Saturday, June 27, 2009

'Truly' in the Doldrums..


I am in the knitting 'doldrums'.....um...I want to knit something, but waste hours looking at patterns and decide to do nothing. Right now I'm sorta sick of everything. I hope these feelings don't last!
Finally 'tho I picked something to knit , and 'ta-da' it's the 'Truly Tasha's Shawl" by Nancy Bush. I'm using Sz#4 needles.
I had some Noro Kureyon, colour#184 in my stash. I love the way this is knitting up..all the colour changes, however I'm not crazy about the under-spun sections of yarn..but I can live with it!
I just needed something mindless and the shawl is mostly garter stitch with a lace edging that is also the bind off. So it's moving along nicely and I'm on ball #4 already!
I am watching Wimbledon this week and next. I grew up watching tennis...it was all we could get on T.V. and I've always been hooked!
Happy knitting.
Mags.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Pattern


Candles



The stitch pattern for these socks was taken from “Mon Tricot 1030 Stitches Patterns” and adapted to work circularly. (Page#79. Title:-Candle Pattern.)
Materials I used:
Yarn:- Fingering weight. I used Zoe Sock color Sapote.
Needles:- Double Pointed Sz#1 or to get gauge
Gauge:- 11rows=1inch; 8stitches=1inch.
Size:-Women’s Small/medium. Will fit US shoe size 7/7.5 or European size 38.
Abbreviations used:-
K=knit
P=purl
Ssk= slip 2 stitches separately as if to knit and then knit these 2 stitches together.
Yo=yarn over
K2tog.= knit 2 stitches together
Dec.=decrease
Sts.= stitches.







Cuff:-
Cast on 72 stitches. Place stitches on 3 needles, 24 stitches on each and join for working in the round. Work 14 rows *twisted rib* [ Knit 1stitch through the back loop (tbl), purl 1 st..]
Leg:
Start *candle pattern :- over 12sts and 20rows*.
Row#1-*k1,yo,ssk,k7,k2tog.,yo* repeat from*to*.
Round#2; and all even rounds *knit* around.
Round#3 - *k1,yo,k1,ssk,k5,k2tog.,k1,yo.* around.
Round#5 - *k1,yo,k2,ssk,k3,k2tog.,k2,yo.* around.
Round#7 - *k1,yo,k3,ssk,k1,k2tog.,k3,yo.*around.
Round#9 - *k1,yo,k4,ssk,k4,yo.* around.
Round#11- *k4, k2tog.,yo, k1,yo,ssk,k3.* around.
Round#13- *k3,k2tog.,k1,yo,k1,yo,k1,ssk,k2.* around.
Round#15 -*k2,k2tog.,k2,yo,k1,yo,k2,ssk,k1.*around.
Round#17- *k1,k2tog.,k3,yo,k1,yo,k3,ssk. *around.
Before starting round #19 move the last stitch on needle#1 onto needle#2 and the last stitch on needle #2 onto needle #3 and the last stitch on #3 onto needle #1 (This keeps the pattern in line!)
Round#19 -*slip1, k2tog., pass the slipped stitch over, k4,yo,k1,yo,k4.*around.

These 20 rows make up the pattern. Work for desired length for leg.
I knit 3 complete patterns 60 rows.

Heel Flap:
Purl back on 35 stitches for heel flap and dec. 3sts evenly spaced; *p7,p2tog.,p8,p2tog.,p7,p2tog.,p7.* You now have 32sts on heel flap.
(24 stitches remain on needle#1 and 13stitches remain on needle#2=37sts. for instep to be worked later.)
Work the 32sts on the heel flap for 28 rows.
*Row#1- Slip first stitch purl wise and knit across.
*Row#2- Slip first stitch purl wise and purl across.
Turn heel:- (Round or French heel)
Slip 1, knit17sts, ssk, k1,turn
Slip 1, purl 5sts, p2tog, p1, turn
Slip 1, knit 6sts, ssk, k1, turn
Slip 1, purl 7sts, p2tog, p1, turn
Slip 1, knit 8sts, ssk, k1, turn
Continue working one more stitch until all stitches have been worked, you should have 18sts left on your needle.
Shape Gussets:-
Knit across 9sts., start another needle knit the next 9sts, then pick up and knit 14sts along side of heel flap, plus 1 or 2 extra stitches in the gap.
Knit pattern over the 37 instep stitches as follows.
Row#1-( k1,yo,ssk,k7,k2tog.,yo)2x’s more (3 of the 12st pattern), and end with one knit stitch.
Using another needle pick up 1 or 2 stitches in the gap and then pick up 14 along side on the other side of the heel flap and then knit the last 9 stitches.
You are back at the center of the heel. This is where all rounds begin.
On needle #1- you have 9+14+2 (extra sts.)=25
On needle#2- you have 37 sts.
On needle#3- you have 2 (extra sts)+14+9=25.
Row#2=On needle#1 work to last 3sts., k2tog.,k1sts. On needle#2Knit across instep sts.
On needle#3 Knit 1st.,ssk, and knit to end.
2sts decreased.
Round#3- Needle #1Knit all sts.
Needle#2-(K1,yo,k1,ssk,k5,k2tog.,k1.yo)2 more times, end with a k1.
Needle#3 -Knit all sts.
Continue to decrease every other round until you have 18sts, on needles #1 and #3.
Follow the candle pattern across the instep as written above, on the 37 instep sts., for rows, 5-7-9-11-13-15- 17-*19*, ending with a k one stitch.
*Please note row#19 has different instructions than stated above*.
Row#19 (instructions for instep) Knit 2tog.,k4,yo,k1,yo,k4, then slip1, k2tog., pass the slipped st over, k4,yo,k1,yo,k4 then slip 1, k2tog., pass the slipped stitch over k4,yo,k1,yo,k4, end with a k2tog.. ( 37sts )
Continue in pattern as established until foot is desired length.
I knit 60 rows total.
On row #20 I decreased the extra stitch on the instep I now had 18/36/18 stitches, 72sts total.
Toe:-
Round#1
On needle #1-Knit to last 3sts (k2tog.,k1)
On needle #2-(k1,ssk) knit across to last 3sts., (k2tog.,k1)
On needle #3-(k1,ssk) knit ‘till end of round.
Round#2
Knit sts on needles #1-2-3.
Repeat these two rounds ‘till you have 20sts left. 5/10/5
Finishing:-
Knit across 5sts on needle #1. You have 10sts on needle #3 and 10sts on needle #2.
Cut yarn leaving a 12 inch tail.
Kitchener these sts. together.

Knit sock#2…
This is the first pattern I've ever written out and I hope there are no mistakes..but you never know! Please let me know!
Happy knitting....please don't claim this pattern as your own! (Thanks!)
Mags.

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Candles


The challenge this month on Ravelry is 'DYO'....design your own sox!
Soooo.....I thought I'd give it a try and I used the"1030 Stitches Patterns" knitting dictionary. I have had this book laying around (unused) for ages!
I have one sox done:-
Yarn:-Shalimar..Zoe Sock.
Colour:- Sapote.
This is a lovely yarn. I'm surprised it's not worn thin from all the ripping out and reworking I have done on this pattern!
Needles:-Sz#1
I started using a tubular cast on and I used "Heels by the Number" by Jiminy Crickets.
I wouldn't claim to be able to design....this is just a basic sock incorporating this candle stitch from the book. I have at times felt like pulling out my hair...I'm hoping to whiz thru sox number two...well I should have worked out most of the kinks, by now...hopefully. (HaHa)
Happy knitting.
Mags.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Austrian Socks....




I love these socks...they are so stretchy, warm and comfortable. That being said, I'll probably gift them to someone because I find that I keep very few sox for myself!
These were very satisfying to knit...the pattern is stunning and I particularly love the I-cord cuff. I will say 'tho they were a lot of work!
Don't know what I'll knit next...
Happy knitting.
Mags.

Monday, May 4, 2009

May textures...



The 'socknitters' challenge for May on Rav. is cables, travelling stitches and a lot more. I choose this one because I have always loved this pattern and it has been on my (mental) to do list...forever:-

Pattern:- Austrian Socks by Candace Eisner Strick, from "Favorite Socks."(I love all her designs.)

Yarn:-Patons Kroy 4ply; colour "Whitecap."

Needles:-Sz#3 for the 9st I-cord cuff and sz#2 for the remainder of the sock!

The 9st I-cord cuff was a challenge for me....it was worked like a cord and then joined using the 'Kitchener' stitch. I'm not sure if I liked the join...maybe a 3 needle bind off would have given nicer results...may try on sox#2!!! Then you pick up 72sts around the cuff band edge...um..interesting.

This pattern is not as difficult as it looks, but does require a fair amoount of concentration.

I know I could have done a Cookie sox..and one of these days I will.

I did do the wrist bands for the grandkids and my SIL will take a pic of the boys wearing them...one of these days!! (Busy people with busy lives!) I did post a 'scary' pic on Rav., teehee!!

Happy knitting.

Mags.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Socks circa 2008 ..done 2009

This is an under appreciated pattern on Ravelry...I can't think why...it's lovely!!! Sort of incorporates everything. Besides the colour work; the "clocks" (design) on these socks are a twisted stitch motif and I did not not use a cable needle. The challenge for me was inverting the stitches on the wrong side rows of the heel flap. Yozie...I had to swatch...the prospect of ripping back twisted stitches would have had me tearing my hair out! I eventually figured it out, but I would have to say that it probably isn't a 100% accurate..but close enough!!!! I totally forgot to do a slip stitch heel..so busy concentrating on the cable twist..hee,hee!
Pattern:-Socks, circa 2008 by Cailyn Meyer.
Yarn:-Opal, colours, teal blue, light blue, mocha and red. (Not sure of the colour numbers.)
Needles:-Sz#1 HiyaHiya 9" circs and Sz#2 (KnitPicks) for the colour work.
I will gift these to our 'Gold Wing' motorcycle group. They are making a ladies basket to auction for charity.
I must really get busy now knitting the 'wee' boys their wrist bands and I have Cookie's book!
Happy knitting.
Mags

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Varicoloured..done


The raglan is done, washed and blocked! Love it..'tho it does look like a throw rug!

Other than doing the sleeves in the round and going down a needle size..I really made no modifications.

I'm sure it will get tons of wear. I love the 3/4 length sleeve.

You can read all the details on a previous post.

Right now I'm knitting sox. Under appreciated patterns on Ravelry..maybe I'll have them done soon, since I'm always planning my next project!

Happy knitting.

Mags