Girl Who Knits

So I got word this morning that Allison received her Toasty Toes socks from me.  She sent me the nicest thank you email ever and I am so pleased that she likes them--honestly, you can't imagine how relieved I am.  So without further ado, here are the socks:

I was so excited about completing the second sock that I immediately washed them.  Kind of dumb since I now don't have a pretty on-my-foot picture of the finished pair.  I finished them last week Tuesday.  They took two days to dry fully and I sent them off last Thursday along with a few other goodies.  I am so thrilled I finished on time.  I am also thrilled with how the socks came out. 

I have long admired the Petticoat Socks from Weekend Knitting.  When I was faced with having to find a new sock pattern after I realized the Lombard Street socks weren't going to work, I immediately thought of this one.  I love the way the picot edge curves at the top of the sock.  I also find the lace pattern really pleasing.  Can't really tell you why but I love it.

The stats:

Pattern: Petticoat Socks

Source: Weekend Knitting

Yarn: Plain and Fancy Wool, single-ply sport weight, Avocado

Needles: US 3 dpns

Mods: None

Notes:  I loved the way the greens in this yarn had such subtle differences of color.  It also slightly varies in thickness which adds a different texture to the sock.  I also LOVE the toe.  Again, it is very pleasing. 

The verdict--I like them and will likely make myself a pair in the future.  They are very comfortable and warm and pretty.  I couldn't be happier with my pal and had a lot of fun reading her blog--getting to know someone while knitting them socks.  What a cool experience.  I have to admit to some intimidation though.  I mean she runs Simply Socks Yarn Company.  Not only is it a yarn store...but a SOCK yarn store.  Honestly.  Talk about being thrown in the fire for my first exchange.  But I think I came out okay and will certainly do another exchange in the future.  What fun. 

I did get an email saying that the socks intended for me are a little delayed so I will show those when I get them.  I don't mind the delay at all.  It was fun enough to make and send out the socks I made.  I can wait.  So since the socks were completed, I have been back to sweater knitting.  Forecast is up first.  I am thinking it could be done this weekend--finally.  I have been loving getting back into sweater knitting.  I have several sweater projects that I want to get done before the year ends.  More on that later.

It has been way too long since I have had an update.  Our internet is down at home and work has just been too busy to get much blogging done.  It has just been one of those weeks. 

Last week, while knitting amongst the very talented knitters in Salt Lake City, I was forced to confront the denial I have been living in over the last few weeks.  The denial went deep and started with the assertion that this:

will fit my Toasty Toes pal even though i have to pry it on my feet praying that the fabric will hold as it painfully stretches over my heel.  For some reason, the fact that I was able to get it on eventually and allowed me to forget the pausing and the slow cinching required to do so. 

Unfortunately, the fit wasn't all.  I also have been ignoring the fact that in order to finish the toe of the first sock, I had to break into the second skien of Koigu.  Um...why I didn't at that point realize there is no way I will have enough yarn for the second sock I don't know.  I really was living under the hope that the second skien magically will have more yardage than the first.  I am stupid.  Unfortunately for me, I had to be outed as a dumb dumb at last week's SnB in front of smart knitters.

My eyes finally opened and not wanting to send my pal socks that don't fit, I went home and immediately went into full scale fix-it mode.  I found another pattern I have been wanting to try and that I think my pal will be into, grabbed some awesome green yarn I bought from Plain and Fancy Wool at Estes Wool Market and cast on the next day.  I have been knitting ever since.  I am done with one sock and 80% done with the second.

Meet the Petticoat Socks from Weekend Knitting:

Here is me trying it on (it fits!)

These socks are SO comfortable and very...dare I say...toasty.  I am pleased with how they turned out and hope my pal will love them--more than anything I want her to be happy.  I am still morning the loss of the Lombard Street socks and I know those would have been great, but how great can a pair of socks be that take 10 minutes to get on...and with one having a missing toe. 

So there is the knitting update.  On a different note, today is my birthday.  I wish I could live in denial about that but I am all too aware that I woke up one year older today.  Just like that. I am 31.  I know, not old but still, not super young.  A good age I think but one that really makes me reflect on my life and the direction it is taking. 

I will give you a full report on all the festivities (they started on Saturday) and on all the fun things my clever sisters have done for my birthday.  But as a teaser, here is how it all began at 3:30 Saturday afternoon:

Intriguing no?

Some of you may have heard me mention my selfish knitting tendencies.  How my knitting and I form such a tight bond, I have a hard time letting go.  So if you are reading this and I have knit for you, you should know...that's love.  True knitter's love.

Toasty Toes is the first knit exchange I have joined and while I am excited to take part, I can see the potential for tragedy.  You see, I think I am in love with my pal's socks. 

This wasn't anything I planned.  It just happened.  I think they had me at the Picot edge.  So. Cute.  The pattern is Lombard Street, designed by Susan and found in the most recent MagKnits.  The yarn is Koigu KPM in this great steel blue color.  I love mostly solid color yarns for socks--slight variations in the color give it an added dimension that I love. 

My only worry about these socks is that there is not a lot of give in the fabric so I am holding my breath over sizing.  I am on gauge though so hopefully I will be okay.  Once I turn the heel I will try it on and make sure I can get it over my ankle--so let's just hope they fit shall we?  The only thing more tragic then the fact that I have to give these up, would be if they didn't fit my pal.  As much as I love the socks, I want her to be happy more. 

Like a kid on their first day of school, my Anna socks were very excited to come to work today.  We took pictures right before we left so the world could see how they looked all washed and ready for the day. 

I was surprised how once they took a nice bath they did a good job of staying up on the leg.  I may still add some elastic but so far they are holding up well. 

I think the Anna socks are having a fun filled day at work.  Look at them hard at work on the computer...

Eating Todd's famous homemade salsa...

And talking on the phone while trying to avoid people walking by and reporting me to HR...

Oh yes, today was a good day for the socks.  I think they might come back to work real soon.

The Stats:

Pattern: Anna Socks

Source: Rowan 40

Yarn: Rowan 4-ply soft, Black

Needles: US 2 & 3 double points

Mods: After about 21 centimeters (I feel very British talking all metric) I switched to size 2 needles to avoid bunching at the ankles and to make up for NO shaping. 

Notes: The great thing about these is that they really don't look like I made them.  It is my little secret...of course I kind of ruined the secret at work today when I asked everyone if they liked the socks I made.  What can I say?...I quite like them. 

You guys are the best do you know that?  Thanks to all the blogland suggestions and help I figured out what to do about the question of shaping I had about my Anna socks.  Knitting the first half using size 3's and then switching to size 2's for the rest worked perfectly.  See:

I think I love it.  Off to cast on for the second. 

So I started them. 

The oh-so-elegant Anna socks from the new Rowan.  Of course, my picture is ever so slightly less elegant.

Last week I picked up the book and yarn at a LYS I don't often go to.  They have a great selection of Rowan yarn so I usually make it there at the beginning of each season.  For the socks I am using the suggested yarn, Rowan 4-ply Soft.  It is black, a nice crisp black.  I love this yarn, it is the same stuff I used for Rambling Rose so I am very familiar with it.  I am going to make sure to use some reinforcement yarn when doing the heel since I have heard some say the yarn is not traditionally used for socks and may be a bit delicate.  I think it will be fine though. 

The pattern is clear and I memorized the lace part quickly.  But I have an issue...there is no shaping for the sock.  No decreasing for the lower leg and ankle.  None. 

Um...I should be worried right?  I know it is a stretchy lace pattern but could the same size material really fit my calf AND ankle?  I don't think so.  This is very vexing indeed.

See, I love these socks.  Love them.  But I don't think I would love them quite so much with saggy ankles.  I brought this up tonight at SnB.  The ladies there were also surprised about the knee socks with no shaping.  We talked a little about how I could add some shaping in so I have some ideas that I am trying to work out.  Any suggestions you all have would be appreciated too.  Problem is, there is no back seem and the lace pattern doesn't lend itself easily to decreases.

I just don't get it.

Well, these have been done for a week but I am just now getting around to posting about them.  Thanks to hours and hours of road trip knitting time, I present my finished Hederas:

Here are the stats: 

Pattern: Hedera Socks

Source: Spring Knitty 06

Yarn: Sweet Georgia sock yarn, Moss (such soft beautiful yarn)

Needles: US 1 Double Points

Mods: None

Notes: To get a loose CO I cast on using two needles together.  My only annoyance with these is that one part of the lace pattern makes a hole that is bigger then the rest.  I wish it was more even and am not sure it this is due to something I did or not.  It was on the yarn over before a purl stitch so in essence you have to yarn over twice right?  Am I missing something?  Either way, they are done, and I like them.

My next sock project will be for a knit exchange I joined...my first!!!  It is called Toasty Toes.  I have been thinking about patterns but haven't decided on anything yet.  I want to pick a pattern before I decide on yarn.  I am excited about doing an exchange but a little nervous.  I mean, I am an indecisive perfectionist when I am knitting for myself, let alone for someone else.  I just want my pal to be happy, you know?

In other news, I cast on for a new sweater project that I am loving.  I am also obsessing over a potential new project as well.  Stay tuned for pictures and details...

Indecision is

the girl who knits lace burden

inconstant, fickle

like in love she goes

through patterns with interest

peaked and then waning

trellis was the first

unfinished, sits abandoned

wanting to be knit

Green Hedera sock

lunch knitting, social buddy

one but toe complete.

a cool hemp ponchette

pretty and hippie friendly

new love--pray it lasts

there are yet others

mim mountian peak out of reach

pattern incomplete

fidelity is

impossible for this girl

who knits much lace.  Next?

I never really understood the idea of size 0.  Doesn't zero mean nothing?  So how can someone wear a size nothing pant?  And don't get me started about size 0 needles.  I casted on for the Simply Lovely Lace socks from the Spring 06 Interweave using size 0 double points last night.  I am only a few repeats into the cuff and I have to be honest...I am hating it.  I don't know if it is the sock pattern or the size "nothing" needles.  Knitting it has been painstaking. 

I love the yarn.  Sweetgeorgia superwash sock yarn in Moss.  Love it.  So soft and the color variation is so subtle—it is just beautiful.  But I am seriously debating continuing.  Doing a simple sl 1, k2tog, psso takes forever.  I am thinking about frogging and re-casting on using 1's.  Do you think that will be better?  I can't imagine it would change the size too much.  I just don't want to knit something that I am not enjoying.  I don't know.  I think I will try again another night and see how I feel. 

Forecast is coming along nicely.  Here is the upper body finished:

I feel like it looks like a little child sweater in that picture.  I am loving this sweater.  So much.  First off, I have tried it on and at this point I think it will fit well.  I LOVE the texture of it.  All the purl stitches really work for the style and feel of the sweater.  The color is much deeper in real life and has some great yellow undertones to it.  I will try next time to get a better picture of the color.  The pattern is easy to remember and it has been really fun to knit.  I knit the upper body several inches longer then the pattern calls for and I am going to knit the ribbing at the bottom longer too.  I am wagering that the sweater will not be done in time to wear before it gets too hot but I am going to keep working on it anyway. 

This weekend I am going casting on for Rambling Rose.  So that should be fun.  More small needles.  Just as long as they aren't 0's. 

So here they are.  My first real completed pair of socks (I am not counting the Norwegian Stockings—they are after all, stockings...not socks.)

I learned so much from these babies.  Part of me is surprised that I actually finished.  You see, I have tried to knit socks before.  Maybe my 4th knitting project ever was a pair of socks.  I gave up on them because I had no faith in the sock pattern as they seemed too big and were taking FOREVER.  Plus the needles were just so small.  Really, I just wasn't ready.  A month or so later I attempted my second pair with different yarn which resulted in one ill-fitting sock.  I liked the colors and because the yarn was a nice thick worsted they weren't as intimidating to me but I was so bummed when I tried it on because it didn't fit my heel at all.  I didn't understand enough about knitting to figure out what was wrong or how I could fix it so I left the sock to it's sad single self. 

I left socks alone for a while and only in recent months have I again felt the draw of hand knit socks.  I have long admired the gorgeous socks made by craftoholic Steph.  Look at her gallery and all those awesome socks (I am in love with the Gothic Knee Highs).  She offered several of the lace patterns she used for her socks and so I emailed her, got the patterns, and decided on the Orchid socks. 

See the back:

Okay, so here are my notes:

The yarn...Anne from Schaefer Yarn.  All their colorways are unique so I don't know what to call the color but I loved the mix of burgundies, purples, and oranges when I found it at my LYS.  A few things surprised me about the yarn.  It seemed to knit up darker then the ball looks.  Also, it sort of self-stripes in this cool wavy way.  I loved the yarn when I bought it and I still really like it.  Although, part of me thinks the pattern would have been highlighted better in a lighter, more solid color. 

The sock anatomy...I decided to try toe up socks with short row heels.  I figured out what to do using a variety of online patterns and helps.  I loved knitting the socks toe up—I think it is so cool to watch it grow from the bottom and also how you can really see how they are going to fit as you knit.  I chose a pointed toe because at the time it seemed easiest but I don't love the pointed toe and probably won't do one again.  I think I will try a short row or rounded toe next.  I liked doing the short row heels and will definitely do them again.  I think I like them better then heel flaps as they fit my foot well and are much sleeker looking.  With the exception of the toe I used this pattern for the basic outline of the sock.  The sock is a 60 stitches sock and knit on US 1's.

The sock pattern...love the pattern.  It was so fun to knit and watch develop.  See a close up:

The ribbing...okay, I knit the ribbing on these socks maybe 6 different times.  I just couldn't get it right.  I finally ended up increasing 4 stitches on my first row of ribbing and working K2, P2 until the last row when I switched to 2's and then bound off VERY loosely with the larger needles.  This worked better although I wish I would have done more rows of ribbing (I did about 10).

What would I do differently?...well, I think I made the sock either too long or too short.  It hits in that really awkward spot where my calf starts so the sock doesn't stay up as tight as I would like.  Because of how pretty the pattern is, I would like the socks to have a really close tight fit so you can see it clearly.  They don't sag, but they are looser then I would like.  I should have done some increasing (which I need to figure out how to do so if anyone knows of a good formula then please let me know) and made them a few inches longer.  Or, I should have made them an inch or two shorter.  In my real dream world, I would have made them knee highs but again, I don't know a good formula for increasing up the leg yet.

In the end, I am very pleased.  I am wearing them to work today which makes me happy.  I remarked to a co-worker that I don't think I would ever buy socks in this color scheme or normally wear socks like these but because I made them they automatically become my style.  I believe I have a new love here—sock knitting love.  Everyone in blogland has already caught the vision and now I have too.  It is like I finally get it.