I've used my go to pattern, Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes and they've turned out just as well as they usually do. They're knit in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply in the Blue Tit colourway. I was a little unsure of the colours in this yarn when I bought it, I wasn't sure it was really what my dad would wear but I'm pleasantly surprised at how the colours have worked up, I really like them now I see the yarn knitted up.
I feel I've got the sizing for people in my family down to a fine art, I know just how many rounds I need to knit to get a good fit, so I'm hoping that I've judged these right again and that they fit well.
The cardigan I'm knitting has been put to one side whilst I worked on these socks so it's time to pick that back up again. That's the only thing I've got on my needles at the moment but I can feel that I'm building up to a casting on session. It's always exciting to be starting some new projects.
Thank you for all your good wishes for my dad on my last post. I'm pleased to say that he was allowed home from hospital on Friday, though he still wasn't very well. He's picked up a bit since but he's suffering from prostate cancer and I fear that this latest episode is just another symptom that the disease is progressing, though no one's said that specifically. I'm just hoping now that we can keep everyone well for a while and enjoy Christmas, this is the third Christmas in a row that we've been visiting either my mum or dad in hospital. I could do with a break this year.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. You never quite know what's round the corner with older folks and it's usually at this time of year that they are at their weakest. Lovely socks, the colours look great. X
ReplyDeleteThat's so true, my mum and dad seem to sail through the summer months but it's as soon as winter arrives that they start being unwell. I'm really pleased with the colour of the socks, I think my dad will like them.
DeleteOh, Jo, I'm so sad to hear this - I didn't realize that your dad was afflicted with cancer. I'm glad he is home from the hospital and I'm sure that he will love those gorgeous, cozy socks keeping his feet warm this Christmas. I have one hat left to knit, but then I'm done with Christmas knitting - hats are my quickest knit so I too will not be down to the wire this year, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer more than five years ago now, they didn't do anything at first, taking a watch and wait approach as they sometimes do when it's non aggressive. Since then they've realised that it is aggressive and he's been on hormone therapy and has had a short course of radiotherapy too but I think things are starting to decline now, though no one's actually said this, I'm just guessing by the symptoms he's getting. It's such a horrible disease, my sister died of cancer nineteen years ago, I've had it myself and my mum's had it too. These socks are the only gift I've knit this year, I decided to have a year off after knitting socks for everyone last year.
DeleteThe colourway of your socks is unusual but they go very well and I´m sure they will be received well knowing lots of love and work that goes into knitting them. Glad your Dad managed to return home, nothing like being in your own place, just so sad that he is not so well. Lets hope for a lovely relaxing Christmas for you all xcx
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the socks, the colours are much nicer than I thought they were going to be. My dad was itching to get out of hospital and home again, I don't think there's anywhere nicer than your own home when you're feeling unwell.
DeleteA year off is a good thing. But I think your dad really loves your socks. So this is the perfect knitting, to do, this year.
ReplyDeleteI did not realize he has cancer, along with his heart problems. Best wishes, for their health.
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I made an exception for my dad, I know how much he loves his hand knit socks and he could definitely do with a new pair. Neither my dad nor my mum are in the best of health, it can be quite draining sometimes but we try to do as much as we can for them.
DeleteHope everything stays settled over the Christmas period.What a lot of problems your family has had with cancer.My sister in law died aged 32 from malignant melanoma(three children under 10) ,my father died from lung cancer and my brother had prostate cancer ten years ago but is as fit as a fiddle now.
ReplyDeleteLove the socks.
It seems that some families have more than their fair share of cancer, doesn't it? How awful that your sister in law died at such a young age, especially having such young children. Daniel and Eleanor were only five and two when I had cancer, I was 31, my biggest fear was leaving them without a mum. It's something that stays with you when you've been through it. Good news about your brother.
DeleteI'm glad your dad seems stable for now, at least. Cancer is such an awful disease and it takes too many people away. I'm just seeing in the above comment that you have had cancer yourself; I never knew that and I'm so sorry for what you have been through. I love your socks! The colors are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had bowel cancer back in 2000, I'd been in hospital for two months being treated for Crohn's Disease before they realised they were treating me for the wrong thing. I had surgery and six months of chemotherapy and have been fine since. It came at a bad time, not that cancer ever comes at a good time, but my sister had died from cancer just the year before. I think my dad will like his socks.
DeleteI am sure that your Dad will love his socks, I am looking at WYS yarn for next year, I intend to work on all my wips in January. Once the last one has been picked upI will be putting an order in. That will be for gifts for next year, I am forward planning to the'nth degree.
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the way this yarn has knitted up. I think you're doing the right thing planning gifts in advance. I knitted socks for everyone last year but I needed a good start to have them all finished in time.
DeleteThe socks are lovely. Your dad will really appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteI'm relieved to read your dad is home now and I really hope Christmas will be peaceful and settled for you this year. X
My dad seems to suffer from cold feet so he loves his woolly socks. I'm hoping that we can keep everyone well for a while now, I seem to spend far too much time visiting hospitals.
DeleteGood colourway. The socks really do have the bluetit colours in, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping you get your hospital free Christmas wish.
I think the colours in the yarn represent the blue tit perfectly. I think I'm due a Christmas without drama this year, it's already going to be different with just the three of us at home so it would be nice if we could keep it a quiet Christmas this year too.
DeleteSocks look awesome and glad to hear Dad's home and doing better. Hope everyone is well for the holiday season. Nothing about cancer is ever good, but thankfully medical science has made great improvement with treatments.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
Cancer is such a horrible disease but, as you say, it doesn't have to be the death sentence that it was any more thanks to medical science. It's eighteen years now since I was diagnosed and successfully treated.
DeleteGood to hear your dad is home again. I worry about my dad, but he's stubborn and plods on in his own way, so it's just keeping an eye on and being there when needed. Nearly all the residents at work have gone down with a chest infection so it's lots of TLC and reassurance as they don't understand what's happening to them :( Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteThere's no one more stubborn than my dad, it's so annoying when all you want to do is help, isn't it? He had his heart attack in October, going through cancer and still he insists that he can look after my mum who has dementia. I hope all your residents are on the mend soon, it's sad when they get to the stage where they don't know what's happening any more.
Delete*Fingers crossed* everything goes well over Christmas. It's good to see they've allowed your Dad home.
ReplyDeleteI found a newish shop in Shrewsbury on Friday which you'd love! It's full of wool, knitting gear, sewing gear, buttons, material... all sorts of stuff and fairly reasonable prices too.
My dad's glad to be home and he's starting to feel a little better now. The shop in Shrewsbury sounds right up my street, it's a shame it's so far away from where I live.
DeletePraying that things settle and you have the Christmas you are hoping for. My parents are struggling a little more these days, it is hard been so far away they changed their minds about coming with us. We are so looking forward to seeing them next week. The socks are beautiful, love the colour combination of the yarn.
ReplyDeleteMy dad's feeling a bit better than he was so I'm hoping he'll start to pick up now. It's hard seeing our parents age, especially when they're not in the best of health. It must be hard for you being so far way from your parents now but I know they have other family close by so that must put your mind at rest a bit and I know you'll have a lovely catch up with them next week. I'm really pleased with the socks, I think my dad will like them.
DeleteI hope that everyone remains well and you do enjoy Christmas. xx
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed. I could really do with a non eventful Christmas this year.
DeleteOoh, these socks look fab! I used some WYS Holly Berry last year and it was lovely to knit with. I'm hoping to use the leftovers to knit some tiny socks (baby size 2) for my grandson this year, but I need to get a move on. I'm glad your father is home and hope Christmas will be hospital-free. x
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of West Yorkshire Spinners. I've used lots of colourways and have recently bought this year's Christmas colourway, though I doubt I'll get round to knitting it up this year. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a hospital-free Christmas this year.
DeleteI have my fingers and toes crossed that everyone remains well this Christmas. Your dad will love those socks.xxx
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping for a stress free Christmas this year but I'm not holding my breath after the last two we've had. I think my dad will be very pleased with his socks.
Deletepretty socks. love them.
ReplyDeletehave a great day
The shop I bought the yarn from didn't stock a big colour choice so I had to work with what they had but I think they've turned out really nice.
DeleteYour dads going to love his special 'knitted with love' gift, they do look cosy. My DH loves WYS wool for his socks.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can all enjoy the festive season this year peacefully and calmly.
I knit many of the socks I gift in West Yorkshire Spinners as they wear so well and are easy to care for. My dad's improving slowly so I'm hoping that we get to enjoy Christmas this year without any further worry.
DeleteI think the socks look lovely Jo, and I'm sure that your dad will appreciate them.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased to read that he is home now.
I do hope that your Christmas will be peaceful.
My good wishes.
All the best Jan
My dad seemed a lot better yesterday, he seems to be improving day by day. I'm hoping that this is a good sign and that we'll get a peaceful Christmas this year.
DeleteIsn't it part of the fun to imagine what the yarn will be like and then to see it turn out in the finished product? I like this stripe combination. Not surprised your dad loved them
ReplyDeleteIt is part of the fun. I can't say I'm often disappointed but some yarns exceed my expectations.
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