Here Comes Trouble

It's hot again! While the weather was cool I got almost a whole other repeat of the Frost Flowers and Leaves Shawl done. Three more to go, plus the finish off repeat, plus the edging. Carrie kindly added me to a knit along that she's having, but don't hold your breath sweetie. I'm taking my dear sweet time with this one. I'm really enjoying the process of knitting this shawl.

So yes, the heat has me looking at socks again. I've got the second sock for my tutorial knit to the heel turn:
I'm calling them cow socks since the colours remind me of a Hereford cow:


But the big plan is a half-baked idea for a funky sock. Last year at the Western Fair I won second place for a beautiful, traditional, Latvian sock. This year, the categories are exactly the same, which is very stupid, but there's nothing I can do now. Anyway, I want to rock this category. I want to blow them out of the water! I want a first place ribbon, dang it!

You know this is going to either drive me crazy or get me into trouble. Looks like trouble so far:

The idea is to put the graphic, intended for a bookmark, onto a sock. I've devised a clever plan that will allow me to avoid swatching, while still obtaining a good fit. Size as you go baby! My plan is to knit the center bookmark flat with a provisional cast on and slipped edges. Then I can knit a ribbed cuff in the round, followed by the key pattern using fair isle techniques. Next, join the panel to the cuff and knit the back of the leg plain, back and forth, joining it to the center panel as I go. This way, I can adjust the length easily to account for positioning the heel for optimum effect.

Sounds complicated? At least I've got it written down now!

I've decided to use Knit Picks Palette since the bright colors are exactly what's needed here.

Now I must screw my courage to the sticking point and begin.