Yay, I finally finished my Estonian Knee Socks that Rock. In case you were wondering, knitting knee socks with a fine black yarn on size 0 needles takes a long time. My ravelry notes tell me that I started these back in early November.I love the way they fit. I decreased two stitches every sixth row down the back from the bottom of the colorwork to the ankle which creates a lovely "seam" line. I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out. And since you can see those goose bumps on my legs there I'm not going to try again. You'll just have to imagine it.
The yarns are Knit Picks Essential Soot Kettle Dyed and Jewel of the Nile lightweight by Socks that Rock.I used the color pattern from Nancy Bush's Estonian Socks in her book Folk Socks.It really feels good to finish a slow going project like this. I know I'll be wearing them though. They will be great with winter boots!
Wordless Wednesday
Paris in Fall
I've been waiting to share these mittens with you! I made them for my sister for her birthday. She has them now so I can share.
When I first saw this pattern, Paris Mittens by Andrea Arbour, on Ravelry I thought it would be perfect for her. I like that the two mittens are a little different.
I mostly followed the pattern but changed the closure at the fingertip. The pattern had the black garter stitch strip going across the tip of the mitten. I tried that but the black and white pulled apart where the two colors joined. I went with a grafted close and was a bit happier with the result.I knit these with baby ull on size 0 needles.
I'm working on another stranded project now, a pair of socks also using a fine black yarn. My plan is to knit up all of my black yarn before my eyesight gets any worse. It is so hard to see the stitches in black yarn. Oh, to be young with excellent eyesight...
New Knitting
I am making good progress on my new knitting project!
Endpaper Mitts
I've had these mitts finished for a while but haven't gotten photos of them until today.
The pattern is Endpaper Mitts by Eunny Jang.The yarn is a no longer available hand paint and cream baby ull.I love the look and fit of this pattern and the directions are great. The tubular cast on and cast off give a great finished edge. I know I'll be using both methods again in the future. Heck, I'll probably use this whole pattern again - It is THAT good. I don't usually knit the same pattern more than once.
The hand painted yarn lost a lot of color in the washing but I love the faded blue jeans look that they have now. The original color can be seen here.In addition to this photography, we attended three music events this weekend. B and D also replumbed the house so that we have water up to the new bath! The room has no fixtures or walls yet, but the water is there! They worked until 2:30 this morning so that we could have hot water in the rest of the house today. Someone even washed all the dinner dishes before going to bed in the wee hours of the morning. Thanks D.
Paper Doll Mittens
Last night I finally finished the second of the Paper Doll Mittens. I started the first one on New Years Day and finished it in two days. The second one was a bit more of a chore.
I was ALMOST finished when it was time for P's bedtime story. P suggested that she could read a story to me while I finished knitting the tip of the mitten. I happily agreed.It wasn't until she got to the chapter introducing the kitten, Mitten, that I realized how fitting her book choice was.
I love the pattern of these mittens but they are a little large for me. They are the first pair of "Men's Mittens" in the book Selbustrikk. I am a little disappointed that none of the men in my family seem very excited about wearing these. Maybe I shouldn't have named them Paper Doll Mittens...
P wishes they fit her. She loves the little paper dolls.
The mittens are knit with baby ull.
The Edith Hat
Yay! I am thrilled that I finished the hat for M's girlfriend.
With single digit temperatures predicted for this week I wanted her to be able to wear it.
Knitting the lining out of Misti Alpaca Lace took a little longer than I expected. It is like knitting with a cloud and is so super soft. The extra layer should make for a warmer hat.M laughed last night when I mentioned that I was knitting with my turbo needles. He has no idea of the technology available to knitters and quilters.
I love the star pattern at the top of the hat! 
The picot hem edge is pretty nice too.
Yep. I pretty much love this pattern, the Edith Hat. My notes can be found here on Ravelry.I had mentioned earlier that M was going to design the hat but we tried a few things and the original yarn was too thick for a colorwork pattern that had very much detail. The two of them spent a few hours looking at patterns and projects on Ravelry and decided on this one. The yarns, Knit Picks stroll (lavender), Zitron Trekking (cream), and Misti Alpaca lace (lining) were in my stash.
Knitting Guts
I understand some of you want to see the recent hat pictures.
The outer hat is knit and blocked. I will knit a lining out of Misty Alpaca lace.
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.
