We-ell....

Now, I knew when I chose Shepherd Sock for the Nether Garments that things would happen, that with the shaping of the piece the color shifts would go in different, even unexpected directions.  It's the nature of hand-painted wool, of course.  I figured that I would just be kind of zen about it, and let the colors go where they would.

Along the ankle and calf, I like this.  It's pleasing and fairly regular.

This, at the knee, I can live with -- it has a little jolt where the calf shaping begins, but it sorts itself out.

This is getting weird --

And this, above the thigh shaping, is just bizarre.

I'd been thinking that I'd use the tights for yoga, being warm and close-fitting, you know, but I don't find anything about these flashes the least bit meditative.  Want to see the full effect? --

The moral is, you never know.

Now, that said, the garment itself is very comfortable so far.  It looks a bit bulgy at the top, but that's from the circular needles pulling it in; the above picture is a view of the front, with the thigh shaping at the inseam.  It fits my leg perfectly, of course, being made to measure, and with Elizabeth's careful planning and simple formulas it all went together without a hitch.

Here is a photo of the shaping, the back of the knee at the right and the beginning of the inseam at the left.

And I like the Shepherd Sock, too.  It's a bit splitty on the fine needles, but it feels nice in my hands.  I was thinking, even as late as when I turned on the computer this morning, that I might keep up with it, finish it anyway, not wanting to give up on my Almanac project for this month (and I have eight skeins of the wool!).  But the colors are just not working for me this way -- lightning bolts on the thighs! I don't think so -- and I don't see how I could reknit it -- maybe working with alternate balls, it could work! -- and still finish by the end of the month.  These Nether Garments didn't have much appeal to me at first, but now after actually trying on at least a part of it, it is not uninteresting.  (This may seem a little like Westley's remark in the Fire Swamp, something along the lines of "It's not too bad, really," but I'll leave it there.)  Mary at The Knitting Zone very kindly calculated the yardage for the Shepherd Sock for me, and it looks like eight would be plenty, as I've only just added the third one -- I was going to acknowledge her help in the final post on this project, but I think that for now this is it.  For those who might pass this pattern over, it's worth another look.  In a lighter wool like Shepherd Sock, they would make excellent yoga wear or ballet leg warmers, for those in less Wisconsin-like climates, or something warm and cozy in a thicker wool for those long winters in the North.  Like with the Chainmail Sweater in the March Chapter, yarn selection can make the world of difference!  I would only suggest a solid color....

Eva, thanks for the link to Zimmermania, a new knitalong dedicated to Elizabeth's patterns and wisdom.  I'll join when I feel a little less incompetent!

I needed a bit of a confidence-booster last night, and this came off the needles only an hour or so past my bedtime -- another Odessa, with beads this time.  The blue is the color Julia chose for her hat, and Laura's will be the lilac-pink.

"Knit on"!

Comments

[sarina]

wow. on a project larger than a hat, or one that changes circumference more than a sock, one is really at the mercy of hand paint. i love, love, love the colors of all those yarns and how they look in the skein, but i find myself buying only ones without much contrast or more solid colors.

at any rate, keep the lightning bolts! they are what they are - beautiful knitted fabric with unpredictable color. not available at target.

odessa is a winner, check out the new beaded hat at grumperina, black sea. also cool.

[Christina]

Wow, that is a lot of knitting, Jeanne! Maybe a solid Sheperd Sock, one day??

[Dallas]

I actually kind of like the color shifts though I'd agree that maybe I wouldn't want lightening bolts on my thighs. :) The shaping is lovely, though.

[Eva]

Wow, those colour shifts are quite jarring. It reminds me of an okapi ( www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vets/answer14.html )! Still, they look super-comfortable, and I would wear them, perhaps with a tunic to hide the pooling at the hip, but that's just me. The leg shaping is impressive.

[kelli ann]

david's socks are so beautiful, as are the beaded hats. 'lightning bolts on the thighs'! i think i would just say 'no,' too. but they look so cozy! and our climate *here* often calls for nether garments in the winter-- i think that i would wear them with a knowing twinkle, as nobody else would see the thighs under my warm winter clothes!

[Julie]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy this blog. I really love the paintings (and painter info) you post - I've found a few new favorite artists that way - and your Westley comment had me laughing.

Thanks for sharing your knitting in a unique and interesting way. :)

[Beth in Indiana]

I made a pair of Nether Garments several years ago, out of handspun worsted weight lambswool. I ran out of yarn at the upper thigh so I started using up leftovers for the top. I put stirrups on the bottom and wear them out to the barn when it gets cold. You really should finish yours, I'll bet they would look great!

[Maureen]

I have followed your blog for a long time and am totally obsessed with EZ, her knitting and her books. Your work is beyond beautiful - I'm always looking forward to the "next chapter" in your knitting life - thanks so much for sharing and inspiring! Would you please be willing to share your email so I could ask some questions and glean some wisdom from a most experienced and talented knitter? I can be reached at maureenea@cox.net
Thank you so much - hope I hear from you!
Until then...knit on!
Maureen

[Yvette]

Just adore the way the colours shift and shape themselves - I LOVE the lightning bolts - weird and wonderful!!

I am addicted to a lot of Elizabeth's knitting and have all her books.

Thank you so much for this blog...

Yvette (Grandma's Knitting Place blogspot.com)