April 18, 2008
Now I'm craving orange sherbet
I finished those orange socks this week! Toward the end I felt like they would never end, but we know better, don't we? Here's a crappy picture.
Since they're a gift, if you want all the details check out the ravelry entry. I want to thank Karen for generously giving me this yarn--without her these socks would not exist! In fact, several of my upcoming projects have Karen to thank. You're the best!
A Special Note! If you're in the Chicago area, go check out Arcadia Knitting at Lawrence and Ashland. There are many good reasons to visit, one of which is they are now carrying my buttons! How cool is that? They have a selection of my florals in a few sizes--perfect for baby cardis, bags and everything in between. And don't worry, I will update my etsy shop soon enough.
My next knitting project is a cotton tee. Thrilling, I know! Stay tuned, because it's moving along fast.
Since they're a gift, if you want all the details check out the ravelry entry. I want to thank Karen for generously giving me this yarn--without her these socks would not exist! In fact, several of my upcoming projects have Karen to thank. You're the best!
A Special Note! If you're in the Chicago area, go check out Arcadia Knitting at Lawrence and Ashland. There are many good reasons to visit, one of which is they are now carrying my buttons! How cool is that? They have a selection of my florals in a few sizes--perfect for baby cardis, bags and everything in between. And don't worry, I will update my etsy shop soon enough.
My next knitting project is a cotton tee. Thrilling, I know! Stay tuned, because it's moving along fast.
Labels: etsy, FOs, links, socks
October 28, 2007
Belated birthday
Hey everybody! There hasn't been much going on here except sock knitting. No halloween or costume parties, no harvest or wool festivals. Just boring ribbing on tiny needles. But the good news is the dude's birthday socks are done!
Only six days late! I made him try them on the second I cast off, so this picture is before I wove in the ends or washed them. They fit although the ribbing is a bit loose. He says he doesn't mind at all, but what does he know? Haha.
I used two skeins of Jawoll Cotton Jacquard and Wendy's Generic Toe-up Pattern like I usually do. I need to branch out and try some other sock patterns like when I make myself something out of that Koigu.
Now I want to immediately cast on for another project--I need a bus project for this week's commute. I'm thinking a hat or scarf for myself or someone on my holiday list. I'll keep you posted!
Only six days late! I made him try them on the second I cast off, so this picture is before I wove in the ends or washed them. They fit although the ribbing is a bit loose. He says he doesn't mind at all, but what does he know? Haha.
I used two skeins of Jawoll Cotton Jacquard and Wendy's Generic Toe-up Pattern like I usually do. I need to branch out and try some other sock patterns like when I make myself something out of that Koigu.
Now I want to immediately cast on for another project--I need a bus project for this week's commute. I'm thinking a hat or scarf for myself or someone on my holiday list. I'll keep you posted!
September 30, 2007
Laundry, $13. Knitting Encouragement , Priceless
The only plus to weekly trips to the laundromat is that it is exclusive knitting time. I mean, seriously, I couldn't do anything else while I'm there. I've tried talking on the phone but it's too loud. I've tried running other errands, but it just makes the laundry take longer because you're not there to restart the dryers. So I knit.
Today I was working on the dude's birthday socks and the lady next to me says the yarn is gorgeous and asks what I'm making. So we talk for a minute about socks and why I prefer toe-up and two-at-a-time. She said she could never do socks because the heel was too intimidating. So I encouraged her to try it again, maybe a different way.
Now two good things came out of my laundry time this week: I got to knit; and maybe I encouraged a future sock knitter! Here is a shot of the socks on me feet, that's why they look baggy. They fit the dude just fine and I'm about to turn the heel.
Today I was working on the dude's birthday socks and the lady next to me says the yarn is gorgeous and asks what I'm making. So we talk for a minute about socks and why I prefer toe-up and two-at-a-time. She said she could never do socks because the heel was too intimidating. So I encouraged her to try it again, maybe a different way.
Now two good things came out of my laundry time this week: I got to knit; and maybe I encouraged a future sock knitter! Here is a shot of the socks on me feet, that's why they look baggy. They fit the dude just fine and I'm about to turn the heel.
September 09, 2007
As Saturdays should be
A chair, a lake, sunshine and socks. The only way yesterday could have been better is if I hadn't got this horrible sunburn.
I made a couple inches of progress on these socks yesterday while at Montrose Harbor. The Sock Recipient was fishing the whole time. Later in the day we went to Humboldt Park and fished the lagoon where, fortunately, I sat in the shade. I didn't get any sock knitting done there because my hands were full.
This is what you get when you turn loose a knitter/dog mom with a new camera on a beautiful day! I took a million more and may make some new flickr sets available to friends and family.
Oh, and I bought our train tickets to go see my new nephew so I really need to get moving on his gift! When they were in Ethiopia, they were able to find out his birthdate and it turns out his birthday is the week we will be there! Step one is the dig through the stash for kid appropriate yarn in a substantial quantity. That will determine the pattern I choose in step two.
How was your weekend?
I made a couple inches of progress on these socks yesterday while at Montrose Harbor. The Sock Recipient was fishing the whole time. Later in the day we went to Humboldt Park and fished the lagoon where, fortunately, I sat in the shade. I didn't get any sock knitting done there because my hands were full.
This is what you get when you turn loose a knitter/dog mom with a new camera on a beautiful day! I took a million more and may make some new flickr sets available to friends and family.
Oh, and I bought our train tickets to go see my new nephew so I really need to get moving on his gift! When they were in Ethiopia, they were able to find out his birthdate and it turns out his birthday is the week we will be there! Step one is the dig through the stash for kid appropriate yarn in a substantial quantity. That will determine the pattern I choose in step two.
How was your weekend?
August 27, 2007
Endless gray
Believe it or not, I'm still working on the knit elephant for my nephew's birthday.
It has been decades, miles, galaxies and ages of gray stockinette.
I forget to see in color when I'm done working on it.
Don't get me wrong, it is really adorable now that I have the head and body attached and stuffed. But as a little distraction, I am working on a pair of socks for the dude.
The Jawoll Jacquard I'm using has the little spool of reinforcement yarn inside and it's self patterning just like the yarn! Someone with incredible attention to detail thought that up. But it may disturb them to know that I did not match up the pattern when I held the two together.
Anarchy!
It has been decades, miles, galaxies and ages of gray stockinette.
I forget to see in color when I'm done working on it.
Don't get me wrong, it is really adorable now that I have the head and body attached and stuffed. But as a little distraction, I am working on a pair of socks for the dude.
The Jawoll Jacquard I'm using has the little spool of reinforcement yarn inside and it's self patterning just like the yarn! Someone with incredible attention to detail thought that up. But it may disturb them to know that I did not match up the pattern when I held the two together.
Anarchy!
May 16, 2007
What do May flowers bring? Pilgrims!
It's been like 900 years since I posted, right? I know! I finished my grandmom's socks weeks ago and finally sent them to her last week. They turned out really sweet--I love the yarn paired with the lace pattern.
The pattern is Falling Leaves on Knitty.com by Jessica Landers. I picked it because it was a toe-up pattern and was shown using a variegated yarn. Speaking of the yarn, it's handdyed merino I got from Kristin's etsy shop. It was a dream to work with and the coloration went perfectly with this pattern.
I have been working on that stripe shrug (scroll down to the 28th) I set aside months ago. However, I tried it on last and it is too big for me. So if anyone would like to trade a shrug made in DB Cathay for something, let me know.
The pattern is Falling Leaves on Knitty.com by Jessica Landers. I picked it because it was a toe-up pattern and was shown using a variegated yarn. Speaking of the yarn, it's handdyed merino I got from Kristin's etsy shop. It was a dream to work with and the coloration went perfectly with this pattern.
I have been working on that stripe shrug (scroll down to the 28th) I set aside months ago. However, I tried it on last and it is too big for me. So if anyone would like to trade a shrug made in DB Cathay for something, let me know.
Labels: FOs, lace, socks, wips
April 15, 2007
Falling Lavender
It feels odd to work on a knit project exclusively. I've been doing that for the last several projects but they have all had an event or seasonal deadline. These are the Grandmom Socks and they're a bit big on me, but they should fit her just fine. The color's a bit off in the photo--the yarn is yummy shades of purple.
The pattern is Falling Leaves by Jessica Landers and the yarn is some hand dyed merino from Kristin's Esty shop. I should be able to start the heel at the end of this pattern repeat. I ignored the magic loop instructions by using two circs and the toe/heel instructions by doing plain ole short rows. I'd like to finish these by next weekend but I may actually be starting a new job this week (woo hoo!) and in that case I'm sure Grandmom would understand my lack of free time.
What's your favorite sock pattern from Knitty?
The pattern is Falling Leaves by Jessica Landers and the yarn is some hand dyed merino from Kristin's Esty shop. I should be able to start the heel at the end of this pattern repeat. I ignored the magic loop instructions by using two circs and the toe/heel instructions by doing plain ole short rows. I'd like to finish these by next weekend but I may actually be starting a new job this week (woo hoo!) and in that case I'm sure Grandmom would understand my lack of free time.
What's your favorite sock pattern from Knitty?
April 10, 2007
Dude socks
There is something about using up every last inch of yarn that is satisfying. It's also convenient because you aren't adding leftovers to your stash. Another quality is that it takes freakin' forever!
I started these socks for Dude's birthday in October and I just finished them last week. The yarn is OnLine Supersocke Highland and I didn't really use a pattern this time. Just a short row toe and heel and 3x3 rib on the leg. I like the Supersocke because it comes with a little spool of reinforcement yarn. I used the entire skein and you can see how high it comes up on his leg (the foot is a men's size 10).
He absolutely loves them--even more now that they've been washed and softened up. I bought some cotton/wool to make him a summery pair to wear under his work boots. He says he doesn't want to tear them up by wearing them to work but I'm interested to see how they hold up, an experiment of sorts.
How do your handmade guy socks stand up to use?
I started these socks for Dude's birthday in October and I just finished them last week. The yarn is OnLine Supersocke Highland and I didn't really use a pattern this time. Just a short row toe and heel and 3x3 rib on the leg. I like the Supersocke because it comes with a little spool of reinforcement yarn. I used the entire skein and you can see how high it comes up on his leg (the foot is a men's size 10).
He absolutely loves them--even more now that they've been washed and softened up. I bought some cotton/wool to make him a summery pair to wear under his work boots. He says he doesn't want to tear them up by wearing them to work but I'm interested to see how they hold up, an experiment of sorts.
How do your handmade guy socks stand up to use?
January 17, 2007
Group effort
Today's page in the Stitch'n'Bitch calendar is about Socknitters.com. I love that their free pattern database shows me which ones are toe-up without having to read each pattern. Speaking of a wealth of sock patterns, did you know about Mystery Socks Revealed? A ton of people knit socks from patterns that had no pictures and then took pictures of the finished socks. What a project!
Sock toes! This is OnLine Supersocke that will soon become a manly pair of socks--hence why they look too big on my delicate stalks. (Oh, and OnLine? Could you think of a worse company name when a customer is trying to search for anything of yours online?) Back to the socks--T graciously let me borrow her husband's feet (not literally) for sizing to get this pair started. And apparently I was paying attention to cosmicpluto's short row tutorial this time around, because I have no holes in my toes. My short rows are actually acceptable!
So....I think everyone agrees that Mold vest is just a little too chunky and has too much ribbing for me. I don't think I want to do any mods or remake it but that leaves few alternatives. I choose to not think about it for now. :) As a comparison, here is the vest from Target I wore today. Same exact u-neck and not quite as generous ribbing at the bottom, but in a very fine gauge.
This is no epiphany to experienced knitters out there, but wouldn't it be fantastic if I patterned clothing I knit after things I already wear and love? Or if I see a pattern for a vest I love, go to a store and find a similar one to try on first. That is pretty much the first or second piece of advice in every knitting book I've ever read but you know how knit crushes are. All obsession, no reality.
The reality of winter is finally here, though. Last night as the cloud cover blew away and the wind picked up, I started a Republic hat from Nik whose blog post today is titled "Keep your skirt down". Nik, I can't even stay chaste for a yarn crush, how will I ever follow your grandmom's advice in the real world? Anyway, I didn't bother to take a picture of the hat in progress because I hope to finish it tonight!
If you've read this far, I need a bit of technical advice. I have run out of "free" room on Flickr, so I guess I need to upgrade. I'd like your input on that. Also, to help pay for said upgrade (awful lot of pirate speak slipping into this blog) I was considering adding AdSense to my blog. Does anyone else have this and should I bother? Thanks!
Sock toes! This is OnLine Supersocke that will soon become a manly pair of socks--hence why they look too big on my delicate stalks. (Oh, and OnLine? Could you think of a worse company name when a customer is trying to search for anything of yours online?) Back to the socks--T graciously let me borrow her husband's feet (not literally) for sizing to get this pair started. And apparently I was paying attention to cosmicpluto's short row tutorial this time around, because I have no holes in my toes. My short rows are actually acceptable!
So....I think everyone agrees that Mold vest is just a little too chunky and has too much ribbing for me. I don't think I want to do any mods or remake it but that leaves few alternatives. I choose to not think about it for now. :) As a comparison, here is the vest from Target I wore today. Same exact u-neck and not quite as generous ribbing at the bottom, but in a very fine gauge.
This is no epiphany to experienced knitters out there, but wouldn't it be fantastic if I patterned clothing I knit after things I already wear and love? Or if I see a pattern for a vest I love, go to a store and find a similar one to try on first. That is pretty much the first or second piece of advice in every knitting book I've ever read but you know how knit crushes are. All obsession, no reality.
The reality of winter is finally here, though. Last night as the cloud cover blew away and the wind picked up, I started a Republic hat from Nik whose blog post today is titled "Keep your skirt down". Nik, I can't even stay chaste for a yarn crush, how will I ever follow your grandmom's advice in the real world? Anyway, I didn't bother to take a picture of the hat in progress because I hope to finish it tonight!
If you've read this far, I need a bit of technical advice. I have run out of "free" room on Flickr, so I guess I need to upgrade. I'd like your input on that. Also, to help pay for said upgrade (awful lot of pirate speak slipping into this blog) I was considering adding AdSense to my blog. Does anyone else have this and should I bother? Thanks!
January 12, 2007
January's socks
Now those are socks. Just what kind of socks is really in the eye of the beholder. The adjectives that pop into my head are: finished; tall; colorful. But mostly finished. They feel amazing and I bet they'll be even more comfterbuls after I wash them.
For those of you out there losing sleep at night because you need to know how far a skein of Regia 4 ply will go, here is your answer. That is one skein per sock--your mileage may vary of course. I made these following Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock Pattern with 2x2 ribbing on 2.25mm needles.
I started them like ninety-seven years ago and kept referring to them as "my first socks". But time passed and I started and finished other pairs of socks since then. So now I guess they are just January Socks. They are a belated birthday gift for my oldest niece whose given name is January (though she goes by her middle name which is equally unique), so I guess it suits.
I perfected my magic loop with these socks, but it's going to take a lot more practice to perfect my short rows. I did reinforce my belief that taller socks are better. And that I hate with a fiery passion leftover yarn.
'Til next pair!
January 11, 2007
Small treats
Anyone who read my post about the button machine had to see this coming. I was getting creative with buttons all week and eventually I put some together for my etsy shop. But there are already plenty of creative crafters out there making fabric covered buttons and I don't want to crowd the field. So I wanted to do something different, something I hadn't seen yet--enter vintage embroidery.
I had an awesome time searching for vintage embroidered linens then deciding precisely which stitches would go on which size of button. Of course while I was making them I thought of all the projects I have yet to make where I could use these buttons. I posted seven sets of buttons this evening and I have a lot more linens in the stash! Also, stay tuned for a completely different type of button next week!
In knitting news, I am almost finished My First Socks. Hopefully I can get them done tomorrow night since I'll see my niece on Saturday. Can you believe that I already have two more sock projects in the works? What happened to the girl who was "not really into socks"? I guess she got cold feet.
January 10, 2007
One sock fits all
Sometimes I forget my camera at the most important times. Monday was one of those times. Not only did I deliver up a big sewing job that I should have photographed, but I also gave the Get Well Shawl to my grandmom. She almost cried then I almost cried. Good times.
I can always get her to put it on and take a picture of her this weekend. No doubt she will wear it to church and I'll be there when they get home. Now I need some groovy ideas for her birthday which is in April. I thought I'd give her the Salvia wrap since she likes it and I never wear it. It would certainly be more season-appropriate than another wool shawl. Maybe socks? Let me know your ideas!
Speaking of socks, I had still been knitting on my last pair of Sock Wars socks albeit slowly due to xmas knitting. Then I got an email from my final target saying she received socks, presumably from her original assassin. So! I have a pair of half completed black socks that I think I'll finish up for my friend's husband. He's a handknit socky kinda guy and his birthday is later this month. See? This birthday spoiling thing may work for me!
One final sock question for you folks out there. If you were going to put a monogram on socks, where and how would you do it? Instep, heel, cuff? Duplicate stitch or stranded? It's sockweight, kinda dark patterned yarn and the monogram would be black. It's okay if it doesn't show up too well--subtle is good. Thanks for your help!
I can always get her to put it on and take a picture of her this weekend. No doubt she will wear it to church and I'll be there when they get home. Now I need some groovy ideas for her birthday which is in April. I thought I'd give her the Salvia wrap since she likes it and I never wear it. It would certainly be more season-appropriate than another wool shawl. Maybe socks? Let me know your ideas!
Speaking of socks, I had still been knitting on my last pair of Sock Wars socks albeit slowly due to xmas knitting. Then I got an email from my final target saying she received socks, presumably from her original assassin. So! I have a pair of half completed black socks that I think I'll finish up for my friend's husband. He's a handknit socky kinda guy and his birthday is later this month. See? This birthday spoiling thing may work for me!
One final sock question for you folks out there. If you were going to put a monogram on socks, where and how would you do it? Instep, heel, cuff? Duplicate stitch or stranded? It's sockweight, kinda dark patterned yarn and the monogram would be black. It's okay if it doesn't show up too well--subtle is good. Thanks for your help!
