Socked In

They’re saying it will be a blizzard, but it’s just getting started … I’m planning to stay in all day tomorrow and should have some time to turn a couple of heels, yeah!

“What heels?”, you may ask … I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had time to post.  But I HAVE used whatever free time I could find to knit a little!  I grabbed some yarn from the stash and the needles from the last pair of socks (still in their project bags, not put away … hey, I’ve been busy!) and fired up a pair of toe-up socks just to have something going.  The tweedy yarn was calling for something in the cable realm but I wanted another easy pair, so I decided to use a nifty stitch pattern from one of the scarves on the 2008 Christmas list … the “yarn-over cable” from Barbara Walker’s indispensable “Treasury of Knitting Patterns”.  It’s not really a cable, it uses a slip stitch decrease followed (on the next row) by a yarn-over to restore the stitch count. But it looks like a cable with a little hole in the middle — cool!  It’s easy and effective and, from what I can see so far, makes a nice ribbing.  Here’s a pic I took almost a week ago:

As noted, I’m about to turn the heels.  That could take some experimenting cuz I’m planning to put the cable rib on the heel instead of a heel stitch but haven’t really thought it all out yet, ha ha!

Oh, I also started some lace.  For 2007 Christmas knitting, I made lots of lace scarves and gave them all away, forgot to make one for myself!  I’ve had the yarn but never got around to getting started on it.  Until a couple of weeks ago, that is:

This does not look impressive, but patience is necessary.  Blocking will reveal something pretty in the end!

FO: Blackrose Socks

These were a pleasure to knit … the pattern was satisfying even though it wasn’t too challenging!

I used KnitPicks Stroll Kettle Dyed yarn in the “Auburn” colorway … the subtle color variations are easy to appreciate in the plain parts of this pattern.  At the same time, the color changes don’t interfere with the lacey parts!  The pattern itself comes from Knitty.  I kept the spirit of this pattern but modified it in the following ways:

- I made the 2×2 ribbing on the cuff longer because I thought a sock with lots of stockinette could use a little extra elasticity at the top.

- I started with 64 stitches but reduced the leg by 4 stitches about halfway down for the same reason: I wanted to keep the lace stretched out as the leg got narrower.

- I ditched the short row heel for a regular flap-and-gusset arrangement.  This is just a personal preference; no comment on the original pattern.

Here’s a picture of the leg shaping and the heel flap:

I reduced the circumference by 4 stitches (from 64 to 60) about halfway down the leg in the back.  For fun, I chose a unique stitch pattern for the heel flap: the “fluted fabric stitch” with two garter stitches at the beginning and end of each row.

These socks were fun and I can’t wait to wear them!

The Real Heel Deal

I’ve only been knitting in odd moments because life is really busy right now!  I’m enjoying all of the busy-ness but will appreciate settling into a (new) routine in a month or two.  All knitting lately has been on the Blackrose socks.  They’re portable, so they’re the ones most likely to be at hand when a few spare minutes pop up. 

I love the pattern because it’s easy, but it still holds enough interest to keep a sock knitter motivated!  First, the lace pattern has only 4 “workhorse” rows but yields a satisfyingly complex-looking design.  Second, the areas of stockinette show off the kettle-dyed yarn nicely.   Here they are with both gussets just completed:

Here’s a closer peek at the decorative pattern:

I’ve struggled with short row heels in the past, so I substituted a heel of my own choosing for these socks.  To add further to the interest, I tried an all-new stitch pattern for the heel flap:

 

This is from one of Barbara G. Walker’s stitch treasuries (surprise!) and it’s called the Fluted Fabric stitch.  I thought it might serve as a nice heel stitch because, just like the traditional heel stitch, it’s a two row pattern which uses slipped stitches.  I LOVE how it looks … and the coolest discovery is that the wrong side looks great too!  I may even like it better than the right side … keep an eye open for this one in another pattern, ha ha!

I actually have two WIPs going.  The other is a pair of hitherto-unmentioned legwarmers.  I started it around Christmastime and haven’t gotten back to it lately.  Maybe there will be pictures in the next post.  Until then, see ya!

Catching up!

Some recent things:

- I finished the Norblu Sweater and gave it to Jim for Christmas.  Here he is wearing it:

As I feared, it’s a little more snug than he prefers, but I think he may wear it anyway!

Somewhere along the way, I made a couple of hats too … I made a Tricorder (see “Free Patterns”) with yarn leftover from last Christmas:

 

And I experimented with a new stitch pattern for a Random Hat:

 

Finally, I started a new pair of socks, using a pattern called Blackrose:

Sorry for the hodgepodge approach but today’s the first time back on my “home” computer after a malware attack!  The experts’ idea of solving the problem was to wipe my entire computer clean and reinstall the original software, oy …

FO: Esther Socks

You probably thought the Esther socks were finished a long time ago, right?  I mean, one sock just needed to be woven in and the other just needed about 2 inches of toe.  But no.  I’ve been so busy with many, many new English-teaching responsibilities that knitting has limped along at a very slow pace!  However, I did get some time alone with the Esther socks at last … and here they are!

This was the most difficult stitch pattern I’ve ever attempted … lace AND cables AND lots of twisted stitches.  Very effective, though.  And on Monday, I will be giving these socks away, buh-bye!  I hope the new owner enjoys wearing them!  Here’s another picture:

The patttern is available for free on Ravelry.  It’s by Stephanie van der Linden and it’s called “Esther”.  I used size 1 1/2 US needles and Zwerger Garn Opal sock yarn (colorway 1418).  I used an Eye of Partridge heel with garter stitch border.  In addition to the interesting lace pattern, the picot edging at the cuff was new to me.  It’s charming and I’ve since used the foldover hem technique (no picot) on a sweater for hubby.  That’s almost finished … see my next post!