Gray, Icky Day

My camera has batteries again! It's been a gray, icky day, but I managed to get the new batteries popped in as the sun was coming out. Now the neighbors are going to think I'm weird for taking pictures of handknits on the deck in the heat and humidity. But I don't mind.

I'm too excited about these socks to let that stop me. They're awesome. I love the fit, the colors, the yarn... everything.


The decreases are on top of the foot. Here's a closer look at the side. Pretty neat, huh? And this is officially my favorite sock yarn ever.


The details:
Pattern: Haleakala, February pattern from the Cookie A. sock club
Yarn: String Theory Caper Sock. mmm, has cashmere in it!
Size: s
Needles: US#0/2 mm
Comments: Knit as written, with the exception of one extra decrease I had to hide because I picked up 2 extra stitches at the gusset for my high instep. These fit like a dream and I loooooove the yarn! I bought more in spite of my yarn diet. It's dreamy.

There is more knitting, but I also want to share these... black bottom cupcakes. Chocolate bottom, cream cheese with chocolate bits on top. Very yummy. Very attractive.


Here's the action shot, with a bite missing:


My only complaint is that they don't taste quite as chocolaty as they could. I think it's the cocoa I'm using. Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa is higher in fat but has a much milder flavor than Hershey's natural cocoa. I'd make chocolate milk or pudding from the Ghirardelli. It doesn't have quite enough of a punch for baking -- it's not very intense and has no bitterness to it at all. I think there's a reason Hershey's has been the standard for a hundred years or so.
Next time I use the Ghirardelli's, I'll try adding some instant coffee granules. That might help intensify the flavor.