happy socks

a work colleague and friend of mine sent out a plea for a storytime sub a few months ago and promised me a pair of hand-knit socks when i agreed to do her programs for her.  i got the socks today and i just love them.  look at that fantastic yarn*!  look at those tiny stitches!  knitting something like this is so far beyond my own comprehension of knitting, but my friend seemed thoroughly thrilled to have an excuse to buy this yarn and to play with this pattern (something about the way the heel was knit?  something about “toe-up”??).  she also made me these “sock blockers” using cheap-o plastic placemats that she cut into the right shape so that when i wash my socks, i can dry them on these and have them end up looking like socks are supposed to (apparently, the yarn seller sent out a message saying that the yarn was actually not so much washable and recommending hand-washing to avoid felting).  i can’t wait to wear them!

*if you like the yarn as much as i do, it’s available here, but it says “last chance” so i’d hurry if i were you!  i love, love, love the names they gave these yarn colors.  very appealing to two children’s librarians.