Sock news

Well, TL wore his Breathe, Relax socks for all three days of his End-of-Grade (EOG) testing. They held up well, even with being washed 3 days in a row. I'll have to closely examine the toes because he wore them with sandals yesterday. Apparently the socks are "hot and sweaty" on the playground in sneakers. I won't be surprised to find holes in the toes, the playground is mostly hard-packed dirt and he goes full tilt during recess.

He did say that he felt very good about the tests and that the socks did help him remember not to get stressed. Mission Accomplished!

I know Sari thinks I should make a bunch and sell them, but I don't think I have the energy right now. Plus, it would mean really doing the same thing twice, and I doubt I have it in me. Maybe in a different set of yarns would be OK to do.

Help with Circular Knitting on DPNs

Well, Sari, I had some time this afternoon (which I took off to clean the house, but I got bored) and so I looked for some free online videos to help you out with the knitting on double pointed needles (dpns).

I am including links to 3 sites I think you'll find helpful.
Knitting Help.com has several how-to videos on their site, but in Advance techniques, there is a section called "Small Diameter Circular Knitting" which includes help on knitting on dpns. I think the video looks pretty good, but it's the only one I looked at on the site.

Knitter's Review offers Knitting Tips: Getting Started with DPNs in Four Easy Steps which is not a video, but a step by step description of what to do. It is pretty clear, and I think it could be helpful.

Another step-by-step description of how to use dpns is on Stitch Diva Studio's Knit Tutorial - Double Pointed Needles. This tutorial includes photos.

One thing I learned from scanning several sites for easier-to-follow instructions is that some knitter recommend rotating the stitches around so that the same column of stitches is not always at the beginning of a needle. This is supposed to make your knitting have a more even gauge, decreasing the possibility of "laddering" between needles. I've never done that, but I don't think you can tell from looking at any of the socks I've made where the needle changes are. I can't tell on WK's either; Do you rotate your knitting, WK?

I think that the simple answer to what you're doing is that you're forgetting to use the newly emptied needle as the working needle, and are continuing to use the original needle after knitting the stitches on the original needle. Does that make sense? I know I had to read several descriptions of how to do this style of knitting, as well as look at that free online helpful videos. To find these things to pass along to you, I Googled this: "double pointed needle video" and this "double pointed needle help." As is usual with Google, some things just weren't helpful.

BBBB #3 -- continued

I'm about an inch past the 1/2-way point in the pattern and about 1/2-way through the 4th of 7 balls of yarn which I purchased for this project. If my math is right, this means I'm right on track to have enough yarn to finish the blanket! You can double-check me if you like: I bought 7 balls and I have 3 1/2 left and I'm slightly more than 1/2-way done. Sounds good to me!

I wanted to take another photo so show my progress, but the pattern change just doesn't show up well yet. I think it will by the time I'm done with this ball of yarn. I added the latest ball sometime on Friday while Hazel was resting and worked on it during rest periods from house cleaning. The i-L(s) moved here over the weekend. This might not normally cause frantic housecleaning, but they decided to stop by our house for dinner on the way to their new one, bringing some of their oldest friends with them. At least I found out before Sunday morning. To be honest, I didn't do all that much frantic housecleaning, although I should have. With TL ill and not feeling well myself, I put HUGE blinders on and so avoided seeing too much of the dust and grime.

OK, the point was that I am making some progress on two projects. Sorry for the mini-rant.

My First Sweater

So, I'm now working on my first sweater in my first knitting class. The name of the pattern? "My First Raglan" by Lisa Knits (SW-024) I can't stand the coincidence in all these firsts. I'm hoping that none if it is a hint toward the future where these are all also "Lasts!" To be honest, the pattern I'm using is only based on the Lisa Knits one, as my teacher and I decided not to do the increases after the ribbing, eliminating the "puffy" look at the waist. I hope that the waist looks more like the adult version in the photo from the pattern on Lisa Knits website.

The sweater is for TL, but I'm attempting to make it large enough for him to wear next cool season, but not so big as it will overwhelm him even then. He loves the color!

Pattern: My First Raglan, Lisa Knits #SW-024
Yarn: Filtes King Australian Merino (product of Italy) 100% Merino Virgin Wool
It's supposed to be shrink resistant according to the label. Color #1021
Needles: US size 5 for ribbing, US 6 for the rest.
Began: May 3, 2007 at around 8 pm
(please note the Finished time in my last post)
Finished: TBD

Alterations: My teacher says I'm a "tight" knitter, so we went up a needle size to get the right gauge in the body of the sweater. We also went with TL's measurements (taken from an appropriate shirt). My teacher plugged everything into Sweater Wizard and printed out customized patterns for each of us in class. This way we don't have to negotiate the different size options in the original pattern. She also figured out the CO based on the yarn I chose, so I'm fairly certain that that is also a change. Since I don't actually have the original, I can't be certain, however.

Between Thursday and Friday, I knitted the first 50g (153 yd) ball and I have about 9 inches of the back done. The back is 17 inches wide. When the back is 14 inches long, I start the decreases to make a place to attach the sleeves.

I have decided at that point that I had to knit another ball onto a different project.

Breathe and Relax??

I stayed up to midnight last night and finished the knitting on the Breathe, Relax socks for TL. I still need to sew in the ends and have him try them on, but I think I can guarantee that I'll have them ready for him to wear at the end of grade tests that start on the 21st of this month. Do you know the little rotter had the nerve to ask me if I thought they'd be done in time on Tuesday?

The reason I stayed up getting them done was not pressure from TL, however. I had to get them to at least their current state before I could let myself cast on the sweater I'm making. Since class is in the morning (yikes!) and I'm supposed to at least get a couple of inches knit before then, I was pushing myself. It seems as though I may be staying up late tonight and getting up early even though I don't need to be anywhere until class starts at 9:30.

I'll take a photo of the socks on a willing model tonight and try to post about them tomorrow after class. I suppose I should have time to breathe and relax sometime after the baby blanket is finished. I'm 1/2 -way there and it's deadline isn't until May 20!

Knitting in Las Vegas, Socks, and BBBB#3

So, I have been in Las Vegas for 3 days, but haven't had the chance to find a knitting store. There are plenty according to a quick Google search I did, so there are some, but since we haven't left "the strip," I'm thinking I won't see one just wandering down the street. I'll keep my eye out, though. An interesting thing I learned here, the slot machines don't have slots for coins. I suppose that proves I don't ever gamble, and "they" probably removed the slots from the nickel and quarter slot machines ages ago, who knew?

Pattern: Relax and Breathe from Knit Socks! by Betsy McCarthy
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore D.K. in 4 colors (217-black, 1383-orange, 3335-green, 517-blue) 75% Acrylic, 25% wool
Needles: US size 2 (2.75 mm)
Began: April 20, 2007; Finished: TBD

Before I left home, I started in on a pair of socks for Tortuga Lad to wear on days when he has tests. He might not wear them then, but that's my incentive. I got the pattern from Knit Socks! by Betsy McCarthy. I changed some of the colors that the pattern calls for, but I'm basically following the pattern for the smallest size. This is the first time I've done any kind of Fair Isle style knitting, and it's been a challenge to use two yarns at once, but I'm getting better at holding one color yarn in each hand to improve tension. It's working pretty well, as long as I can remember which hand throws the yarn clockwise and which counter clockwise. I'm almost up to normal speed, though! I took these photos before I start in with a third color, but the socks are starting to look striped as you can barely make out in this photo:

I think that it will be even more challenging as I start to include the pattern for the words in the sock. I mapped it out on graph paper, one sock will say "Breathe, Relax" and the other will say "Relax, Breathe." I may have to make another pair with less acrylic in them. As you both know, acrylic and other man-made fibers are difficult for me to handle very much. I am making a big sacrifice here to get TL the socks he wants! He is very excited that I'm making him something again, though. I haven't knitted for him in about a year.

BBBB#3 Update Number 3

I've been working at BBBB#3 for a while now and have taken another photo of it while here in LV. The blanket measures about 28" by about 12", so I'm nearly 1/2 way there. At the 1/2 way point, I'll switch to doing each row in knit and then purl stitches to the other way around, purl then knit. You can see what I mean in the photo, I think.

Pattern: Big Bad Baby Blanket from Stitch 'N Bitch
Yarn: Filatura di Crosa Baby Pom Pom (41% cotton, 49% acrylic, 10% Polymid)
Needles: US size 5
Alterations: I cast on 164 stitches to account for the difference in the yarn gauge.
Began: March 24, 2007; Finished: TBD

Bib Project - 2nd (and final) Installment

Pattern: Simple Baby Bib
Yarn: Filatura di Grignasco Big (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, so it can be washed on a "normal" setting)
Needles: US size 8
Alterations: I cast on 30 stitches instead of 25 to make the bib larger.
I thought that a 6" square bib is just a little too small, especially when the baby is a toddler.
Began: April 16, 2007; Finished: April 19, 2007

I left earlier than usual yesterday evening (it was 5:05 instead of 5:30) and picked up TL from school, so I could rush to my LYS to pick up some double-pointed needles and a button. They close at 6, so I almost never get there during the week. After dinner, I finished off the bib! I made my first 3 button holes in knitting and they look pretty much like button holes!

I was a little concerned that the strap might not be long enough, so I asked TL to model it for me, and at the longest setting, it goes around his neck just fine. So I think that this will work, in terms of size, for several years for the recipients. The final product is very nice and soft, but appears to also be absorbent. It is also quite stretchy, so I'm hoping that if it shrinks in the laundry, it will also stretch back out somewhat. No, I didn't test or anything rational like that. I should have done a tad more than check to see if the yarn could be safely tossed in the washer, but I was in an hurry.

I tried to take a photo of the cute little cow button I found, but none came out well, even on my "real" camera. I am posting the best one I did get, because I can't find an image of it online.

Bib Project

Pattern: Simple Baby Bib
Yarn: Filatura di Grignasco Big (50% cotton, 50% acrylic)
Needles: US size 8
Alterations: I cast on 30 stitches instead of 25 to make the bib larger.
I think that a 6" square bib is just a little too small.
Began: April 16, 2007; Finished: TBD

I started a bib project on Sunday for another friend who's having her first baby in June. The baby shower is on Saturday, though! I am using the pattern that Sari discussed in her post Easy Baby Bib Pattern. And she's right, it's pretty easy so far. I do still have to get a button for the closure, but that shouldn't be too hard at all. I am using a leftover ball of yarn that I found in my bag of yarn. I must have given away whatever I made originally, because I don't have anything like it. I meant to finish the bib last night, but I got very sleepy after I sat down to knit and fell asleep on the couch. Hopefully, I can get it done tonight. If I get the button on the way home.

I was also going to post a photo to show how much progress I've made on BBBB#3, but it came out blurrier than I realized and I have to retake it. Maybe I'll get it posted tonight.

Another Baby Hat, BBBB #3 and books

I knitted another baby hat on Saturday evening. It looks remarkably like the last one I knit, so I haven't bothered to take a photo. I made it pretty much exactly like that one, color of yarn included. I'll be making a more feminine version soon, so I'll take a photo of that one.

I also haven't yet taken a new photo of BBBB #3, but will soon, hopefully today. The blanket now measures approximately 10.5" by 28", and so is coming along nicely for something I keep neglecting for other projects. I am still hoping that I can get it done by April 27, when my first ever knitting class starts. The hope is no longer quite as high as before, though.

On Saturday I went to the book store and purchased two new knitting books. Well, new for me. I finally got Mason Dixon Knitting, because after Wendel Kate mentioned that cushion cover and all those cute baby gift projects I couldn't hold out any longer! I think it's going to end up being a very important source for patterns for me. This is just to agree with Sari and Wendel Kate, I really like the book.

I also got (and read most of) a very handy book called Knit Fix: Problems Solving for Knitters by Lisa Kartus. I thought it would be a good idea to have a concept on how to fix problems/mistakes/errors before I take this knitting class. Maybe that's weird, but now that I've been knitting for a couple of years, I think it's a good idea to have some idea of how to make a stab at fixing mistakes. So far, I've both taken the whole thing apart and started again, or (and more likely) to say that it makes my piece Unique. Now I know that either philosophy will work, but now I know that there's more than one way to fix a problem, and it doesn't have only involve ripping or ignoring. Anyhow, if you haven't seen this book, you should at least browse it to see if it's for you.

Rating: 3

Dog knitting is THE BEST

I got this book yesterday, and it is #2 on my list of dog knitting books already. And it is #1 for cats. There is a purple and fun fur throne in this book. How many cats don't need that? Especially Siamese cats.

There are also some really easy patterns, and ways to use up novelty yarn. The cartoons are funny and the measuring instructions are pretty complete. I will make a few things from this book right away.

Another Sock Project - Finished!

I finished the baby socks tonight. I don't have a suitably-sized model on which to show off my knitting (unlike some co-bloggers!), so I stuffed these with a tissue each so they'd stand up and look nicer. I need to make things for people who live in the same house so I can have models for my stuff! Who knew?

Anyhow, it took me longer than I anticipated because I didn't knit everyday since my last post. So I suppose they took about the same number of hours I expected them to, but it took me more days to get those hours in. These are the first pair of socks I have knitted any kind of a pattern into, and I think they came out pretty well. They have a very nicely even scalloped edge at the top, which I like.

I enjoyed making them and have learned that knitting socks (or probably anything else) with a pattern/lace doesn't seem to have to be as terrifying as I initially thought it would be. I took one photo of the cute little socks with a quarter, so you can get an idea of the scale.

I do have some pretty darn crooked size 1 double-pointed-needles to show for my work, though. Since this is the first project I've used them on, I fear for their lives. I do tend to make even the sturdiest looking embroidery needles curve, but somehow I didn't expect it from bamboo. Do you both end up with curvy needles? Am I just being obsessive about tension, perhaps I need to relax in order to save my poor needles?

Another Sock Project

Last night I decided to get a start on knitting infant socks to match the Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby Hat I made on Monday. I am using a pattern from Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy. This is the first pattern of hers I've attempted, but the directions seem very clear and easy to follow. Good since this is the first time I'm attempting to make any kind of lace, besides making tiny socks. I cast on 36 stitches on size 1 (2.25mm) needles, using Tweedy Cotton Classic 100% mercerized cotton #420 (blue). This is the left overs from the hat yarn. If all turns out as planned, the socks will be about 3 3/4" long when done and fit a 0-9 month old baby. I decided to try to knit both socks at once, so I got a second set of needles and I'm working each part of the sock on one, then doing the same part on the other sock.

I've officially wandered down the path of having two unfinished projects in my bag at once. (Evil!) I usually refuse to start a second project until the current one is complete. All these babies coming near the same time is making me adjust my normal working principals. Probably for the good ...

Last Night's Project

Last night I took a break from the BBBB to whip up a baby hat for a completely different baby. I took about 4 hours (give or take) and knit this hat up. It is called a Fuzzy Wuzzy Baby hat and I knit most of it on a 16" size 6 circular needle, but used dpn at the end for the last decreases. I cast on 72 stitches and used both the variegated and eyelash novelty yarn for the first 4 rows. I have it displayed here on a vase, but it doesn't do it justice. I have enough yarn left over to make a matching pair of infant socks! I am going to make another set for another baby boy who is also on his way this spring. Is everyone experiencing a baby boom in their areas?

Just so you know, I did intend to post this last night, but after the knitting binge, I ran out of steam to get the camera out and write this up. I got done just before midnight, so I decided that I could post this "first thing this morning." I realize it's afternoon now ... :)

Suss Cousins Home Knits

Ordinarilly, I don't check out knitting books from the library, because I keep them too long.  I should have turned this one in on time.  It is a beautiful book, with many interesting ideas--knitted lampshades, vase covers, pillow covers, bedthrows--but most of the patterns are made more fabulous with her yarns.

Sassy Girl Scarf

I don't pretend to be a skilled knitter. I like to use knitting as a way to meditate, and I need to work on easy, repetitive projects that don't require counting, making swatches, etc.

I made about 6 scarves for the Red Scarf Project.

I think this one turned out the best--it is made from Sassy Girl Yarn, available at Hobby Lobby. Regular price=$9.99/skein, 1 skein makes a scarf about 60 inches long. Watch for sales at Hobby Lobby--I got this stuff for about $3.99.

I used a simple pattern of 2 rows garter stitch, 1 row twisted drop stitch.

Big Bad Baby Blanket #3 -- first installment

On Saturday, after I finished up with Sock #2, I dove right into making my third version of Debbie Stoller's Big Bad Baby Blanket pattern (as found in the print version of Stitch 'n Bitch). I am using one strand of Filatura di Crosa Baby Pom Pom yarn (red) on size 5 needles and cast on 164 stitches. I put a link on to a website that sells the yarn so you can see it, but I didn't buy it at that store. I finished off the first ball of yarn tonight and the blanket now measures in at 4" long and approximately 28" wide, so 1/7 of the way there. At this rate the blanket should be done before my friend's baby arrives.

The edge is no where near this wavy! Must be the way I laid it out.

I have never used the yarn Debbie Stoller suggests in the pattern, but have had pretty good success. I never got around to taking any photos of the first two, so can't prove anything. At least I could find all the yarn labels and enough notes on how to alter the pattern to make is seem like I was keeping track of my projects when they were under construction.

The first BBBB I made (almost 2 yrs. ago) was made with two strands of Lang Yarns Bebe Color, which is very nice washable wool. I used two different colors to get a variegated effect. Sorry, but I can't remember which size needles or how many stitches were cast on. On a positive note, I've been told that that the baby really enjoyed rubbing her fingers over the blanket.

The second BBBB I knit (last summer) was made with one strand of Trendsetter Yarns Scoubi Du (aqua) on size 6 needles and cast on 138 stitches. I also made a matching hat with this yarn. The baby and mom seem very happy with the set. The color went perfectly with the nursery theme, too, which was cool.

JQ's First Socks

Pair #1
Well, I thought I should also jump in and post about some recently finished projects of mine. In the last two months I've finished two pair of socks, using very different yarns and patterns. We don't really need to get into how long ago I started either of these pair of socks.

On my very first sock, which I affectionately call Sock #1, I used Regia sock yarn (Regia Cotton Color), which is made in Italy, but the label is in German. I got it at my local yarn store, so it didn't seem all that exotic until I tried to read the label. I'm not sure what convinced me to start with "good" yarn on my first try, but I believe it had something to do with the option to knit no patterns into the sock, but to rely on the self-striping properties of the yarn to give them some uniqueness and beauty. Since it was also my first adventure on double-pointed needles, I was hoping that the stripes might hide any deficiencies. I used a Regia pattern leaflet called "Inspiration: Kreative Strickideen, socks with the whole Regia family, which was recommended to me at the yarn store as a good set of beginner patterns.

Since I didn't actually have to follow any of the charts, or pay close attention to any pattern since I'd decided to only knit, it worked out well for me. The chart on sizing was good, told me how many stitches for the height, width and turning the heel, how many stitches to pick up, etc. And it gives all the details for each type of yarn available from the company. The instructions on how to work the sock seemed crystal clear for Sock #1, but somehow were a little murkier for Sock #2, but since I had a model to work from, I think the pair turned out OK.

It took me a while, and a different pair of socks completed, for me to get back to getting Sock #2 started and finished. Sock #2 is a misnomer, I realize, since it's technically Sock #4, but I had to have it match up with Sock #1. This is a known problem for me. Anyhow, I'm about to ship these off to Mom, so I wanted to write about them while I could.

Pair #2

For this pair of socks I used a really nice and easy pattern from Jacqueline Fee's The Sweater Workshop, 2nd edition. The materials I used were a set of 5 double-pointed size 4 needles and Sugar'n Cream 100% cotton yarn from Lily Cotton. I started these as a quick project to show a friend how to knit. She is now pregnant (and not knitting yet) hence the aforementioned baby blanket. As you can see by looking closely at the toes, I somehow managed to knit them purl side out. I have decided that I won't be working any more socks in yarn this heavy. I prefer the finer yarns, to be sure. They are very cushy and cozy, though.

WK has already done lots of cool things with patterns in her socks, and I'll likely give it a try after I'm done with the baby blanket I'm working on now. She and I went to a yarn store together recently and she FORCED me to buy lots of cool sock yarns, so I'm hoping to increase the sophistication of my socks.