Quick post. This weekend I finished two socks, one (on the right) of kindness, and one, well, not. Just a basic sock with a short-row heel.
The blue one is made of Wildfoote sock yarn, a sturdy sock yarn that will last a fairly long time for my husband. He actually wears my handknit socks until they wear out.
Now, I must go to work.
There have been a lot of comments about the Nutkin sock twisting uncontrolably. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out why some twist and some do not. Thanks to Trish fromThe Tangled Arts, the mystery has been solved.
Behold the lovely Nutkin on the left. It has a minor amount of twisting, which is a natural effect caused by all of the left-leaning decreases. On the right, you see Nutkin’s evil twin.
You must take care to keep your stitches straight when you fold the cuff over and knit the cast on row with the live stitches. The first cast on stitch must be knit together with the first stitch in the round. If you are off just a stitch or two, you end up with the evil twisted twin.
To ensure you get the right stitch, it may help to put a split ring stitch marker or safety pin on the first cast on stitch before knitting the first round.
That is Reynolds Soft Sea Wool, by the way, and I don’t like it very much.
Life has been crazy, but I have been knitting away during my commute time in the morning. I’ve done a clapotis, years later than everyone else, but now that I’ve finished I love it. I want to marry it. (Sorry, dear.) It’s made of Sea Silk, which is 70% silk, and 30% sea cell. So, I’ve been exaggerating slightly when I’ve told people it’s made of seaweed.
I also realized, with shock, that I haven’t finished a pair of socks yet this year. I’ve started several, but they bored me. So when I saw the pattern for Socks of Kindness, I thought I’d give it a try. I bought a skein of Jawoll Color at Stitches East when I was in New York a couple of weeks ago, and really like the way it’s going with this pattern. I don’t know if there’s any story behind the Socks of Kindness, but I like that the initials spell SOK.
I like Christina’s and Erin’s Montego Bay scraves so much, I finally decided to make my own. I’m using Wollmeise Sockenwolle in Raku Regenbogen.
I had to start 3 times because I didn’t like the way the colors were pooling. At 63 sts and the recommended 43 sts, the colors were pooling in vertical stripes! I ended up going with 47 sts and it it working out great.
Although I feel like I’m not getting any quality knitting in, I am doing enough to finish a couple projects. I started a vest a couple weeks ago and finished it recently. This is work of my own creation. I spent a evening doing a little sketching and a lot of math to figure out how to get started. From there, I just guess at the shaping as I went along. It turned out pretty well - actually, it turned out just as I imagined it.
Sorry about the lackluster photo - I didn’t take any better ones, though! You get the idea.
I also started and finished a little neckwarmer this weekend. As spring approaches (at least, I hope it is approaching!), I decided I needed a light, non-scarf, neck-warming garment. This one fit the bill. I used some yarn I received in a swap a while back. I’m not sure I’m crazy about the color, but it is darn soft!
Pattern: Razor Shell Neckwarmer
Yarn: Fiesta Yarns Ballet
Needles: Size 5 US
Mods: I liked the idea of making this a little wider around the bottom, as I saw someone else do. After about 5 inches or so, I did one round with increases but no decreases. I did it again at around 8 inches, knit a few more rounds in pattern, then bound off. It turned out really well - I think it has just the right amount of drape because of the flare at the bottom. The alpaca/tencel yarn is soft and silky.
Ahhh… Just what I needed. When ever I find out I’m going on a trip, I use Google Maps to locate all the yarn stores around the hotel I’ll be staying at. Now I can get that, details about the shops, and reviews all in one place. Check it out:
I’ve had an overwhelming response to my Noro Kureyon sock. The pattern is now available at Knitzi.com.
I was lucky enough to have a fabulous test knitter, Donyale. She did a terrific job and helped to perfect the pattern. Check out her awesome red socks, too. The socks look great is the red semi-solid, don’t they!
Maybe it is because these turned out so lovely but everything I’m working on right now is orange. And I didn’t even notice until I took all these pictures today.
I started these socks for a recent trip to Washington D.C. I love the yarn (wollemeise sockenwolle) and I think the simple lace pattern works nicely with the colors. The pattern is called Express Lane and is fun and very easy to memorize. Unfortunately, I bound off a little too tightly. I think it will ease out a bit with wear, though.
I’ve had this yarn for a while and have been looking for something good to use it for. I finally decided that it needed to be a vest and that I’m going to wing it. I have picture in my mind and am keeping my fingers crossed!
I was sick for a while but still needed to knit. I grabbed some colorful yarn and started a plain toe-up sock. I’m still trying to figure out why I was drawn to this colorway at the Mich. Fiber Festival last summer. It’s pretty bad. The yarn is lovely, though, and I’ll use it again but in a solid color.
I’m going to try very hard for my next project to be in a completely different color scheme!
It’s March already, and I’ve not really knit anything since January! I was traveling for a while, but worse than that, I lost my knitting motivation. I have started one pair of socks three times now, and am totally bored with each pattern I try. It’s annoying because I OWE SOMEONE A PAIR OF SOCKS! (And you know who you are.)
Anyway, I’ve not been totally unproductive. I continue to teach myself to crochet. I found a pattern in Hip to Crochet for a scarf I liked, and I had some Socks that Rock yarn in the shade of Bella Coola. So I began with one perfect square.
Then many more perfect squares.
Finally, I joined them all together.
Now, I need to find some yarn with which to finish the border.
I was pretty sick with the flu over the weekend so I was in bed most of the time. By the time Monday (which I had off work) rolled around, I was starting to feel better but also felt like a bit of a slacker for not getting any knitting done all weekend. To compensate, I decided to go for a fast project to give myself a sense of accomplishment.
I picked the very simple Family of Slippers pattern from Knitting at Knoon. I cast on 36 sts on size 10 needles. Yes, it really was fast.
She wanted to have a fancy cuff but I’m a bit short on the eyelash yarn. I did have some white furry stuff from an earlier item I made for her. It looks a little be mangy to me, by hey, she likes it and that’s all that matters.
I don’t know why, but I had a feeling that she was going to revert to her old ways and refuse to put these on or throw them in the garbage or something. I was completely wrong. She way dying to get her feet in them. They are a hit.
Yesterday I went down to the National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) to help knit helmet liners for a unit of Marines that are being deployed to the Middle East in September. The goal is for 500 helmet liners. Although Marines are issued helmet liners, they are synthetic (and will melt) and can’t be worn outside the green zone. Hence, NNMC is asking knitters and crocheters to make 100% wool helmet liners. I believe there are several organizations that are soliciting wool helmet liners. If you are interested in knitting one for NMMC, here is the web address (since I can’t get the link to insert properly!)
http://www.usmcmuseum.org/SupportMarines.asp
I finished a pair of socks that I’ve been working on for a while. I started them back when I was participating in that single sock swap. I couldn’t decided which yarn to use for my pal so I started knitting my chosen pattern in two different yarns. I decided to send the other one and put this one aside for a while. I got it out again for a recent trip and was inspired to finish them.
The pattern in Baltic Socks by Clementine’s Shoes and I used Oceanwind Knits Merino in Amber. I’d never seen this yarn before (ordered it via The Sweet Sheep) but I love it. It was a delight to knit with.
I made a few modifications to the pattern:
I must say, I’m quite taken with these socks. They fit very well, they are very soft (especially compared to my last socks - Kureyon), and they have such a lovely leafy motif. And I really love the color.
Our old friend in Cleveland and his wife had a baby in November but I didn’t get the baby gift out yet. Of course, it only takes a short while to make my standard hat/sock set, but I got bored or distracted or something half way through the first sock. I finished it up today:
Patterns: Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap and Hunca Munca Socks
Yarn: Louisa Harding Kimono Angora
Instead of using i-cord or crochet ties, I decided to use a simple ribbon. I thought that it would compliment the dainty angora well… plus to was a heck of a lot quicker! I just used a darning needle to pull it through and tied a simple knot and pulled it tight. To prevent the ends of the ribbon from fraying, I just added a dab of the wonderful and amazing Fray Check. I like the looks of the ribbon, I think.
It will be out in the mail tomorrow!
Just in case you are interested in these Ann Arbor-area events….
The Spinner’s Flock Winter Fleece Fair
Saturday, February 16
10 am to 4 pm
Beach Middle School, 445 Mayer Drive, Chelsea, MI
Amy Singer (of Knitty fame) at Ann Arbor District Library
No Sheep/Knitty® Knit-in
Sunday, March 9
2-3:30pm knit-in following the program; library closes at 6pm
Multipurpose Room at the Downtown Library, 343 South Fifth Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI
I haven’t been doing a whole lot of knitting lately. I do have a pair of socks going, but that’s it. I did decide to crank out a little baby quilt for an upcoming shower, though.
It is the easy lap quilt from Amy Karol’s Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I’m sure I’ll be making this again - it was quite easy and trouble-free… and I’ve quite happy with the results. I did all of the buying, cutting, and piecing one day and the quilting and most of the binding the next. On the third day, I just finished hand-sewing the binding and it was all done… washed up beautifully.
Ava asked if it was supposed to look like the ocean. And I guess it is - the shower/nursery theme is aquarium, so it fits. I even put a sandy backing on it :)
I finished my Kureyon socks a while ago but never took a picture of the completed pair. Instead of waiting until I get around to taking the picture, here is another shot of the first sock:
I didn’t bother blocking the socks before wearing - they didn’t really need it. After wearing them for a full day, I can say with certainty that my feet are not bothered by the roughness… I can feel it, of course, but it isn’t irritating. And they are VERY warm. If you are thinking about it, you should definitely try it out!
Now I must tell you about a new online yarn store called WhitKnits. You will be thrilled to hear that for the month of January, they have all Noro yarn (including the Kureyon Sock) on sale for 20% off. I just might have to get a little more!!
Oh, look at her Nutkin! And, oh, look at the sock done in Knit Picks gloss. I’ve only done one sock with Gloss so far, but maybe I shouldn’t bother with the second. Look at Pat’s blog posting to see what I’m talking about. Here’s my Canada sock, destined to be a loner:
I made this out of KP Gloss–will it last?
Ah, the tunic. After years of knitting moss stitch, I finally finished the family tunic from Weekend Knitting for Nigel. Although it’s called a family tunic, I’m afraid he’s the only one in our family getting one. Enough moss stitch is enough.
Everybody say “yay!” The tunic is done!
I knit three Christmas gifts this year. The first was by far the most complicated, but I started those in the summer and have loved them as my own ever since. But I resisted and gave them to another. The other two I didn’t start until December. The first was long-time-coming socks for Mike. I chose the Log Cabin socks and had nothing but trouble knitting them. I couldn’t get gauge right and I don’t think I’ve ever ripped out and started over so many times for a project I actually finished. Anyway, they ended up fitting Mike PERFECTLY and he loves them. I used Plymouth worsted and they also wash up so nicely!
The second gift was for my cousin. I made up a pattern for some quick-to-knit fingerless gloves. I called them “Peek-a-boo” because the cables appear randomly and disappear just as randomly. I just put a cable twist in when I felt like it, so the gloves were different, but still similar.
When a year begins, as Beth pointed out yesterday, you never really know where it’s going to end up. I began this year all fired up about socks, but got diverted into some other areas. I did finish 12 full pairs and three singlets, so while I didn’t actually meet my 14 pair goal for 2007, I didn’t miss by too much. One of the fun things Kristen and I did recently was to volunteer knitted items as prizes for an office food drive. (And we got a scarf donated from Kira, too. Thanks, Kira!) That was fun, and gave me a motivational boost. One example of this pre-Christmas knitting was my Misty Garden scarf, from the Scarf Style book, in purple mohair.
You may remember the yarn from an earlier picture, in which our family’s knitting action figure, Hank, was scaling my yarn basket.
I also took a random turn into crocheting this year. I’ve had no interest whatsoever in the art of crochet before now, but have suddenly become determined to master it. I channeled this determination into one Christmas present, the Garden Scarf, from The Happy Hooker, using up some leftover Lamb’s Pride in the process:
Here’s a closeup of my favorite flower, in raspberry. I took a liking to it.
I’ve discovered, as many others already know, that crocheting is really handy for using up stash yarn, which I have in volumes. I’m trying to use some up in an afghan. Although I can’t locate the original pattern anywhere, I’ve seen enough Babette pictures to try to attempt a similar afghan on my own, and have created in the last couple of days some “babette-like” squares. These are before blocking, and with only a few hundred more to go.
One of the laws of the universe is that the process of using up one’s stash actually attracts more yarn, especially around the holidays. From my mother-in-law in Boise came this yummy yarn: Boise Yarn, from Boise!
And finally in today’s news (as they say on NPR), I received for Christmas the needles I was coveting from Knit Picks, Harmony Wood 6″ Double Pointed Needle Set US Sizes 0-3, to be precise. I love them—smooth, sharp points, and each size comes with 6 needles, providing insurance against loss.
Just what I need to kick off another big year of sock knitting!
Well, I had a crappy year in many respects, but I managed to stay productive. Here are some of the things I made over the last 12 months:
And, it was February when I kicked off the Expand Your Stash extravaganza! What a great idea, if I do say so myself. And now, if I wanted to (which I don’t), I could participate in Knit From Your Stash this year - which means I was extremely successful last year! Here is just a sampling of the lovely yarns I picked up over the year:
What do you say… Are you up for Expand Your Stash ‘08?!
OK. I had my doubts about the yarn, but I have to say I think I love this sock. The yarn feels much nicer knit than it does in the ball. And maybe I just don’t have very sensitive feet, but I don’t find it to be scratchy or rough to wear.
I can’t wait to finish the 2nd and start wearing them. I’ll be writing up this pattern for the Knitzi website.
This shows the full range in color of the yarn. The light purple seen on the toe was just about to start (after the grey) when I bound off.
Many people were supplied my knitting habit this Christmas. Here is some of it:
I’ve been wanting to get those KnitPicks Options interchangeable needles for a while but haven’t been able to bring myself to make the purchase since I have a perfectly good set of Denise needles. I like the Denise but they just don’t work well with some yarn. I’m looking forward to trying the KP ones. There is also a set of KP sock needles. I’ve also been wanting the Barbara Walker Treasuries for a while, too. I got the first two for my birthday and the others for Christmas.
I’m really loving the Knitting Nature book. Of course there are a few off the wall items but many of them are beautiful and very wearable. I’m dying to make the Ram’s Horn sweater and may start it as soon as my Minimalist Cardigan is done (so, no time soon!).
Nick wants to start making Knitzis in exotic woods and I received the first one he made of Wenge, a hardwood from Africa. Ava loves it, too!
Christina surprised me with a lovely gift:
She worked on these fingerless gloves over the summer, all the while lying to me about who they were for. I love everything about them - the color is perfect, the stitch pattern is very cool, and I love the length! See better pictures here, on Ravelry. She also gave me one of those magnetic chart holders that I’ve been wanting for a long time.
My dad also gave me a gift certificate to a yarn store in Windsor. Maybe I’ll put that towards some yarn for the Ram’s Horn!
I’m really glad I decided to skip the Christmas knitting this year - it just about did me in last year! Instead, I’ve been slowly getting some of my own knitting done. I’m still plugging away at the Minimalist Cardigan but it is slow going. I have also been working on another hat/socks baby set for some friends. You’ll see pictures of those when the socks are done.
About a week ago, I decided that I needed to get something at YarnMarket.com to finish off a gift I’m putting together. While there, I decided to take a quick peek at the sock yarn. They had the new Noro Kureyon Sock yarn in stock and I couldn’t help but get some. I just love those colors. The yarn is just like the regular Kureyon - a little scratchy and uneven - and I’m not sure if it’ll make good socks, but I’m giving it a try.
What do you think? I think they’ll go pretty quick. Just like when I made a Kureyon sweater, I’m eager to get to the next color, so I just keep knitting. I made up the pattern and used the magic cast on.
I also made a super-quick pair of fingerless gloves to keep at work. At the first mention of heating failure, I knew I needed a new pair. This yarn is pretty awesome. It is Nashua Snowbird, a wool and alpaca blend. Very warm. The mitts are just 2×2 ribbing with a gusset thumb. Simple yet effective.
And the pattern is now available for free! I’m thrilled with how this sock turned out. The yarn is awesome - I really love that Wollmeise (these socks are in Spice Market, medium intensity).
Other things I like about this sock: the turned down cuff (no ribbing) and the 3 needle bind off (no kitchener).
It is a lovely sock, if I do say so myself. Give it a try!
