Woohoo! I finished knitting these socks that I started back in November.
They are so squishy and comfortable. I just love this yarn and the colors are pretty great too.
Details:Pattern - Diagonal Cross Rib socks by Ann Budd in Favorite Socks by Interweave. (affiliate link)Yarn - Painted Damsel Skinny Bugga by Sanguine Gryphon.Last weekend I put them on double points to hold them until I could finish them. I wanted to have something easier to knit at M's graduation ceremonies. Look how much I knit during the first graduation event. I cast on after we took our seats. After two days of graduation events I'm ready to start the heel.
The Painted Damsel socks are number 15 in my Stash 100 project - to knit 100 things (or pairs of things) from my stash. The new socks will soon be project 16. I'm on a roll, the 2x2 rib socks knit up much faster than the patterned socks.
Sweetheart Socks
Remember when I said I went to summer camp and did some knitting and hexie stitching? Well, according Ravelry, I finished this sock exactly two years after starting it!
Adele and I made another pair of these back in 2010. The pattern is Sweetheart Socks by Chrissy Gardiner and can be found in the Holiday 2007 issue of Interweave Knits.I am thrilled that my friend Adele and I are continuing (after a very long pause) with our Two Make a Pair project. I'll send this sock and that other ball of yarn to her and she will knit the second sock for me. She is a speedy knitter and I'm sure I will not be waiting another two years to wear this pair of socks.I wonder what yarn and pattern Adele will choose for her next pair. I've missed knitting with you Adele!
Slip-n-Slide
Adele and I have finished another pair of socks! These are for ME.My sister gave me the book Sock Knitting Master Class: Innovative Techniques + Patterns from Top Designers
I like that the pattern continues down the heel flap.
They were a pretty quick knit and I learned a new technique to get the little butterfly looking stitches that go down the front and back of the sock.I am eager to knit some of the other socks in this "master class" book. I'm sure I'll learn more fun and interesting knitting techniques as I work my way through the book.
Abbey Road Socks
I've been a knitting fiend in the evenings the last few weeks. I finished the mate to Adele's Abbey Road.
I love the texture pattern in these socks and the way it flows directly into the ribbing at the top. The cable pattern also goes down the heel flap.
It was an interesting change to make these toe up socks. The pattern was fairly easy to follow. I ended up knitting the heel and flap a couple of times but that was because I miscounted stitches not because there was a problem with the pattern.The yarn was also really nice to knit.Pattern: Abbey Road Socks by Ann Budd.Yarn: Tern by Quince & Co. 75% wool 25% silk.I have also made a couple pair of crew socks for B in the Midnight Stroll Sport by Knit Picks.
Wordless Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
Peapod and Midnight
One of the good things about working on multiple projects is that the finishes can happen in close succession!This week I finished a pair of socks that, according to my Ravelry notes, I started back in May.
I liked the pattern that I used for these mitts so much that I adapted them for socks.
The pattern is Quinault by Marjorie WalterThe yarn is Knit Picks Stroll in Peapod.Also finished this week - plain crew socks for B
The yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Sport in Midnight.And I have already started a new knitting project!Yay for finishes!Yay for new beginnings!
Nine-to-Five
Also finished this week was the mate to Adele's Nine to Five sock.Pattern: Nine-to-Five by Nicole HindesYarn: Supersock Select by Cherry Tree Hill @00% Superwash MerinoColor: Moody BluesNeedles: 2.5 mm
The pattern was easy to follow and fits great. I like cable detail that flows down the heel flap.And look, those are grape hyacinths in the background. Spring is springing!!
Little Things
I seem to make more knitting progress on little things. I finished one of the ladybug picnic mittens.
And I'm more than halfway through a new pair of socks for B. With my new nine inch circular needles I can knit MUCH faster. I knit the entire foot of this sock during the high school orchestra concert last night! I also didn't have to worry about dropping a needle in the dark.
Socks and mittens are easy, comfortable knitting projects for me these days. I know what to expect and I like knowing that the finished project will fit and be worn.Sweater knitting is another story. I am afraid this sweater is in danger of entering the black hole of unfinished sweaters. I love the yarn; I love knitting with the yarn.
I don't love the uncertainty.Will it fit?Will I have enough yarn?Should I order more and start alternating skeins so the join will not be obvious?If I order more then I will have lots left over and what will I do with that?Should I go ahead with what I have and frog it if I run out?I want to make different style sleeves than in the pattern but what style do I make?So, there it sits, taunting me while I work on smaller more predictable projects.
Quick Knit Boot Socks
Last weekend we went walking in the woods. It was warmish and sunny but there was still a lot of snow on the ground. Miss P kept getting snow down in her boots. She was wearing thin nylon socks that did not keep her feet warm after they got wet.I decided that she needed some wool socks that would keep her feet warm even when wet. She requested socks with cables.
I modified Cable Rib Sock pattern by Erica Alexander found in Favorite Socks 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave. The yarn is a hand painted yarn from Briar Rose Fibers that was left over from a baby dress/jumper that I knit for P before she was born.
Miss P enjoyed standing on the table for the photo shoot.
Movie Night
Movie night means more than just watching a movie. To me it means popcorn, knitting AND a movie!Some of us here really like our popcorn. I have been loyal to one national brand for a really long time. A few weeks ago, however, I saw some RED popcorn in our store. In addition to being red it was also locally grown so I had to give it a try. Am I glad I did? You bet! It has a much better taste; it actually tastes like CORN!Yesterday we tried their white popcorn. This popped even better and had a great corny taste.
There's another reason to support local - it might even be better. This is!Oh, and the knitting.I finished some socks for B. They are basic men's crew socks made from Mountain Colors Bearfoot yarn.
I also started some fingerless mitts. I love this pattern. It is an easy to memorize rib pattern that I can even manage during an action/suspense film!
The mitts are from the leftover yarn from this hat.
Almost Summer Sox
If you are looking for some quick knit socks this pattern is for you.
I really zipped along with this sock. The only problem is that A didn't send me quite enough yarn. She assures me that she has more at her house and can finish the toe.
These are Cookie A's Summer Sox knit with Sockotta by Plymouth yarns. We used size 1.5 needles.
Sweetheart Socks
I am so happy that A and I have started back with our Two Make a Pair project. Here's the latest pair!
The pattern is Sweetheart Socks by Chrissy Gardener in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2007. We knit them on size 0 needles with Knit Picks Stroll Tweed.I love all of the different cable designs around the socks.
They were not a quick knit. It was a little tedius to follow the charts and work in a darkish color yarn. Also, this yarn tended to split while knitting the cables. I do love the resulting socks but I'm also glad that I only knit one of them!And look what I get to knit next, Cookie A's Summer Sox in a fun bright yarn.
Weave a Wave
I am happy to announce that my new sock pattern, Weave a Wave, is finished and available on ravelry.
The woven cables around the leg keep them snug so they don't fall down.I love the subtle texture.
These are knit on US size 0 and 2 needles with Knit Picks stroll yarn.The socks are knit top down in the round. The top rib pattern blends smoothly into the woven cable pattern of the leg. Directions for small, medium, and large adult sizes are included.You can find the pattern in my shop.
Workshop Frenzy
I am busy in the sewing room these days. Starting new projects, progressing on others, and finishing some.I even have a new pair of soft, squishy, warm socks for winter made of Artyarns Supermerino! I followed this toe up pattern to use all of the yarn.
Norwegian Stockings that Rock
I finally finished my Norwegian Stockings! I love them. I could have made them a little taller for full knee socks but I was afraid I would run out of yarn. It turns out there would have been enough.I did change the heel flap design a bit because I didn't like how the gusset pick up stitches pulled from the heel flap.
I am thrilled with how these turned out. They will be great winter socks because they are double thick with the yarns carried on the back.
I almost want to wear them inside out!The pattern is Norwegian Stockings in Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear, by Nancy Bush. The yarn is "socks that rock" by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I used one skein of each Jewel of the Nile and 24 Carat.
Norwegiean Stockings - a progress report
I have slowly been progressing on this stocking. I knit the heel flap twice and turned the heel three times before I was satisfied. I was well into knitting the foot of this stocking when decided that I didn't like the way the pick up stitches for the gussets worked with the heel flap. The pick up stitches pulled the stranded threads on the back of the heel flap and made a bulge on the side of the flap and very loose stitches at the start of the gusset. I wish I had taken a photo at this point so that you could see what the problem was.This is a photo taken after I reknit the heel flap and the heel turn. I love the way the stranding looks on the inside. I think this will make a very squishy, warm, and comfortable sock.
Below is the sock as it is now. I followed the basic checkerboard heel flap design but knit the first and last stitches of each row alternating yarns with each stitch. This worked a little better than the original design but I am still not thrilled with the pick up row.
I am going ahead with it anyway and am in the home stretch now.
This is a fun pattern to knit. I am trying to decide if I want to do the other sock with the variegated yarn as the back ground. I may have to weigh the yarns and see if I have enough of the gold to knit the second one this way.
Twizzle Socks
I am slowly working my way through my yarn stash. These quick 2 x 2 rib crew socks are made from Mountain Colors Twizzle yarn. 85% Merino Wool, 15% Silk. Size 2.5 needles.
Yay for new socks. Yay for using up some of what I have.Cleaning up the slow way makes me happy.
Sock Knitting
There has been a bit of sock knitting going on around here. I finished up these quick knit socks for myself using yarn from my stash. It does feel good to use yarn that has been aging for a few years. They are knit with Artyarns Supermerino. I used size 2.5 needles (3mm) and zipped through the knitting. The toe up pattern and allowed me to use up all but a few inches of the two 104 yard skeins that I had. There was no guessing when to start the heel and fearing I would run out of yarn before reaching the toe.Last night I started a pair of socks for B out of some stash yarn. 40 stitches on size 4 needles should also go quickly.And then there are these, my next original design.
I knew that I wanted subtle cables to weave themselves around the leg.I searched all of my books for a stitch pattern and couldn't find onethat did what I wanted so I made one up. Some one else probably has made it up before but I have never seen anything just like it and I have a lot of books.
I have started over a few times to get the gauge to work evenlybetween the ribbing and the cable pattern. I knit the ribbing on size 0needles and switched to size 2 for the cable pattern. I really like theway they are turning out.Today we are having a beautiful sunny, breezy day and the garden is calling for attention. I am off to spend some time in the garden.
Vacation Knitting
Our spring break trip has been fun and relaxing. We have been staying at my Mother-in-law's and taking in a few sights. Yesterday we had a wet tour of the cherry blossoms in DC.A relaxing vacation means I have had a bit of knitting time. I finished D's socks in the car.
I brought yarn for some projects I have been wanting to try but didn't want to start them until the smocking on P's Olympic knitting dress was finished. I have to admit that the smocking part of this project was not my favorite. In a fit of frustration I said "M, I'll give you ten dollars if you finish smocking this dress." I was teasing but he actually took me up on it! I gave him a little tutorial and off he went!
That allowed me to start a pair of pink socks for myself. I am trying Judy Gibson's You're Putting Me On socks. I really like this pattern.
The first sock is almost finished now! Larger needles and yarn make for quick sock knitting.I have also started one of these super cute Estonian Sheep puppets that have been on my knit list since I got summer 2006 issue of Spin Off.
It's time to get back to the knitting. I hear the needles and a bowl of ice cream calling me!
