I can resist anything except....

.... starting a new project, or two. This week an exciting parcel arrived from Amazon.com. In it was this:

My mother-in-law has one of Charlene Schurch's books and I was impressed with the clear instructions and table format instructions for three difference techniques!! I ordered from Amazon.com because it was cheaper to order the three books I wanted and have them shipped than to get them from Amazon.co.uk. This only tends to work with American published books though.
Anyway, I had to start a sock straight away. Having never knitted a sock before - yes that's right, in over 30 years of knitting, I have not attempted a sock. I think this is because my gran, who taught me to knit, hated knitting socks as did my mum - apparently caused by an overdose of sock knitting for economy in the 1940s. In fact, when I mentioned to my mum I was going to knit a sock, she asked if I needed a pair and could she purchase them for me. She couldn't understand anyone knitting one for pleasure.
This is my first attempt.
I chose an 'easy' lace pattern and here is a close-up of it.

Unfortunately I appear to be suffering from second sock syndrome already.
Whilst out and about this week, we came across a yarn shop in Kingsbridge. Naturally a visit was necessary and once inside, a purchase became compulsory. Not, I hasten to add, because the assistant was aggressive or threatening, but because it is utterly impossible to visit a yarn shop without purchasing. Which reminds me, we were also out and about in Dartmouth this week, but I kept my purchase in the LYS there to a necessary extra ball or 4 of the green Sidar Luxury Cotton for finishing my daughter's jacket.
Back to the Kingsbridge store. I bought some Regia sock yarn, but you will have to wait for a photo of that. What really took my eye was this:

It is by Elle and has a lovely fleck in it. I really am a sucker for anything 'flecked', probably because it reminds me of my childhood. I remember both my brothers and myself had flecked jumpers (and cardigans, and vests and swimsuits we really did knit for economy in my family). Some garments were blue and some were red. No other colours possible or necessary. Strangely I think fondly of them and so couldn't resist this stuff. Again, knitting for an unspecified child - there's a lot of them about. Anyway, I like the colours together. Pattern, my own. I don't say this with any great pride, anyone can think up a 2 x 2 rib, followed by repeated stripes. Still, I hope you like it.