[knitting] Pride Socks

Finished rainbow socks:

Just in time for Pride month. The yarn is Schachenmayr Regia Pairfect Rainbow Color in 1736 Neon. I had to rip and reknit the leg of the second sock (I didn't cast on enough stitches) but other than that it was a relaxing knit. Working with stripey yarn makes me think, "Okay, just one more color... Okay, I'll knit just one more color and then go to bed... okay, just one more color..."

I did a massive wash of all my handknit socks over vacation. All washed and dried and put away until the fall:

I added five sachets of homegrown lavender to try and keep moths away. 

It was really nice to take inventory of all the socks- I was flooded with memories. One pair won Best In Show at the Tunbridge Fair. The pair I knit during a work trip to Korea or on a road trip with my sister, driving a U-Haul to Florida. My first pair. A handspun pair. All the Sock Madness socks. So many techniques- lace and cables and beads. 

32.5 pairs (one sock will never get a mate). Half a dozen slippers. And this doesn't include all the worsted weight socks I've knit for Dollar over the years. 

[knitting] Rainbow socks error

Made it to the heel flap of my second rainbow socks:

Tried dividing the stitches in half... I was short by 4 stitches. I counted around the first sock- 68 stitches. My second sock was only 64. Placed next to each other, I could see that the second sock was a bit more narrow and the color bands got off sync after a while. 

Soooooo... I ripped out the entire second sock. I cast on 68 stitches and counted. And recounted. And double and triple checked. And counted again after knitting a couple rows. I'm PRETTY sure the second sock is 68 stitches this time.

[knitting] Rainbow Socks

Starting some plain vanilla socks with rainbow striping yarn.

Nothing complicated- something mindless to work on while watching a movie.

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TGIF. Picking up my first meat share at a local farm tomorrow- and I ordered some eggs and a few greens. I picked up a load of various flours from King Arthur Flour a couple days ago, so I think this will be a good cooking weekend. And not just because I found a frozen slab of pork belly in the freezer and nearly squealed in delight.

[knitting] Aramis Socks - Finished

Finished Aramis socks:

Pretty bright and cheerful. I like that the pattern has you work the repeats in opposite directions for a left and right sock. 

It's still handknit weather here- there is a winter weather advisory for this evening with 3 - 6 inches of new snow forecast. I'm looking forward to fresh snow for some homemade sugar on snow.

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Things are pretty bizarre with all the social distancing. I knew I had such a gigantic yarn stash for a reason. I've not started any new projects- after finishing the Aramis socks, I went back to working on the Fantastitch shawl. I'm nearing the last few sections but the rows are getting really long. I'm tempted to start something new and quick to work on when I need a break.

[knitting] Aramis Socks

New socks in the works:

The pattern is free on Ravelry: Aramis. I finished the D'Artagnan. There's an obvious Three Musketeers theme. The designer, Caoua Coffee, published the patterns and I'll be doing either Porthos or Athos after this pair.

The yarn is Frolicking Feet by Done Roving Yarns and it's been in my stash for a long time. I know this because the tag says I bought it at White River Yarns and that shop has been closed since October 2016. I get to all my yarn... eventually.

Speaking of socks: Sign-ups for Sock Madness close on Feb 28. Join the Sock Madness Forever group on Ravelry. I participated for a few years but March is a crazy-busy time at my work and trying to make socks in a competition is so much extra stress that I don't need. But it's an active, supportive, fun group and you get many exclusive and interesting patterns for free. If you're into knitting socks- check it out.

[knitting] D'Artagnan Socks

All done.

The yarn is Plymouth Dye for Me Happy Feet Shimmer. You can't tell in the pictures but there is lots of sparkle in the yarn.

I was pretty paranoid about knitting with white yarn but I managed to not drop them in the mud or spill pasta sauce all over them.

My only deviation from the pattern was to use my regular old slip one, knit one heel flap. I had to futz around with numbers a bit and I'm glad I had to the foresight to scribble down the turning heel numbers after the first sock.

I basically got through the legs and heel flaps during my travels. At home, I finished the gussets, feet and toes of both socks in basically one day. One frigid day. By late afternoon, I could put them on:

I will never get tired of slipping on new wool socks.

[knitting] D'Artagnan Sock Progress

I cast on for sparkly, white socks this past Sunday:

I cast on 72 for the smaller size on US 2 needles and didn't increase before starting the leg pattern. I think I'm going to love these!

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I didn't do anything crafty last night. I bought Rammstein tickets as soon as I got home. We're going to the Montreal show, rather than Foxborough. The hotel prices for ONE night at Patriot Place were ridiculous ($1400 for ONE NIGHT!!!), probably because of Pats training camp. Montreal is the same distance away and I found a hotel room for $150. Plus, I can visit Espace Tricot while we're there. Win-win. 

[knitting] Advent Socks 2019

The advent socks are ready to be worn:

I love them. They're pretty, interesting to look at and, since I used leftover sock yarns, a pleasant reminder of all the many socks I've knit in the past. They were a challenge to work on- only because there were so many ends to sew in and the color palette was limited to solid/tonal colors. 

But these socks actually make me want to knit more pairs of socks in solid colors- just so I can add more leftovers to make next year's advent socks!

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TGIFFFFF. I... have had... a week. Work is overwhelming. Also, we've had more problems at home with Santana's health (she went to the vet- nevermind the stroke, her renal disease is worsening and now she has pancreatitis). This three day weekend is so what I need. I'm going to an all-day needle felting class with my sister tomorrow in Littleton, NH. There's a brewery next door to the school. It's going to be the best day ever. And then TWO more days off? This three day weekend is just what I need. Maybe snowshoe around the woods in the new powder and then reward myself with a bubble bath.

I hope to be able to finish the cowl this weekend. I've been puttering around, trying to figure out what to start next. I think I'd like to do a curtain panel (for the window above the kitchen sink). I have an old Modern Lace Knitting book and there is a pretty pattern (that's even charted) for a rose lace curtain.

It was around this time last year that I did the linen lace curtains for the downstairs bathroom. January giving me curtain feelings...

[knitting] Vanilla Rainbow Socks

Finished up a plain vanilla pair of socks:

The yarn is Fiber Stash Dyeworks Twinkle Toes. I can't remember the name of the colorway but they're very colorful and sparkly under artificial light. This is the last skein of Fiber Stash yarn in my stash (I used blue for the Lissajous Figures socks and brown for the Flaco socks) and I'm ready to get more. I think I'll have to wait for VT Sheep and Wool in the fall- I'm still trying to stash down. (But Fiber Stash will be vending at NH Sheep and Wool May 11-12!)

I started working on these socks right after Santana's stroke. I wanted something simple to work on while I followed her around the house and watched her movement. But she's practically back to normal now. She's eating, taking her medicine and moving around/jumping easily. 

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Made a nice potato/leek soup last night. And started some no-knead dough. Tonight will either be sloppy joes (if I can motivate to turn some of the no-knead dough into buns) or roasted chicken.

I'm trying to find yarn in the stash for my first brioche knitting project. I have several Caron Pantone bundles that I got on sale at Michaels for multi-colored cowls but I want to try a simple two-color brioche cowl first.

I also have three colors of Cascade 220 Superwash to make a buffalo plaid hat. (Black, burgundy, red.)

Quilting is still moving along. I'm down to two stacks of pre-cut pieces. And I've been secretly working on another quilt.

Still spinning away on 1.25 pounds of a blue and chartreuse mix of wool.

This weekend I think I'll make a Maple Swirl Bread.

[knitting] Bed Socks

The weather here has been frigid for days on end. Wool bedsocks have become the norm:

Penny pawing at my shoulder at 3 am, to get under the covers, has also become the norm. 

TGIF. We're going to see Captain Marvel this weekend. I splurged on some vanilla beans, which should be arriving tomorrow. I plan to start some homemade vanilla extract since the current price of vanilla extract is exorbitant. Any maybe make something with really vanilla beans, which I've never tried in my life.

[knitting] Flaco socks progress

New socks: 

This was my travel knitting for DC last week. The yarn is Fiber Stash Dyeworks Strong Toes in the Chestnut colorway (I believe). The pattern is free and called Flaco (rav link).

After completing the blue Lissajous Figures socks recently, which had lots of traveling and twisted stitches, this is a much more relaxing pattern. With just rounds of purl, knit and moss stitch, it's working up quickly.

[knitting] Slow socks

I've been taking my time, working on a pair of socks for myself:

The yarn is by Fiber Stash and the colorway is Tardis Blue. I am so in love with this pattern. It's free on Ravelry and called Lissajous Figures. Not sure what that meant so I googled it and Merriam-Webster says:

Definition of Lissajous figure 

: any of an infinite variety of curves formed by combining two mutually perpendicular simple harmonic motions, commonly exhibited by the oscilloscope, and used in studying frequency, amplitude, and phrase relations of harmonic variables

I can definitely see that happening as the pattern progresses and the paths of the twisted stitches cross or approach/repel.

I'm to the heel flap of the first sock and I started the cuff for the second last night. I'm working on two circular needles since DPNs weren't working (causing loose stitches between needles that interrupted the design). Maybe I'll learn magic loop. Maybe I'll learn two-at-a-time magic loop. Maybe over the Christmas vacation...

[knitting] Birthday, I mean, Christmas socks

In mid/late November, I made three pairs of socks for Dollar's birthday. But I got a package of Army surplus socks at the Darn Tough sale and gave those to him for his birthday instead. (Which meant I could save the handknit worsted socks for Christmas!)

First pair:

Solid black. Used Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted- two balls (new). 

Next pair:

Patchwork using wool/acrylic leftovers from past socks like Lion Brand Wool Ease and Plymouth Encore.

Last pair:

I particularly love how this pair turned out. Still acrylic/wool but I alternated grey with a marl and the yarns really worked well together. Ran out of yarn at the end and had to do red toes.

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I did wind some sock yarn and start a pair of fingering-weight socks for myself. I think over the past two nights, I've only done 12 rounds. The progress is so slow and I couldn't be happier. It's very relaxing to (a) work on something for myself, and (b) not be thinking "OMG HURRY UP GET THIS DONE ASAP SO YOU CAN DO THE NEXT THING". It's sooooo nice. And the yarn I'm using is a delight. 

[knitting] Nomia socks

Finished:

I did the 66 stitch size and they are a little large (I used US 2 needles)- perfect for winter bed socks (which is where I wear my handknit socks anyway)- I can hook a big toe into the top cuff and slide them off when my feet a nice and toasty.

These progressed quickly once I got the pattern down and focused. At the moment I plan to enter them into the Fair but I think I might try to find another sock pattern to do. These are nice but the twisted-stitch cable pattern on the front and back of the leg are kind of lost in profile after blocking.

Pattern is free from Knitty: Nomia.

[knitting] Cotton-Ease Socks

I already have a couple Christmas presents done for a certain someone:

The yarn is Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. It has been discontinued for a little while and if you can't tell from the patchwork 2nd pair, I'm using up all my leftovers. I'm very tempted to cruise around Ravelry and see what users are selling from their stash... but I have a bag of misc worsted weight superwash wool, so it's not time to go hunting for yarn yet.

I love this yarn though- it really holds up to so much wearing and washing. And because the yarn is worsted weight, I was able to knit two pairs in a week. Now I can move on to other Christmas gifts... 

[knitting] Double Cable Twist socks - complete!

Done and washed and blocked:

Pattern: Double Cable Twist (Rav link)

Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer, two balls

Needles: US 2 DPNs

Modifications: Accidentally knit the cuff of the first sock over 66 stitches. Not sure how I accidentally cast on less than required but once the pattern for the main leg started, I just increased another 6 stitched to 72. I noted it and remembered to do the same thing for the second sock.

The yarn was great- I encountered no knots in either ball. The glimmer/sparkle effect from the metallic tinsel in the yarn is nice. The finished socks are so soft.

I've gone back to the lodestar mittens and I'm not loving it. They're turning out so small. I'd don't particularly enjoy juggling 4 balls of yarn at once. I'm tempted to rip...

[knitting] Double Cable Twist Socks - Progress

Last Saturday morning I turned the heel on the first sock:

And at this point, the toe is nearly done. Knitting goes so much faster when you get to the stockinette sole of socks.

Going to cast-on the second sock tonight. And wash the last of the Tour de Fleece yarn.

There's a popular free pattern on Ravelry now: Wonder Woman Wrap. I broke down and ordered some yarn for it- with enough extra gold to knit a new baby blanket (with plans to enter it into the Fair). But I think once the above socks are done, I'll go back to the Lodestar mittens. And then finish up a couple of the amigurumi I started months ago. And, oh yeah, what about that Sophie's Universe crocheted afghan that I started years ago? Sigh, not enough hours in the day.

[knitting] Double Cable Twist Socks

My newest knitting project:

Pattern is Double Cable Twist socks. Yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer. Needles US 2. Working up quickly- I did most of that knitting just in the mornings in the hotel room before we would go out exploring. I'll try to remember to do all the cable twists in the opposite direction for the other sock.

I don't think I've finished a project since... April? I keep starting new stuff and the WIPs are piling up. Sigh.

[knitting] Cotton Ease Socks #2

Finished the 2nd pair of Cotton Ease socks:

I finally cleared off the kitchen table so we can set up Memoir '44 and start a new campaign. We haven't played in a while but I want to start regularly playing some two-player games again. We have so many boardgames that we haven't touched in years.

After these socks were done, I was down to two unfinished projects- my third pussyhat and the crocheted afghan. Then I finished the pussyhat. Then I cast on two new projects. Oops. That always happens whenever I clean my craft room- I organize yarn and patterns and then find yarn that works with patterns and then I stop tidying to sit on the floor and cast on. Having said all that, one project is another eyelet yoke baby cardigan (because I'm addicted) and the other is a super bulky cowl/hood that is already nearly complete. I'm just trying to fill the time until the Sock Madness round 1 pattern drops. Hopefully tomorrow. 

[knitting] Cotton Ease Socks

My travel knitting for DC last week was a pair of worsted-weight socks for Dollar in Cotton Ease:

I started these in December, sure that I would be able to finish in time for the pair to be a Christmas gift. But these plain socks are just so boring, I can't help tossing them aside for a project more fun and interesting. Well what better place to force myself to finish them than an airport and airplane. I finished these socks in no time. And Dollar loves them, which is always a nice reward.

After finishing the shawl and baby sweater, in a fit of "I want to knit but I don't know what to knit", I started a new pair of socks:

Oh no. This is usually the point where I go, "Bored now" and start scanning my stash for something else.

The yarn is Lion Brand Cotton Ease, now discontinued. I bought a bunch of  discounted balls from Craftsy for ~$3 each, so that brings each handknit pair of socks to ~$6 each. Less than that, actually, since I'll be able make another pair from the leftovers. This is good practice/training for Sock Madness!

TGIF. I cleaned/tidied like crazy yesterday. I need tons of new storage, though.