Sockenstein

Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino in its humble beginning on (can you believe it?!) size 0's at 7sts/in
What I now know first hand from attempting to knit a sock.....
(please note: i did not say sock knitting as i don't have a sock yet)

1) the needles (currently using us 0's) really do feel like they are going to snap at any minute especially when working a k2tog or ssk
2) big needles go click clack, small needles go tick tack
3) it can warp your needles and i'm a loose knitter or at least i was (and on my first sock?), i've got to loosen up my hands are achin'

At one point I thought wow, only reducing a few stitches helps out a lot only to realize that 6 stitches had fallen about 4 rows. Now that does loosen it a bit which leads to the next bit. I really should get a crochet hook smaller than a size 5. It may not help my sock to pick up 6 stitches several rows with a size F5 hook when knitting on needle size 0. And another thing, what does a knitter do that usually has to go down two sizes on pattern written for US 3-7's do when a sock suggest a size of 0? Oh, and I just love those instances when it gets extremely tight to knit and then I notice there are two extra needles in front of me (how'd that happen) Dont know why I can't just knit. Must save multitasking for after first sock has been completed.

4) you can really put an eye out if you don't watch what you are doing(not that I know what I am doing to know what to watch for) but really, those needles have tapped my eyeglass lenses a few too many times now (now goggles formerly know as glasses)
5) its hard to get far fast on a sock when you keep misplacing that sliver of a needle (at one point i thought it had surely gone down between the rows of keys on my keyboard) yeah, knitting and bloggin'
6) they ARE addictive (i don't even know what i am doing and have already started another one) i'm hoping that the sock fairy will smile on the fact that i am using actual sock yarn this time and cut me some slack. i never thought i'd be saying this, but i'm using larger needes on this sock. they're on us 1's.
7) and you know those needles really are the size of toothpicks

Note to self:
On next sock don't tear up every room looking for that 5th dpn and get frustrated, go online to order ANOTHER pair only to see that there were only 4 in the package to begin with! DUH! (i really would prefer a set of 5 though)

now meet sockenstein

And to think I was feeling pretty good about the gusset (minus the little hole at the top of decs, how do i get rid of that?) and heel. But it was pretty obvious early on that this sock was not going to work for me. Now to what went wrong..I'll start with the obvious. I only meant for the heel and toe to be white. The colors don't currently work for me and my gauge between colors appears to have changed (from what i can see). The bottom half is knit much tighter. Maybe I was concentrating on all that turning the heel business. Somehow I knew the heel wouldn't require this much white yarn (was to busy concentrating to notice I guess). But I just couldn't stop until I got to the knit in straight St. st for the desired foot length to stop. Couldn't put those needles down. Figured it would be good practice anyway. And I'm not crazy about that wacky line between colors. The thickness of those two colors seems to be very different, though it may just be in the knitting (or shall I say knitter, hee, hee). If you any of you sockaneistas see anything that I need to know to change(lots i know), feel free to holla. For some reason though, I am feeling proud of my sock attempt and feel one step closer to being able to knit one. It was much easier than I ever imagined. I was even considering taking a class, but knew I would be able to wait for one to start. I'll get there...

Anyone have any tips for an aspiring sock knitter? Or any beginner proof pattern suggestions?

Well until I'm ready to "tick tack" again, I'll work on Bright Autumn. Its really nice to wear her and knit her at the same time. And I have to say Happy New Year! It's been so nice to meet such to wonderful knitters this past year who are so generous with their talents and kind, helpful words. I wish you all the best in 2005!

Happy Holidays! Wishing you much happiness and great health!
(and all the stash your home can hold, lol)

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Posted by froggy at 12:50 PM | Comments (45)

Clapotis

stitch closeup

Project Specs:
Pattern: Kate's Clapotis
Yarn Suggested: Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb
Yarn Used: Artyarns Supermerino in color 106
Needle Size: US 5 addis
Gauge: 19 sts/4" St. st

I have really enjoyed watching my clapotis (as well as all of the others) progress and am still amazed at all of the different ways it can be worn. I have to admit that though I immediately fell in love with it the moment I saw in on Knitty, I was concerned that I would be fiddling with it constantly trying to find just the right position for it to be placed. I have long admired capes, shawls and other similar stylish items as they seem to be so effortlessly cast over shoulders and when I envisioned myself in a similar item I saw myself tripping over it and doing a header toward the concrete or just getting caught up in a slammed car door with the item of affection half on one side and half on the other flapping in the wind, rain or snow. Why so dramatic you ask? Well this has happened with many a mile long scarf that I have knitted. (i'm not the most graceful being, not that anyone thought i could be). Well, I must have matured in ability to make to sure that coat, scarf and other are within the interior of the car and the novel idea of placing one foot in front of the other solidly on the ground 'cause I have had no trouble with my clapotis. Or maybe its just the fact that I value it highly above all other objects felted by nature, mere neglect and act of hanging out my car door being agitated by the wind accompanied by a slaps with the ground (i kid you not I have a scarf that is felted at one end and i am tempted to felt the other end to balance it out as it doesn't look half bad,lol). I have barely taken it off my clapotis since it's completion and am guilty of building my wardrobe around my ability to wear it (daily). This clapotis is just magical. No matter where it falls its just right. From sometimes wrapping my head and neck completely to just holding it in the front, I am just lovin' it. The yarn is so soft and I really am taken by the way the colorway worked itself out. I am happy with the length, too. I should have known when the supposedly wrong side looks a brilliant as the right that this was going to be a winner. This has sparked what I know will be the beginning of a new realm of knits entering my wardrobe and I am quite excited. So much in fact that I feel there is only one thing to do when one finishes a clapotis and that is start another.

Update: For those looking for where to get the Artyarns Supermerino in color 106 or any of the other gorgeous colors they have, I purchased it from Knit Happens.

Sirdar Denim Ultra 2085

Project Specs:
Pattern: Sirdar Denim Ultra Pattern 2085
Yarn Suggested: Sirdar Denim Ultra
Yarn Used: Sirdar Denim Ultra Color 508
Needle Size: US 13 & 10 bamboo circs
Gauge: 9 sts/4" St. st

I was amazed when mini first slipped this sweater on! I thought she looked so tiny in it and that she had lost some weight. It didn't take long to realize that it was just the first sweater I had ever knit that actually fit her. I am always so afraid that she will grow out of knits before I finish knitting them, that I always knit a few sizes too big. I have to admit I think this fits her just right, but I won't let this happen again as I feel the need for her to get maximum wear out of clothes and especially knits. I knit the size for ages 5-6 and was right on gauge on the finished piece, shocking (knew I should have gone up one more). I am pretty sure she won't get another season outta this one, but I think she'll look mighty cute while it lasts. Who knows, maybe later she can have a Denim Ultra buttoned pillow for her bed, lol (I'm not kidding).

Sirdar Denim Ultra hat using pattern 5963~Mini unsure about this neck warmer(lookin' a tad too tight maybe)~Mini shushing baby Lala (also wearing a helmet) to sleep~Awww..Shhhhh...

After I finished up the cardi, I had enough left over for a Denim Ultra helmet pattern I had in stash. I had also decided I would knit a scarf for mini using the same yarn. I ended up not having enough of that last ball for a scarf, but was able to squeeze a neckwarmer out of it. I have all of these yarn remnants hanging around and have decided to try and knit them up as they are used so I won't have so many odd balls to go back to later. The mound of them sure is growing. So even though she may not wear all of these together, they are knit up instead hanging around my stash which is getting a bit crowded if you know what I mean. When I first tried to knit her helmet (as it was appropriatedly named) it was a tad too small along with the second attempt that you can see here. I threw the yarn ball in to give you an idea of the size. A bit on the small side don't you think, lol.

Don't ask me how it could happen twice. I was too busy watching À la folie... pas du tout (He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not). Audrey Tautou is one of my favorite actresses since viewing Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain(i know, who didn't adore that movie). Well, I saw it at the cinema, Visions, a year a so ago and thought it would be safe to glance up at it from time to time seeing that I had already seen it, but I couldn't take my eyes off the tv. (I have to add for those of you that live in the DC area how sad I am that this theater closed. I have not been able to get there in a bit but it offered such a wide variety of foreign and independent films as well as other fantastic cultural events. It will be greatly missed!). During movies, I usually use the commercial time to assess my knits, but it was on Starz (didn't even know that I had that channel) without commercial breaks so by the time I looked up, I had two too small hats and a millions gasps at what occurred during the film. Wish I could tell you more, but it's one of those movies where if you tell anything, you'll ruin it for those who have not seen it. It's very interesting to say the least.

Whew, long tangent....

So I decided to keep the first small hat for baby Lala and just reknit the second one. Guess the third time was a charm for this pattern. Though she asked for a scarf and ended up with a neck warmer she didn't seem to mind after wearing it for a bit though I was asked to knit the scarf first next time. Go figure.

minisized Ann Budd Fingerless gloves using pattern from Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick closeup and closerup~adult sized fingerless glove closeup

Since we are talking about Sirdar Denim Ultra (can you tell I like this yarn) so much here, I may as well tell you how mini ended up with fingerless gloves. After knitting this sweater, I used the leftover yarn to knit these chunky fingerless gloves using this fabulous pattern just making mods for the Sirdar Denim Ultra. I'll have to use it again using the suggested yarn. Mini has wanted some ever since and I am just getting around to them now. They have been quite useful. So I took some left over via mala from this Rebecca Brown Mottled sweater and knit 'em up. And had enough to knit me some too. I have to admit that I would have preferred the chocolate gloves to the light brown ones, but I put them on mini to see just how small the were before seaming (I was gonna rip those bad boys), but she was so giddy and said she looooooved the color (no matter how I tried to dissuade her). This pretty much goes against my knits for mini rule. I only have one. Mini knits must be machine washable, but this is so small it can easily be washed often. I may even try the via mala in the wash. I think I may have part of a green ball of via mala in case it goes bad in the washer. I am pretty happy with the decision now. I like how the light brown goes with my leather jacket. So we're both happy. This project has reminded me just how crazy I am for the neckline (or lack of neckline) on that rebecca sweater. It's the same sweater that I mentioned before that was knit up in Noro Kochoran. That reminds me. I need to knit that up again. Its funny how one knit just leads to another. If only I had more hands.

Per Mini's Request: Neckwarmer modifications

A single button (she loves buttons) to the top was added to the back allowing for a loose or tight fit as it could be worn open or closed with the bottom half seamed using mattress stitch.

back opened(used crocheted chain loop to make closure that i learned from
jacke in apricot pattern)~loose fit front view~

Of course now that it has a button she prefers to wear the button in the front (i'll have to remember her love of buttons in future knits and i like the button in the front too). I think the days of me assuming that I can pick out exactly what mini would like are coming to a fast end, however it'll be fun as I think she has really great ideas that will force me to modify patterns that result in knits that she enjoys wearing and I enjoy knitting.

where is the love?

In response to some emails/comment like "Why don't you like..." to my favorite..."Why no love for the Museum...." from Lauren (you completely crack me up, Lauren), I decided to add a bit more info on the yarn that's on my sale/trade page. There is much love for all of the yarn and I have used every single one of them. Here's the skinny...

Artful Yarns: Museum
100% wool ,100 grams/76 yards , 2.25 sts = 1” US 13 needle
I love this yarn and used it for my Orbit Pullover a while back. I intended on using the ecru/black Museum for another, but with all of the fabulous projects and yarn out there I'd thought someone else may want to try it. But if its sits there too long you may be seeing another Orbit cause I really like that pattern, hehe.

Rowan: Big Wool
100% Merino Wool, 87 yds/100g, 2 sts/1in US 19
I'm currently knitting Chrissie with it and I knitted Gwen using the artic color (one of my staple sweaters) that I usually wear with a Guy, a seed stitch scarf made with the stormy wool (and you got me on lack of originality there as its straight outta the book). I've worn Gwen to pieces and I'm hoping that Chrissie will allow me to give that sweater a rest from time to time. I got the merry berry along with one of these books a while back and just haven't gotten around to knitting with it yet and I seem to have a lot of big wool in my closet already as well as another big wool project in progress around here somewhere. Where is it?

Rowan: Biggy Print
100% Merino Wool, 32 yds/100g, 1.5 sts/1in US 36
I knit this turtleneck with it along with some creme big wool. Oh yeah that's my other big wool in progress. Its a creme off the shoulder number. I came to the realization that off the shoulder wouldn't really leave anything else to keep it up, lol. It was the beginning of a Zara. At least now I know what I am looking for. I just love the neck on it on my turtleneck though. You never know when its going to be so cold that you need to really bundle up. Turtleneck or Giraffeneck, what do you think, lol?

Rowan: Cork
95% Extra Fine Merino, 5% Nylon, 120 yds/50g, 3.5 sts/1in US 11
I have used this yarn in knitting mini's favorite hat from last winter and plan on using it again in the gleam color in a future project, Martha as I happen to have more gleam in my stash.

Gedifra: Dandy
60% merino wool, 20% acrylic, 20% nylon, 72 yds/50g, 3 sts/1 US 10.5
And a Dandy sweater is currently in the works. Here's where I'm at with it . It's a very fun texture and I enjoy working with it. I just need to make some adjustments to it, but I hope to be rockin' it some time soon.

In short, there are just so many yarns out there and I would like to knit with as many as I can get my knitty little hands on. And even though I love the yarns listed above, I either have projects in progress or completed so hopefully someone else out there can enjoy them as much as I do. Basically, I've tried all these and in most cases more than once and now I want to try out other yarns in other weights too.

So that's the skinny...

And on a side note, the sun finally decided to make an appearance yesterday. I got a few pics taken, finally. And I hope to take a few more today. These winter days make it so much harder to take pics. By the time I get home most days its already dark. I know, not headline news and most people have the same problem as its winter already. Hey Margene, why don't you send some of that beautiful bright fluffy stuff my way. Your pics are just gorgeous! Oh, nevermind (as I dodge a shoe that a neighbor just threw my way). We don't really have the constant cold temps to keep it nice and beautiful anyway. Or the equipment you guys have (now that's a snowblower!) A white Christmas would be great though! I'll just keep admiring those fantastic scenic shots that you share that accompany your fabulous knits.

It's been far too cloudy to take any FO pics this week so I decided to clean up and clean out. I really want to keep close tabs on my growing/shrinking stash and organizing alone has helped to focus on what I have and actually start using it. I've almost completed two sweaters (chrissie and flo) that were "in th' stash" projects when I started a stash page a while back, woohoo. So in an effort to continue stash busting, I thought I'd add a button for a quick link, too. And can't forget those UFOs. I may try to forget them, but they are still there. Might as well have a button for that too (and i know there are a couple more. i just have to find them, hehe).

And ever so inspired by all of the destashing going on in blogdom, I've decided to offer up some as well. If anyone is interested in trading (fun!) or just snatching any of my stash from behind the purple button, drop me a line with details of trade offering/questions/etc here (instead of comments). Partial balls do not have to be included but are available if you want 'em thrown in.

UPDATE: Busted by Lauren, I will soon be adding Audrey to the UFO's. I wasn't trying to pull a fast one. Just wasn't ready to face her, lol.

weekend knitting...accessories

Mitts and fingerless mitts using Kate's Gifted pattern.

mini lovin' her mitts and side view of the fingerless mitts

Mini just loves her mitts and has requested other colors already. I'm already looking through stash for more chunky yarn. Thanks for another great pattern Kate! I knew I would be knitting them as soon as I saw them on Kate's blog. Knit flat, it was just a one-sitting project. I can't wait to make more. I just love the construction of them. I had some yarn left over from this purse that I knit a while back. I used Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Bulky in silver silver (no, its really called that. guess one silver wasn't enough) and onyx. This really turned out to be a really good sub yarn. Its very soft and warm and what made it even better was that I had some in stash. It was mini's idea to roll the cuff. And then I had to add a crochet chain so I could run it through the sleeves of her jacket/sweater. I am really glad that I decided to go fingerless on my pair. I only had a little bit of black yarn remaining when I finished the second mitt, whew.

I was able to work a bit on Kate's Clapotis too. Every time I take a closer look at the pattern, I am just in awe of the dropped stitches. It's really a fantastic design element. I'm already trying to decide on another color for my next one. I know a solid one is a must.

GGH Sierra neck warmer (i like it folded over or scrunched like this)

My mini has also claimed my favorite neck warmer. Now it is her head warmer (that's what i got when i asked her to turn around 'cause i couldn't see her face, what a smartalec!). Here's a better view. I think she really likes it 'cause it doesn't make her uncomfortable when she wears a top knot. And most of the time she has a hood on when its really cold so the top opening doesn't bother me. Luckily I had a few GGH Sierra color 02 balls leftover. I would have given them away if it had not fallen apart so badly. I forgot how much I love the way this sierra knits up. I knew one ball in that I wanted this one to be longer so I could double it over. I made it much thinner than the first one, so I was able to really increase the height of it. The sierra grows a bit when stretched and doesn't really bounce back so after mini wore it a few times my neck warmer became a cowl neck warmer fairly quickly. I'm glad I don't have to worry about it now that we have two. This will probably replace her favorite hat from last winter. And no, it wasn't my idea (though i thought it was hilarious), but her reason for not keeping her hat on was 'cause she couldn't pull it down over her ears with her hair up. And she prefers it up most times, so a small opening at the top worked like magic. I was happy to oblige when she suggested I leave an opening. Her hair is up and she wearing a hat. A win-win for sure. It's getting a bit small. I've been thinking of ripping back a bit to resize the top.

I haven't worked with such soft yarns until recently and its amazing how they tend to just slide right out of the ball. I also had planned on gifting some Blue Sky Alpaca, but as you can see it fell out the ball easily as well. Even picking it up after photographing resulted in more fallen yarn. Didn't have that gift appearance after only sitting around a few days. And don't bother saying its okay to give it that way 'cause it already looks like this. I'll figure out something to do with it. Next time that stuff will go directly from store bag to shipping box. Or was this an excuse to use it. It's sooo soft. I can't wait to knit it up. Hopefully I can think of something other than a scarf. I have several great scarves planned already. Any ideas?

a whole lotta pieces yet not enough for a single sweater

click to enlarge photos

Flo sleeves, back and a not very good color representation of the right front
I thought I had the perfect buttons when I took a swatch to G-Street Fabrics and looked at about a million buttons, but now I'm just not feeling them. In the store they were the perfect shade. Must have been the lighting in the button department. I have ordered some Rowan buttons in a shell kind of go with anything color. I hope they go with the flo (hehe).

Rowan Big Wool Chrissie left front, sleeves, back
I'm quite pleased with the buttons for Chrissie.

Sirdar Denim Ultra cardi right front, sleeves (SOMEBODY BLOCK US!), and back

Pretty happy with these buttons too. So two outta three is not too bad.

I usually alter lengths for fit so I was thinking that I would set up the buttons first before working on the right fronts to ensure that the holes were worked in where needed. Length changes usually throw off the buttonholes as indicated in the pattern. Now I am realizing that for these three sweaters, I didn't rework any of the lengths and will now have to do a knit and button as I go, yet not for the reasons I had originally planned. Without making changes it would have been easier to knit the buttonholes first. Figures. I have a feeling I'm going to be shifting some buttons around. I have everything on holders so I am hopeful that necklines can come out much neater than usual the first go around. Trying to avoid the bind off and then pick the same number of stitches and then rip and redo routine. We'll see how this goes. Now on to three right fronts.