Toe up footie sox...

Just got 'Sock Innovation' by 'cookie a' in the mail today and I can't wait to get started, it's a great book!

I decided to try doing a toe up sox...just to see if I could! I'm top down all the way...but I wondered if I were missing too many beautiful sox patterns by limiting myself????

Anyhow, I decided to try and here is the result.

I used Wendy's easy (provisional) cast on, the short row (jojo) heel, [works toe up or cuff down ]and Grumperina's cast off.

I tried other methods of casting on, binding off and short row heels....but these worked for me!

I still prefer a top down sox..but I feel I have mastered my fear of a toe up! I may not bother knitting another footie ['tho I have another on the needles.]

Yarn:-I just used leftover Lorna Laces yarn and size#1 DP"s. I didn't use a specific pattern. I would say the only problem I had was figuring out when to start the heel.

I'm going to try not to start anything from my new book 'till I get some other projects finished. I have promised to knit the grandsons 'Skull Wrist Warmers'...so they are next! (HeeHee)

Happy knitting.

Mags.

Work in progress....varicoloured raglan!

Here's what I've been working on...'tho I don't really have too much to show!

Pattern:-Raglan Rust by Julie Farmer, published in Knitter's Winter 2008.

Sz#7 circ needles (I went down one needle size)

Yarn:-Heart and sole; Razzle Dazzle and Congo, one strand of each held together.

This is my first top down. I had mulled over other top down patterns but the deciding factor here was using sox yarn. (Knit up it sorta looks like a woven kitchen throw rug!)

I love the texture of this and the colour variations. The arms are to be knit and seamed to the underarm but I think I'll try totally seamless! I have read that arms will twist without a seam and that seams add structure to a garment....

This is so easy it practically knits itself...really doable for anyone! I love it and can't wait to wear it and since I'm knitting top down it's almost worn out from me trying it on!!!!!!! I know I'm pathetic!

Happy knitting.

Mags

Circle sox....

I have just finished 2 pair of Circle sox.

The striped ones are for Marion. I met Marion at the Mall. It was "Community Days" and I was encouraging folks to purchase booklets to benefit our nonprofit group. Marion was at a nearby table and noticed my sox!!! (That's what happens when you wear Birkenstock sandals.) She asked me to knit a pair for her and she'd pay me!!!! Well for shame Marion...knitters don't put a price on their work!!! I finally got around to it and I mailed them off yesterday..anonymously...my friends think I'm a fool, but I'm hoping Marion will do a kind deed for someone to reciprocate!!!!!

Pattern:-Circle Socks by Anne Campbell. This is a nice pattern because it is very stretchy and since I'm unsure of the ankle size for either recipient, this pattern seemed ideal.

Yarn:-Patons Kroy. Colour:-Fern Rose. (I just had enough using 2 balls to finish these Sz#9 sox.

Needles:- Sz#1. HiyaHiya 9" circs. (I love these, sorta like knitting with toothpicks!)

I decided to do a short row double stitch heel for these, or the jojo heel.

The red ones and the matching key ring are for a fellow sox knitter.

Pattern:- Circle Socks by Anne Campbell.

Yarn:- Opal Neon. Colour:- 1934, The red, pink, coral family.

Needles:- Sz#1. HiyaHiya 9" circs..

I followed the pattern as written and went with the 'eye of partridge' and regular heel flap.

For the keyring I used the circle sock pattern, sz#0 needles and used Socknitters Mini-Sock by Linda Nelson as a guide.

I loved using the red yarn, well it still is February and red is for Valentine Day and also February is heart month!

I hope both pairs fit. I think I prefer having foot length from heel to end of toe rather than shoe size....but that's just me.

Happy knitting.

Mags.

"Spinach Swallowtail"

As you can see it's snowing here...so it's no wonder I've finished the swallowtail shawl. It really wasn't too hard and oddly enough I didn't mind doing 'nupps'...for those of you who don't know what a nupp is, well it's just a glorified bobble. Basically it was knit one, yarn over, knit one, yarn over, knit one, all in the same stitch on the knit side and purl these all together on the purl side...sometimes it was a little awkward to get all the stitches on the needle to purl, but my needles were not the best, so I used a sz#0 double point to help gather up the loops and stitches..it worked for me!

Pattern:- Swallowtail Shawl by Evelyn A. Clark from Interweave Knits Fall 2006. A lovely well written pattern with no mistakes.

Yarn:- Schaefer Anne (green). It really is the colour of spinach, and I'll wear it on St. Paddy's day. It measures preblocking 17"x32"; post blocking 21"x40"

If I had been a little smarter I would have researched on 'Ravelry' swallowtail projects and used bigger needles. I always forget I have Rav as a resource!!!

Needles:- Sz#3 to start and then I went to Sz#5..circs and straight. (The straights had sharper points, but I had way too many stitches on my needles to be comfortable using them!)

I think I'll knit another shawl but I found for me it was better to do a couple of rows in the morning when I felt most alert. I did use a couple of lifelines and stitch markers. I found the markers invaluable for keeping an accurate stitch count.

I loved using sox yarn..probably lace weight would be too fine for a first lacy project.

Silfert, I haven't forgotten about your sox!!!

Happy knitting.

Mags.

Sandy's 'flake' sox

These sox are for Sandy....I knit them because I had knit everyone in my knitting group a pair.

My final obligation...I hope she likes them, 'tho they were an easy mindless knit.

Yarn:- Patons Kroy 4ply socks.

Colour:-Flax

Colour:-Whitecap (Just used a few strands, for the snowflake.)

Needles:-Sz#1 and Sz#0 (for the foot)

Pattern:- just a basic sock with a 2x3 rib from the cuff to the ankle.

I did use the snowflake chart from the book "Socks*Socks*Socks" in the "Golf Socks" pattern by Dorothy S. Grubbs. Just for the heel flap.

I think this was the first book I bought when I started knitting sox.....and I don't think I've knit one thing from it. I do like the book, but..um....there are just so many patterns for sox I'm overwhelmed and when I see a different pattern I run with it!!!

I decided to cast on for a "Swallowtail Shawl" and I am starting the dreaded "nupps "next. This is my first shawl and I don't want to bore you with my reasons for never having knit a shawl. I will keep you updated with my progress...unless the shawl nupps vex me too much and it becomes a pair of sox! (HaHa)

Happy knitting

Mags.

Treillage Socks

I looked for a pattern that would showcase variegated yarn and I found this little gem! I bought this yarn Opal Neon at http://www.littleknits.com/ on sale.

These are for a friend who asked for a pair for her daughter-in law.

Pattern:-Treillage Socks by Anita Peluso

Pattern description by Anita Peluso:-These socks are worked in reverse stockinette stitch; which Charlene Schurch in her book 'Sensational Knitted Socks' calls the "Princess Foot" because she feels it is more comfortable to walk on the knit side of the fabric rather than the purl side. Let me just say I purled a lot!!!! This pattern is well written and 'tho it looks like I used a cable needle it was a twisted stitch. Really very nice, looks like a chain linked together!!!!!

Needles:- Sz#1 D P's. I did however buy 9" circular Sz#1. I just felt using the Dp's on all the purls left a little gap (ladder) and while the 9" circular looked like I was using tooth picks, I liked the result. The pattern is written for one circular using the Magic Loop.

(Do you notice I'm reluctant to try different methods....well since it would cut into my actual knitting time I plow on with what I know...just me!!!)

Yarn:-Opal Neon....1937....but with the reds, orange, blues and yellow to me it should have been called "Tequila Sunrise."

I hope she likes them. They do feel wonderful on!

I have a couple more people I have promised sox and then on to other things..a new purse...cardigan....oh, the possibilities!!

Happy knitting.

Mags

Noro 'Patchwork' sox

I started these sox late November and they are my first finished project of the new year! I had the first sox done and because I had a bunch of things to do for Christmas I put off knitting # 2. Well when I cast on the second I couldn't remember what I'd done on the first...I mean I always keep a row count but if I add or subtract any instructions well I never bother writing these down because I'm usually doing sox #2 right away! (Live and learn.) If one looks a little different well.......
Needles:- Sz#1 DP's.
Yarn:- Kureyon Sock yarn from "Rustic and Refined" a lovely yarn store in Erie Pennsylvania. Please note; I skeined it first and washed it...I had heard about this yarn being dirty and knotty!
Pattern:-Patchworksocken-alpenfees-interpretation by Susanne Fielder.
I like this pattern...maybe it's the mitered squares! I did the "jojo" heel again and used 'Knitting Tips" from the Lana Grossa site. I also went to http://tessknits.com/ and she had a marvellous step by step photo instruction tutorial. I also added a round toe!
Okay...I must add my opinion about the Noro. I would say I loved the colour sequences. I found the yarn stringy and thick in spots...but maybe that's just the way it is. I found (even 'tho I had washed it first ) little splinters of wood occasionally and it had a few knots throughout! It was also very drying on my hands. I probably wouldn't buy it again...but that's just my 2 cents!!!
Happy knitting and Happy New Year.
Mags.