Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Some Progress...



Well, I've been in Arizona lately helping my Dad move. What that means is that there has been lovely air conditioning everywhere I go, plus less humidity. In other words, I am taking every chance I get to work on the second sockotta sock that I was having issues with due to sticky (sweaty ha ha) bamboo needles. So though it has been slow going, I am getting it done. Though I have to admit I can only seem to do a row or two at a time since this is AZ and yes, it is extremely hot!

Also, I have been working on Baudelaire as well. Just added a repeat since last post I think. It's a very simple pattern repeat so far.

Monday, August 20, 2007

More Cookie A Socks

Well I can't seem to resist Cookie A's Patterns. I cast On for the Baudelaire Socks from knitty a couple of days ago.
I used the Turkish Cast On and started with twice as many stitches on purpose. I don't like the toes so narrow as I have noticed they tend to be when I follow a pattern. I also kept knitting in stockinette stitch for a few rows after the toe increases. When I did Hedera, I thought the pattern was carried too low down on the foot and I wished I had stopped earlier and done plain stockinette. I like my toes covered that way. It may look a bit odd, but it was perfect when I tried them on.
I am also, as you may have noticed, knitting them two at once. I am using the knitpicks classic circs size 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) To anyone who thinks that 32inches is too short to do magic loop, these cables are so flexible I am doing BOTH at the same time and they fit fine! This is the first time I am doing two at once. I always thought that I would have a tangled mess, because let's face it, I am not the most coordinated person in the world, but I am actually doing really well, and no tangles to boot!
This is also my first time reading a chart as I used to steer clear of them and always opted for written directions. It is a lot simpler than I thought and makes a lot of sense. Very Cool!

I'm having fun with these so far!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

My English Ivy - Hedera Socks


Please No SSS!
I took a break from the purple sockotta since I just couldn't deal with the sticky needles ( I know it's not the needles, it's me, I love those needles) So I won't begin the second one until it cools down a bit. I have never moved on to a new pair without completely the one I am working on. I mean I have cast on more than one pair at once, just never put on completely aside. I hope I don't fall victim to the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome (SSS). Well I cast on the second sock so hopefully I will be more likely to pick it up when I can before it is long forgotten. I cannot bring myself to knit even one row with this humidity!

On to my Hedera Socks...
It is just like me to place an order with Knitpicks months ago and neither post about it or post my Stash enhancement. Well I just bought a lot of sock yarns, Essential mostly, and the two remaining colorways of Dancing, though I am really not crazy about the colors, but love cotton blends. I also bought the Classic Circs in size 0 and 1 (2.5mm)

Wouldn't you know it! I asked the rep if they were going to be bringing out any new cotton blend sock yarns and she said she didn't think so. That is why I bought the Dancing. just DAYS after placing my order, BAM! New sock yarns... and gasp cotton blends! I would have waited a few more days and placed an order for the Risata instead since I prefer the cotton. I would have ordered those in the place of the essential I think. Not that I don't like the essential. Very soft and nice to work with. I just can't see myself placing another order so soon. I am trying to be good after all. I still love Knitpicks, so this is in no way a rant against them, just my impatience lol.

Oh yeah oh yeah... the socks...
I Cast On for Knitty's Hedera Socks by Cookie A. I love this pattern and for once I don't think I modified anything. The heel was quite longer than I am used to and I was a bit skeptical, but I knit it as written and it fits well.
I used my new size 1 circs from knitpicks and had no problem with sticky needles. I LOVE THESE NEEDLES. I can't believe how flexible the cable is and the finish is so smooth! The yarn slides over it so easily.




Yarn: Knitpicks Essential in Grass
Pattern: Knitty's Hedera
Needles: Knitpicks Classic Circular size 1 (2.5mm)



This was a very easily memorized pattern. There was a moment for a few days when I had to sit in the ICU for Mr T. and it really relaxed me. It was a fast knit. Not sure exactly how long it took me. I think I might knit these again down the road if I had to.