorite sock yarn is Koigu or bellamoden yarn... koigu for fingering thin, bellamoden for thicker squooshy.

Pattern? That's hard! At the moment river valley from sockmania.

Lynn said...

What a great contest!

My favorite yarn is Lornas Laces Sport weight. I knit them with size 2s and they make a nice firm yet soft (like the perfect foot hug!) sock! As far as my favorite pattern, I'm a bit of a vanilla girl when it comes to socks (I let the sock yarn to do the talking!) and I like my socks with a K3P1 rib for 4.5", stst for an inch and then start the heel flap. Stockinette the rest of the foot with a kitchener closure. Mindless pattern with outrageous yarn, perfect for late night knitting.

Turtle said...

Lol, first off...i laughed out loud because my salad spinner sits at the edge of the dye table as well! (my mom had suggested it or i may never have thought of it myself)

I LOVE the grinch color combo! It looks fantastic, of course the movie rocks after all these years too.

Fav yarn for socks, any hand dyed or handspun tend to be my favorites. I like the blends of colors and textures, knowing someone took the time to do the yarn just so.

My new favorite sock pattern is:Zigzag
http://cavychops.com/zigzagsocks.html

K. Anne said...

happy birthday!
let me just say that i loooove sock yarn. i try not to discriminate. i will even knit socks with RH. (yes, really... check the blog! lol) i do adore trekking, jitterbug, str, and panda cotton or wool. as for a pettern, i am stragely drawn to either footie socks or knee-highs. on my list is to make is the stockings from Holiday Knits, i am in the process of knitting footie socks for the hubby from the current knit-a-day calender (desk-top), and i want to make the tall socks from Knitty.
p.s. love the yarn spinner! will so be stealing the idea!

Wendy said...

I love Jitterbug yarn when I'm knitting socks. The colors are so vibrant! but Tofutsies are my next favorite so far I think. And by far the pattern that seems to have fit my foot the best is the Tidal Wave that Tofutsies puts out. Check it out!

Heide said...

Salad spinner... great idea! I too am a STR junkie and I love Evelyn Clark's Butterfly and Blossom sock patterns. They work wonderfully with either solid or multi-colored yarns

Debi said...

Hi, I came here from Chris' blog (Chaos and Mayhem's Mom) My favorite sock pattern is The Scale Skin Socks from the Six-Sock-KAL...very simple pattern but strikingly lovely and really great for breaking up pooling yarns.

Favorite sock yarn...oh my! There are so many but I'd have to choose Dream In Color Smooshy above the rest!

Chris said...

I have only been knitting socks about 10 months and have just become comfortable enough that I think I will try patterns after Christmas gifts are done. I have been using the 56 st 56 row sock pattern at chicknits.com. I of course make my own adjustments as to ribbing lenght, curr length and foot length. Favorite sock yarn?? Still trying them all. So far I like opal sock yarns but have not used that many brands. Am on my 14th pr. of socks. http://luvtoknitandmuchmore.blogspot.com/

Dandy said...

Happy Happy Birthday!!

I do love trekking yarns... I love the way the colors blend together... and my pattern??
Hmmm... probally a plain ole generit sock (ankle sock)... with short row heal and toe with a picot edge.

ikkinlala said...

Hard choices! My favourite sock pattern at the moment is Thuja from Knitty - it's simple and comfortable.

My favourite sock yarn is even harder to choose, and it changes often, but I think I'm going to have to pick Fleece Artist right now.

Shirley said...

I can't exactly call them my favourites because they are the only sock yarns I have ever used. Living in Finland I use Nalle or 7 Veljestä from a Finnish company http://www.novita.fi/sys/cms.php?cms_cname=tuotelista&oid=30257&tuoteryhma=30257

I haven't really ventured past the basic pattern on the back of the ball band!

Karen S, Lykkefanten said...

My favorite sock yarn is Arwetta, but I suspect that is because I haven't really had my hands (or needles) on anything really nice yet! ;-)
The pattern I currently use the most is actually one of my own "Viking socks", but its still in the works (release sometimes this weekend)

Cheers Karen

maylin said...

I'm a recent convert to sock knitting but love STR and Colinette Jitterbug. I have only knit 'vanilla' socks so far but am working my way up to making a pair of Pomotamus, which I adore the look of.

Olga said...

Hi! My fav sock yarn now is Jitterbug and I love the pattern for the Oct. Sockamania club, It's so fun to knit! I love the STR colorway you have there, so Coooool.

Milly said...

I am new to knitting. I have only made two pair of socks so far, but I loved it! My favorite yarn so far for socks is Argyle from Australia and I don't have a favorite sock pattern yet, but am on the quest for one. I want to try toe-ups next.

SheepsPyjamas said...

Favorite sock yarn? Hmm... she asks the nearly impossible -- I've never met a sock yarn I didn't like for some particular pattern, at least. Right now I'm knitting with Bearfoot and Anne and loving both, though if pushed, I could probably end up mumbling something about how I've never knit a sock with Bearfoot that I didn't like, and so... Okay, if pushed, Bearfoot it is...

Fave pattern -- right now it's not so coincidentally the one I'm working on with the Bearfoot. Mine own, lacy, and the second set I'm making so far. And I do promise to Ravelryize the pattern once I'm sure it's "bug free"... :*)

Anonymous said...

What a great idea, using a salad spinner! I'll have to try that...

While there are so very many yarns out there to love (so many I haven't even tried yet!), I think my favourite so far has been Fleece Artist SeaWool: I've knit with it thrice now and love the way the hand-dyed colours shine with that hint of seacell.

My favourite sock pattern (so far) is the ever-addictive Monkey! I've knit three pair, and it's all I can do to try knitting something else for a while. Love it!

Unknown said...

My favorite sock yarn is Claudia's Handpainted, and my favorite pattern has to by the famous Jaywalker socks. It's the only sock pattern I've ever re-knit! Thanks for having a contest!

mrspao said...

My favourite sock yarn is Shi Bui and I love to knit ribbed socks. My favourite pattern in the ribbed sort of socks is the Railway Socks pattern from Fibre Arts.

the Lady said...

I love Koigu and I love the Anastasia sock pattern.
http://www.pepperknit.com/patterns/anastasia.html
Congrats on all your comments!

Devonshire said...

Happy Birthday! My favorite sock yarn is Lorna's Lace - although I really need to branch out. My favorite sock pattern is from interweave knits it is an Ann Budd pattern called Undulating Rib Socks (can be found in the interweave sock book.) Hope you had a great birthday!

Diane said...

My favorite pattern is the waffle pattern. Looks great for gift socks but is sooooo easy to do. My favorite sock yarn is Trekk (although it's a little splitty for me) because I love the colors

Anonymous said...

My favorite yarn is STR, usually I just do a plain vanilla sock or a ribbed sock. Since I always carry them around with me, I like something that doesn't require much concentration.

Anonymous said...

Hm. I think my favorite so far- STR Lover's Leap- so gorgeous and so vibrant. Knitting Pattern: Pomatomous by Cookie.

Happy Birthday! - and the Grinch looks so gorgeous! I shall have to snap one up for meee.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!

I'm a new sock knitter, so I haven't developed obsessions, er, I mean preferences for particular yarns and patterns.

So far, though, I've most enjoyed working with Wildfoote, using Ann Budd's toe-up pattern in the spring Interweave Knits.

Anonymous said...

I love the Monkey pattern with hand-dyed sock yarnin very bright colors. Whimzy Pinzy dyed some bright yellow, lime, and a little white for me and I love it!!!!!

Kel said...

Ooh contest! :)

Let's see... my favorite yarn of late is Austermann Step in colorway #28. It has Aloe Vera and Jojoba in it so it's uber soft and makes your hands soft whie knitting with it. It's also supposed to last for up to 40 washings so it'll make your feet soft too. :)

As for a pattern... The Mystery Monkey Socks. :)
http://socksformum.wordpress.com/?s=mystery+monkey

Kel
http://kelknits.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Favorite sock yarn is Socks that Rock. It was the first sock yarn I ever used, and is still my favorite.

As for the pattern, I don't think I have a favorite. The only one I've knit multiple times is a simple 60-stitch 2x2 rib using STR.

However, one that has been on my "must make" list forever is Friday Harbor from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road

Unknown said...

I am a new sock knitter, but so far my favorite is Stepanie Pearl-Mcphee's "sock recipe" because it appeals to my sense of adventure!

Favorite sock yarn? Um...Fearless Fibers' Superwash Merino.

Tonni said...

OH My Darling :) do you NOW have 100 posts?! LOL!!! I know i've posted once before (but not the only one)... i love sock yarn... i love BMFA sock yarn... i love trekking sock yarn... i love many kinds of sock yarn and I love me some plain old ribbed socks! And most of all, i love how you can make new friends if you are a knitting blogger!