Speed Demon

Now, the following picture LOOKS like roughly half of a men's sock.

In reality, it is so much more than that. I dare say that it is a completed pair of socks.

This sock yarn began its life as a lovely Paul Atwell sock. This combination of yarn and pattern was so absurdly gorgeous, that both I and my father were enamored. That is a rare occurrence. However, I did have the sneaking suspicion that I would run out of yarn. I chose to ignore this gut feeling, and ended up in the middle of the gusset with half of my sock yarn for the WHOLE PAIR gone. Sadly, this was frogged. Half a sock.

Next, I decided on Earl Grey. I have knit this pattern twice, and I figured this would use far less yarn than that yarn-eater Paul Atwell. I was right, but not right enough. Halfway through the toe decreases, I weighed what yarn I had left. Just over half of the hank had gone. ^%@)$!!! I had knit all but the last few rows of a men's size 10 1/2 sock IN ONE DAY (please be impressed), and I now had to rip back past the foot, and heel, and gusset, frog half of a repeat of the cable on the cuff, and continue on. One and a half socks.

After that, I wound the yarn (without bothering to steam it this time), and knit knit knit until I finished the gusset on the third attempt. Another half of a sock. That makes two finished socks . Wanna look at that picture again?

I believe I have a pair.

 

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Many More Socks

Since coming to college, I have knit socks, socks, socks. Some are for Christmas, so recipients will not be mentioned!

Hermione's Socks, in Knit Picks Stroll, Sparkle Heather. I think these are some of the most beautiful socks that I have ever made! The stitch looks like beading, and this color is to die for.

Bow Ties Are Cool, in Stroll Scarlet, I think. Not my favorite. I was bored halfway through knitting them, and the arch is too high. I should have known better and knit it shorter, but now I know to follow my instincts next time.

More Upside-Down Leyburns. I'm so glad that I revamped this pattern for top-down. The fit is ten times better (though they are big on me, because they aren't for me),and I love a standard top-down heel flap and toe. I used Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in Cabin Fever. This color and yarn were great, complex without being too much, and very soft. I think it ought to hold up well.

Paul Atwell Socks, in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Fuchsia. I think Peppermint would be a better color name, but I have no complaints about this yarn. It's harder and rounder than the Sockittome, but the semi-solid colors are gorgeously blended. The red is a deeply saturated cherry, and the pink is almost as pale as I think it could be, while still be being considered pink. This pattern is a major yarn-eater, but I love the effect of the slipped stitches. It's similar to the Edwardian Boating Socks. Next time though, I want to stick to my usual toe with decreases every other row. The faster decreases suggested do make a nice rounded toe, but my feet just don't fit in it as we'll.

A crappy picture, but these are men's socks in Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in Tropical Storm. I didn't notice the purple bits until I started knitting, but I think the man in question can live with it. I like the random thin striping on these socks, and I still had plenty of yarn left over.

Currently I'm using some Trekking XXL. I don't love the colors, but the yarn was majorly on sale, and they will still be warm when they are concealed under my boots this winter. Pictures later!

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Christmas in July

Well, in August. I have officially begun my Christmas knitting early, knowing full well that this need to churn out presents won't last, and I had better take advantage of it while it lasts. Here is what I have so far...

3 1/2 pairs of socks. Not too bad, especially considering one pair is a men's 14. I plan on either socks or a hat for each family member, since socks for each would be ambitious on both the knitting and financial front. Here I present to you, Leyburns! In something Knitpicks, ball band lost.

(Recipients will remain anonymous...for now). Rogers! In Knitpicks Multi, Lucky Multi (I think).

(Both modeled by my lovely assistant, Isabelle). Thermal Waffle-y Socks! In Knit Picks Stroll, Fedora.

And finally, reverse-engineered-upside-down-Leyburns! Well, one of a pair. Knitpicks Stroll Multi in Sunset Multi.

In the midst of all of this gift knitting, I managed to pick up some gifts for myself online (not that it was that difficult). Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn!

Supersock in Winterberry, which I think is the coolest yarn name ever.

Super sock in Fuchsia, although I think it is reminiscent of peppermint.

Stockittome in Wild Cherry,

and Stockittome in Tropical Storm. I'm not sure about this one, but it has more purple in person, so the black and blue contrast isn't as strong as the picture shows.

On top of this, I still have more Knitpicks sock yarn in my knitting basket. The sad part? I don't know how long into the school year this will last me! I suppose I will just have to make a trip to Knit One in Pittsburgh once I get there...

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Awesome video

As I become more and more obsessed with lace shawls, it occurred to me that I don't know how to wear one fashionably. This video helped immensely! I highly recommend it.

That moment when...

You email your mom a picture of her finished shawl, and she comments that the picture looks like something "out of those fancy knitting books".

You then reflect on just how many pattern books you must have forced your mother to look at in order for her to be able to reach that conclusion.

You then decide that she is extremely qualified to make that judgement, and then tell yourself for some time just how very right she is.

Cavallo Point

My mom's shawl is done! I used a lighter yarn than called for, but it still blocked out a full shawl and not a shawlette. I hope my mom likes it!

The first and second pictures show the color the best. The yarn is silky soft with and a fantastic color. Actually, it was the only yarn I paid full price for in my order, and it was definitely worth it.

The pattern was a great travel knit. I memorized the pattern on the seventh or eight repeat, and I never tired of it. I was actually going to add a few more repeats since I had more yarn and liked the pattern so much. I followed the pattern in the end, and I would definitely use this pattern again.

Look what the mailman brought!

Ten skeins of yarn and an afternoon of wool winding.

I ordered two skeins of Knit Picks Gloss in Port, four skeins of Shadow in Forest Heather, and four of Alpaca Cloud in Smoke Heather. I see many a lace shawl in my future...once I finish all of these socks!

I Am So Sick of Brown!

My boyfriend has huge feet. They are a size 14. As a result, his socks take an abnormally long time to knit, this time, I decided to knit a shorter cuff so he could hide the "unmanly" stripes under his boots. You would think this would make them easier to finish, but no. I am already horribly sick of brown! Solution?

Blue, green and yellow Leyburns. Actually, altogether I think these might make some sort of brown, but the stranded color changes thrill me to no end. These will be going to my Grandma Helen, but if this pattern is as enjoyable as it has been so far, I may end up with a pair for myself as well.

At the Lake

I am sitting in my aunt's house on Conesus Lake, and the Starlock Socks have been cast off and gifted.

I was halfway though the toe to the second sock when Linnea inquired if these were hers. I replied that if they fit, they were hers, and since they did, they are! She will be a faithful air-dryer! and is a grateful hand knit recipient. Yes Linnea, you can expect more knitted stuff in the future! Plus...isn't she a fantastic sock model?

My sister, who chose the sock-picture location with much expertise, then took a few more pictures of the Pi Shawl.

I promise I have a shirt on in these pictures. It is just skin colored. I absolutely adore this shawl. It is lightweight but still incredibly warm, and the pattern looks so intricate now that it's blocked.

Next up are Patrick's socks, Ellie's socks, Andrea's socks, Grandma Helen's socks...oh, and I just ordered 10 skeins of lace weight from Knit Picks. It was on sale, and shawls are fantastic travel knitting. As long as my needles aren't ripped from my hands when I board the plane to France, I shall happily knit as I cross the Atlantic in July.

Finished!

I love it.

How to Block a Shawl in 10 Easy Steps

The Pi Shawl is finished and blocking! How does one go about blocking their finished masterpiece?

Step 1: Cuddle with shawl. Ty to remember everything about it, so you can truly appreciate the changes that the blocking will bring about.

Step 2: Search for your pin jar. Tear apart both your room and the attic. (You may be sidetracked by changes your mother wreaked on your stash while cleaning. Cotton in the wool drawer, and the wool out in the open for m*%#s??? Remember. Deep breaths). In the end, locate your pin jar only to find that it is half empty.

Step 3: Check your wallet for pin money. $5? Better run to the bank for a $20. What if the yarn store is only carrying imported pins?

Step 4: Once at the bank, withdraw $70. What if these imported pins are also platinum? And what if lace weight is on sale?

Step 5: Run to yarn store. Buy every single pack of flower head pins. Explain your excessive purchase to Sue. Before you leave, take a risk and feel the new merino-bamboo blend. Chances are you will manage to postpone that purchase until another day, but only buy indulging in sale sock yarn. Blame it on the wool fumes.

Step 6: Gather every single non-white towel in the house. Turning mom's good towels pink is not an option.

Step 7: Spend far too much time debating between unscented and pink grapefruit wool wash. Choose grapefruit. Submerge shawl. Force yourself to leave it alone for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Loonily jump up and down on the shawl wrapped in a non-white towel. If your bun doesn't become loose, you need to employ a little more enthusiasm. Repeat until someone walks by the bathroom and witnesses your little ritual.

Step 9: Pin out shawl on mom's bed. Be sure to lay down towels, but don't feel bad if every single throw pillow and extra quilt ends up in a heap on the ground. The artist needs a clean workspace.

Step 10: Crank up the fan, shut the door against shedding dogs, and try to distract yourself with yet another knitting project and some grilled cheese.

That Moment When...

...you graft your edging together, then pick it apart, then graft it again, then painstakingly weave in your ends in a secure and yet subtle manner...

...only to realize all of your efforts are facing the wrong way.

Emma's Endless Edging Escapades

I have been telling myself every day for a week now that I am "almost done" with this shawl edging. And each time, I totally believed myself, even though clearly I was not almost done a week ago if I am still knitting today. But now, I feel safe saying I am ALMOST done!

I tried it on as is, with the needles in, and I am in love. It is warm, yet lightweight, and easily stretches across my wingspan even before blocking. I'm not entirely sure how I plan on blocking it, seeing as even my parents' queen bed just about matches my wingspan and I want this shawl to be larger than that. It may have to hang over the ends of the bed a bit. But regardless, I think this shawl will end up being a cushy, comfortable work of art. Sort of an elegant security blanket.

Is it bad that I'm already considering starting another one?

Buried in Socks

I am the first to admit that technology is not my strong point. Hopefully my new blogging app will not have too steep of a learning curve! I love my iPad, so maybe this new excuse to use it will whip my blogging butt back into shape!

School is out, but while it was in session I managed to churn out sock after sock after sock. Here is a sampling...

Dumbledore's Christmas Stockings and some Stroll sock yarn. This pattern knit up quickly, and the knit/purl texture means these stretch in all directions. Very comfortable; I would knit these again.

Clandestine socks by Cookie A., also knit in Stroll (I think). They came out nicely. I did misunderstand the pattern a few times, and there was a lot of tinking and frogging involved, but I always seem to do that with Cookie's patterns.

Nutkin was up next, so I could test my KnitCompanion app. It was knit in some kind of Cascade sock yarn, I just can't remember the exact kind. The yarn itself lacked softness when I was working with it, but it seems to be holding up far better than the Stroll yarn in terms of pilling, so i guess it was a good trade-off. I used a slip-stitch heel flap, and my usual toe. I employed half of a purl round to imitate the three-needle bind-off. I love the hemmed cuff! No matter how many times I turn a hem for a picot edge or whatever, I feel like it's magic.

A plain pair, the Yarn Harlot's sock recipe in Patons Kroy. They make me think of raspberries.

Another plain pair in some kind of Knit Picks yarn. I think the color way was Cartoons? Appropriately playful.

Another Cookie design, Cusp. The name allowed me to justify knitting in my Calc II class. Yes, my teacher did go along with it. And yes, as is always the case with Cookie's patterns, I frogged. A lot.

And the grand finale! Edwardian Boating Socks, a free Ravelry pattern. The yarn is Knit Picks Fairy Tales, and the colorway is something about a mirror. These socks are perfect! The slipped stitch pattern shows off the graduated colors beautifully, and if I didn't have to hand wash these I would wear them every day without worrying that people would question my hygiene. Unfortunately, the picture displays none of these fantastic qualities.

I love them anyway. You can take my word for it.

And for the record, this Blogsy app is surprisingly easy to work! Famous last words, I know. Hopefully this continues to be the case. For now, I have to edge a shawl...