Pop Smear

Sisterly Socks

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:17:01 +1200

It didn't take too long to finish off the first sock, and I was well past the heel before I went to bed last night. A few more rows after work today before finishing with a very simple suspended cast-off, and they're done!

Bundled Up

Thick & Cosy

When I made similar socks for myself, I worked over 32 stitches, and used just over one ball of yarn per sock. These socks are a little shorter, and worked over 28 stitches. So, two balls for a pair was perfect!

Now I just need to remember to whip up a card, and post them in the next couple of days to be sure they'll get to my sister in time for her birthday.

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Pink In Progress

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:33:51 +1200

Pink Sock

Having started, and restarted my eldest sister's birthday gift a few times, I've finally decided that she will be getting socks (whether or not she needs thick and cosy bed socks in Perth is not to be asked), and a few other treats!

I started this sock last night, and worked on it some more at Knit Rangers this afternoon (along with a few rows on one of my blanket's mitred squares). One thing about working with the Patons Inca again is that it's incredibly quick to knit! (what wouldn't be with a 28 stitch round). I got two balls of this shade for $3 each a wee while ago - don't tell my sister how cheap I am! ;-)

I'll be able to finish this one up tonight (once I decide how to finish it off) and will be in good shape to mail it off with a mate in time for the big day (and the birthday before one's 50th is indeed a big day). This sister is short and proportionately little-footed, so I hope that the size is going to be OK. I'm using the sizing guide in Sensational Knitted Socks as a guide, so fingers crossed.

A couple of new faces (she says being a three meeting veteran) at Knit Rangers this week, after the gathering got a mention in a local paper, which was cool. Justine was kind enough to pick me up from the ferry, so no bussing involved, and for the first time (for me) it wasn't raining! If you live in Auckland, and knit (or crochet, or whatever), come be social in a couple of weeks.

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Finished: Red Garter Rib

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 19:40:24 +1200

Socks & Maddy

Well, it didn't take too long to finish off the 39 pattern repeats, and 16 rows of ribbing past the heel! I now have a very comfortable pair of red garter rib socks, which I will no dobut wear to death.

With the better part of one ball (the third) of the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino left, I'm pondering purchasing another two to make another pair in a different stitch pattern.

Still, for now, it's on to something else - perhaps the King Charles Brocade (which has progressed no further since the last update). I'm not so sure about that stitch pattern now, so I might unraveland start over (and work a not so pointy toe). I'm not sure, yet. So, I'll probably move on to another project (while working on the second bright Vero sock). Maybe finish my blanket, or hug-me-tight/wrap. The possibilities...

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Red Garter Rib Socks

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:11:59 +1200

I love red. Red shoes, red lingerie, and of course, red socks. Since I spotted the yarn a while back, I've been picturing myself is these warm socks, just the right length to wear with my boots (and satisfy my red fetish somewhat privately). Now, that (admittedly pretty tame) fantasy is nearing reality.

I started the socks on May 25, and then got sidetracked, finishing the first one Queen's birthday weekend at my parent's place, and started the second on the way home. I am getting a little bored with working the garter rib now (contributing to my relatively slow progress), but it's so simple (and effective) that I will probably do it again. Maybe Dad will get a pair of garter rib socks one of these days!

Anyway, the socks are 54 sts around, on 4 mm needles, with the last few rows worked on larger needles, and with a suspended cast-off for a sufficiently loose fit to suit my not necessarily slender calves. I've now got the method of Sensational Knitted Socks down pat, that I didn't really need a pattern, I could do it on auto-pilot!

More progress on these socks was made on Sunday afternoon at my first Knit Rangers gathering! After finishing up work sitting in the little cafe at The Packing Shed, I met with a really neat bunch of people (whom I will look forward to seeing again). It wasn't great weather, and travelling on the bus while still working is always a bit of a mission (and fun for Telecom as they charge me for my mobile broadband), but honestly, it was worth it! And perhaps next time, I'll be able to wear a completed pair of yummy red socks...

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Completed: Soft Blue Cables

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:21:36 +1200

Soft Blue Cables

I've been very slack about updating lately (and I'm sure those that know me are not at all surprised). I've been busy with various things, including work, a recovering kitty cat, and a last minute visit to my parents.

While I was away, I wore the blue cabled socks I started a while back. They're exactly what I wanted, cuddly soft and cosy, and the mohair angora is perfectly warm.

The one drawback is that they do take a little bit of effort to dry after the obligatory handwash - the fibre being quite absorbent. Oh well, that's the price you pay!

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Soft Blue Cables

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:03:56 +1200

Cables In Progress

I really am terrible. I have once again set aside King Charles for another project. It's just that this 10 ply Naturally Sensation merino and angora blend has been calling to me since I picked it up half price from the basket outside Wild & Wooly, the yarn shop here in Devonport.

"Knit me, cable me, you know you want a pair of warm, soft and snuggly socks for your cold feet!" It was almost yelling, I had to relent. I had to skewer it with my cable needle to keep it quiet. ;-)

I really want to wash up the first one now it's done, but I'm keep it around until the second on is done, so I can compare as I go, making sure I keep everything in line, size and row wise (since I'm just following my own formula and making it up as I go).

My handy dany stitch marker is helping me keep track of where to start on the heel shaping, and I'm marking every cable cross over row with another, to make sure I don't stuff up the frequency there. Then I can just count cables for length. In case it's not obvious, I hate counting rows, and will do all I can to easily avoid doing so!

Once again, I started toe up with, and have done a short row heel, and finished off with the picot cast-off described in More Sensational Knitted Socks (basically, a knit one, make one, bind-off method - which I worked in 2x2 rib), for a looser top.

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Socks of Green Cables

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:00:59 +1200

Green Cable Sock

These socks are for my Mum's birthday (next week) and are now in the post (and thus able to be revealed to the world).

I got the idea for a simple sock with a cable down each side of the leg from this Debbie Bliss book I borrowed from the library. The pattern included in the book uses her Cashmerino yarn, in a pink shade (I have some lilac stashed away to use for me one day), and is a basic top-down sock with a short row heel.

Home: 27 Knitted Designs For Living

I, of course, decided to work the socks toe-up, on a single 3.25 mm circular needle. The yarn is Naturally Me, and like the Debbie Bliss yarn is a merino and cashmere blend, and super yummy to work with. Seriously, if you're stressed out, just mushing the springy ball of yarn in your hand is a pleasant diversion! The colour is better represented by this photograph, and you can be in no doubt that it is green. And so soft once washed (I almost kept them, I swear).

One thing I found when working the socks was that if you're cabling up the side of the leg, it's much easier if you rearrange the stitches on the needles after the heel so that the cable is in the center of the needle, rather than fiddling with the beginning and end of each apparent turn. Luckily I sussed that out only a few rounds into the patter on the first sock!

I still have a little of this yarn left - each sock was one ball, and about 8 rows of another. I'll have to think of a little project to use up the rest (as I will with this cotton). Or just keep the ball by my desk for times of great stress!

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New Project: King Charles Brocade

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:11:15 +1200

More Sensational Knitted Socks

Now that More Sensational Knitted Socks has arrived, I've started on something a little more taxing than my last quickly knit pair. Started twice, actually.

My first choice of yarn was a solid brown, unknown yarn liberated from my Mum's stash. After a little knitting (and knowledge that there was a lot more to go), I decided the yarn was splitting too easily, making the making of new stitches irritating. Easily enough fixed.

Yep, I chose another yarn from my stash, a very slightly flecked sock yarn in a softer shade of brown. I stuffed up my choice of size, but I've recovered from that with only a slightly pointier toe than usual (again, my favourite provisional cast-on and Easy Toe), and a few more rows of increasing. Now, I'm into the pattern proper.

Brocade Start

The King Charles Brocade pattern is one of many in the new book, and is a twelve stitch and twelve row repeat made up of good old knit and purl. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't contemplating just working a band of it, or only working it up the fron of the leg, but it's early days yet.

However, working with 2mm needles isn't my most favourite of things, so I wouldn't be surprised if this pair takes ages to finish. I have started on the two for the second sock (though have not completed the increases), but still I think I'll grab some 8 or 10 ply from my stash before too long - if for no other reason than to have something to take out with me that doesn't require taking a pattern or memorising the repeats!

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Finally Finished: Blue Naturals

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:30:00 +1200

I started the first sock in Cleckheaton Country Naturals while visting with my parents in Rotorua. I started it again just before leaving, and worked a good a good portion on the bus journey home. Until just past the ankle, I was working with a really nice set of bamboo (3.25 mm) needles (five, and eventually four). Things progressed quickly, and then I decided to try working the leg on two circulars. That was OK, but a little cumbersome for me, and I eventually switched back to trusty double-pointed's to finish off.

One sock was done, the leg ribbed 3 x 2, with a slightly darker blue stripe to stretch the yarn to a reasonable length.

Second Toe

Almost Stalled

I keenly started on the mate, with yet another needle method (magic loop), for variety! I chugged away at it, and then got distracted by more stripey endeavours.

Finally, they're done. and wearable. And, I learnt a lot during their knitting. Not just that two circulars is not for me (not yet, anyway), but that placing markers is tedious, and not something you really need to do if you're watching closely, and well, that I really should refer to yardage/meterage if I don't want to have to add a stripe in!

I am finally free of the unfinished pair guilt (for now, at least).

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Super Quick Knit!

nobody@vox.com(Sarah) — Fri, 04 May 2007 16:17:05 +1200

Well, as amykins suggested, knitting a sock with 32 stitches was indeed super quick! I threw in a few rows of purl to break things up a bit, but otherwise, this pair a just good old stocking stitch, with "easy toes" (from Sensational Knitted Socks) and short row heels. The Patons Inca yarn was really nice to knit with.

They're thick, and very cosy, and will keep my size nines warm this winter. In fact, they're keeping them warm right now! I had just been intending to post my progress from last night (I end up taking one to my meeting instead of my other unfinished pair - go figure), and those picutres are to the left.

However, with no effort at all I finished them off today after signing off from work, and here they are!

I wildly overestimated the amount of yarn I'd need, so I've got plenty left for another pair or possibly two. In getting my camera out to take the pictures though, the thin cloth cover tore, so I think I'll use a little to whip up a little case for my camera first. The resulting fabric is certainly more resilient and cushioned than the existing cover, and still less bulky than my actual camera case.

The short break from Sock Knitting will give me a chance to decide which yarn and pattern will be next!

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