WIP Wednesday: So About Those Socks

So, yes. I’m knitting socks. And, just like my previous post about socks said, I’m doing them toe-up and two at a time. I’m kind of just doing it my own way rather than following a “conventional” method.

I cast on for the two at the same time using the magic loop method. I increased both toes and started down the feet but decided that magic loop is fiddly and I don’t like the ladders on the feet (for some reason, probably having to do with the increases, there weren’t noticeable ladders on the toes). So I went out and bought 9″ US 2 bamboo needles to work the feet and cuffs in the round on those.

I knit the first sock on the 9″ needles until I measured to see where I needed to start the gusset increases – which was a few rounds back. Ripped those few rounds out and put the first sock back on the magic loop and traded to put the other sock on the 9″ needles.

Now I’ve returned both feet to the magic loop so I can work the gusset and heel of both at the same time to ensure that I knit them the exact same way and, again, avoid second sock syndrome.

I’m doing stockinette for the bottom of the foot and 2×2 rib for the top because I wanted to give these first socks all the opportunities to fit properly and figured that having a stretchy rib couldn’t hurt. After the heel, the cuffs will be in 2×2 rib all around. To reduce the ladder between the knit and purl stitches and tighten it up, I’m purling the first purl through the back loop.

What are you working on this week? If you knit socks at all, what is your favorite method for doing them? Magic loop? tiny circs? dpns? one at a time? two at a time? cuff down? toe up? short? tall? textured? colorful? muted?

New Pattern: Clover Blossom Top

The ideas behind this top percolated in my head for quite some time before I was able to figure out exactly what I wanted out of it and I’m so glad I didn’t rush the process! Let me introduce you to my latest pattern: the Clover Blossom Top!

The construction of this top is unique – you cast on at the lower back and knit up and over the front. Then you block it to dimensions, seam a little bit and pick up stitches around the bottom hem.

I love the stitch pattern for this top too – simple and easy to follow (both charted and written instructions) but the impact is a bit boho and a bit graphic. To be honest, sometimes I wear this ponchette as a cowl! Gotta love multipurpose knits, amirite?

I want to say a huge thanks to my sample knitter Linda and my test knitters Kristen & Juliet!

Let’s Talk Socks

I want knit socks.

I don’t necessary want TO knit socks, but I want knit socks.

I’ve knit socks in the past but never for myself and I’ve only got 1 handmade pair in my drawer but I didn’t even knit those, someone else did.

I know that if I did knit some socks I’d probably do them toe-up, two at a time. I wouldn’t want to fall victim to second sock syndrome and I’d want to make sure that I use up as much yarn as possible to have as few leftover yards I can.

I have plenty of sock yarn, I have the skills and I know what I’d like to knit (knee socks, mostly) but still, I do not have the burning desire to knit them myself. I think I’m scared of getting them wrong? Of the socks not fitting right and if I did make them knee-high, what if they don’t fit my calves? I’ve got bigger calves and need to seek out the “wide calf” version of boots, most skinny jeans and even some leggings don’t fit these ladies.

If I did choose to knit socks I’m sure I’d start with a plain vanilla-ish pair or two to see which toe and heel styles work best for me. They’d probably be mid-calf in length and use a single skein of my stash yarn.

Not that I want to knit socks.

But if I did, I’d probably start with a pair out of this speckled skein of Plymouth’s Happy Feet in Blue Oreo.

FO Friday: Super Quick Headband

As promised on Wednesday, I’ve got a finished project for you this week!

This headband is out of scraps of Malabrigo Rios from my long-ago published Transient Tunic. I used 2 strands held together and US 10s. No pattern, I just cast on 2, increased gradually to 12, knit in garter for a while and decreased gradually back down to 2 once I could wrap it around my head with a little overlap for tying.

I decided that I wanted one that could be tied rather than buttoned because I don’t want it to stretch out over time and be too big to be buttoned. 

It took me 3 days to finish this but probably only about 3 hours of knitting total AND I used up just the amount of yarn in the tiny leftover cake I started with! Perfect stash busting (now if only those mitts had gotten the hint).

Did you finish any projects this week? Are you feeling the pull for quick knits as the holidays draw nearer?

WIP Wednesday:Bumps in the Road

Welp, the projects from last week have seen progress but both have taken mini-breaks this week.

The mitts are on hold until I can get another ball of yarn. Don’t you hate/love when that happens? You’re trying to stash bust and use up the scraps of another project only to find out that mere rounds from the end you are going to run out of the scraps and need to buy yarn to finish? Then what? You’ll have a stash busting project to use the scraps from the stash busting project!

Oh well, these things happen and I knew I was running the risk when I started.

The cowl design is coming along smoothly and I’m working out the details for the texture transition on the next piece. The road bump here isn’t yarn related, I just started a new project that I wanted to whip up real quick – a headband! That project is all wrapped up (finally something that was meant to be quick that actually was!) and you’ll see it on Friday!

What are you working on this week?

 

 

New Stash

I don’t talk politics on the blog (or online anywhere, really) but I can’t post this today without at least mentioning that I’m going to work through my fear and use it as motivation to be better, kinder and more loving than I ever have been before. We need more of that.

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Do you guys watch podcasts? I just started watching them and really only have 2 that I watch every episode – Stranded Podcast and the new Yarn Hoarder Podcast. Amy of Stranded Dyeworks dyes gorgeous yarns and sock blanks.

The other week a knitting friend and I decided to get some yarn – just a skein each – and order them at the same time to save on shipping. Shipping from the UK isn’t the cheapest but it was surprisingly quick! I expected it to take 3-5 weeks but it only took 2!

This is Fleet Street on her Oasis base – a 75/25 merino/nylon blend. This has been dyed with some navy and yellow with speckles and hints of red. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll make with it…I’ve got some ideas rolling around in my brain but you know I’ll keep you posted when I do pick something!

What are your favorite podcasts? I’m looking for more to add to my itty bitty list! Who are your favorite indie dyers?

Knit List #2

This is the second installment of what I’m calling the Knit List – an effort to reduce stash in a mindful way.

Recent early morning dog walks inspired this week’s Knit List – I have a ton of hats but with hair this long, it’s not always feasible to wear it down and I can’t have it up in a hat or I’ll look like a conehead (not my best look, let me tell you). I’ve got a few piercings in each ear and I think the extra metal causes my ears to get really cold really fast and with that comes a headache and general discomfort.

So this week we’re focusing on earwarmers and headbands to keep my ears warm while letting me wear my hair up!

I’ve got just a small amount of this Luna by Cascade Yarns and maybe an Aran weight version of the Blue Leaves Headband would be a good use of the pretty mint-colored yarn.

I like the simple twist in the Hot Mess headband and could make a red version out of my little bit of Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica.

What would an earwarmer list be without the classic Calorimetry? I think I could  hold two strands of Dream in Color Smooshy together to get closer to the Aran weight yarn used in the original.

Have you knit any headbands? Any suggestions for me?

FO Friday: Knucks for ‘Nea

As I promised last week, these are finished! It feels really good to have finished a project so quickly after months of long-term knitting (especially those things that were supposed to be quick and ended up…..not being quick).

I knit these out of my Knick Knack Knucks pattern and used Premier Yarns Debra Norville Serenity in a purple-y stripey colorway. I don’t think I made any modifications except picking up the stitches for the mitten flap instead of knitting it separately and sewing it on afterwards. This is the first time I’ve used this yarn and my choice to use it was made primarily by the fact that I couldn’t find any Patons Kroy in an acceptable colorway. Serenity is noticeably softer than Kroy but that make me worry (probably incorrectly) about the durability of it. I’ll report back as soon as I hear one way or the other from the recipient!

These are for my younger brother’s girlfriend – they just moved to Bozeman, Montana and since she asked for a pair while we were on our backcountry Yellowstone trip, I think this as good a time as any to fulfill her request. I imagine with the winters of Southern Montana she’ll need something to keep her hands warm when she’s not on the slopes! On the up-side, I’ve never been to Bozeman and this might be just the excuse I need to get up for a visit!

Have you finished anything this week? Have you ever been to Bozeman?

WIP Wednesday: Two Newbies

Did you guys all have an excellent Halloween weekend? Mine was great – definitely busy and a little bit crazy – but over all pretty darn good!

I’ve been alternating between two new projects this week – one will look oddly similar to my previous project and one is totally different. And I’m going to apologize in advance for the poor photo quality, it’s dark so early in the evenings and the sun doesn’t come up until so late in the mornings!

As soon as I bound off the last mitt of the knucks I was working on last week I cast on for a pair of plain fingerless mitts – I don’t plan on adding fingers or mitten flaps to these. So far I’m working on the thumb gusset increases but it’s good purse knitting to have on hand and I wanted to use up as much of the ball as possible.

My other project is a new cowl design with some absolutely stunning indie dyed yarn from Erban Studio. I first saw this yarn when she posted it on Instagram and then before I knew it, it was at my door!

This is a fabulous, single ply superwash and super soft yarn – could be merino? I’m not sure, the label only said superwash fingering. And aren’t those colors just perfect? I don’t have too many speckled yarns in my stash yet but I’m working up a new design with this one that I think will highlight the speckles perfectly.

What are you working on this week? New stuff? Old stuff? Has anyone started their gift knitting yet?