Small projects I've been working on ...

These were made for Christmas gifts this past season (but I couldn't post them till everyone had rec'd them!).  These jar cozies really make a neat, unusual gift.  I got a cute snowman fabric -- that serendipitously was designed with circles that just fit the lids -- and glued fabric to the tops of these small mason jars.  The cozies are made with wool and a quick-to-memorize lace pattern.  The larger jar is filled with potpurri while the smaller jar contains a votive candle.  Here's how the candle looks lit ...

2010 looks to be a very productive knitting year.  Here are some of the projects I've finished already and we just passed the half-way point for January:

Twinkletoes -- toe-up, two-at-a-time socks in Dale of Norway's washable wool (Falk).  String Bean loves these socks as her new pink is purple (if you know what I mean ;-' ).  Since she has such an odd foot (long, skinny toes, high arch, narrow foot), it looks like I might need to make a lot of these -- they're the first that really fit her.

This is a hat I finished for LegoManiac on Sunday.  I made him an earlier version that just didn't fit right -- it would slip side-ways to cover one ear and just wasn't right.  So ... that is relegated to the let's-remember-the-mistakes pile ... and I started a new hat while watching the Saints cream the Cardinals.  Productive game and very productive knitting ... and Lego Maniac loves the new chapeau.  It's a 3x3 rib that slowly decreases (every 8 rows after the initial 4 inches or so, at the rate of k3togs in 5-multiples) up to the knotted blip at the top to create a bit of a bull's eye pattern.  The yarn is double-stranded Knit Picks "Essentials" (renamed "Stroll") which has a lovely feel and is a washable wool.

I'm also putting the finishing touches on an aran-inspired vest for me made of gorgeous pale green washable wool my dear MIL gave me for Christmas.  I'll post pictures as soon as I tuck in ends, sew on buttons and fix it up nicely!

Enjoy the journey with your knitting muse ... now off to enjoy mine ....

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Roadtrip Sox: Last knitting of 2009

Here are my Roadtrip Socks ... I started them just before leaving South Carolina (after a fabulous post-Christmas visit), continued them on the road to North Carolina .... worked on them while visiting with dear friends in Raleigh ... and then finished them up as we headed north back to the Old Dominion!

I made toe-up, two-at-a-time, short-row heel and then a loose bo (by doubling the yarn for the last round of ribbing and then bo).  I used 2 skeins of Knit Pick's Wool of the Andes in "evergreen" -- a rich, dark forest-green and knit them on US#2 needles (so it's a pretty firm sock -- perfect for winter or hiking boots during the summer).

These socks are for me ... I like to do a ribbed foot (this one is 2x2 rib) so that it hugs my high arch and fits my Fred-Flinstone-ish feet.  After the short-rowed ss heel, I inc the knit portion of the ribs to 3sts and then do a twist stitch cable for the leg ... bo'ing off loosely to ensure the sock will fit well on my calf.

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Designs: latest off the needles ...

Well, I just finished off these Julenisse socks ... literally, just tucked in all the ends and they are ready to wash and block.  I just couldn't wait to show 'em off, though!  I do toe-up, 2-at-a-time on circs ... this allows me to change the pattern as I go.  These have a striped toe (yellow and cream), a solid, smooth charcoal grey foot, short-rowed garter stitch heel, cabled leg and then a bit of two-color patterning on the cuff.  The red in the cuff design remind me of the Norwegian knitting during WW2 -- to thumb their noses a bit at the occupation Nazis, the Norwegians added a bit of red to all their knitting!  BTW, the name "Julenisse" is Norwegian for "Christmas elf".

One of the problems that often occurs with cables in socks and two-color knitting is the need to increase neatly so the cables fit the leg.  Here, after finishing the heel, I increased from 48 to 60 sts to accomodate the 6-stitch cable pattern (4 cable twist sts + 2 purl sts).  The purl sts make a "rib" that helps form to the leg.

The two-color knitting portion is started right after the 6th twist; I then do a final charcoal purl row, increasing 8 sts for a total of 68 sts for the cuff.  Since these socks will come up about mid-calf, I need a bit more and the two-color knitting will pull in slightly.  Note, I REALLY need to work on my round joins on the two-color portion (lower sock in the above picture) -- hopefully, when the socks are worn, no one will notice the "jog" as I'll wear it the socks so the jogs are on the inside as I walk.

A further consideration when knitting socks like these is the finish work:  make sure the inside looks as neat as the outside:  all ends should be tucked in, the carrying for the two-color knitting should be even and NOT tight.  All bits and pieces need to be as smooth as possible to ensure a comfortable wearing.

These socks are knit with Dale of Norway's Falk -- a washable wool -- knit on #2s.  48 sts for the foot; 60 for the cabled leg; 68 for the cuff.


Here's a close-up of the knitting on the cuff  ... loose but not too loose, ends tucked in and out of the carries to ensure a smooth fit.

Another project, that I had to put these aside for a bit to complete, were NINE hair-bun covers for String Bean's ballet class in co-op.  I needed to finish these in time for Wednesday (12/2) dress rehearsal, with the performance on the 9th.  This is our Christmas gift to these wonderful girls ... the design was fun to create and the knitting went pretty fast -- just something that I had to do at night when I could make one in about 2-hours worth of movie-watching.

They came out nicely ... I'll post pictures of the performance -- making sure to get pictures of the girls' hair!  These are knit on #4 dpns using Vanna's Glamour from Lion Brand -- an acrylic yarn with a bit of sparkle twisted with the yarn.

So, what are you knitting?

Happy knittin'

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart -- hand-knit designs
bhwh.mary@gmail.com

Design Update: And another pair ...

... of socks come off the needles. These are done in Laines du Nord's Papiro (100% cotton) on #4s. I did them toe-up (of course) with a simple k2p2 rib on top and bottom of the foot and then again round the leg (with a loose BO in rib). The heel is done on the bottom in short-row stockinette and then "heel stitch" on the back of the heel.

Design Update: More Socks!

"Autumn Attitude" just came off the needles! These are done toe-up with a garter-stitch short-row heel then finished with alternating bands of knit and purl.
Knit using Rowan's Cotton Glace (which knits up wonderfully!), the sole of the foot is a 2x2 rib to gain needed elasticity, while the top of the foot is a fun (and easily remembered) slip-stitch pattern.
Once the garter-stitch short-row heel was done, I changed to alternate bands of purl and knit to give the slouchy socks some fun.
These can be worn pulled up mid-calf or pushed down with just a hint of the green showing. Wouldn't these be cute with leggings?

Design Update: Socks, socks, socks

Good morning! I haven't posted any projects in a while (except the one of mom's sweater which seemed to consume MUCH of my time!). But I've been on a sock-knitting binge, trying to "unvent" the best way to do toe-up, short-rowed heel, socks for all times of year. I've been knitting wool socks and cotton socks.

And I'm having a blast!

Here are the two pair I finished this week:

"LACY DAYS OF SUMMER" in Paton's Grace (mercerized cotton)

"GARDEN TRELLIS" in Schaeffer Yarn's Lola (100% Merino Wool Superwash)

Books: Sockitecture

I used not to knit socks -- too fiddly, never fitted, and once I finished one I dreaded making another (or I'd end up with different lengths or odd shaping). But as I knit socks for Great Yarns, and then started making more socks for family members, and then even put my foot in my mouth and offered to write a tutorial on sock-knitting for 4realers, I realized how fun these little things could be! I started making some toe-up (and unventing my own cast-ons), some were cuff-down, some were patterned and some absolutely plain. I made some thick and some really, really thin.

I also quickly discovered that my absolute favorite way of knitting socks is two-at-a-time, toe-up on two circular needles. Sounds hard, but actually these go really quickly and the boring foot section (where you don't want to have too much as socks are USUALLY covered by shoes!) is done while you're determing real gauge and then fantasize about the leg section -- which WILL show.

So, here I am now -- a confirmed sock knitter. I am also one who loves to read about different ways of knitting them. And here's where I'm lucky. There are several books which have just come out that delve into the mystery of sock-knitting ... books like Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd, Knitting Circles Around Socks: Knit Two Socks at a Time on Circular Needles by Antje Gillingham, More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch, and 2-at-a-Time-Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes are just a few of the books that are worth reading and trying out their different techniques.

But there's one that really stands out among the rest -- Cat Bordhi has done it again with her latest book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One. Coining a new word -- sockitecture -- Bordhi brings us a whole new look at socks, particularly the area of increasing usually known as the gusset. Through an odd happenstance, Bordhi created a sock where the triangle of increases to make the sock fit across the instep was all done on the inside of the foot ... AND THE SOCK FIT WONDERFULLY! She goes on to create 8 total socks patterns where these increases are placed in different areas of the foot, fit wonderfully and broaden the design possibilities immensely. These socks are gorgeous!

And I love the idea that the 8 "basic" patterns are all for baby socks, inspired by babies (including her new grandson) that Bordhi knows. Being baby socks, the stitches are fewer, the knitting goes faster and yet the knitter has learned a whole new technique for making socks! This is so cool! She shows how to incorporate these increases so as to position either color-work or lace designs within the socks; to incorporate the increases right into the sock itself so you don't have the dorky interrupt of the traditional gusset! Beauty!

Bordhi, by titling her new volume "Book One" promises to bring us at least 2 more sock volumes ... the next will be a collection "that mostly start at neither top nor toe, but somewhere in between."

Bordhi doesn't want the reader/knitter to just copy her socks -- she wants to lead you down new knitting pathways and I for one want to follow! This is truly knitting from the heart and I love it.

Quick and Thick Socks

Here's the pattern that goes with the sock tutorial I just posted. QUICK 'n' THICK SOX

Materials:

US #8 dpns (set of 4 or 5)

2 skeins Lion Brand's Wool-ease Chunky (or similar yarn that is labeled a #5 "bulky yarn")

tapestry needle

Note:

this pattern is for an average lady's sock; changes for man's sock are in ( ). This is a very simple pattern that you can embellish (particularly on the leg portion) once you feel comfortable. Please understand that this pattern is copyright in 2008 by:

Mary C. Gildersleeve

By Hand, With Heart ... hand-knit designs.

CO 32 (36) sts. Distribute evenly across the dpns. Join.

Cuff -- k2p2 ribbing for 8 rows or desired length of cuff. On last rnd of ribbing, inc 4 sts evenly across by knitting 2 sts into every 8th (9th) st. 36 (40) sts on needles.

Leg -- knit rnd on all sts till leg is desired length (about 20 rnds for lady's sock, 30 rnds for man's sock).

Heel flap -- redistribute sts so that half are on one needle and second half are on the other needle -- 18 (20) sts on each needle.Begin traditional heel sts by:

Row 1: * slip 1 st, k next st; rep from * across 18 (20) sts. Turn.

Row 2: slip 1 st, purl across 17 (19) sts. Turn.

Repeat these 2 rows for 18 (20) total rows -- you'll have 9 (10) chain sts on each edge of heel flap.

Heel turning --

Row 1: k9 (k10) sts, ssk, k1 turn.

Row 2: slip 1, p1, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3: slip 1, k2, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 4: slip 1, p3, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 5: slip 1, k4, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 6: slip 1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 7: slip 1, k6, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 8: slip 1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.

(Row 9: slip 1, k8, ssk, k1, turn.)

(Row 10: slip 1, p9, p2tog, p1, turn.)

Pick-up gusset stitches and start working foot:

K across 10 (12) sts. Pick-up 9 (10 sts) along heel flap edge. Knit across 18 (20) instep sts. Pick-up 9 (10) sts along heel flap edge. 46 (52) sts.

Begin gusset decrease by:

rnd 1: k10 (12), k7 (k8), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k7 (k8). 44 (50) sts

rnd 2: k10 (12), k6 (k7), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k6 (k7). 42 (48) sts

rnd 3: k10 (12), k5 (k6), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k5 (k6). 40 (46) sts

rnd 4: k10 (12), k4 (k5), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k4 (k5). 38 (44) sts

rnd 5: k10 (12), k3 (k4), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k3 (k4). 36 (42) sts

rnd 6: k10 (12), k2 (k3), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k2 (k3). 34 (40) sts

rnd 7: k10 (12), k1 (k2), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k1 (k2). 32 (38) sts

rnd 8: k9 (11), k1 (k2), k2tog, k18 (k20), ssk, k0 (k1). 30 (36) sts

rnd 9: k9 (11), k1 (k2), k2tog, k16 (k19), ssk, k0 (k1). 28 (34) sts

(just man's sock: k11, k1, k2tog, k17, ssk, k1. 32 sts)

Work around on foot sts -- 28 (32) sts for desired length which is about 1-1/2 inches before tip of toes -- approx. 15 (30) rnds.

Begin toe shaping by redistributing sts on 2 needles: 14 (16) sts per needle.

row 1: k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of needle, k2tog, k1; rep on 2nd needle

Rep row 1 until 8 (10) sts remain. Break yarn and pull thru sts. Tuck in all loose ends and ENJOY!

Socks really aren't so hard and with big yarn on big needles they go together quickly and you can easily see what is occuring. Try these socks and "holler" if you have any questions....

Happy knittin!

Tutorial -- Quick and Thick Sox

Some of the ladies over at 4real asked about sock knitting. I offerred to do a tutorial about socks and since the thick socks make it so easy to learn to knit, I thought I'd do a tutorial on a quick and thick sock.

I'll post the formal pattern separately, but this tutorial will walk you thru all the steps of knitting a sock. So here goes:

Step 1: Cast on the appropriate number of stitches. You'll be using double-pointed needles, but you can certainly CO all to one needle and then distribute onto the other needles.
Step 2: distribute CO sts onto the dpns -- here I have a set that is 4 needles, so I distribute the 32 stitches evenly across 3 of the needles -- 10 on each of two needles, 12 on the 3rd needle. You'll join the CO together by knitting the first stitch from the needle below the needle from which the yarn is coming.
Step 3: here the cuff is done -- a k2p2 rib makes an elastic but lovely ribbing. Remember the cuff should be at least one inch deep so that the rib is able to pull-in and keep the sock up!
Step 4: here, we've finished knitting the leg and have distributed the stitches onto two needles only. The first half of the stitches will be used to knit back-and-forth to create the heel flap. The second half of the stitches will remain unknit until the heel is done. Step 5: Here the heel flap stitches are done. The right-side row for traditional heel stitch is done by *slip 1 st, knit 1 st; rep from * across the heel flap. Next row (ws): sl 1 st, purl across all the other sts. This "traditional heel stitch" pulls in nicely and allows sock to hug the heel back. As you can see in the picture ... the slipped stitches are larger and make the knitted sts sink back so that the heel actually only looks like half as many stitches. Step 6: The turned heel flap is shown above. Basically you work half way across, k2tog, k1 and then turn, purl back across and p2tog. Continue knitting the right-side stitches and purling the wrong-side stiches, adding 1 more each time until you've worked across all the heel flap sts (here you'll have 10 sts left when you're done turning the flap of 18sts).Step 7: once you've finished turning the heel, you'll pickup the side sts -- which are technically called the gusset sts. Since you've slipped every st at the beginning of each row when doing the heel flap, you'll have half the number of rows knitted as a nice chain on the edges to pickup -- here we'll pickup nine sts (from the 18 rows knitted for heel flap).Here the gusset sts have been picked up and the top of the foot sts (technically, the instep stitches) are all ready to work. You can see the inside of the heel flap -- the slipped-stitches are where the bar of yarn is shown here.Step 8: once you've picked up all the gusset sts -- 9 either side of the turned-heel and knitting across the instep sts -- for a total of 46 sts. Every row you'll dec the extra gusset sts (the slanted line shown above) on either side of the heel flap until you have a total of 28 sts for the foot. You'll re-distribute these 28 sts onto two needles only -- 14 sts each -- as this makes it easiest to shape the toe once you've done the 15 rnds or so for the foot.Step 9: shape the toe (ending the foot about 1 to 1-1/2 inces short of the desired finished length of the foot) by k1, ssk, k across the needle to 3 short of the end, k2tog, k1; rep on second needle. Continuing this toe-shaping until you have 4 sts left on each needle -- 8 sts.

Step 10: once you're down to the 8 sts, cut the yarn (leaving a tail about 4 inches long. Thread onto a big-eyed needle and thread thru the sts as you remove them from the needle. Pull tight and tie off the end ... this makes a nicely finished toe.
And the sock is done! Now, repeat for the second foot ... now that wasn't so hard was it?

More Road Trip knitting

So, we just got back from another road trip -- this time camping in Mesa Verde and the YMCA of the Rockies at Snow Mountain Ranch ... both EXCELLENT family camping sites and well-worth another 10-day trip!

Needless to say, with minimal driving and maximum camping fun, I didn't get a whole lot of knitting done. I did manage to knit a pair of lace-stitch socks in KnitPicks Essential (washable wool) to wear with ankle-height boots -- knitting from the Front Range to Mesa Verde -- and a stuffed doll with clothes knitted with Lion Brand's "Cotton Ease" (EXCELLENT for kids' toys!) -- that I knit from Mesa Verde to Snow Mountain (Winter Park, CO).In the picture, his dark-green button eyes look more like "shades" and the cap looks like a rakish beret -- but hey, whatever works!

Here are some great hiking sox

I should really call these "Two-fers" as they were done two-socks-two-circs in a 2x2 rib for all but the sole and the heel and used the better part of two skeins of yarn. The heel is a short-row heel which is so very elegant and I love knitting toe-up as you can make the legs as long (or short) as your yarns allows -- I could have made these much longer, but a 7-inch leg is my comfort-one.

These will be perfect for hiking the mountains around here -- especially as they're done in Lion Brand's Lion Wool which even in the summer is a good choice for hearty socks!

How do you get a 4 year-old boy to dance at 7 in the morning?

Custom-designed, custom-sized, custom-knit cozy hiking socks worked for BamBam! These are the socks I posted about last night and BamBam had to try them on as soon as he came down this morning, "just to make sure they work, Mommy". He is one happy camper today and -- with the cozy thickness of Lion Brand's Wool-ease Chunky -- he'll be a happy hiker and camper all summer with these great socks!

And here's BamBam's socks

As promised, here are BamBam's sox just off the needles -- I'm thinking I'll make the same sox for dh and then reverse the colors for a new pair of hiking sox for MOI!

Thick Mittens and Socks

There is something absolutely amazing about knitting with thick wool -- everything goes together so quickly!



Here are two pairs of mittens knitted with Dale of Norway's Hubro and size 10.5 needles ... they went together in a weekend and will be ready for dh and I when next Denver has a snow-storm (which around here, could be any day between now and June!).

And here are two pairs of socks -- the "orchid" ones for String Bean and the "charcoal" ones for Lego-Maniac. Since I can never make the same socks twice, each of these are slightly different -- note the 3x3 rib all the way to the heel flap on the orchid socks and (which is harded to see) the difference in heel flap patterns. Designing socks is fun because you can experiment on a small portion and have fun with it. And it's not a big deal to visit the "frog pond" with these socks as there are only 24 total stitches cast on. These will make great hiking/camping socks for this summer as they're very thick but tightly knit on size 8s using Lion Brand's Wool-ease Chunky (a wool/acrylic blend which is machine washable).

Bam-bam, of course, now wants a pair -- with orchid heel and toe but charcoal elsewhere. I'll post a picture when I finish the second of the pair of those. Socks are so fun to knit and with this thick yarn, I'm able to make a pair in 4 hours or so!

Knitting Book Reviews ... finally!

About a week or so ago, I promised to write up some reviews of knitting books which I've been perusing (and some, drooling over) for the past couple of weeks. So, your patience has been rewarded and here are the reviews:

The Joy of Knitting: Texture, Color, Design, and the Global Knitting Circle and The Joy of Knitting Companion: A Knitter’s Handbook by Lisa R. Myers are pretty unassuming volumes by this Pennsylvania yarn-shop owner. Don’t be fooled by the covers – both of these books have lots to offer. The first volume goes through all the aspects of knitting uniqueness – texture (through stitch patternings, yarn choice or needle choice), color (whether traditional ethnic design or random intarsia) and overall design. Myers gives great, clear explanations. The only down-side is that there are no photographs, just drawings of the suggested projects – and we all know that “artist renderings” are a bit more fanciful than the camera’s eye!

The companion book, which I actually read first, is a working notebook – with lots of blank record-keeping forms, graph paper and other helpful tools (including a needle sizer and a gauge ruler “built-into” the cover). Suggestions abound for designing your own – or adapting a have-to-have design to really fit you! I only wish they had bound the book with a spiral (rather than a glued paperback) so that the book could lie flat.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Knitting Projects Illustrated by Barbara Morgenroth is one of those “knitting for dummies” books that I usually don’t like. In fact, if you read the blurb about the author, you find that she has very little knitting experience but instead is a “cookbook and craft book writer”. Now surely, they could have found a KNITTING writer to write this book. That said, I found this book to have GREAT, clear illustrations and instructions, interesting projects and a wealth of information about my favorite activity! The photographs of the finished items could be better, but this would be a wonderful starter book for beginning knitters.

The Knit Kit Book by Sandy Carr, Josie May and Eleanor VanZandt is sadly out-of-print, but well worth the hunt to find a copy. This book teaches all the basics – with great illustrations and directions – as well as a whole section (or really, a second book) on designing basics including measuring, sketching, adapting existing patterns, etc. Hunt for this one – you’ll be well-pleased you did!

Knit it Now! Turn Great Yarns into Great Sweaters by Julie Montanari has some really cool designs. Also, Montanari, who’s been knitting since she was 8 (same as me!), gives ten easy steps for ensuring a good fit of the final sweater. Many of the sweaters, ironically, look like crochet (which I can do but avoid) but are so lovely that I think I’d break down and knit them!

Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave edited by Ann Budd and Anne Merrow is a must-have if you knit (or dream about knitting) socks. Talk about eye candy! This has a collection of the prettiest, coolest, most useful socks I’ve seen in a long time. There are lacy socks, hiking socks, ethnic socks and plain socks. I love Interweave books because they often spiral-bind them inside a hard cover so the books can lay flat; they are also invariably fun to read.

I love ethnic knitting. The next four books are some of the best of this kind of book:

Knitting Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel is the definitive book on knitting the heavily knit-purl patterning sweaters from the British Isles. The author does a fabulous job of explaining the history of these sweaters, describing the basics of a traditional sweater and then showing the reader how to make one. She leads the reader through either a sampler sweater (doll size) or a full-size sweater so that you not only learn how to make a gansey, you learn about all the parts of the sweater and why they are made the way they are. This is a classic!

The Complete Book of Traditional Scandinavian Knitting by Sheila McGregor is another classic, this time discussing knitting from Scandinavia. History, how-tos and a plethora of lovely examples make this book one to use again and again to make these lovely hand-knits – sweaters, hats, mittens, and socks.

Simply Socks: 45 Traditional Turkish Patterns to Knit and Magnificent Mittens: The Beauty of Warm Hands are both works of art by Anna Zilboorg. Sadly, these are both OOP, but take time to search for them – you’ll never regret it. Taking the traditional patterns of Turkish knitters (where the yarn is tensioned behind the head and flicked in a very unique manner), Zilboorg has charted these gorgeous multi-colored designs and created simple socks for the sock-knitter. These are amazingly beautiful as is the text which lovingly describes the history of knitting in Turkey. Her mitten book continues this work of amazingly beautiful multi-colored designs and blends the designs in such a way as to create unique works of art. I love the long cuffs that are meant to go over the coat/jacket sleeve to keep the wearer toasty warm. Zilboorg also describes how to do three different thumb treatments on these mittens – thumb with gusset, invisible thumb and sore thumb – which can actually be interchanged on the specific designs. But one thing I like about Zilboorg’s books – she encourages the reader to go beyond her designs and create your own work of art!

Latest Project ... or... at least I'm able to knit!

As I mentioned yesterday, we are in a major, life-changing sort of relocation with many things being trusted to God's divine mercy. But, at least I'm knitting things again....

My latest project? Hiking socks for dh. Now, my dh is a very conservative kind of guy -- from his philosophy on life to his clothing selections. What to do when all those cool sock yarns sing their Siren song?

I opted to make his socks out of Lion Brand's "Wool-ease". I chose a color called "denim twist" -- two shades of blue twisted together to give a marled look. Now, this isn't the snazzy patterning sock yarn I love to knit with, but the marled look gives the socks a bit of panache while answering the need for conservative socks.

I'm making them from the toe-up -- both socks on two circulars to make the knitting seem to go faster. Having done the toe, I now am doing a k1p1 rib for the foot (he's got a "duck shaped" foot -- his words not mine) so that the sock will cling in all the right places. I'll then do a short-row heel (ala Priscilla Gibson-Roberts) and finish the sock with a 3x3 rib to make a comfortable top for these hiking socks.

My goal is to leave enough yarn left over to eke out a matching pair for Bam-bam.

I'll post pictures as the project progresses!

Sorry, I've been remiss ...

in keeping up with my knitting blog. We're in the midst of finishing our time here in South Carolina, then heading to Colorado for 2 weeks than taking the big white bird to Austria -- for the next few years.

I've been packing, storing, trashing, sorting. I've been sending emails and checking on flights. I've been finishing the homeschooling year and working on records.

I HAVE NOT been knitting.

I have a pair of socks, working them on two circs at one time, that I've had on the needles for more than a month. I love these socks. I love the lace pattern I've chosen for the front. I love the way the toe-up sock is coming out. I love the k1p1 rib I've got for the sole. I love the color gradations of this wool from KnitPicks (a yarn they don't seem to carry anymore, which I love working with, called Simple Stripes in a blues/greys/cream colorway).

I don't love that I haven't been able to knit!

This weekend dh is taking me for a romantic getaway. We can only spare one night; our kids (ages 17 down to 3) would act up if we stayed away longer. So Friday night, as we drive up into the BlueRidge, I will be knitting. I will be knitting on the way back on Saturday. I will continue to knit until I get these socks done.

This Friday will be a bonus weekend -- not only will I have some hard-earned time away just with dh, I may actually be able to finish my "never-getting-knit-on" lovely socks! I'll post a picture of before the trip and after.....