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November 27, 2004
Sick of Socks Yet?
I finished Eli's socks. I have decided that I am going to learn something new with each pair. So far I have mastered the two circs method and kitchener stitch. I am SO pleased with the two circs method that the third pair of socks is happening WITHOUT a pattern. I so rule the sock world. This pair I decided to try cables because I couldn't find a pattern the right size for my middle son. I decided that cables would pull in the woman's size. Did I mention that I have never even attempted cables before? Well, let me just tell you how freaking cool it is to see them appear before your very eyes. Knitting is a total nerd thing*. I couldn't figure out how to read the cable pattern language (I will don't worry) so I just made it up. Anyway, I am sure some pictures are warranted, so here you go:
*Speaking of nerd thing, I picked up the premier issue of Vogue's "knit 1". Jury is out but it looks like the Cosmo Magazine version of Vogue Knitting. Lots of ads and articles about high fashion and some very edgy patterns. There are a couple of things I might try, like a scarf in the shape of a button up collar and a really oversized hoodie. There was a neat article about this famous Hollywood fashionista guy, Pierre Carrilero. He actually knits all of his designs and they are surprisingly wearable off the runway. The other article that I liked was called "Why Knitting is Sexy" by Ian Kerner, who happens to be a sex therapist. He talks about growing up at the feet of his mother's SNB's.
I am not sure about this magazine (for me), I will wait until the next issue. I think it is going to go into the "WTF" category that R2 currently owns.
Okay, I decided I was going to include an url for this mag and came across Girl From Auntie's review of it instead. Ditto what she says, I almost mentioned that it should be called Lionbrand's Knit.1, but I got distracted, LOL. Oh, and here is the real url, Knit.1
Posted by DebC at 11:06 AM
November 15, 2004
More Socks
I finished Seth's socks but they turned out to be too short foot-wise. While I was working on the next pair, I realized that I should just add more length (oh the beauty of handknit socks!). So I did just that. I am now so very happy with the kitchener stitch (wow, did I really just say that outloud?). I now only have to look at the pictures for the first three stitches and then I can do the rest on my own. Of course that only applies to this moment. Next week when I need to do it again, I will have to relearn it, LOL.
Anyway, here is a picture of the finished socks on one of my favorite models.
And here is what happens when you tell your baby "hold on we will go to bed after one more row".
Posted by DebC at 08:51 PM | Comments (3)
November 03, 2004
Socks A Soaring
I had a moment of clarity the other day that my knitting has become very chaotic. There is no rhyme or reason to what I am starting or tabling at any moment. I tried to work on the TKGA swatches while I was on a business trip last week but couldn?t because I simply have the wrong yarn. My knitting group meeting this weekend should rectify that though.
Wendy gave me this fabulously soft frou frou yarn and I have been trying to figure out what to do with it. I decided to make a scarf for a gift and swiped the sock yarn right off the needles I had going for a sock. I kid you not, I cast it on six different times before I decided to give up. It was coming out luscious and I had even boiled it down to a really neat design with the frou frou stuff in the center and the sock yarn in contrasting ribbing all around. But I decided that it looked very manly and that it would not work for the intended recipient (my nanny). It was at this point that I sat back and took stock of all my planned projects and WIPs. I need medication.
So, here is my NEW plan. I am doing the four socks now and then doing the gifts next (a scarf, shawl and maybe something else). Then I will do sweaters as I feel like it. No new projects will horn their way in (ahem, wire knitting and felted purses ? NO, bad, BAD!). I am also hereby committing to getting my act together with the swatches and the Picasso intarsia project.
I very bravely dug out the book ?Socks Soar On Two Circs? and am proud to say that I have nearly mastered it. I say nearly because the picking up of the gusset stitches threw me (I ended up doing it my way ? not wrong, just not how the book says it, which, of course, bugs the crap out of me). I also hit a stumbling block when it came down to the toe grafting. I learned to do socks toe up, no toe grafting. I am finally loving the cuff down version (the shape is much nicer). I should finish the other sock this week and I will post pictures. The first pair is actually for my 3 year old ? he wore the mate-less sock last night and nearly refused to take it off. That is what knitting is all about to me.
Posted by DebC at 09:33 AM | Comments (2)