My house smells of fruit cake. 
When I was younger, my grandma always used to make her cakes in the Autumn half term to allow them plenty of time to mature and be fed copious amounts of brandy in time for the festive season. Though her reason was practical; school holidays were her holidays and it was the only chance she got. Whereas I’ve picked up her tradition purely because now it isn’t too uncomfortable to be thinking about making food to eat in December. And my huge and fruity cake is cooling in the kitchen and will soon be wrapped up after a good boozy drink, ready to be iced in the easiest way possible a couple of days before eating.
So with the Big Day looming ever closer, I’m cracking on with my gift knitting. The Skull Illusion Scarf is over the half-way mark, so for a change of pace and needle size, I’ve started another pair of socks.
The pattern is Child’s French Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks and I think this is one of the very rare occasions where I am using the yarn specified in the pattern. Better make the most of it, after all, because soon there won’t be any Jaeger Matchmaker Merino to be had anywhere. 
I also think this is the only time I have ever used the same colour yarn as is used in for the pattern. But I just loved the combination in the book, so why not? Actually, in real life, the red isn’t nearly as rich, but it’s still very pretty and it’s called “Strawberry” which reminds me of squishy softness and that’s what anyone would want from a comfortable pair of handknit socks. 
I can see why you went with that yarn and colour – they look lovely!
I love the colour and the pattern!
Mmmm christmas cake! I must make one this year. I am the only person in the house who likes it and I’ve not bothered every other year but I am drooling just thinking about it. Oh well, it lasts doesn’t it?!! Nice socks by the way!
oooh I do a royal icing MMMMM it goes hard on the outside and stays gooey in the centre YUMMO
how do you wrap it to keep it? Just because I might try making mine a bit earlier than a week to go LOL
ace colour for sockies too
I always made mine on Armistice Sunday because it’s a family tradition. Now though I find myself on a music course that day every year, so it’s made the week after. And we don’t have icing. We eat fruit cake with cheese, it’s a northern thing apparantly!
I went on a bit of a Jaeger spending spree the other day (Extra Fine Merino Aran) as my local shop was selling loads of it off at £1.50 less than normal price.
I made mine a couple of weeks ago too, it’s tucked away in the spare room all wrapped up in greaseproof paper and tin foil. I always get the cake made early enough it’s getting it marzipanned and iced that I always manage to leave to the last minute :s
My LYS always used to have it, I wonder whether they’ve any left?
The cheese business is definately a northern thing, my dad does it too and I remember my grandparents doing it.
I love the socks too, I really must try and get hold of some of the Jaeger before it’s all gone