Holy handspun, Batman! Look what arrived in my mailbox on Friday, just in time for sub-sub-zero weather this weekend. (Yesterday morning when I woke up, the Weatherbug app on my Blackberry told me it was -0F and it was flashing. NEGATIVE ZERO. That has to be bad, I'm thinking.)
Please to excuse the unattractive background in these photos. I was going for the light, and do you know how hard it is to photograph your own feet in socks? It involves a bit of yoga maneuvering, bending at the waist, maintaining your balance while shooting your own feet backwards, and then turning the photos over in the software once they are loaded. It ain't easy. But please also notice that I shaved my legs and put on lotion for the occasion ... and there is a teeny bit of Jamaican tan left on my legs. I think that makes up for all the bad background of worn door threshold, don't you?
And I had me a little bit o' help too, dontcha know. Someone was trying to steal the show. And I think we know who that someone is.
"Oh! Camera pointing in this direction! Must be I'm spoze-a sit HERE! Yeah, that's it!"
These gorgeous thick and cushy socks are a gift from Cookie. She knit them from the three-ply sock yarn that she spun from fiber from Joan's sweet new fiber business, Cupcake Fiber Company. (Get a load of the clever packaging!)
And they are some of the most splendid, thick, delicious, best-fitting hand-knit socks I have ever had.
The uber-talented and generous Cookie did her usual toe-up sock, with the ribbing from the Harris Tweed Sock pattern, and she managed to fit my foot exactly.
The fiber was custom-dyed by Joan with me in mind, and Cookie told me on the phone that I am free to name it whatever I want. And of course, given my focus lately, I'm naming it Raspberry Smoothie.
Below is a fun photo that I did for Cookie. Me wearing the newest socks she knitted for me, with a different pair she made for me at some time in the past, just ever so casually placed on the doormat.
After a while, the socks got sick of these shenanigans and decided to go outside and start to make snow angels. I did not join them -- Too blinkin' cold. So they were totally on their own for that one.
Well, ya know, it's one thing for someone to knit you socks. It's quite another for them to knit you several pairs of socks, not to mention lace shawls and more lace shawls. It's even MORE for them to spin the yarn by hand and THEN knit you socks.
That Cookie. She is some kind of amazing.
And so is Joan. I wish you the best of luck in your new venture, Joan!
For those who are interested in more colors and more inventory, please check back to Joan's Etsy store later today (Sunday). We are expecting an update to the shop with more beautiful cupcake packages of sock fiber. And here is a link to her website if you want more info.
Thank you, Joan and Cookie, for the joint venture that created my new warm feet!
Hot Damn! You are one lucky girl.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 12:29 AM
They're beautiful ... how lucky are you?
Posted by: Ruth | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 12:31 AM
For someone who claims to be a grumpy people-hater, she's awfully kind and generous, don't ya think? (We love our Cookie!)
Lovely lovely socks! And I'm tickled by the way Mr J oozed into the photoshoot.
Posted by: gayle | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 06:46 AM
Those are gorgeous! You lucky duck!
Posted by: Carole | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 07:47 AM
I have sock envy! They look so yummy and cozy!! You part of the world is so cold handspun hand knit socks are a must.
Posted by: margene | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Lucky you! And you will need them in THIS weather! It was -9 F on our way to the donut shop this morning.
Posted by: Lori on Little Traverse Bay | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Cookie is wonderful. As are her sock gifts.
I have to say, that the terrier leg/paw plus Norma foot pix are outstanding! They gave me a real smile.
Posted by: claudia | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 11:16 AM
such loveliness!
And teh cute pup helps :)If I could spin, or could afford another hobby I don't have time for (WHINE) then I would totally get that cute stuff in fluff-balls
Posted by: KellyS | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 11:19 AM
Mr.J even brought his chicken for the photo shoot ;^)
Lovely, beyond Lovely! and you're spot on with the Cookie being all Amazing!!!!!!! Those socks are GORgeous!
I'll tell you, the Cupcakes are truly beautiful, up close and personal like (I snagged the Slumber) and they're selling like little hotcakes.. er.. CUPcakes, that's it.
Irie mon. absolutely. xox
Posted by: marianne | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 11:37 AM
It's Mr. Chicken! :D
I'm so glad you like them, The Norma. It was so much fun getting to spin AND knit for you. They're BFL/nylon, btw.
I canNOT believe how good your little Trekking socks look!
xoxox
Posted by: Cookie | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 01:52 PM
how nice of cookie really lovely socks
and jeffries is a ham bone truly is
Posted by: elizabeth a airhart | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 06:35 PM
Nice! And a testament to your truly nice self!
Posted by: Patty | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 07:49 PM
Good grief, those look soft. Lucky grrl!
Posted by: DebbieB | Monday, January 24, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Wow, those are some socks! My feet feel warmer just looking at them.
Posted by: Jennifer | Monday, January 24, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Gorgeous socks. It isn't quite that cold in the Boston area, but it is still colder than I can handle even with a down-filled coat, huge double thick wool scarf and the works. What did I decide was the perfect anodyne to the cold winter weather? Knitting boot socks.
If only I had thought of this in September.
Posted by: Seanna Lea | Monday, January 24, 2011 at 02:59 PM
They go so well with your throw rug too. And Mr Jeffries.
Posted by: Carrie#K | Monday, January 24, 2011 at 08:57 PM