My Opals

My last month of 2012's Self Imposed Sock Club is done.  Yeah!  I ended with the oldest yarn in the stash...seemed appropriate.  The yarn was given to me by Anonymous who wrote one of the first knitting blogs that I stumbled upon.  She or he (no idea) had made one of those pledges that all knitters make from time to time...'will not buy more yarn until I knit what I have'.  Everyone has made that claim at some point, right?  At the time that Anonymous made hers/his they broke it by buying 13 skeins.  As 'punishment' she (or he) decided that in order to appease the Knitting Gods an equal number of skeins had to leave the stash.  I was the lucky recipient of one of those skeins.  Since this is the last month of my sock club I knew which yarn should close out the year. 

As for the pattern I decided that I would just knit a generic toe up sock...mainly due to the striping of this yarn.  I didn't want to find a pattern and thought I'd let the yarn do the work.  This yarn had a self stripping pattern and I really wanted the socks to match.  So easy to say, but it turned out not so easy to pull off.  This yarn had the longest pattern sections I have ever seen.  I used my usual method of setting up the balls....wound it into one ball, weighed it, and started to rewind it into ball two.  Trouble soon began when I pulled out the yarn to measure the pattern length.  Goodness gracious did I create one mess of yarn...it went on and on.  Every time I thought I had the pattern it would turn out that it wasn't quite the same.  After pulling out what looked like half the darn ball I finally found the repeat.  I ended up knitting almost an entire sock with the one repeat...that's never happened before. 

I did end up with a pair of perfectly matched stripey socks...in a strange mix of purple, blue/white, blue and beige.  You should see the mess I made of what was leftover...

Details:
Pattern: Generic toe up socks

Yarn:  Opal Ambiente by Zwerger Garn;  Fingering / 4 ply; 75% Wool, 25% Nylon;  465 yards / 100 grams.  I had a mess once these were done and did not weigh the unraveled ball.  Maybe once I get back to my desk I'll untangle it.

Needles: 2 US 1.5, 24" circular needles

Gauge:  32 stitches over 4 inches of stockinette

Modifications:  I sort of used Wendy Johnson's generic toe up formula for knitting socks.  I changed the cast on, heel, and bind off so it was mainly used as a reminder of pieces and parts I needed to complete the sock.  I used a Turkish cast on and increased until I hit my magic number of 32 stitches per needle.  Once I hit the heel I did my favorite...the Fleegle Heel.  When it was time to bind off I used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind off.

Overall these ended up being a pretty neat way to end the year.  Love the fact that these match...kind of magically considering what the mess looks like on my desk.

Winter Promenade

An actual knitted Christmas item that only took a few hours to knit.  It is the perfect hand knit gift...Promenade Scarf.  I'm still wondering why the designer chose to call it a scarf.  My dad said 'it is the shortest scarf ever seen'.  Anyway it only took an evening to get this one completed...got to love that at this time of year.

I used one of my skeins from last year's Three Irish Girls Stash Menagerie Club.  Since I only had one skein of bulky weight my pattern options were somewhat limited.  A cowl or fingerless mitts were about my only choices.  I decided that a cowl would be the most useful and appreciated of the two.

The pattern was so simple yet fun and interesting to knit.  I adore cables on hand knits so this simple 7 stitch cable was perfect.  Easy to remember and worked well with the semi-solid shade of the yarn.  The cables popped even in the bulky weight which I was somewhat worried about as I completed the first repeat. Given that I only had the one skein I was able to complete the full 7 repeats and add one knitted row before the bind off.  There was still with enough yarn to sew on the buttons and have a bit left to send along just in case a repair was necessary in the future. 

Details:

Pattern:  Promenade Scarf by Mimi Hill;

Yarn:  Springvale Bulky by Three Irish Girls; 100% superwash merino wool; 4 oz./98 yards;  colorway: Katherine Hepburn;  I used all but 6 grams to complete the cowl...oops scarf. 

Needles:  US 9; Addi Clicks; 24" cable

Gauge:  17 stitches per 4 inches of cable pattern

Modifications:  I knit this as written until I finished row 4 of the pattern.  I added one more knitted row before binding off in pattern.  After blocking the finished cowl/scarf was 6" by 26" which fit nicely around my neck. 

Of Course its a Sweater

A few weeks ago I finished yet another item I never thought I'd knit.  Yes, I call it a sweater although not a 'traditional' one.   No seams or blocking were needed and I was able to use a bit of left over sock yarn.  Even after knitting socks and this little sweater I still have some left from this never ending ball of yarn.  What's with that?

Remember back when I knit the chickens some sweaters so they could better enjoy the Bozeman winter?  Well it was reported that their guinea pig...Scrappy was somewhat put off that he didn't get one.   I hit Ravelry's pattern search and found a few patterns.  After laughing that others had actually knit piggie sweaters I cast on.

Scrappy meets Sasha Fierce

The pattern did have a few errors, but I just changed the increases so the ribbed pattern would work out.  I mean it's for small critter...whose going to really care that the ribbing doesn't end correctly?  Me, who else.  Unfortunately I'm a crazy knitter and noticed it wasn't going to work as written.  I did a few less increases than the pattern called for and the problem was solved.

Sasha Fierce's new sweater

It turned out to be a cute little item.  Looks absolutely adorable on the stuffed monkey I found in the closet.  The little pattern would work for an entire menagerie of critters.  In fact it has been reported that Scrappy the guinea pig did not appreciate the attire quite so much.

It now belongs to Sasha Fierce...the most adorable kitten in Bozeman, MT

Details

Front

Pattern:  Nicholas' Guinea Pig Sweater by Jen Bianchi;

Yarn: Trekking Pro Natura by Zitron; Fingering / 4 ply; 75% Wool, 25% Bamboo; 459 yards / 100 gram.  I used about 150 yards or so...cannot find the scrap of paper with the actual amount.

Needles:  2 US 1.5 circulars; 24 inches long

Back

Gauge:  Not important...it's for a piggie and it is all ribbing so the fit is very forgiving.

Mods:  I cast on the proper amount of stitches as called for in the pattern, but used 2 circular needles.  I did the back with one set and then set up the front using the second set.  The increases for the front was slightly different in order to maintain the ribbing pattern of p2, k6 when I rejoined in the round.  Once I had the length I wanted I decreased my stitches back down to the original number.  I ended with a p2k2 ribbed edge for 4 rows and cast off in pattern. 

ribbed edge

Sasha Fierce

At Least They Were Done in October

I cheated on this month's socks in a big way.  I think these were started maybe a year** ago?  Could be...I deleted them from my Ravelry page for some reason so I don't have a clue as to the cast on date.  Anyway I found them buried in one of my knitting bags and decided to cheat on the October sock.  Not much else to really say about it other than I'm finished with one more unfinished project.

One thing the sock did confirm...I actually prefer using 2 circulars to knit my socks.  I may go as far as saying I would rather knit them toe up than cuff down.   I never thought I'd change my mind, but I think I'm faster knitting them toe up.  Maybe I should do a timed experiment when I have nothing else going on. 

Details

Pattern:  His & Her Socks by Ann Budd in Knitted Gifts;

Yarn:  Gems Sport Weight by Louet; Sport / 5 ply; 100% Merino; 225 yards / 100 gram.  I used 1 1/4 skeins and ended up with 74 grams left over.

Needles: US 2; 4 metal DPN's

Gauge:  about 17 stitches over 2 inches

Modifications:  No mods made to the original pattern.

I still have one more unfinished pair of socks in the bag.  It's one I started last December on a car trip.  I finished one sock, cast on for the second sock, then threw it in the knitting bag once home.  This may be the month* I catch up from not getting it done.  It's a simple pattern that I have written out and worked using a 'plain sock' recipe.  It is supposed to break up a variegated sock yarn.

I usually finish my socks one after another so it's pretty unusual for me to have second sock syndrome...especially 2 sets.  It will be corrected this month* and I'll be caught up with both unfinished projects and my Sock Club knitting.  It's a win win!


*I evidently couldn't maintain my mojo on the swirly sock so it will my November sock.  Promise...

**I found them on my Ravelry page...how about a cast on date of Feb 8th, 2010.  Wow

Something Completely Different

In August while we were in Bozeman, MT we had dinner with the daughter of our good friends CH & TH.  Ms. S had a request...she went on to explain that the house that she was renting with three other MSU (Montana State University) students had a chicken coop in the backyard.  OK that's terrific...'free eggs' and all, then she dropped the bombshell...chicken sweaters.

Yep,  the Bozeman winters are pretty darn cold and she wanted to make sure that the chickens would be warm so she asked if I would knit some sweaters.  She had Googled a few pictures too.  I figured what the heck.  When we got back East I found a few patterns on Ravelry.  I dove onto my stash of leftover blanket yarn and pulled out some MSU colors- blue and gold and some variegated yarn in reds and blues.

I decided that the pattern was perfect for knitting in the car while heading to a VT football game.  After about 2 hours it was done except for the error glaring back at me.  Yes it was for a chicken, but it should at least be knit properly.  It seems I 'forgot' the edge should have been knit in garter rather than stockinette so it curled back on itself horridly.  I frogged it and re-knit on our way back from football.

I ended up knitting 3 sweater.  On one I used Velcro as its closure, but the other two have buttons.  I like the buttons although I'm wondering if the chickens will like them too.  Three have been knit (although there are 6 chickens) and I'm waiting until I hear back as to fit...and hopefully a video of the girls putting them on the chickens.

Details:
Pattern:  Rescued Battery Hen by Jacqui Bennett;


Yarn:  Plymouth Galway and Patons Classic Wool; about 100 yards or so for each sweater


Needle:  Lantern Moon Ebony US 7, straights;  I never get to use my straights anymore.

Gauge:  forgot to measure- oops


Modification:  Added a contrasting double crochet edge around the necks- even a chicken should look stylish!

September Lendrum Socks

Well how about that...a pair of socks completed before the end of the month.  Proves once again that if knitting occurs then one can produce a finished item.  This pattern has been in the queue for sometime.  I first found it on the Yarn Harlot's blog a few years back, but since I did not knit socks "toe up" at the time I filed it away.   Thrilled that I remembered these when I was searching for a September sock pattern.  The Harlot was right when she said that this pattern always seems to knit up fast.  I finished the pair 5 days early.  It has been somewhat surprising given the fact that by evening my hands have been achy from sanding and refinishing kitchen cabinets.  That's a whole other story...maybe I should document that project.
 
As a reward I cast on for a cardigan...Acer.  I figured I could knit a bit on the cardi rather than cast on more socks because to be honest I wanted to knit with bigger needles...achy hands and wrists like bigger needles!   The yarn traveled across the country with the knitting bag it deserves to be out in the fresh air.  It's Springvale DK from Three Irish Sisters in a lovely neutral shade of grayish brown called driftwood.  It's knitting up rather nicely.

Enough about that this is supposed to be about my September socks.  The Leyburns knit up pretty darn quick just like the Yarn Harlot said.  A very interesting pattern that would be perfect for most any yarn.  I used a solid color, but I think that it would work extremely well with a variegated yarn.  The yarn manipulation definitely would break up any pooling and the patterning would still be visible.  I certainly can see knitting this one again with a wildly patterned yarn.  The pattern looks complicated, but it was very easy to remember and execute. 

Details:

Pattern:  Leyburn by Mintyfresh;

Yarn:  2 skeins of Shibui Socks; Fingering / 4 ply; 100% Merino; 191 yards / 50 gram.  I used most of both skeins with 10 grams leftover from each one.

Needles:  2 US 1.5 24" circulars

Gauge:  7 stitches per inch

Modifications:  I used a Turkish cast on for the toes...casting on 20 stitches and increasing upwards according to the pattern although I stopped increasing at 68 stitches because it fits my narrow foot much better..

Rather than a traditional short row heel I did my favorite- Fleegle heel.  Reading through a few pattern notes on Ravelry I noticed that others had complained that the sock was difficult to get over the heel.  I decided to go ahead and add a few extra stitches in the heel area as called for in the pattern.   I had no problem getting socks on and off.   I don't know if it was the Fleegle heel or the few extra stitches, but the heel fits nicely.  No sagging or slouchiness in the ankles.

I finished off the sock using my favorite Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.  Not sure if the modifications made any difference or not, but these socks do fit very nicely.

August in September

Loco Monkey Socks

As everyone knows I decided to decrease my sock yarn stash by setting up a Self Imposed Sock Club for 2012.  It really has been a good way to force me to knit from my rather large sock yarn stash rather than continually adding yarns to it...for the most part anyway.   Unfortunately my summer travels interrupted the process...significantly some would say.  After not missing a single deadline I missed both July and August while we were wandering throughout the West.  I did manage to get my August socks done a mere 5 days late...or maybe they were July's socks.  Who really knows (or cares) at this point.   I actually had  Magic Mirror on the needles for July, but kept having trouble with the pattern so it was abandoned and I started these.

The pattern name is certainly appropriate for our busy summer...some would have called it Loco (crazy).  Someone did call me loco for taking up 'so much room' with my knitting bag...it never left the car.  What?  Sad, but true...never touched my knitting bag except to shove it aside looking for camping gear.  My small project bag did make it out on a few occasions when I had time to sit and knit...usually when the other half was recovering from a strenuous hike and wanted a nap.

I need to somehow catch up and knit 2 pairs in a month's time...one can dream.


For the August sock I used a couple of skeins of yarn that I had from way back...Brown Sheep's Wildfoote.   According to my Ravelry page it was put in my online stash September 2007 so to celebrate 5 years of marinating in the stash it has been turned into a pair of socks.   The pattern is one I have knit before, but the end result always turned out slightly bigger than desired.  This pair fits nicely.  I don't know if it's the technique versus I am a better knitter.  Either way I like these much better than my original pair of Monkey's.

Details
Pattern:  Los Monos Locos/The Crazy Monkeys by Jennifer O'Sullivan (and Cookie A)

Yarn:  Brown Sheep's Wildfoote in the colorway Mums; 75% Washable Wool, 25% Nylon; 215 yards per 50 gram skein; 2 skeins used, but I had 14 grams and 15 grams leftover from the skeins.

Needles:  2 US 1.5 mm 24" circulars

Gauge:  36 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches of stockinette

Modifications:   I once again knit a fleegle heel and bound off using the Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off.  Both techniques are my current favorites for heels and sock bind offs.  These monkey socks do not have any purl stitches and were knit toe up.  It was really a nice way to knit Cookie A's pattern.  I could monitor the amount of yarn used and check the fit as I went.  Maybe that is what helped the socks fit so much better than my original Monkeys.

Still not sure which pattern to do for September...hopefully I'll settle on it tonight and cast on.  Better get cracking!

Missed Times 2

What can one say when one misses yet another deadline?  Well one says "don't bring as much knitting next time".   I did finish the August socks...in September.  At least it's early enough that I should be able to get September socks done as well. 

Unless I get myself totally sidetracked by the knitting of 'chicken sweaters'.  These are actually sweaters for chickens...not little chickens on a sweater.  Confused yet?  While in Montana a request was made for me to knit some chicken sweaters for a flock that had yet to be acquired.  They had a coop in the backyard and figured they'd get chickens.  One problem...the winters in Bozeman can be somewhat cold and the rookie farmer thought the sweaters would help keep the chickens warm.

Who could resist a request for knitting a few chicken sweaters?  Super simple and a great use of all of the leftover blanket yarns (yes I knit another one)...just need to remember to save some time for my September socks which I have yet to choose.

Missed Deadlines

Well it was bound to happen.  I missed my sock deadline for July...too much traveling and not enough knitting so it was bound to happen.  I actually bought yarn for 2 pairs of sock and enough yarn to start a sweater.  The amount knitted is pitiful.

In my defense I did start a sock and I really should have had one sock done pretty quickly.  As luck would have it the pattern is not working out...don't know what I'm missing.  I have ripped back to the offending row and it still is not right.  After a number of attempts to correct it I decided that while traveling I needed a simple toe-up recipe.  Unfortunately, I haven't had a great deal of time to knit on it. 

Maybe I'll have some time to work on it these next few days in August...or I'll have to knit 3 socks in September when this grand trip is done. 

June's Scylla

I'm 6 for 6 in the sock knitting department which is pretty sweet.  This month I'm half way through my 2012 Self Imposed Sock Club.  It's gone fairly well.  Every deadline has been met with a completed set of socks...so far anyway.  I have even learned a few new techniques along the way that I'm wild about.  Namely knitting with 2 circulars and doing them toe up has me totally hooked.

June's sock pattern is called Scylla.  It's another toe up pattern...not surprising.  I also used 2 circulars which is also not surprising.  These socks were such a quick knit.  I have been finished for about a week just neglected to write the post and take the pictures.

Details:
Pattern: Scylla by Fiona Lucas;

Yarn: Adorn by Three Irish Girls; 80% merino, 20% nylon, 3.5 oz./430 yards, colorway: Hawk Ridge.  My original skein was a little over 4 oz and I still have

Needles: 2- US 1.5 24" circulars

Gauge: 32 stitches by 40 rows over 4 inches stockinette stitch

Spot the error?

Modifications:  Well I don't know if I'd call it a true modification, but I misread the pattern so the patterning on the foot does not match the pattern on the leg.  It was supposed to be the same.  I did do a small experiment to see if anyone noticed the error.  When NO ONE picked it up I figured I may as well match the socks to each other.  I guess you could say that ultimately it became a true modification.

Jeni's Surprisingly Stretchy  BO

Rather than doing the traditional short row heel I decided to do another Fleegle Heel.  It makes a really nice looking heel that is a good fit for my narrow heel.   Another benefit...no holes at the gussets.  I don't think I have done a traditional heel since I found the Fleegle...it may be a permanent trick.

 A new bind off was just the trick to finish these socks...the surprisingly stretchy bind off by Jeni Staiman.   It was super easy and it's true it is 'surprisingly stretchy.   I think I have found the bind off I need for toe up socks.

July socks are up...things will be interesting with these.  Stay tuned!

June Socks...Scylla

I've been in what appears to be a sort of blog silence over the last couple of weeks.   I finished up the cardigan and then immediately cast on my June Self Imposed Sock Club sock...Scylla.  I love the name and the story behind these socks.   It is based on a Greek legend that immediately bought the pattern and the yarn chosen together.  It seems to be a perfect fit.  Love how it all came together.

This is a free pattern I happened to stumble upon when I started looking for another toe up pattern.  Surprisingly I love toe up on 2 circs...may never use 4 DPN's again!  Yeah I know I've said the 'never again' and cave.  Time will tell.

A very quick knit...started them while in the Burg, worked on them at a high school graduation, a car dealership and in the car and suddenly one sock was done.  One design surprise that I didn't notice until I was starting the leg.  Well to be honest I did think it was strange that the pattern was 20 rows long, but I read it as if the 10 rows repeated themselves.   I thought 'why?' have it written as a 20 row pattern...then stopped reading and started knitting.

It appears that my reading and comprehension are not in sync...the reason for the 20 rows was that rows 5-8 and rows 15-18 are NOT the same.  So my foot doesn't match the leg.  I'm not ripping back.  I have cast on my second sock and wondering if I should do it according to the pattern or should I match it to sock 1...decisions, decisions.  I wonder if a non knitter would notice.  I think I'll conduct a small experiment to see...

Tangerine in CeCe

Finished my CeCe a few days ago...it's spending some time on the blocking board drying.  Quite a bit of time.  Why does cotton yarn take FOREVER to dry?  Today I decided that I needed the fan blowing on it to keep the darn thing from rotting on the board.  Maybe tomorrow pictures can be taken...

The cardigan took about a month to finish which is pretty surprising to me.  I did get bored...also surprising.  The most unusual aspect of knitting this cardigan was that I disliked the pattern...a lot actually.  I've knit a number of Chicknit patterns and have thoroughly enjoyed every single one...until CeCe.   The pattern was easily memorized and it had very little seaming, but it just didn't keep me interested.  Boredom in knitting is pretty much the kiss of death.  I persevered though and got it done without too much cussing.  The end result is fine...not spectacular, but functional.  Not a ringing endorsement of the pattern is it?  I know others that liked it so much that they have knit it many many times.  I don't think I'm in that camp.

Details:
Pattern:  CeCe by Bonnie Marie Burns of Chicknits 

Yarn:  Rowan Calmer; 80% cotton, 20% elite polyester; 175 yards in a 50 gram ball; in a tangerine colorway.  I used almost 5 balls from the stash...it is one of those lovely discontinued yarns.  Don't you love it when that happens and you run out of yarn?

Needles:  US 7 and US 8; Addi Clicks

Gauge:  20 stitches x 28 rows using US 8

Modifications:  I knit the pattern as directed for the most part.  I did not knit the increases into the pattern.  The pattern was over 9 stitches and looked weird knit with less so I chose to knit it as stockinette.  Still a bit odd looking, but the sides and arms all match up so I left it.  I also knit the neckband together using the kitchener stitch rather than just sewing it.  Actually a neat trick since ribbing was involved.  I remembered an article in Interweave Knits from a while back...Spring 2010.  Pulled the magazine and easily followed Techknitter's advice in the article "Demystifying Kitchener Stitch."   It worked very nicely and is such a simple idea.  I never would have figured it out on my own.

Too bad the neckband wasn't knitted on...the seam is a distraction.  IF I ever knit another one I think I may try to change that to a knitted on border. 

After blocking I added a button.  Now I'm ready for the summer season...a nice cardigan to wear on those cool summer evenings out West in a few weeks.  It may be a bit too girly for the wilds of Wyoming though.

A Major Design Dilemma...or is it?

The last few days I have been knitting away on CeCe.  I noticed that the shaping on the body was creating a pretty good size band of stockinette on each side.  I thought about changing it and incorporating the stitches into the lace pattern like some others have done on their cardigans.  'Thought' being the key word...didn't do it and now I'm thinking maybe I should have done something about it.

Sleeve- too much stockinette?

My larger problem has now occurred while I'm knitting the sleeves...actually when I was checking to see to what length I needed to knit after finishing ALL the increases.  I saw the little instruction I did read, but obviously didn't do..."working new sts into lace pattern".  Oops...BIG problem.  I now have a sleeve that's almost complete with a band of stockinette that was really supposed to be lace.  What to do? 

I did what I always do...sit that piece down, pick up needles and cast on for the second sleeve.  Figured I'd think about it a bit before I do anything 'rash'...like rip it back to the ribbing.  I'm temped to let it go because it does match the body after all.

I'm still thinking, I believe the Knitting Gods have struck once again.

American Footsie Socks

Does it count as a sock if it only goes up to the ankle?  It has all the components of a sock- toe, instep, heel, leg and cuff.   Since I turned a heel I'm counting these as socks even if they are a little on the short side...really short ans super quick.  I finished both in under 4 days...including blocking.  I like instant gratification.

The yarn was something that my Mom bought quite some time ago, but I cannot remember from where.  She loved the patriotic colorway...red, white and blue.  The yarn has long runs of red and white which stripes much like the Flag.  The blue is mixed evenly with white so it reminds me very much of a blue field with white stars once knit.

A few days ago while I was looking through the stash for this month's yarn I realized that this particular colorway was screaming to be knit as a graduation gift to Ms S...graduating from American University on Sunday.  The colorway screamed her name and the choice was made to knit her a pair of socks in her school colors. 


Details:
Pattern:  simple sock recipe...toe up using 2 circular needles

Yarn: Fortissima Colori Socka Color by Schoeller+Stahl;  Fingering / 4 ply

75% Wool, 25% Nylon; 459 yards / 100 grams.  I evenly split the skein into 2 separate balls.  After measuring the length of the repeat I wound each ball in such the way to have matching socks.  Ended up using only 46 grams of yarn for these.

Needles:  2- US 1.5 24 inch cable needles

Gauge: 30 stitches over 4 inches of stockinette stitch

Matching stripes

Modifications: Rather than knit a full size sock I stopped after a couple of inches ending with a ribbed cuff of 1 1/2 inch.  The one cool thing about these socks is that the stripes match perfectly...my first time accomplishing that feat.  I've managed to get it close enough that few others noticed any difference between the two, but never as well as these ended up.

Another first for me is that I'm not thrilled with the finished socks.  I think it's the yarn...too much nylon for my taste.  It was rough on my hands and my needles...this time it was the cable breaking rather than the needle.  My husband told me to get metal needles.  Yes, he actually said "buy some other needles"!  Addi here I come...

The other odd problem with this yarn was the white isn't very white...it is more pink.  Weird because it looks white as I knit it, but quickly looks pink or "dirty".  I cannot quite figure it out.

I hope Ms. S enjoys them..congrats to her on this special day.  I'll do better on her Montana State University Grad School socks.  She'll need those this winter...especially for the Undie Run!

Now Its Calmer

Over the weekend I went ahead and cast on for a summer cardigan...CeCe from Chicknits.  I was itching to cast on something other than a sock.  At least it has my attention right from the cast on...must keep track of rows, increases, etc.  The pattern doesn't look too bad, but it's enough to keep my mind from wandering.  So far I've left out a few yarn overs, but at least at this point in my knitting I can actually fix it quickly.  Not too long ago I would have had to knit back in order to figure out my problem.  It's good to know that I can now "read" my knitting, fix it and move on. 

I decided to use my stash of Rowan Calmer in tangerine for the cardi.  Love the color...very summery.  I hope to finish in a week or so.  At that point it will once again time to cast on my May Sock...which will be a secret project so I will be have a news black out until their unveiling.

My Cabletini Socks

My April socks are done.  I was slightly worried about finishing these when I didn't start 'on time'.  No worries necessary...even got them done a few days early.  The pattern was another toe up version using two circular needles.  I've quickly become a fan of the toe up sock.  Easily memorized pattern that was a fairly quick knit.  Overall a very nice looking simple cable sock.  I was really glad I knew how to cable without a cable needle.  It was very helpful on this sock once you get to the leg...lots of cabling on a 4 stitch pattern.  The technique I use can be found here...simple once you practice a bit.

I used Koigu KPPPM for these socks.  First time using something from my Koigu stash...not sure why.  The skeins are a bit small at 175 yards, but I did have plenty of yarn to do these socks.  No need for the contrasting heels. 

I didn't find this particular yarn as soft as some other 100% merino yarns.  Not sure what others think...although lots of people swoon over it.  I do love the hand paint colors.  These two skeins have a few of my favorites...oranges, yellow, hits of blue and green.  This colorway seems more subtle in its variation than some of the other ones...very much reminds me of the desert.  The pattern shows itself very well.  One problem I found between the two skeins...one seems to have more orange and is much 'brighter'.  Ah, the joy of hand-painted yarns!

Details:
Pattern:  Cabletini Socks by Wendy Johnson

Yarn:  Koigu KPPPM; 100% Merino Wool; 175 yards/50 gram; colorway P625 a hand-painted blend of yellows, oranges, with hits of blues and greens.  I used 2 skeins with about 8 grams of each left in each skein.  I could have added more length, but was a bit sick of the cable.

Needles:  2 US 1.5, 24" circulars


Gauge:  8 stitches and 12 rows over 4 inches of stockinette stitch

Fleegle Heel- no holes

Modifications:  I changed a few things on these socks.  Rather than doing the traditional short row heel I decided to try a Fleegle Heel.  A really nice looking heel that is done in such a way that adjustments can be made to better fit my narrow heel.   Another benefit...no holes at the gussets.  I could really get used to not picking up gusset stitches too.  One more thing I love about the Fleegle Heel...the cool name.

Cuff 3 x 3 Rib

The last modification I made was to add about 1 1/2 inches of 3 x 3 ribbed cuff.   The pattern did not call for any type of cuff, but I thought it ended abruptly without the cuff.

One question for next month's 'sock'...can I use sock yarn and knit a wrap?  I may do that..although that kind of changes the parameters of my Self Imposed Sock Club mission...12 months, 12+ skeins...resulting in 12 pairs of socks.  Will have to see what pattern is up next because I'm itching to do this particular lace wrap.  From past experience if I start a lace project I become obsessed with lace project...to the point that nothing else gets done.  Stay tuned!

The Stump...Picture Edition

Worm holes

Thought I'd post a few pictures of the stump now that it's made it's way inside.  This is a massive piece of wood...could not pick it up to carry so we used the dolly and heavy lifting to get it up the steps.  I'm betting it weighs 100 pounds. 

Today I ordered a custom piece of glass to protect the top.  Looked at a couple of styles of leg (4 inches versus 1 3/4) possibilities...unsure if I need to add anything other than some felt.  I think we'll live with it a few days more before deciding.  In my head it has some legs or maybe feet would be the better description.

Got to say that I love this stump!

25 inches across

17 inches tall

Yet More Wood

Before

I've found yet another wood project to spend time with the last few days.  My youngest recently moved into a new apartment...or is it a town home?  Depends on who you ask I suppose.  Anyway he was in need of a coffee table which has become my newest not yarn project.  T wanted a simple plank or 2 x 4 table...he sent me a couple of links to those he liked.

He liked the design of this one or maybe this one.  Who wouldn't...look at them, but the price for either one was crazy.  I started stalking the local Goodwill for a coffee table that I could re-purpose to suit my youngest.  Nothing was found the first week, but we scored on Monday...2 x 6 crate style.  A whopping $15 table.  Pictures were taken and sent to the youngest for his approval.  He liked it. 

After

Pretty pleased I immediately started the refinishing process...even before I had actually finished my stump project.  In no time the top was sanded and the old layers were cleared away.  It looks much better already.  If it stops raining I hope to get the final sanding done, the wood conditioned and stained tomorrow.

If he's lucky he'll have a brand new coffee table for his new pad very soon...complete with drink coasters.  Oops, forgot to mention the coasters...I'll share those in a later post.