Did another inch on the socks last night, between baking a cake for Friday's Halo3 party. Only 1.5 pattern repeats left, and the toe, then I'm done my first pair of monkey socks. It looks really nice, I tried them on too, and they fit. I probably didn't even have to reduce the number of pattern repeats in the cuff from 6 to 5. I don't normally like tall socks, and this pair is no exception. But you need a longer cuff to really see the pattern.
I'm pretty proud of myself for this pair, I actually did a flap heel and gusset, and didn't have too much trouble with it, unlike my first attempt at a flap heel. This time all my stitches lined up beautifully, and I wasn't short or over the total number of stitches I needed to pick up for the gusset. I would consider doing other flap heels, especially if I can find one that is toe up. I really don't like working cuff down, I keep thinking I'm going to run out of yarn, even though I know I am not going to run out, but still...
Still drooling over the fairisle, and almost ready to start something in that area. Just have these 3 pairs of socks to finish, then the 2 sock of the month club ones that are in the mail, and perhaps one more pair. Hrm doesn't look like the sweater is going to start till the new year. I may need to prioritize my sock knitting some, not to mention the spinning I really would like to do.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Dreaming of Fair Isle...
Must not look, must not drool, must not covet.
I've been dreaming about starting a fairisle sweater, and there are some absolutely gorgeous ones out there. Something not that ambitious, I've been reading up on the designs of Alice Starmore and they are absolutely gorgeous. I believe I may go slightly easier the first time by picking a varigated yarn to use, so I have less yarn ends to weave in and track but gosh darnit, those patterns are gorgeous.
Perhaps a tam to start? (small round hat) to try out my fairisle skills?
Maybe after I finish the socks on my needles now, and give me time to chart out my patterns, and figure out if I really want to do a sweater.
Maybe just another peek at those sweaters before I head home. :) One little peek won't hurt right?
I've been dreaming about starting a fairisle sweater, and there are some absolutely gorgeous ones out there. Something not that ambitious, I've been reading up on the designs of Alice Starmore and they are absolutely gorgeous. I believe I may go slightly easier the first time by picking a varigated yarn to use, so I have less yarn ends to weave in and track but gosh darnit, those patterns are gorgeous.
Perhaps a tam to start? (small round hat) to try out my fairisle skills?
Maybe after I finish the socks on my needles now, and give me time to chart out my patterns, and figure out if I really want to do a sweater.
Maybe just another peek at those sweaters before I head home. :) One little peek won't hurt right?
Monday, October 1, 2007
Quicky Update
So life has been moving at a HUGE fast pace and I have yet to upload those pictures I keep promising you guys.
WIP updates
Monkey Socks - Done the leg part, done the heel flap, working on the gusset - need to frog back 16 rows because I forgot the "knit" row between each decrease rows. I remember thinking the entire time that I was knitting the gusset that I was missing something but being the stubborn person that I am, I continued on in denial. This morning, I tracked down the pattern again and yes indeed, I forgot the "knit" row. On the plus side, these are knitting up really fast for me, I love how the yarn feels (Koigu pppppm :) ), but the yarn had a lot of issues, at least 3 knots, weird thick and thin spots and some very odd plying issues in some places (think 5 ply in a 2 ply yarn). All in all, I'm not sure I would knit again in Koigu, but I love some of their chaotic colours, we will see. Oh yeah, the socks are in this lovely feminin pink/purple/pink colour way, that I really have no idea if I will wear, perhaps an xmas gift for someone? :)
Luna Moth shawl in burgundy cashmere! This is gorgeous yarn, absolutely gorgeous, so gorgeous that after the first 24 rows, I have put the WIP away in a nice little baggy because I'm afraid to touch it :) well afraid Pico will decide to whisk it away and hide it under my bed (as she is doing to pretty much anything she can get her little paws on).
I found a very cute website with adorable little toys . I've already made a bunch of the hearts and will be making some "grass" after I find the ball of yarn that I have stashed away somewhere so it would be out of the way.
I picked up some wonderful 85% merino, 10% silk, 5% cashmere yarn in brown, beige and olive. I'm thinking a fluffy cable scarf. The stuff is sooo soft. But I don't have that much of it so I'm going to have to find the "perfect" pattern for it. But I will be using it up soon, finished winding into center pull balls last night. Sooo soft and squishy.
I'm thinking of starting an etsy storefront to sell off the homespun yarn that I've made so far. I have like 5 skeins of some pretty nice stuff (imo), and I really don't think i'll get around to knitting it up. Problem is that most of it is worsted weight or aran weight and I like knitting with sport and fingerling weight. I figure I'll have several more weeks of spinning before I can get down to fingerling weight which I would love to try knitting with.
Anyways, longer post than I had anticipated, but lots of progress, and new WIP on the way. BTW did I mention I joined not 1 but *2* sock of the month clubs? The first package was mailed this morning! So I need to get a move on the other 4 pairs of socks in the work right now if only to clear off my sock knitting needles!
WIP updates
Monkey Socks - Done the leg part, done the heel flap, working on the gusset - need to frog back 16 rows because I forgot the "knit" row between each decrease rows. I remember thinking the entire time that I was knitting the gusset that I was missing something but being the stubborn person that I am, I continued on in denial. This morning, I tracked down the pattern again and yes indeed, I forgot the "knit" row. On the plus side, these are knitting up really fast for me, I love how the yarn feels (Koigu pppppm :) ), but the yarn had a lot of issues, at least 3 knots, weird thick and thin spots and some very odd plying issues in some places (think 5 ply in a 2 ply yarn). All in all, I'm not sure I would knit again in Koigu, but I love some of their chaotic colours, we will see. Oh yeah, the socks are in this lovely feminin pink/purple/pink colour way, that I really have no idea if I will wear, perhaps an xmas gift for someone? :)
Luna Moth shawl in burgundy cashmere! This is gorgeous yarn, absolutely gorgeous, so gorgeous that after the first 24 rows, I have put the WIP away in a nice little baggy because I'm afraid to touch it :) well afraid Pico will decide to whisk it away and hide it under my bed (as she is doing to pretty much anything she can get her little paws on).
I found a very cute website with adorable little toys . I've already made a bunch of the hearts and will be making some "grass" after I find the ball of yarn that I have stashed away somewhere so it would be out of the way.
I picked up some wonderful 85% merino, 10% silk, 5% cashmere yarn in brown, beige and olive. I'm thinking a fluffy cable scarf. The stuff is sooo soft. But I don't have that much of it so I'm going to have to find the "perfect" pattern for it. But I will be using it up soon, finished winding into center pull balls last night. Sooo soft and squishy.
I'm thinking of starting an etsy storefront to sell off the homespun yarn that I've made so far. I have like 5 skeins of some pretty nice stuff (imo), and I really don't think i'll get around to knitting it up. Problem is that most of it is worsted weight or aran weight and I like knitting with sport and fingerling weight. I figure I'll have several more weeks of spinning before I can get down to fingerling weight which I would love to try knitting with.
Anyways, longer post than I had anticipated, but lots of progress, and new WIP on the way. BTW did I mention I joined not 1 but *2* sock of the month clubs? The first package was mailed this morning! So I need to get a move on the other 4 pairs of socks in the work right now if only to clear off my sock knitting needles!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
