Tuesday, 17. June 2008
Summer knits, as I have come to find, should be quick, easy, and mind-numbing. As much as I try to coordinate my yarns with the seasons, I find that so-called summer yarns (the cottons, the hemps, the linens) do not tempt me as much as their woolen cousins. This is the primary reason why the Cherry Cardigan and the linen Perfect Fit Skirt have slowed down to a snail’s crawl, because quite frankly, I just love knitting with wool. As the temperature rises to the 70s and 80s, it is easier for me to turn to miniature wool projects, like socks and hats.
Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks, in Interweave Knits Winter 2005
Materials: Sz 1 DPNs, 2 skeins of Koigu KPM 1205
Notes: No modifications to the pattern. I love this shade of yellow almost-solid Koigu, and the pattern is easy to execute. I’m not too crazy about the star-toe, although I admit it was exciting to try something new. The socks are a little loose on my sz 7 feet, but I think it’d make a pair of comfy house socks this winter. Koigu on your feet is luxury. This FO brings a bounce in my steps!
Pattern: Felicity (PDF Pattern Link) by Wanett Clyde
Materials: Leftover Cascade 220 wool in shade 7814 from my Biker jacket, Sz 8 DPNs
Notes: Truth be told, I did not follow this pattern at all. I loved its simplicity, and just CO 84 sts and increased to 100 sts at random and knit straight for 5.5 inches. At the time of knitting, I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted the slouchy look that the original pattern provided, so I just did a CCD decrease (slip 2 as if to knit, k1, psso) in every round until I bound off the hat. I still like the FO, but I think I’m going to make a real Felicity hat in the future. This shortened and heavily modified version produces horns. Ha ha. This is what I get for butchering a perfectly executed pattern.
Next we have a striped beanie made from one of my secret favorite yarn. Secret in the sense that I love it, I hoard it, and yet, I haven’t made an entire sweater out of it. Learning my lesson from Felicity Shortie above, this time I wanted:
- Non-curling edges (and yet, no garter, and no knit hems)
- Stripes
- A little texture
- Easy memorizable pattern
- Not slouchy, and yet not constrict-your-circulation-tight hat
We shall discuss this Stripey Tweedy hat recipe in the next post. Until then, happy summer knitting.
Posted in FOs, Hats, Patterns, Socks by winnie -
Sunday, 20. April 2008
Sometimes, it sucks when work usurps all your energy and leaves you way too brain dead to work on the more interesting things in life, like, your knitting. Such was the case this week. But let’s get on with the progress of my imitation biker jacket.
It’s still missing a pair of epaulets, the remaining sleeves (I’ve decided to go full length – only because I realized that I do have enough yarn), and the two front borders. Knitting without a pattern is liberating, but scary all at once. I based the measurements off one of my cropped cardigans, knit the pockets, and then decided that I did not want a cropped jacket. As a result, the pockets now sit right below my breasts, and there is no way I am ripping out all the sewing again. I am hoping, that with the magic of blocking (Shh. Don’t convince me otherwise), I can somewhat increase the distance between the pocket and my under boob a little. Other than the pocket mishap, things have been pretty smooth-sailing. Top down knitting is the bomb! No more worrying whether or not you can fit all your sleeve stitches into that armhole.
I’m playing with two ideas for a front band right now. Currently, I have plans to sew hidden snaps with decorative buttons on the front band, and reinforce the band with a ribbon facing to minimize wear-n-tear. But after studying Grumperina’s zipper installation tutorial, my absolutely-no-zipper resolution is wavering. I kept thinking to myself: “Hey, how hard can it be, right?”
We’ll sit on this for a few days while the rest of the sleeves are completed. Incidentally, I just realized that the color-combo seems very child-like. It must be my inner Peter-Pan.
In the mean time, two pairs of socks have been completed.
Do not be fooled by the aesthetics of this image. This pair of Koigu Aquaphobia Socks, made for Bobby G (he who feeds my Koigu fetish), was made without modifications to fit his ultra-wide feet. We must have taken over 20 photos to find the right one. He has requested that I be kind while describing his feet, so with much restraint on my part, let’s just say that his feet make him a good swimmer. (How am I doing with the kindness so far?)
Continuing with the blue-green kick that I’ve been on for a while, I also finished a pair of knee highs with Online Supersocke Yarn that I purchased in StitchDC last year. Nothing spectacular, just simple stockinette on Sz 0 and 1 needles.
(I like this shot better. Makes me legs look leaner)
Posted in FOs, Socks, Techniques, WIPs by winnie -
Friday, 11. April 2008
For the last few days, I’ve been obsessed with biker-style jackets. I searched the fashion forums and picked out two that I liked most.
(simple lines, hidden pockets, and epaulets)
What I happen to have is also 7 balls of chunky yarn that was originally purchased to make Tikru’s Greengable. Unfortunately, I realized it wasn’t enough. Since then, the yarn has been staring me in the face gnawing at me to make something out of it. So when the startitis bug hit, I gave in to the temptation of instantly casting on. I made a mental list of the qualities that I want from this jacket, and I realized that given the possibility of running out of yarn, the jacket should be:
- Knit top down, but with short-rows for shoulder shaping
- With top down set-in sleeves
- Have vertical slit pockets on both fronts, also top down
- High collar
- Sleeve, bottom and collar bands in contrast color, but keep front button bands in same color
- Epaulets! Wee….
Of course it was then that I realized that there is no pattern for all the things that I want to do, so what better time than to make my own? That’s right – my jacket is going to have ALL of those qualities. Barbara Walker, don’t let me down now. And this is what I have to show for it after 2 days.
(a big lump of chunky yarn)
Oh yea, and I’m also knitting a pair of Aquaphobia Socks on the side too. You can never have too many WIPs.
(jah…I is busy)
Posted in Patterns, WIPs by winnie -
Saturday, 21. April 2007
A few months ago, news broke about the new Addi Turbo lace knitting needles, you know, the ones with the really sharp tips. My friend Bobby G and I (more like I dragged Bobby G) went to the LYS to gets me a pair of them sharp sharp needles. So, new needle in hand, but nothing to cast on.Enter sock yarn section.”Bobby G, would you like a pair of handknit socks?” said I.
Bobby G: “My feet are too wide to knit socks for.”
Winnie S: “Oh yes but that is the wonder of handknit socks. You knit to fit.”
Ta da! Bobby G, for the first time in his life, has a pair of socks that does not cut off his blood circulation. He is pleased.
And we took the opportunity to showcase our lovely feet together on this fine Saturday afternoon.
Project Specs: Bobby G’s Wide Manly Socks
Materials: Sz 1 Addi Turbo Lace needles, Meilenweit Colortweed #1008 (80% virign wool, 20% polyamide)
Sizing: Sz 9 foot, 64 sts.
Posted in FOs, Socks by winnie -
Tuesday, 31. January 2006
Pattern: Jaywalker by Grumperina
Materials: Sz 0 addi turbo, Regia Mini Ringel #5340 (2 balls, with tons of leftover yarn)
Notes: I cast on 76 sts for the smallest size in Sz 0 needles, and they still came out a bit loose. I usually cast on 60 sts on Sz 0 addi’s for my ribbed socks.. so I guess 76 sts is a bit too much, even for the zig-zaggy pattern. I’m going to reduce it to 68 sts for my next pair…Yes that’s right..there is going to be a next pair.
Aside from knitting Jaywalkers.. I haven’t done much knitting the last few days.. feeling just a wee bit uninspired. But I’ve had that before.. and I’m sure things will pick up again soon. And you can be damn sure I ain’t jaywalking in L.A.. a few years ago one of my friends did a little bit of jaywalking and got slapped with a $90 ticket. OuCh! That’s enough money for more jaywalker sock yarn!
Posted in FOs, Socks by winnie -
