I had full, full, intentions to just truck right along with my latest Skyp socks, but after grafting the toe of the first one I got that funny urge to dig around in my stash to see what was in there, and before I knew it I’d pulled out a skein of Tosh Sock in Espadrilles, wound it up, and cast on. Honestly, I don’t really know how it happened, but here we are, a full chart repeat into new socks and I’m not sorry.
This is a very bright, very fun pink, that is also very hard to photograph.
These are Betula by Rachel Coopey (who is such a reliably excellent designer) and I love them. They’re fun to knit and, since the 15-row repeat is really just a five-row repeat that shifts, the pattern is very quickly memorized and doesn’t require much special attention (I’m using a stitch marker to mark where I am within each repeat, which helps). They are, in fact, the perfect travel knitting, which is just as well since tomorrow L and I are flying to California!
We have a whole week to spend on the coast, and I seriously cannot wait. We’ve more or less planned out our stops (we’re driving Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Diego), but if you have must-see suggestions, please let me know! I will definitely be going to A Verb for Keeping Warm while we’re in San Francisco, so I’ll have a full report of that and the rest of the trip when I get back. (I’ll probably do a little Instagramming, if you want to keep up with me over there.)
Such a summery colourway.
And, who knows, maybe I’ll have some finished socks too. I’m bringing the Skyp socks along, because as great as Betula is, when it’s my turn in the passenger seat I’m going to want a knit that doesn’t require me to look at my hands, and the Skyps are it! I hope you all have a wonderful week — I’ll tell you all about mine once I’m home again.
Pans & Needles 
So pretty! I’m going to have to bookmark that sock pattern for later 🙂 I knit myself a vitamin d cardigan in the Espadrilles colorway, and I love it! You are right too, very difficult to photograph.
I love this Skyp sock colorway. You are adventurous to drive all the way down to SD. It is wonderful down there. We may go back next summer. I went to Aranutas Yarn in San Diego. Her store is a real yarn store. If you go, pls tell her I said hello – the Asian, San Francisco knitter who was thrilled to find Opal sock yarn there.
Have a safe trip and lots of fun!!
Both socks look absolutely lovely – I especially love the Skype Socks, the colours are amazing. 🙂
Nom, nom, I see very pretty sock yarn!! Have a great holiday.
I love driving down the coast! There are so many great spots! I recommend not planning too much and just stoping whenever you see something interesting!
I do suggest Imagiknit while your in SF. It’s actually in San Francisco , whereas Verb is across the Bay in Oakland The staff at imagiknit is GREAT and they have some really cool stuff (like special “unknown” colorways of Malabrigo!) I live in California’s Central Valley and I may be biased but I think we have a truly magnificent state. It’s been a very dry year, but the coast is always lovely and I wish you happy and safe travels!
Thank you for the ImagiKnit tip! It turns out it’s quite near where we’re staying, so I will definitely stop in.
We’ve given ourselves lots of time for the drive, so I think we’ll be of the road more than we’re on it 🙂
You’re going to be in California?! Why did we not know this earlier. You will be in my backyard.
Well, if you happen to go as far as the south bay, you must visit Green Planet Yarn, which is my home shop. (If you do go…. email me! I’d drive over to say hi)
I would highly recommend going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. They have a new exhibit with squid, cuttlefish, and octopi. And if you find yourself in Santa Cruz, a ride on the Giant Dipper on the beach boardwalk is a must. It’s my all time favorite roller coaster and it is one of the oldest wooden ones. Park on the pier if you can. Parking is cheaper. The restaurant at the end of the pier, The Dolphin, is a favorite. Also, that is where Deep Sea Wanderer was photographed.
Thank you for all of this!
I would have slipped as well. You have such a talent for knitting with yarn that perfectly suits the pattern. Gotta love all these socks!
Have a safe trip and enjoy the heck out of Cali. 🙂
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