Colour in the Depths of January

In the middle of a London January, the sun can't really be bothered to get up in the morning. Neither can I, but someone has to make the kids go to school.

I bought as many different un-dyed sock yarns as I could afford last month, in preparation for dying time in January. What's the first colour I want to dye? Grey! How inspired (said with sarcastic and slightly miserable intonation).

I named it Posh Pigeon, after the pair of Wood Pigeons that sit in our backyard tree, tucking their heads in their chests to stay warm. My son thinks they look posh because they puff their chests up.

In any case, it has gone to good use in my Love Bird socks, which will be a present for my huge-footed-husband, when he turns 50 in a couple of weeks. Here's a sneak preview. (I have made some changes which I'll post next time.)

And the second colour I dyed? Variation on grey...

This is Blue Faced Leicester, in a colour I called Battle Bird, because I imagined the pigeons in a bloody fight. You can see where my mind is at.

Actually, it isn't just because I'm in a winter funk. Whenever I choose sock yarn to buy, I choose rich pulsing colours. However, when I come to knit colourwork I want contrast and I have no neutrals. I started using a my un-dyed yarn because it was the only foil I could find for my bright colours. 

But I now appreciate white (or off-white, really) much more, after it played an important role in two pairs of recent socks.

These are a variation on a free Drops pattern.

And this pair are a variation on Madelinetosh's Zilboorg Socks.

I've done more dying in happy colours but perhaps I'll leave that for another day. The last thing I'll show you today is my most recent background painting. I  like to photograph my knitting on my painted watercolour backgrounds. I'm a bit sick of the one I've been using for the last few months (above) so I made a new one yesterday. I should probably make another one today. They are good for my colour-seeking soul.

Comments

[Helen]

Just LOOK at those socks no wonder you've been too busy to post.

Happy January

[iHanna]

Yup, those are warm wool and beautiful socks. Love the background idea too, genius!

[vintagerockchick]

I LOVE the Battle Bird yarn - I bet that looks lovely knitted up. I'm still on my first ever sock.....

[monica]

Those socks are far far too beautiful to hid inside shoes!!

(I have a German friend who bought herself see-through wellies so she can show off her socks. Bonkers, but you understand the idea behind it)

Gorgeous, did I say that?

[RainyDaisy]

Mmm Color. It is definitely one of the things that gets me through the gray winter months. And I think grey and off-white are important, because they bring out the vivacity of the really bold colors. It's like the use of negative space in art. If you were to use ONLY bold colors, none of them would look particularly brilliant, right?

And I love the idea of taking pictures against a watercolor. Lovely!

[Lilly Higgins]

Those socks are amazing! I love the one with the love birds, such a thoughtful present. I just came across your blog through Anna Maria Horner. Im in Ireland and its *impossible* to get out of bed in the morning! its so freezing! Keep up the good work.
Lilly x

[Mildawg]

I love your colorwork! So inspirational.

[Mousy Brown]

Wow - they are all so beautiful! Really Inspiring :)

[Gypsie Vintage]

I LOVE, I LOVE THIS SOCKS!!!!!
I would like make the same... (Sorry for my very bad english)

[Miss Cavendish]

So beautiful. I would fill them with tissue and make a mobile.