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Another twofer! Two projects for one post! I made some socks.
This pair is made with Regia 4 Ply sock yarn. It’s pretty fabulously stripy, which made the knitting super fast (I’ll just knit to the next color… no, the next color). And since I knit the socks one at a time, it also made it easy to make them the same length. It also meant I knit the cuffs a little longer than usual, but I actually really like them this length, so it’s okay.
This pair is made with Premiere Serenity Sock Prints in the “Thyme” colorway, and let me tell you, that is a powerful ugly colorway. Like, maybe without the orange it would be okay, but they put in the orange and just… ugh. I don’t really care though cause they’re socks and they’ll go in shoes and it’ll be fine. The yarn is one I have used for socks before, though I’m not crazy about it. It’s 25% bamboo, and that makes for a really drapey yarn, not really something you want in socks. They tend to sag and stretch throughout the day and by the end, you’ve got more of a sack on your foot than a finished sock. Oh well. I actually got lots of this yarn leftover (as well as in several other colorways), so I’ll probably knit a couple pair of scrap socks with it eventually. They’ll have the same problem, but the bamboo does make them slightly cooler to wear in the summer, so oh well.
I made both socks using the Fish Lips Kiss Heel pattern. It’s basically a short row heel, but it’s really easy and fits really well. And the short row technique is brilliant, so I’ll be doing that for all future short rows. I’ve had problems with short row heels before, but I think the bulk of the problems came in placement of the heel rather than depth or fit. When I first started knitting socks I had a real impatience problem that meant I put in the heel way too early, making the foot super small. I knit all my socks top down now though, so that has helped (as has a large does of patience). If you haven’t given the FLK heel a try, I strongly recommend it. I will definitely be putting it in more socks in the future.
One of my goals for this year (besides eat less crap and maybe lose a couple pounds) is to be more consistent with blogging. I finish a lot of things, so it shouldn’t be a problem, and it’s not like I don’t have the time to write the posts. I just put it off, I guess. I’d like to be better about posting non-FO posts instead of just the parade of finished things when they come off the needles.
As such, here’s a finished object:
(Sorry the picture is sideways and crap; it was raining and I wanted to snap a couple of shots as quickly as possible)
Pattern: It’s a sock. Top down, flap and gusset heel, wedge toe
Yarn: Wild Hare Fiber Studio Hand Dyed Pinnacle Sock Yarn in Peacock Strut
Needles: Addi Sock Rockets, US 1. I love these needles, y’all.
These socks were, as usual, super simple to knit. They’re mostly mindless. The second sock was knit mostly in line for things (or while walking around) at Disney World this past Christmas. They came out a little too big (not sure why–my other 64 stitch socks fit okay; maybe I’ll go with 60 for plain socks next time) and a little short (that’s my own impatience), but on the whole, totally wearable.
Despite the fit issues, I really do like the socks. I ADORE the colors and the yarn was fabulous to work with. It’s pretty cottony (if that makes any sense), which is how I prefer my sock yarn. I bought the yarn a couple of years ago at a craft fair in Alexandria called Craftermath. It was definitely a splurge (I don’t usually buy indie hand dyed sock yarn), but it was totally worth it.
I have about 40g of the yarn left. It’ll probably (eventually) get turned into another pair of socks with contrasting ribbing, heels, and toes. Then I’ll have two pairs of super pretty socks. : )
In other crafting news: I know I said I wanted to post things other than FOs sometimes, but as it turns out, I’ve been making some quick things, so I actually have two more finished things to show off. By the end of the second post, I’ll probably have two more. (Look, worsted weight hats are really quick and so is weaving). Maybe I’ll throw in a WIP post for the sweater I’m working on. I’m sure you guys don’t mind the constant parade of pretty knits one bit, huh?
Sooo I think we can safely say posting every day isn’t for me. Anyway. No new finished objects today, but I do have a bunch of stuff on the needles! Here’s a smattering:
Socks! I’m almost through the gusset decreases on the first one. The yarn is Wild Hare Pinnacle Sock in “Peacock”, and it is absolutely stunning. The colors are SO PRETTY. Unfortunately, the sock is kind of on the back burner thanks to everything else.
Big blue triangle shawl! The yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca. I got two skeins of it from Joe for my birthday last year, and I think it’ll be perfect as a gigantic triangle shawl. I’m not getting to work on it as much as I’d like though.
Catkin! I’m a bit further along than this, although not much. It’s in Skinny Bugga and it’s for AnnaMarie as part of a WWFY swap. I actually really enjoy working on this when I get the chance.
Alas, the thing that’s sucking up the majority of my knitting time is something I don’t have pictures of: shark mittens. There ARE pictures of shark mittens (on my patterns page and up in the header, and that’s just on the blog). I have to do teeth on a pair of adult smalls I just finished and I’m about a centimeter past the thumb divide (working two-at-a-time) on a pair of adult larges. And then I have a pair of child smalls to do. I need the money, especially with my upcoming move, but still. Sharks forever.
So moving: I’m doing it. Ideally in January (I say ideally, but what I mean is I’m pretty sure I’ll be evicted from my current place then soooo). I don’t have a place picked out yet (there are some issues), but I have been looking. There’s a place that I think would work out really well, but I have to discuss it with Joe. I tell you, apartment hunting is soul-sucking. Not as much as job hunting (which I’ve been doing as well), but still. Being an adult sucks, you guys. It really sucks.
I made some socks!
They sparkle!
Pattern: It’s a sock. Cuff down, gusset/flap heel, wedge toe
Yarn: Berroco Sox Metallic in Fruit Cocktail, about 60g of 100g
Needles: US 1/2.25mm Addi Sock Rockets
These are pretty standard socks, so there isn’t a tremendous amount to say about them. They fit pretty well, although the cuffs are little shorter than my usual, which explains why they only took just over half a skein. I could make a whole other pair if I used coordinating heels, toes, and cuffs (which I very well might; I could probably get away with just different heels).
I completely love the yarn though. It isn’t my usual colors, but it SPARKLES. I love the metallic thread. LOVE. I’m like a magpie, I swear. Aside from the sparkle, it’s a pretty good, basic sock yarn. I have no idea how it will wear, but I think it will be okay. I bought the yarn in an actual LYS (shocking, I know). I finally got around to visited Uniquities after attending a couple of their fiber events. Not that I’m lacking in sock yarn, but I might go back at some point and get some more of this yarn. It was lovely to work with and I do love a sparkle.
On that same trip, I also picked up the thing I was actually there to get, which was a new set of sock needles. I’d previously been using a Knit Picks US 1 fixed circular, which was working okay, but the finish was starting to wear on the needles. I bought them before KP switched their production to China so the quality is still pretty good, but I wanted a newer set anyway. I actually wanted to try out Chiagoo, but I ended up getting Addi Sock Rockets since that’s what the shop had.
I like the needles quite a bit. The cable is a little long for knitting one sock at a time, but I think it will be perfect for knitting two at the same time. I’d still like to try a couple other brands of sock needles, but I’m not sure when I’ll get to another LYS. Plus I have to worry about my bank account because it’s not like I’m going to go to an LYS and ONLY buy ONE set of needles. We all know sock yarn would be coming home with me and I’m supposed to be saving so I have move.
Anyway, socks. They’re simple, they’re utilitarian, and they’re fun to knit. Especially if the yarn sparkles.
I made socks! With a pattern on them!
Pattern: Heart to Hearts socks from Wendy Johnson’s Toe Up Socks for Every Body
Yarn: Cascade Heritage, considerably less than a full skein
Needles: Sock needles. US 1s.
Mods: None, knit as written. Though I should have increased fewer for the heel and started it a wee bit earlier
I bought the yarn for this socks in a yarn shop in Fredericksburg, the town where I went to college. The shop is new and was not there when I was, which is really too bad cause it’s a lovely shop (I was there a few months ago to visit some friends). The yarn is the most delightful shade of pink, perfect for girly socks with hearts on. And the base is lovely too, not that I would expect any less from Cascade. I actually have another skein of this yarn in purple in the stash.
The socks were pretty fun to knit too. Just enough concentration to make them good TV knitting. It took me a while to memorize the pattern, but I did eventually. It’s pretty intuitive.
If I were to make these again (I won’t, but let’s pretend), I would make the smallest size instead of the medium and I would make the changes I mentioned above. These are great socks and they’ll get a ton of wear, but they are just the tiniest bit too big. Which I guess is preferable to the pair of socks I have that’s just slightly too small, but you know.
In life news, operation obtain motor vehicle was a success! As was operation drive 400 miles in a car you’ve never driven before (and wasn’t THAT a fun one). It’s a lovely car and I’m pretty chuffed with it (2003 Pontiac Aztek, as I believe I said last time). Lots of cargo space, good engine, power accessories. I’m going to replace the radio because it doesn’t have an aux port or a tape deck (that I could use with a tape deck converter) and the idle is pretty high, but other than that, I love it.
The trip to NY was pretty fun too. We spent much of Saturday and Sunday up in Canada, the first day at Niagara Falls proper and the second at Niagara-on-the-Lake. We got pastries at a Reasonably Priced Bakery (my brother and mother were up there a couple weeks ago and discovered the bakery with the “really reasonably priced pastries”, hence the name), played at a park (I love a good swing set; also I’m five), and had lunch at a lovely Microbrewery on Queen St. called Taps. My brother and the friend he brought with them (who are both 19) were thrilled to be able to order beer. I ate poutine and it was delicious (my midsection and thighs disagree but who listens to them anyway). And we stopped at a garage sale because why the hell not (no one got anything. I looked at sweaters but there were no good fibers). A good time was had by all.
I’m currently working on about nine hundred projects for other people (a shawl, some mitts, and a sweater for WWFY and also shark mittens because IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN). I think I’m going to try to participate in Blogtober this year (it may get pushed back to NaBloPoMo in November) and because I don’t have enough things to knit (ha) I’ll probably cast on some socks for Socktoberfest. WHOO IT’S A PARTY.
We interrupt this steam of FOs to bring you some WIPs! I’ve been working on a bunch of things, but I’m a little bit away from having something finished to show off. There’s a little bit of everything in here.
These are the Heart to Heart socks by Wendy Johnson from Toe Up Socks for Every Body in Cascade Heritage. They’re a bit further along than this, but they’re good knitting for when I want to pay a little attention, like when I’m watching stuff on Netflix.
Socks with long ribbed cuffs in Deborah Norville Everyday Soft Worsted acrylic. They’re for a swap, along with a couple other pairs of acrylic socks. Simple, easy knitting, and the Deborah Norville isn’t too bad to knit with. I knit on them at work, actually, as I’m fortunate enough to get some knitting time on the job.
This is the fingering weight sweater I keep referring to. There’s a whole saga with it, but I’ll talk about that when it’s done. I’m working on the sleeves now, which is the last part as I’ve already done the edging. It’s a recycled merino and Red Heart Sashay. FUN. It will make my hips look enormous and I don’t care.
Aaand some weaving. My first foray into clasped weft. The warp is some recycled wool/rayon/cashmere/nylon, and the weft is Knit Picks Palette. I adore it. It’s a lot slower than my usual tabby, but I like it. It’s a trial run for some clasped weft that I really want to do–blue rain drips on a black background.
In fandom news, Joe and I finished Choices of One and started I Jedi. Excite. I’m kind of reading Black Fleet Crisis, but I don’t know how much I like it. I started watching House of Cards, which I’m sure I’ll have finished by my next post. It’s really interesting and Kevin Spacey is great. I kind of gave up on Voyager, but I might go back at some point and just skip to season four or so. I dunno, things are okay. I’m making lots of stuff. Til next time.
I made another pair of socks out of sock yarn scraps. They were pretty quick.
Pattern: Top-down sock. Flap/gusset heel, wedge toe
Yarn: Sock scraps, including KP Stroll, Cascade Heritage, and Regia
Needles: US 1. Sock needles.
Whoo, they’re so exciting. By which I mean they are socks and a very utilitarian object.
I have the yarn ready for another pair, though I haven’t cast them on yet. I’ve been working on a sweater and the gloves I showed in the last post.
In life news: I am returning home tomorrow from Virginia Beach. Then back to life as usual (with bonus job hunting!) until May, when it’s MDSW followed by Steampunk World Fair (which, shit, I need to do some sewing). Those two weeks are going to be ALL MY MONEY. So I’m really gonna need a decent job by June. I’m working on it.
I have a couple of WIPs I’ve been working on at amusement parks and such. Knitting’s a great way to pass the time in long lines for rides, but I’ve also been putting the project bag on my wrist or tied to a belt loop and knitting while we walk around (especially since at parks like Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens, there’s a lot more walking and less ride-going-on thanks to the zoo portions). Here’s what I’m working on:
Scrap Socks 3: The Scrapening. No lie, this is about four days of knitting. Each of the color blocks was completed in about a day. I have a couple more gusset decreases before I cruise down the foot and finish. Fast socks are the best socks.
Gloves I’ve had on the needles for a couple months. The yarn is a strand of cashmere and a strand of navajo-plied silk. I’m using the Phalangees finger method. Bit out of season now, but winter will come again.
I’ve also been working on inkle bands. I have a finished one on which I practiced some pick up techniques. I’ll have to get some pictures of that soon.
What’s this? More knitting? AWW YEAH. Just finished up some scrap socks made with leftovers from other sock projects.
Pattern: Top down sock, flap and gusset heel, wedge toe
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Handpainted in Tea Party (the majority of the socks), Red Heart Heart and Sole
Needles: US 1. Whatever that mm is. 1.25 I think?
Mods: None, it’s a sock
They fit pretty well. They get a little wavy where I changed yarns but that isn’t so obvious when they’re on and it doesn’t affect the fit any.
They’re socks so there isn’t a tremendous amount to say about them. I like socks. I have another pair on the needles (also using scrap yarn). The Ravelry project page is called “Scrap Socks 3: The Scrapening”.
In life news: Still in Florida. Which, by the way, is driving me completely bonkers owing to my completely fucking insane/idiot family members, the weather, and the spotty internet connection. Oh, and my phone that doesn’t work because I’m dumb. I think I can fix it (eventually), but still. UGH. So there’s knitting and I’m rewatching the Avengers in ten minutes bursts. I need to catch up a whole bunch of Geek and Sundry YouTube content as well as Castle, Doctor Who, and Game of Thrones. DON’T SPOIL ME.
So I made a pair of crazy socks with some leftover sock yarn. Ravelry will tell you these took several weeks, but that’s mostly because I left them at some friends’ place for a couple weeks and didn’t get a chance to retreive them until recently. Anyway:
Not so crazy, you say? Yes, the colors do rather get along here. That is, until I take my shoes off:
Aww yeah, check that crazy sock action. I completely love them, even though they came out a little shorter than I thought they would. It’s great to have another pair for the sock drawer.
I knit them toe up with a wedge toe and afterthought heel. I like a flap and gusset heel best but the afterthought heel is rapidly gaining my favor.
I have a bunch of things on the needles and the loom as well. And I have a super brag thrift store find post coming soon. Crafting is definitely happening here, as well as reading. I’m on a manga kick lately thanks to Katsucon. I’m currently reading Ouran High School Host Club after being absolutely enchanted by the anime. And I’m still reading the Thrawn trilogy with Joe. We’re on the last book and surprising no one at all I’m sure, I completely adore Mara. Look for SW crafts here probably soon.
Stitch, Brinn, Stitch! 