Cables, I need cables

Progress is flying along on Sitcom Chic.  One more row to the eyelet detail. 

I have 4, no, make that 5, cable sweater patterns I want to get started on/get back to working on.  I've taken FLAK out of the deep dark cave it has been in.  Managed several rows of sleeve.  It's Elann Peruvian Highland wool on size 5 needles which makes a nice, dense fabric, but after a few rows it feels like I'm wrestling with the stitches. 
St. Brigid: yarn is on order, Cascade 220 in a blue/purple heather
Fulmar: stash dark blue Frangipani
Must Have: thought I'd do it in stash Paton's Classic Wool, now I'm debating about maybe doing it in a cotton blend, maybe Cotton Ease?
Spring Forward: Planning to order some TLC Cotton Plus as soon as I get my next indexing check. 

Current sock projects are also cables, strangely enough.  Celtic Braid in the fabulous Smooshy:

And some Knit Picks Gloss for Clessidra:

I'm not sure if I have startitis or plannitis.  Thoroughly enjoying myself either way.

Book review!
I just picked up a copy of The Ultimate Sock Book.  Exceeded expectations.

There's an interesting chapter on sock knitting history, not as indepth as some other sources, but interesting.  The section about knitting during wartime has some wonderful reproductions of postcards used to encourage women to knit socks for soldiers during WWI.  It includes a German postcard which I'd never seen an example of before. 

The next chapter is basic techiniques: cast ons, working with DPNs, decreasing, short rows, kitchener, etc.  A new sock knitter would really appreciate the anatomy of a sock chapter.  Good detail about sock construction with helpful pictures.  Wish I'd have had this when I learned socks.  My first pair were just pathetic. 

There's a chapter on designing socks which includes how to take measurements, how to choose yarn with a great chart with specs on various yarns, a universal sock calculator chart, and universal toe up and top down patterns.   There's also a chapter of stitch patterns that will work well with socks including some colorwork patterns. 

The second half of the book is patterns.  I see several that I want to knit up.  There are patterns by sock gurus Cat Bordhi, Nancy Bush, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, and other designers who are probably sock gurus that I'm not familiar with.  (Sorry for the preposition ending sentence.)  The Meg Swansen Arched Shaped Socks are here which I find fascinating (but apparently didn't photograph).  There's an argyle pattern which I think is still part of the TKGA Master knitter level 2 requirements.  It's a nice mix of cable, lace, colorwork and ribbed patterns. 

I ordered it thinking I could donate it to the library if I didn't like it.  I'm keeping it which is high praise from this librarian.  (Since I'm at a library every day, I have considerably less need to own them myself unless I'll really use it a lot.)

A sampling of the patterns that I'll be knitting eventually:

Could this dog's life be any better?  No, I don't think so either.

Comments

[Kathy]

I share my Lazy Boy with the cat which leaves very little room for me. But I get back at the cat when I have to put the foot down, sometimes I am nice and let him get off and sometimes I am wicked and slowly lower the foot and he might slide off before he hits the floor, sometimes he just lands in a heap. I cannot wait to see the first sweater you had on the blog. From the previous posting to todays you accomplished a lot of knitting. Me I am as slow as molasses but I keep plugging away. Might have to borrow that book sometime to see if it could be something that interests me. I see you have lots of socks to make also. You keep me motivated.

[Marina]

Thanks for the pictures and review. Very tempting! Could this be the book that will help me be a sock knitter ;-)

Wish I had planitis! I have patterns and yarn, but I can't seem to match them.

[Cindy]

Hmmmm... your planning list looks a lot like mine! I actually am "swatching" St. Brigid right now (switching to a top down construction for better fit and less seaming). I'm anxious to see how you like the Comfy. I got some, but haven't done more than just a little swatching.

[Lorraine]

Sonya- In my next life, can I come back as your dog?

Lots of stuff going on, and if you're enjoying yourself, that's the whole point. Thanks for the book review.

[Zonda]

Ahhh plan and startitis..yeah, I have that! Sitcom is looking good, you're almost there! :)

[twig]

I love planning. Planning is even better than knitting, I think.

What a dog's life! Except for the eating gross things stuff, it wouldn't be bad to be a dog.

[jessica]

Its good to plan and be happy with it! That book looks great, thanks for sharing!

[kathy b]

Tell us about kntpicks shine. I've always wanted to buy some....love
the dog pic

[Karen]

Wow, you've got quite a bit planned there. I believe it never hurts to plan well. :) Thanks for the glowing review of the sock book. Can't wait to see you knit up all those pretty patterns.

And oh, I keep thinking but forgetting to ask when I'm at the computer - how is VK doing??

[Carol]

You'll be wearing sitcom Chic by the weekend! It's gorgeous! Love the review, I see many cables in your future :)

[Carrie K]

Sitcom Chic is almost done? Wow. I've got Plannitis too, probably because I'm too close to being done with current projects.

I keep eyeing that book - it does have a lot of good patterns, doesn't it?

I've got a few pix for VK of Walnut Creek coming up pretty soon.

[Brigitte]

I seriously need to pick up that book, especially if there are how to's...

You will LOVE St. Brigid, it's my favourite of all my FO's.

[awarpedknitter]

Oh my gosh! Such ambition! Such energy! Such great knitting! I want some of whatever you've been taking.

[awarpedknitter]

Oh my gosh! Such ambition! Such energy! Such great knitting! I want some of whatever you've been taking.

[Heather]

Love that Smooshy! What color is that?

[Jenni]

Dogs do have it good.

You have inspired me to knit some socks. :)

[Jena]

I really like your close-up photos, esp of the cables. I'm getting into scrutinizing stitches since I just started the Master Knitters thing. Yours look great!

[Debby]

Sitcom Chic looks great, and I'm not just saying that because it's pink! Planning is one of the best parts of knitting; looking through the patterns and dreaming, isn't it?

Please give your dog pets for me. If you can't spoil the cats and dogs, who can you spoil?!