FO and Some Fun

The Ode to Cristi toe up socks are finished. Pause while I eat some more words. I had some interesting discoveries with these.
You can do a heel flap heel in a toe up sock. The directions for this came from Wendy Johnson's Seaweed Sock pattern. It is easy to do (well written instructions) but the flap is a bit short. I will think about that some.
The sock on the left was the first to be started and I was using the pattern in Wendy's Seaweed, but I couldn't really see it in this yarn. Sometimes it works best just to go with plain stockinette. Doing so did not hurt the impact of this design and it sure made them more portable. I wear so many clogs that a plain foot is often preferable.
I finished these in Canada. You need to know that because of the cuff design. I didn't want to knit a stockinette cuff--too boring, so I decided to knit a design I have used before on an unreleased sock pattern. Surely I could remember it. Yeah, well.

I fiddled and messed up and kept knitting and then looked down and liked what I saw. It isn't what I intended, but is something I like. I am still playing with this 10 st design, because it can be even better. I'll let you know when I've finished swatching and then you can try it.

Major discovery: If I knit toe up, I can save the best for last. The cuff is always the most interesting part for me. Now, if I can just find my perfect heel.

Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Regia Bamboo Color, 2 skeins
Needle: Size 0, 32" Magic Loop technique

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Another new design rattling around in my head is this.This is a building in Toronto and the picture was taken through the bus window. Look at the pinkish building. It's a sweater--even has a V-neck. The windows can all be the same contrasting color, or multi colored, or ascending tints of the same color. I used to take lots of vacation pictures of architectural features that could be quilted; now it's buildings to knit.

Socken Kreativ Liste pattern -- Esther

This pattern was designed by Stephanie van der Linden who is the ringleader of a German yahoo group named Sockenkreativliste. Chat is mostly German, with an occasional English post, but all patterns are produced in both German and English. Stephanie is so very talented and has some of the best designs I've seen in years.
I don't often knit lace socks, because I like to knit a fairly mindless sock that I can work on anywhere. This had a 24 row pattern repeat, so I only knit it at home alone. I changed the heel and toe to my favorites.
The gorgeous yarn is Fleece Artist Nova Sock yarn given to me by Cristi. (She can't bear to watch old women stand and salivate and deny themselves.) I used my usual size 1 Addi Lace circ and knit magic loop.
The picot edge on the cuff is easy and just a bit more girlie for this sock.
Bottom of the foot is worked in stockinette.

What is it?

This is my newest FO. What is it?
Here's a finished view. What does it look like to you?
Here is the best hint. Got it yet?
Here it is in use.

Here it is after. At what point did you get your mind out of the gutter? Sorry if you are disappointed.

This is a free pattern from Crochet Pattern Central

I used Lion Brand Lion Cotton which is worsted weight, size H crochet hook.
I changed it a bit. I crocheted in a spiral instead of rows, and I made a different pom pom top. I didn't want all the cut ends to drop lint on my clothes in the washer.

It works really well and took about an hour to make. I will make more because they are so useful. I do dust, but I don't do . . . much of anything else.

What about this?

This is a tank designed by Ann Budd and free on the Interweave Knits site. I looked at all the projects on Ravelry. Lots of disatified folks; most found they knit it too large. They also used a soft spun cotton like Blue Sky Organic Cotton and it knits big and has no memory. I'm thinking something like Cascade Fixation with that bit of elastic to give it memory. Maybe a cabled cotton yarn.

Kate B. has a sewing pattern with this pointed front and it is very flattering. The trick is to keep the point shorter than the sweater above. Several people wound up with the point in a very risque position. The bias knitting also can round the belly and make you look pregnant. So why am I even considering this?

I think you could shape the waist area by knitting that section in a needle about two sizes smaller. I don't want an extreme shape, just to control the shape and skim the body. I also think a DK weight would look better on me. I do like the striped yarns with it. It would be possible to knit it to fit the sewing pattern and use a drapey stitch pattern instead of the bias knit.

Like I said, I'm just thinking about it. Any advice?

UFO report
Central Park Hoodie is at present a vest with no hood. I have bought a zipper and will decide about sleeves after I try it on with the zipper. I'm sure the hood is a non-starter.

Nova yarn lace socks are at a stand still.

I'm playing with Noro Sock Yarn and I think I'm making hand warmers. Only a few more rows before I have to commit to those over socks.

I have some seacell yarn from the shop and have designed a summer lacy capelet. It's about half finished and will go to Remi at Charlotte Yarn for a shop sample. The pattern is my property, and I will offer a class on it. It's a fun thing to wear and I've deliberately chosen some fun lace and stitch patterns which I will enjoy teaching.

A Finished Object!
I've finished the baby faux cable socks for DH. I'll post picks here and on Ravelry later. They aren't on this computer and the home network Davey and Dani created for me isn't working. We'll fix it later. They are working with an adventurous computer user who has large, significant holes in her knowledge.

Baby Alpaca Grande Vest Adapted

Stopped by Charlotte Yarn and Sandy had just displayed her store sample of this vest. Tried it on and was hooked. So soft. So warm. In accordance with my Stashalong rules for 2008, I bought it, cast on and completed it. Here it is.I have worn it almost constantly since I bound off. It's like a constant hug.

The pattern is a one size fits someone other than me, so I tweaked it. Don't I always? First I added a cabled braid up the center back.This is Ensign's Braid from Barbara Walters Book 2. It is a 24 stitch, 24 row repeat. You could add any cable design you like; just center it on the back. I have charted the pattern for Ensign's braid and will share it if you like. Just leave me an email address and I'll send it to you.
I also added to the armscye. The original pattern just folds over the piece and seams the two sides. This forms a very tight, ill-fitting armscye. I had to insert a panel of ribbing as an afterthought, but I can tell you a better way to do this.

The pattern begins with a cast on for 2X2 ribbing which forms your bottom ruffle. Work this as normal (I added 12 stitches to the whole thing to help it fit me.) At the end of the ruffle, you just decrease to 1/2 the number of stitches. It's on the first row of these stitches that you add in any cable pattern you like.

I added 2-3 inches to the length of the back because I wanted an 18 inch armscye to form the 9" depth of armhole that I need.

Then the pattern has you increase to the original number of stitches and complete the top ruffle for the shawl collar. At this point, I would add stitches to form a more fitting armhole.

Remember the flat line where you bind off some armhole stitches before you start a gradual increase to get the the shoulder. (see below) We are going to create that space so the armhole will not bind.
Ater increasing for the final ruffle, cast on 2-8 sts (depending on size) at the end of the first two rows. Continue to knit all stitches in the 2X2 ribbing. Sew the side seam by joining only the 2X2 rib sections.

Even if the pattern fit me as it was, I would add 2 stitches to modify the underarm fit.

I did use the Plymouth pattern, N026, and used a bit more than 4 skeins of Plymouth Alpaca Grande.

If you have questions, leave me a note in the comment section or email me at jprater@carolina.rr.com.

Consumer reports--yarns, patterns, classes

Remember these?

These are the socks made with Maizy, Crystal Palace's corn fiber yarn that I wrote about Sunday, September 23, 2007. I gave them to my DD1 and she told me this week that she would be very happy to have more made with the same yarn. She likes how it wears and washes.--and she is very particular!

Also an update on the Tudora I was knitting with two strands of Brooks Farm Primero. I did finish, but frogged it. Sorry, I didn't get a pic. The yarn was too heavy and a bit scratchy. Even though I shortened the pattern, it still was uncomfortable. I'm trying to design one of my own which will fix the things I didn't like and i will teach a class with it. I keep trying stitch patterns that I am interested in, and then realize that many of my students would be really pushed to learn them in a 3 hour class. The last think I want in a frustrated knitter; they tend to become former knitters. I'll keep working on the neck warmer--it will be silk--and I'll try to figure something else for the mohair stuff.

I gathered last week with Sandy and Remi to plan Charlotte Yarn's classes for the next two months. We had a ball brainstorming and planning. The entire results are at the Charlotte Yarn site. My classes are posted on my new site. Have a look if you are interested.

DD2 belongs to a craft book club that is selling everything at 9.99 this week. She invited me to join her order and boy, did I! Here are three that I selected:



I'm really excited about the floorquilts one. It is fabric decoupage on canvas to make a floor cloth type rug. Sounds perfect for a person who has dogs instead of rugs. Life is a series of choices and I choose dogs. Well, wouldn't you?

Henry, age 14

Jake, age 6

Finally I Blocked Them

Finally I blocked my 2nd Clapotis and 2nd Swallowtail. They are bea-u-ti-ful.

The Clapotis greatly improved upon pinning it out to block. It is now shawl size and yet the pattern allows it to collapse around my neck like a large scarf.

This is the Clapotis I wrote about Nov.22. My pics aren't great because it is way more gorgeous than this. The Sea Silk is fantastic. Great hand, drape, and stability.





I'm working on scheduling my classes and will post them soon. One will be a beaded lace scarf. I want everyone to have a beaded lace piece because they make you feel elegant.

Remeber--a swatch is your friend.

Happy Thanksgiving; FO

The family has headed to Nashville and I am home nursing my carpel tunnel release incision. Every thing is going well; not much pain. Today I am thankful for a super surgeon, a nurturing family, and all my knitting buddies.

I finished this Swallowtail shawl before the surgery. Used Handmaiden Seasilk (100 gr) and size 6 needles. It has not yet been blocked. Jake seems to like it.


Another look because I took the pic.

This detail shows the beads I used in place of the nupps on one section of the pattern. The beads have a matte finish and really blend in to the yarn. I also added them to the final pattern. I like that they are subtle, yet add some weight to the edge of the shawl. I looked for other patterns for this yarn, but this is just my favorite.


The swatch from the beginning shows some of my beaded markers. My beading is still a new skill, but I'm improving.


Have a great day, eat lots of comfort food and knit on.

Finished projects

Yes, the photo is lousy, but my new sofa is pretty. This is the clapotis made from fleece artist woolie silk. I really like the wearability of this piece.

I knitted this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!! I used some old 14 inch needles. I trapped the right one with my splint up against my chest. I knit backwards using only my left hand. I'm making a 6 inch square for the guild's service project. It's not speedy, but it is knitting.

Finished Top Down Raglan

I fell in love with the hand of this really inexpensive cotton linen blend from elann.com. So I knit my Not a Sweatshirt sweater which I plan to wear as if it really is a sweatshirt. Steve took the photos--had trouble taking pics of the sweater, not me--and now to share the process.

All based on the Barbara Walker book Knitting from the Top Down. I planned it as a cardigan with a zip front. So much for plans. I used the ribbing to shape it and prevent lots of extra fabric--it's just so easy to do it this way. When I finished, I really didn't like the way the fronts hung when it was worn open. I threw some single crochet around the front edges and neck and then just joined them with single crochet finished with crab stitch. The whole process was just as loose and casual as this sounds and I think the sweater will wear with that attitude.

The V neck isn't low enough--It was for a cardigan, but not for what we became. I'm unhappy with the rate of increase along the armscye seams. This wasn't even something I thought about. Now that I have knit two raglans, I will fiddle with this on the next one. It still hasn't been blocked and I suspect it will soften even more when it has. All in all, I'm pleased with it. It was a low stress learning piece.

Yarn: elann.com Adara (87.5% mercerized cotton / 12.5% linen)
Weight: 50g = 85 m (93 yds)
Gauge: 18 sts = 4 inches
Needles: US7

OTN
Socks for Lanny
Chrysopolis shawl
Charity baby blanket

Lace Vest

Finished object just in time to wear to camp. This vest has no body shaping, but the drape allows it to fit nicely on the body. I love the hand of the Hempathy yarn and after blocking it is still very nice.

My DGS, Zachary, spent the last 12 days with us and he is the photographer for these pics. Not too bad for a 5 year old.

The only adjustments I made were because my gauge wasn’t the same as called for. I use a fingering weight yarn. You knit the back, then each side and finally do a three needle bindoff to join. This means it is very easy to change the length of the piece. I also think you could easily add a panel or gusset to the underarm if you should so choose. I did not add any short rows to the bustline.

Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy 05 off white
154 yards/50g skein. Blend of 41% cotton, 34% hemp, 25% modal with a gauge of 5.5 sts/in on size 5 needles.

Ilga Leja Antique Lace vest Ilga's site
Sizes: Small to 2X
Level: Advanced Intermediate
Suggested Yarn: Sport weight or double knitting yarn
Needles: 4.5 mm. (US 7)
Gauge: 18 sts = 10 cm./4 in

Lace Scarf from Handspun

The gorgeous yarn that Christi gave me is now a lace scarf. I love the energized singles that I used. They haven’t caused the scarf to bias, but the surface of the lace is busy! The green and red in the yarn dominate at different places. I will really love wearing this. I can’t believe I hadn’t spun in so long. Thanks again, Christ, for pushing me back towards something I love.

Size 6 needles; Snowdrop Lace pattern from Charlotte Yarn.

It's a porch!!!/Socks and yarn.

The porch is finished and so far there is always a breeze across it. We’ve abandoned all the other rooms in the house for this one. I’ve moved the old leather couch out there with some other random chairs. I want to spend a season with it before I decide exactly how to furnish it. The new gutters are also up and I want to see what happens when we get a big rain.

The SSKs (Serious Secret Knitters) came over Sunday and we sat out there and knitted and talked—lots of talk. It was lovely. Both dogs really like it. Henry still cannot hear, so the smell factor has really become important. He may injure his sniffer at the rate he is going.

My hands are better but I cannot knit anywhere near the amount I’d like. It’s very frustrating. So many new yarns and so many new ideas. Yarns Forever in Greer, SC is closing and are offering 50% off this week. (Email me for the code.) I bought some sock yarn and a cotton silk blend to do either a throw for the new living room or a sweater for Steve. Depends on the exact shade of blue. Monitors lie!

I finished the first pair of socks on two circs in many years. Getting ready to teach it. They will go to a friendly male of my acquaintance. The yarn is Tiny Toes by Interlacements and I knit them on Size 1s. The pattern is mine—such as it is. I used a tubular cast on for the cuff, a 4X1 rib, and double moss st for the heel flap.




My next design is on the needles and has turned into a complex nightmare. It may have something to do with fitting very short legs with large calves. It has a braid cast on and the entrelac is decreased all the way down. The cuff started at 80sts and at the ankle is only 40. But it fits. Pattern up when I get it worked out reasonably.



The entrelac socks are using Ms. Babs sock yarn, size 0 and 1 needles. The foot will be simple as will the heel and toe. At least I think so. Only done the cuff so far.

I’ve purchased lots of sock yarn lately. Shelley went to Seattle and visited Tricoter. A mind-blowing experience. They designed a sweater for her to her measurements and gauge on the spot!! Another shop served tea and scones. She’s still reeling. Anyway she brought me back my first Socks that Rock and my first Fleece Artist.



At the beach I bought the Ms. Babs for the entrelac and another skein below. I would have had some Colinette Jitterbug, but I hesitated and Beth Sicilia jumped on it.


Found a deal on Euroflax Opal on ebay and bought some colors to take with me to Colorado Knitting Camp in July. We’re doing fair isle there. Have lots of other colors to mix with them.


My latest takealong project is a hand towel. I’m using this gorgeous chocolate Hempathy from Elsebeth Lavold. Just did a few inches of Feather and Fan and then it’s all seed stitch with a chain selvedge. My linen one is at Charlotte Yarn on display. I’ve really loved it and it holds up well in the wash. These would make a great gift with some bubble bath or hand made soap.