I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.

…That’s what you’ll hear when my sock yarn collection collapses upon me. Yes yes, I bought more, shut up:

How could I resist real wool sock yarn from a big box chain store? I couldn’t, I tell you what. Actually, I have some Kroy socks that have held up quite well – but have never actually seen it in stores (I think I ordered one skein from Herrshners back in the day, not realizing that I probably should have gotten two…footies ahoy!). Anyway, I got the Kroy and the new Soles & More (the Joann Sensations line) at JoAnn’s Superstore the other day, after my initial shock that they Actually Had Sock Yarn wore off. The Red Heart Heart & Sole (awkward!) I got at a Michael’s in Redding. I don’t know if they have it at “our” Michael’s in Pleasant Hill, but that Michael’s kind of sucks – I prefer the Michael’s in Antioch, which always seems to stock more stuff AND I can go to when I’m killing time before a Brentwood board meeting.

Anyway, my initial impression on the yarn, just by touch is favorable. The Heart & Sole (Red Heart) feels VERY similar to the new Lion Brand Sock Ease, and also boasts aloe in it, much like the Sockease and also Austermann Step. The Kroy is surprisingly soft, and the colors quite vibrant. Also: stripey! Yay!

Anyway, the other thing I did was finally block the Swallowtail Shawl in some floral-scented Soak, and it turned out magnifique! What a great pattern.

Closeups:

Pattern stats:

Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn Clark (available for free on her website)
Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid in Daffodil (Purchased at nearby LYS Fashion-knit)
Needles: US 4 29″ circulars, Susan Bates
Mods: None, except for I didn’t swatch, so I think it’s smaller than it’s supposed to be.
Thoughts: Nupps were easy, I don’t know what everyone is bitching about. I totally used a crochet hook to make them on the purl side, I didn’t even bother with that nasty p5tog. I will totally make nupps again, but then it turns out I am a shameless bobble hussy, so there you go.

Aaaaand, that’s all she wrote.

Next time on Behind the Smile: book reviews and weaving update.