The Wool Palace

In triplicate

The deadline for Sockapalooza 4 sort of crept up on me.  August sounded so far away when we started.

Then of course, there was the whole 'knitting three socks' due to my monumental stupidity.

Thankfully, they are all done and I have indulged in the usual cavorting and contorting that is required to take photos of one's own feet.

Pattern:  Diagonal Rib Socks by Ann Budd.  It was in Interweave a while back, but you can get it as a download from Knitting Daily.

Started:  4th June 2007

Finished:  3rd August 2007 - remember that's for 3 socks people!

Yarn:  Lovely Koigu, bought from Stash a good while back.  I can't remember the number, but if I find the ball band I'll add it in.

Needles:  2.75mm Clover bamboos

Such a nice pattern - very easy to remember the repeat.  Not having a cuff was a little surprising; it would be interesting to see what a pair would look like with some sort of ribbing at the top.  I knitted the pattern pretty much as is, although I made the legs a smidge shorter as I was worried about running out of yarn.  They fit very well and I would definitely do another pair at some stage.

Now the socks are off for a bath and I am off to find a suitably cheesey postcard of Somerset and some other goodies to include in my pal's package.

Hidden depths

This project was one of my quickest ever, knitting wise, and one of my slowest ever to sew up and to blog about.

It was incredibly difficult to photograph and I needed daylight to pick up stitches and do the sewing, which added to the delays.

Anyhow, I am very pleased with it, it fits well and has attracted much admiration from Toby and others who have seen it.

I particularly like the deep ribbing on the V-neck and around the shoulders.

Pattern:  Nessie, from RYC Classic Weekend.  I did the size L, to fit a 38 chest.

Yarn:  I used some Jaeger Shetland Aran I had in my stash instead of the recommended Cashsoft Aran.  You can't see in the photos, but the 20% alpaca gives it a nice, subtle halo of grey against the black of the wool.  I used just under 400g, making this a very economical knit, as the yarn was on sale in Liberty a while back.

Needles:  I stuck with the recommended 4mm for the ribing and 4.5mm for the body.

Started:  Well the knitting was started at the end of May and it took about 5 days to finish.  Picking up the stitches for the ribbing borders and sewing in the ends was done in fits and starts when I had time during daylight hours, so that took another couple of weeks.  Then I procrastinated for about a month before finally taking some photos.

Modifications:  I knitted the body in the round up to the armholes, divided there and knitted the front and back separately, then did a three needle bind off for the shoulders, which left me with 10 rows under the arms to stitch together.  I picked up the stitches for the ribbing in the round also, so I only had ends to sew in.  I added 5cm to the body and a couple of extra rows to the armholes.  If I did it again, I might take a couple of rows of ribbing off the back of the neck, as it is a touch higher than I would choose, but not enough to bother me into doing anything about it.

I doubt I'll be wearing Nessie much if the sunshine continues, but I can see her being a good autumn piece to add some warmth to an outfit on chilly mornings.

I could while away the hours

Alert the media - I've finished something.

Last week was pretty much a write off as far as knitting was concerned.  After a lovely weekend in London, Toby and I were struck down by a pretty grim bout of food poisoning that had us laid low Monday and Tuesday.  I was especially peeved as I was due to sit my driving test on Monday but wasn't in any fit state to do so.  To make matters even worse, I couldn't get another appointment until the beginning of April.  Cue much sulking by me for the rest of the week and many sentences beginning with, 'If I could drive...'.  Plus, I have to buy some more L-plates as the last ones have given up the ghost after being left on the car in the rain for too long.

After the food poisoning I picked up some other bug that had me coughing and spluttering for the rest of the week.  My usual knitting time in the evening was spent lying in bed alternately sulking about not being able to drive (because it would have made such a difference to being ill, wouldn't it?) and coughing and wheezing.

Then Toby had to work all weekend because of the food poisoning and because he'd taken an extra day off to go climbing (I sulked a bit about that too, seeing as I was on a roll).  At least the sun shone and the children were able to get outside and I got enough time to finish off these.

60 stitch socks, knit from the top down, with a 2x2 ribbing cuff.  My default sock pattern, basic stocking stitch with a slipped stitch heel flap and basic heel.  I always make my gusset a bit longer than recommended, to accomodate my relatively high arches.

Yarn:  Regia Canadian Colour, Shade 4731.  I bought this on Ebay a good while ago.  The colours remind me of spring flowers, coming up against bare earth.  There's almost 30g left after finishing this pair of socks.

Needles:  2.5mm Clover bamboos in the 16cm length.  Have you seen the new Clover sizes at Get Knitted?  I'm definitely getting some 2.25 and 2.75mm ones.

Started:  4th February 2007

Finished:  10th March 2007

Hopefully this week will see an increase in health levels and a decrease in sulking and maybe some more productive knitting time. 

Thirsty work

It took me longer to take the photos for these socks than it did to knit them.  Josie jumped at the chance to stand on the table, but sadly the camera battery died after we'd taken one photo - good job it turned out OK.

The socks are done on 2.5mm needles over 56 stitches.  I used approximately 70g of a skein of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino, one of the Potluck colours, this one is 'Water'.  The yarn was wonderful to work with and has a lovely sheen to it.

I've saved the leftovers for use in a Stashbuster Spirals in the near future.

I've been guilty of focusing exclusively on socks for the last couple of weeks.  Tonight it's time to look through the WiPs pile and see what else needs my attention.

Some of you were asking about knitting and reading.  I only do it for stocking stitch, or garter if I'm doing it.  I was an extremely bookish child and read while doing pretty much anything; walking to and from school, in the loo, under the covers with a torch when I was supposed to be asleep.  When I learnt to knit I saw no reason not to combine reading and knitting, so I just trained myself to knit without looking.  I think there are special book weights one can buy, as well as book stands etc; personally I find my mobile phone does a fine job of keeping the book open.  For those of you that read and knit, I'd be interested to know what solutions you use.

Spit, spot

Right, let's start the new year as we mean to go on.  (Although if that was true, I would be spending 2007 feeling vaguely nauseous and watching too much daytime television - we'll draw a veil over New Year's Day shall we?)

My first two completed projects should serve as a lesson not to become complacent over Christmas knitting.  Remember the hat I boasted about being so quick to do?

It's done, only two weeks late.  I can't show you any pictures of me wearing it as they all came out awfully.  Maybe my sister will model it when she receives it.

The pattern is from Loop D Loop, the Corrugated Rib hat I think it's called.  I did the same modifications I did last time to size it up for a larger head.  The yarn is Lamb's Pride Bulky in Dynamite Blue, which is much brighter than the photo.  I used almost a whole skein, knitted on the 10½ size in my Denise needles, which I think corresponds to 6.5mm.  A quick knit, just not knitted quickly at the correct time.

Next up in the belated Christmas gift list :

Socks for Toby's stepdad.  I did my usual top down pattern, 64 stitches on 2.5mm needles, a double rib cuff and a standard heel flap.  The first one was complete for a Christmas Day fitting and was pronounced satisfactory, so I knitted the second to match.  The yarn is Lana Grossa Scala, which I really like, but it would appear Lana Grossa don't, as it is being discontinued.  I have a couple of different colourways in the stash - I think I got this one, 6537, from Get Knitted, who currently have the yarn on sale.

I was pleased to finish these socks, not because I didn't enjoy knitting them but because I was eager to cast on another pair.

My sock yarn stash is stored in a big clear plastic crate which currently sits in our bedroom near the bed.  This skein of Cherry Tree Hill has been catching my eye over the last week or so and I knew I wanted to use it for my next pair of socks.  It is one of the 'Potluck' colourways of their Supersock - the Water one.  I bought it at Ally Pally in November and thought it would be perfect for Josie.

Isn't it pretty?  I'm sticking with plain stocking stitch to show up the shifts in colour.  Even though it's for Josie it won't be especially quick.  I measured her feet last night while she was asleep (I was in a hurry to get started) and they are only ½ inch shorter than mine.  I think I am destined to be outgrown by both my children quite soon...