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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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.

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?

Back Again

Wow, so much for having time to post this summer! I won't bother to go into depth about ALL of my WIP's. but real quick here's one FO that I've been hugely proud of!

Not the best pictures, but it's my second sweater ever! And the first to require seams! Ahhh that feels good...The pattern is Inishturk from Lion Brand Yarn, and the yarn is the recommended Fisherman's Wool. I chose Natural, though, instead of Oatmeal, since I had already used that for my first sweater. For being so cheap by weight, this wool is awesome. I love the texture, stitch definition, everything.

The pattern's gauge was kinda funky, though. I would have needed size 11 US needles, and the swatch was like a loose net. I went down to size 8 US, and just made it two sizes larger with the original lengths for the size small. It came out a tad wider than I expected after blocking, but I knew it was going to be huge anyway. The smallest chest measurement would have given me 4-5 inches of ease. But according to the new Teen Vouge, oversize knit sweaters are totally in. Sweet. And this kind of traditional garment is classic and timeless, so I'm not super concerned.

And here is my current WIP. It's become a little all-consuming, not gonna lie...

It's the Bayerische sock from See Eunny Knit!. Belgian cables with twisted stitches. Gorgeous. I used size 0 US dpn's, and Lion Brand Sock-Ease in Grape Soda. Not exactly high-end, but it's cheap and hard-wearing. Love the pattern, love the first sock.

 The only pattern error I saw was in the toe shaping. At the very end, It says to knit Row 2 6 times to decrease from 40 stitches to 16, but that would mean knitting even for six rounds. It's supposed to be knit row 1 six times.

That's all for today, but maybe I'll actually post occasionally for a little while? Yes?

It's Hailing Again!

But thankfully I'm inside. So. Moving on...
So last night I decided to skip karate in favor of the local knitting circle, which I had yet to attend. I had shoved my scarf in the nearest purse, quickly cast on my second mitten and completed the hem, and was foolishly considering trying to cast on something flashy that I have yet to attempt (like socks knit one inside the other) for shock value. However when i showed up, eagerly brandishing a pattern one of the women had been curious about and carrying a tote full of projects, I was told that there had been a cancellation. Awww. So, I skulked home and knit another large strip into my Harry Potter scarf, and later (after my right arm was numb from my position on the couch), I cast on another pair of socks!

I truly so apologize for how horrendous the picture is. My camera has been taking more pixle-y pictures every day, and any picture sized larger than the one at left is nearly unrecognizeable.

The pattern is Sunday Swing from Knitty, knit in Heart and Sole by Red Heart, colorway Faded Jeans. The design is a super predictable combination of yarnovers and knit two togethers, with at least one plain knit row between each patterned one. So it's beyond cinchy and mindless, with lots of visual "bang" for you knitting-technique-"buck", yet not so mindless as to bore you. Once I finish these, I'll officially have a pair of handknit socks for every day of the week :) Sweeeet!

NHM #14

One mitten is done!

I like the effect that the white on black has with the speckled stitches, and it fits near perfectly. The lace looks more stripey than chevron, but hopefully if I actually bother to block these (a rare occurrence) that will sort itself out. With any luck that will help the hemmed edge lay flatter too. I love hoe finished it looks though, so I won't complain much.
I also have picked up the ol' House Scarf again. (I finally read Beedle the Bard, and am now re-reading the entire series)! It's coming along...

ETA: Just checked the page on Ravelry for NHM #14, and apparently Terri Shea had the same color idea as me. Aww...I was feeling so rebellious too :(

I Lied.

I re-watched The Prisoner of Azkaban, and the movie scarves are dark dark dark dark DARK burgundy. Oh well. I still like my colors :) Luna's scarf is still waiting to be started, but I fear she'll have to wait a bit longer...while crochet projects are quick, a one-day-only 20% off all yarns sale at Ben Franklin means an opportunity for more Christmas gift materials!

Ok, SOOOO...

Gwynedd is finished, and she was quite the marathon! (Or, at the very least, a 5K).

Super thick and warm, this scarf will be a gorgeous staple in my wardrobe this winter, I do believe.

Al so finished a while ago was my Fern Glade, the slouchy version, and while it's a bit big (shocking, I know. Usually my cranium is beyond any other sizewise), it's pretty and a nice change for boring outfit days when I want to funk it up a little bit.

Lovely.

When I needed a small, easy project to work on while on the recumbent bike, I cast on some easy handwarmers in Knitpicks Peruvian Highland Wool, color Cherry Blossom. The picture turned out terrible, I'll take another one later, but these have proved super useful. The pattern is called Emerald Green Handwarmers, but obviously these aren't. The wool is inexpensive, and the pair was knit in two or three hours, so these have become my workhorse handwarmers. I can wear them in the frigid school basement when writing essays during study hall, and if they start to pill or lose texture on the right hand from friction it won't be too large a loss. I even have two more skeins of the yarn if I want an exact replacement! (This pair took less than one skein).

Lastly, I finally started my Harry Potter scarf!

I picked up four skeins of Paton Classic Wool Merino in Burgundy and one in Old Gold, and so far the colors are pretty close to that of the movie. Some of the others I've seen looked too cranberry or plain red, and that was something I wanted to avoid. The 1x1 ribbing isn't boring yet, as the stripes keep it interesting at regular intervals and I'm a relatively quick knitter. It's fabulous mindless knitting for just before or after school, right before bed, or while watching tv. (These also happen to be the only times I'm really able to knit these days, so it all works out perfectly).

The merino is so much softer than the new Patons Classic Wool-I so wish they hadn't changed it! But of course they have, and I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that any other house scarves I make may not be quite as comforting on a cold winter day. I can't wait for this to be finished so I can wear it! (And start the Ravenclaw one soon after I finish Luna's)!

Another Gift Delivered!

Kelley loved her birthday hat, and it sat atop her head, the topic of much conversation, on the rides both to and from Seabreeze.

She has decided it will indeed match her winter coat, and that she will now be that much warmer at the varsity football games and all throughout the winter. Glad to hear it Kel! Happy birthday!

Also, Gwynedd is coming along. I burned through the first of the four skeins of Wool-Ease the other night, and am now at the start of the second. I doubt things will chug along quite so fast once school starts and I'm slammed with homework, but for now I think I've gained a decent head start.

I still need the pattern for the braided cables, but the other sections are generally fairly easy to figure out, and a quick glance at the page every couple of rows usually suffices. I hope this doesn't take quite as long as I fear it will-I don't want to lose steam just as cold weather sets in, and I actually need it!

Ooo! Pretty!

Well! Initially I was concerned about the stitch definition of this project, but as it grows the problem all but disappears, and it's already super warm, dense, and soft as can be.

I was thinking about giving it to Sempei Todd when he earns his third dan and gets his own dojo (I'm gonna miss that guy), but I think I'll have to pry it from my own fingers first! He can get by with just some socks, right?

For this project I decided to give cabling without a cable needle a shot, and while I'm not sure it saves a ton of time it definitely is less cumbersome than having to grab a plastic hook every couple of stitches. For this scarf I've only been using a cable needle for the eight stitch ribbed cables bordering the braided ones every six rows. Sometimes a twisted stitch appears from when it was transferred from one needle to another, but that's easy to fix and I'm sure this method will be used again, especially in the car when I drop my cable needle down the crack between the seat and the door for the tenth f#%*ing time.

Nanoo, nanoo!

Quick check in-the first Tridactyl glove (or, er, mitten?) is finished, and the second on the needles. When I showed it off yesterday, an unexpected perk was discovered by my aunt...

...while wearing them, you can hold your wine glass oh-so-elegantly, like so. Although why you'd drink wine outside in that kind of cold I'm not entirely positive. To each his own, I suppose.

Another Hermione Hat Finished!

I finished this hat while stitching and bitching at a emmydee's for a sleepover:

I had been worried that my overly large head would tug open gaps around the cables and make it a little less warm, but I think my fears were unfounded. I'm sure I'll find out for real when the mercury dips below 32 degrees, but for now I am a happy camper! The cabling is as addicting as the pattern description said, and very impressive yet tasteful, bobbles and all. Even one of my Flogging-Molly-loving fire-fighting friends agreed that it was "badass" (or was at least able to convince me that was his opinion), and informed me that I am to wear it when we go sledding this winter :) Can't wait!

And of course, the now discontinued Patons Classic Wool Merino (I still can't get over that...) performed beautifully. I have just started a pair of Tridactyl gloves from Knitty using the replacement line, Patons Classic Wool, and it definitely seems coarser and more dense. At least the color is nice. "Aquarium" to pair with the wave pattern on the back. Will probably be a present for one of two people for Christmas...can't say who yet, of course.

Hermione's Cable and Bobble Hat

Based on the hat Hermione wears to Hogsmeade in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, and another pattern found in Charmed Knits (love that book), this cap was started around 9:00 last night and is still going strong.


For yarn, I grabbed more Patons Classic Wool "Merino" out of my basket is the brightest red I think I could ever find. I was concerned it wouldn't be as dense of a fabric as I wanted, because I usually go down a needle size or two for winter hats. This pattern and gauge required I use the size 7 US as is recommended on the yarn label, but the cables have kept it cozy. It'll be the perfect addition to my school football game garb, as red is one of the school colors :)

Hanshi Camp

For the last three days, I've been training along with other schools in my area, under the tutelage of Hanshi Steve Arneil. He learned our style of karate (kyokoshun) under it's founder while it was still being developed, and has a plethora of knowledge on fighting and self defense. The camp has always been extremely hard work, and on the third day the adults would have not just one session but two, and I decided to take a little non-"om" meditation with me. My scarf! Little did I know what it would become a memento of later that day.

After lunch, I hopped into the locker room to grab my garter stitch and on the way out found my sensei. Uh, oh, smart remark sure to follow! Sure enough, after a quick double take, he sighed "Are you serious?"

I simply answered "Yes," and continued to stitch without looking.

"Does that, like, soothe you or something?"

"Osu," (some sign of agreement in Japanese, but can kind of cover anything in the dojo).

And with a reluctant "Alright..." I was off the hook! Huzzah! But the best was yet to come! Outside I plopped down on one of the picnic tables, enduring the usual questions. "Are you knitting or crocheting?" "What are you making?" etc. Sempei noticed, and soon all the black belts were chuckling at my expense. I'm used to it. Suddenly, an English accent cut through the little crowd around the tent.

"Are you knitting?" Hanshi was asking about my scarf! Oh wow!

"Osu!"

He answered with something along the lines of "That's good, you don't see many people knitting anymore." Hanshi approved of me knitting! Haha see sensei?

"Oh she's good!' Erica cut in. "She makes, socks and little animals, and all sorts of stuff."

"Oh! Do you think next time I come you'll have a nice pair of socks for me?" Hanshi wanted socks? Oh wow! And my witty self replied...

"haha...maybe..." Oh wow. Must work on my social skills.

An Alteration of Fates

Well, it does seem that my scarf wish came true! Digging through the stash, praying for some red wool, (though I knew from the get-go I only had one skein of red wool and it was being utilized for the black belts' Christmas presents, but hey, dare to dream), I stumbled upon an unexpected alternative.


100% pure spun alpaca, in a sport weight. Two hanks my dad had picked up for me a little while back. It's softness matched the many descriptions I have read, as well as it's lightweight feel. I had planned to save it for just the right project. Every time I saw it I would smile and wonder what it would become! A cabled hat? Mittens or gloves light enough for fall? A lacy little shawlette? I would hold out until I found the project worthy of it! And I do believe I have!

(Picture wouldn't load, sorry :P)

The scarf I was craving, knit on size 5US straight needles. (Can you believe it? Straights! I haven't used straights in such a long time! I found them sitting in the attic, pouting and collecting dust). This scarf, or swatch as it stands right now, is light yet warm, with a slight soft halo of fuzz and many different shades of grey. It will go with anything I decide to throw on, which is always helpful considering just how many mismatched cold-weather items a knitter accumulates. It is just thin enough to be tucked inside my pea coat, yet thick enough to stand on its own on top of a sweatshirt in the fall. This scarf will be absolutely, utterly perfect!


And to think. Just a little while ago, I would have never pictured this yarn or this project crossing paths.

If at First You Don't Succeed...

Pomatomus may have kicked my butt once...

...but not this time!

I have since grafted the first sock shown, and started the cuff for the second one twice. For the record, it was not my own incompetence that caused the need for a do-over. There was a funnel cloud (good chance for a tornado) spotted touching ground near my village in Upstate New York (well, there is a first time for everything), and I attempted to work on the cuff while taking refuge in the basement. In the dark. Without a chart. Genius.

Regardless, I knit the foot a bit too long and thus shortened the toe, ending with 28 stitches to graft rather than 12. The stitch pattern is comfortably stretchy without falling down, interesting to work, and of course, resembles fish scales. How cool is that? This is the first project in a long time I haven't minded ripping back at all, it's so entertaining to whip up. I can't wait til I can wear the pair...

Executive Decision

Last year, as with every year, Christmas was just the same. An assortment of presents for an assortment of people without rhyme, reason, or ample time to coordinate a beautiful yet practical parcel for everyone. So, my decision made this year, with PLENTY of time to see it through, is that every family member will receive a hat. Plain and simple. Thus far they're all ribbed to accommodate the craniums of many sizes that populate both sides of my family. The colors are dictated by the half-skeins of merino in my basket, and the striping patterns either by color availability or whenever I run out and need something to finish the decreases.

Since school let out yesterday I have finished two hats in between events and have a third spongy ring strung across my size six circulars. All made out of mystery stash wool, there is...

• ONE "The Boy Hat" by Elizabeth Heath-Heckman. Love the crown shaping, a little extra attention makes a very neat, pleasing finish. This one began in an olive, but when that ran out was finished in a rustic heathery off-white.
• ONE "A Hat Fit For A Boyfriend" by Stephanie Nicole. Plain chocolate brown, I actually had enough to reach the end! Another approach to carefully thought-out decreasing to add some variety to the endless ribbing, and with any luck impress the giftees.
• 1/5 of the "That Chocolate's Gone Straight to Your Ribs" hat by Leonie Connellan. Using up some obnoxiously bright blue for the body and hot pink for the stripes. I'll probably add some more color rings, but whether I'll end up with one additional stripe or several the whole way up I don't know. I'll find out as I go, I suspect!

So as long as I don't have a stroke as the ribbing continues on and on, forever and ever, this is a seemingly brilliant plan! Lots of time, lots of patterns still untried, and a plethora of colors to experiment with. They're seemingly one size fits all, and really; who lives in New York and doesn't need a hat?

OhMyGosh

Softball season has begun, and thus knitting has fallen by the wayside (*sniff*). A sad fact, but at the very least it is being replaced by spending time with a great group of girls whom I love like sisters and not something pointless or illegal, right? Aside from practices and games 5-6 days a week, our coach encourages us to hang out together outside of that schedule, and thus we all had a massive dinner and sleepover at Bonnie's house over the weekend.

Perhaps the best thing she has suggested was the Kindness Swap, which got my sticks going again. We picked a name, and some time during the week had to do something nice for that person. Most people gave out sugary sweets and home-baked treats, but of course I had another idea in mind :) For Erica, I knit up a pair of Knucks out of Patons Classic Merino Wool in some heathery tan color, with the ribbed cuff option. Across the knuckles I embroidered "Redd Head" (yes, with two "d's" to make it fit). I got hugs back, so I think it was well received.

Now to continue knitting a pair for myself...this pair in royal purple, with puffy paint writing instead of embroidery, and the textured cuff. Across the knuckles? GANGSTER! Haha doesn't describe me in the least, but I'm just so proud to have figured out it has eight letters it has to be used! They'll probably end up on the hands of a certain teammate, but however this comes out, I can always knit more!