Sock Hiatus

I haven't been working much on socks the past two weeks. It all started with this Yarn Harlot scarf pattern, which I couldn't wear because it had a touch of mohair that was quite itchy. So I'm using it instead as a runner on my little Victorian writing desk. But, I loved the pattern so much, I thought I'd try to figure out how to knit it in the round for a sock cuff. That project fell by the wayside when, on a visit to my hometown, I decided my little nephew needed a nice wool scarf. So upon returning home and with that thought in mind, this lovely bowl of yarn called out to me.

The lush Kelly green knit up beautifully into a long, luxurious muffler; long enough, in fact to sew up some snuggle-y pockets on the ends. But, before I could get that done, I received the latest issue of Knitters Review with the pattern for a simple lace scarf, and so I grabbed the pink Beaverslide yarn from the bowl, and knit away on that! I just finished it today. Now that I've gotten scarf-knitting out of my system, I'm again moodling how to get that lovely Yarn Harlot pattern onto the cuff of a sock.... maybe using the blue Beaverslide mule-spun worsted.

I knit the lace scarf in two parts, having come to the realization that one end would differ from the other if I didn't start each side from the bottom, then join them somehow in the middle. Thanks to a tip from Faith at Flashbang Fibers , I kitchener-stitched the ends together at the back of the neck with a bit of straight stitch between the two. It worked well-enough. I'll let it relax a bit before blocking. I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to wear it. Now that I'm finished, we're due for fifty-degree temperatures again! I can wear wool socks for much of the year, but anything wool around my neck when it's not freezing-cold outside gives me an instant hot flash. Curious thing, that.

I cannot live without books

So said Thomas Jefferson and I'm inclined to agree. I love knitting books as much as any other. Recently I picked up Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets Expanded, a collection of 340 tips from regular knitters and crocheters as well as top experts published by Taunton Press.

The illustrations are very clear, like this one for intarsia socks. Now there's something new to try!

And it also had a picture and "recipe" for those cute stay-on baby booties we've been talking about at Socknitters Forum.

Books, glorious books. Can any of us keep up with all the new knitting books? This is a title that's definitely being added to my personal library.

Stars and Stripes

At the risk of having you seeing stars with yet another picture of the same ol' stripes, I'm going to post a few more shots. I'm really enjoying knitting with this yarn, and part of the reason is that I can actually see the stitches. You see, I have cataracts so dark solids are a bit of a problem for me. Then today at the Socknitters Forum, someone mentioned teaching, and it occurred to me that this type of stripey yarn is a marvelous teaching aid. The student can clearly see each stitch. It's a whiz counting rows.

And will you look at the stitch definition here, where I'm picking up gusset stitches? Each stitch is a different color. I had the worst time with this part of the sock when I first learned to knit them, perhaps because I was using a gray tweed. This yarn would have been so much easier to learn on. There's something for all the teachers to consider.

Stripes

I rather like striped socks, even the self-striping yarns like Opal and Regia which are a bit like mixing watercolors - one never knows what is going to happen in the process. But, I don't particularly care for fancy stitches in the self-patterning yarns as all that extra work and concentration most often is lost to the eye. Still, sometimes the right stitch can enhance a multi-color stripe. Take for example this now-discontinued Sock Garden yarn from Knitpicks. You'll notice three distinctly different stitches and look how different they are. The straight stitch on the bottom of the foot, the slip-stitch on the heel, and the remarkably different twisted baby cable, which has a completely unique affect.

The inside of the heel, on the purl side of the flap, is even more interesting. This is a texture that would look handsome on the entire cuff, and inspires some creative design ideas for future projects. That stitch might even show up with the leftover yarn in the form of pulse warmers, perhaps lined in a solid-color velvet. I can see it as contrasting trim on a vest, too, can't you?

Comfort socks

It's icy and snowy and blustery out here in the Middle of Nowhere. Just the sort of day for creature comforts like chili with shredded cheddar and saltine crackers, followed by a piece of apple pie, fresh-baked from the oven. On days like this, I don't feel very bold and creative. I just want to hunker down and feel safe. And so it is with my knitting. Instead of starting something new and daring, I'm back to knitting my favorite cuff. Right now, that's a simple baby cable which requires no cable needles. I first found it in Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch, and I've knit a dozen pairs that way. Here's a pair I made for the Man of the Place.

Thought for the day: The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. ~ Emile Zola

A Day of Madness

Still no luck trying to add comments to the blog even though I changed the template and had to recreate all the royal colors I so carefully chose the first time. It must be something in the air.




I then started a new pair of socks, and we know, don't we, that when we go to pull the yarn out of the center pull ball ..... and half the yarn pops out in one bunch and we have to wind it up around itself ..... well, it might just be a portend of things to come, mightn't it? Growl.



And then when we cast on this new cable pattern we are testing for Anni Design, and discover after just a few inches that we've grossly erred.... now look at this, will you, please? The left cable clearly is missing the cable to the back, the middle cable has two cable stitches to the front on top of each other, and I think the right cable is correct and looks the way the designer intended. Clearly this was meant to be a frogging exercise. And based on the appearance, I think I'll change yarns for the next go. I don't think I'm in love with the light blue for this pattern. Good thing I'm more a process knitter than an end product person, else I'd be a bit frustrated at this point. Notice the cable needle. It's the smallest I have, but it seems a bit unwieldy and too thick for this Opal yarn knit on size 1 needles. I'll have to try another tactic there, too.

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