Second Sock Syndrome

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Have you ever knit a project that was just wonderful? The yarn is a joy. The pattern is spectacular. It's a perfect match; however, the whole thing is so boring that you can't be bothered to pick up the needles and actually finish the thing. For me it was a pair of socks, a toe up version of the Little Child's Sock, knit with Ultra Alpaca Fine. The first sock is finished but I haven't even cast on for the second sock. Shame on me. Anyway, in hopes of getting my second sock mojo back, I decided to knit a new pair.

Diamond Gansey Socks by Wendy Johnson | Ravelry |

Just like the other pair, the yarn and pattern are great but I've actually managed to finish both of them. It was almost an obsession really. They were so quick to knit too. I had hoped that the break these socks provided would give me a rediscovered love for my single sock. That didn't work so well since I've already cast on for another, different pair of socks. Maybe after this pair?

Pattern: Bridges

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Bridges Kitchen Towel | ravelry | download |

I'm not sure why I keep making kitchen towels or washcloths for that matter. It's not like I don't have more than enough already. However, I do have a lot of cotton yarn and I could be making other things - like market bags - but washcloths and kitchen towels rule the day. Oh yeah, I also really like making them, whether it's just a random pattern or a Nintendo character.

I also like giving them away too. Washcloths will randomly arrive at my friend's houses any time of year without the need for an occassion. Following that vein, I'm giving the pattern away too. It's a combination of stockinette and a quasi rib that reminds me of bridges crossing a river. Plus, it only uses about 95 yds of worsted weight yarn. Make one and give it away or give it to yourself. Both options work quite well.

Mojo-Jojo

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Rayski Scarf by Jane Ellison | ravelry |

I managed to get a lot of stuff done and out of the way when my knitting mojo disappeared. My swollen ankle didn't slow me down too much. Eventually, the ankle started feeling better and the mojo worked its way back to normal levels.

Mostly, it was the Rayski scarf and all of its bobbles that returned the mojo. I never thought that bobbles would have that effect on me. Anyway, not only is the pattern simple and easily memorized, the yarn is almost addicting. It's the famous and infamous Noro Iro. The colors are lovely and the yarn has a rustic quality that I quite like. Unfortunately, I had to deal with Noro's infamous qualities as well. Every skein has had a knot but at least the color sequence is intact. The one upside is that it allows me a bit more control over the colors even if I do have more ends to weave in. Ends aside, I'm looking forward to knitting the rest of the scarf and wearing it many months from now.

Not Knitting

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For once, I don't feel like knitting. The reason: I've been doing it all day long. It was a perfect storm of a twisted ankle and the many hours spent waiting for my car to be fixed. The sock I'm working on saw a lot of progress but now I'd rather do anything - even laundry - rather than knit. I want to walk and move around but the ankle and a raging storm put a stop to that. Guess I'll just have to catch up on my reading instead.

Pattern: Sideways

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Sideways Kitchen Towel | ravelry | download |

Usually, I have a tried and true way of doing things. Socks are always knit from the toe up. Sweet tea always has lemon. Pencils always get put away point down.  All that uniformity gets a bit boring sometimes so I like to mix it up on occassion. This latest time just happened to involve kitchen towels which I can't help but knit every couple of months.  I've lost track of many I've made over the years and all the same way: bottom to top. It finally got just a bit boring. So, instead of bottom to top, I decided to make one from side to side. It worked out pretty well too with worsted weight cotton, US 7 needles, and a simple stitch pattern.

After that little diversion, I'm ready to go back to my usual ways but I'm definitely going to try different things more often.

A First

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Ever since I started knitting, I've always thought that my first sweater would be the result of meticulous planning and endless hours searching through Ravelry to find that one perfect pattern. In reality, all it took was a random look at a pattern book and yarn in close proximity. Five minutes worth of decision and I was off and swatching for this sweater.

Once I figured out that whole gauge and ease thing, I cast on and began working my way through inch upon inch of stockinette. The odd decrease row has kept it interesting and its been perfect TV knitting. If it keeps going this well, I might have a new top come June. Here's hoping it fits.

Triforce

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Triforce Washcloth | ravelry | download | 

My inner geek/fan girl wins out more than I'd like to admit. I have a bathroom full of washcloths of the Super Mario and Dr Who varieties because of her. The obsession is only getting worse since I've added Legend of Zelda to the mix. Plus, the Triforce is just the beginning.

This pattern uses worsted weight cotton, US 7 needles, and is both written and charted. If washcloths aren't you're thing, use the chart on a scarf, a hat, a blanket, or whatever else comes to mind.

Pretty Things

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I like pretty things, beautiful things, and elegant things; however, I also like useful things. A useful object doesn't have to be pretty but a pretty object does has to be useful. So when I realized these socks were too small, they were turned back into yarn (pretty and useful). After all, pretty socks won't do you much good if you can't wear them.

Leftovers

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It was a day like any other day when I noticed the boyfriend's socks were wearing thin. Before the problem could get any worse, they were off his feet and and waiting for repair. Thankfully, there wasn't a hole - yet - and I still had a bit of yarn leftover. I did eventually fix them with a bit of duplicate stitch. Plus, from all reports, the socks are good as new and, to a casual glance, look that way too.

So, that story had a happy ending but what happens to that next pair of well loved but holey socks? It depends. On leftovers. I sit quite firmly in the camp of toe-up socks which means that I can use up every last little bit of yarn. I've taken advantage of that little gem too. After that darning incident, though, I began to wonder about my socks that don't have a bit of backup waiting in the wings. I'm still going to wear them and, when they get a hole, I'll just have to mend them with different yarn. After all, there's no way I'm going to trash a pair of hand knit socks because of one hole (or even two). Maybe using up every bit of yarn just to use every bit of yarn isn't so great.

I was thinking about leftovers during my last pair of socks and made sure to leave several grams for repairs. I've also revised my thoughts about toe-up socks. They're not about using up every yard but using every yard wisely. If that means leaving a bit for later, I'm all for it.

Alternates

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Alternate | ravelry | download |

Sometimes simple, mindless knits are the best and these socks are no exception. Originally, my yellow and gray yarn was going to become a pair of these. I spent a day knitting and frogging only to discover that what I really liked about the pattern were the stripes on the bottom of the foot. After that, I didn't waste any time and the socks just seemed to fly off the needles. By the time I bound off I had tall, cozy socks with plenty of calf increases.

The scary thing about these wonderful socks is that I want to make so many more in so many different colors. Blue and white, green and orange, purple and blue... Plus, with a little more yarn, I could make knee highs. Now that's a good idea. Anyway, it seemed a shame to keep the pattern to myself so I'm posting it here. These sport weight socks are toe up with a gusset and heel flap and calf increases to get the most out of the yarn. Have fun knitting your own pair.

Fancy (And A Socks That Rock Review)

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Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Sock by Nancy Bush

Yarn: Socks that Rock Mediumweight - Tlingit

Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)

Date: Feb 21 - March 8, 2010

@Ravelry

I like to knit lots of different things but every now and then I get stuck on something: socks, washcloths, toys, whatever. The last overriding object of my attention was socks (it's washcloths now but I'll save that for later). I'm not always sure what throws me over the edge but this particular sock knitting binge started when I was looking for the perfect pattern to go with a souvenir skein of Socks that Rock. Eventually, I picked Gentleman's Fancy Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks and I'd like to say it's a good pattern but, really, I have no idea since I modified it so much. Toe up with a reinforced heel flap and my own set of calf increases. Basically, I only kept the stitch pattern and what a glorious stitch pattern it is.

It wasn't just the stitch pattern that had me enthralled. The Socks that Rock did actually live up to the hype. The colors were beautiful (even if they did turn my needles and hands black), the yarn had a nice, tight twist, and the yardage was quite generous. I can't speak for its durability though because I managed to finish them right as Winter and the chance to wear tall, wool socks was fading out. I have high hopes for next Winter though.

Spring Cleaning

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Spring Cleaning | ravelry | download |

Spring is definitely here and the sun, warm temperature, cool breezes, and even rain prove it. As a side effect, I've definitely been bitten with by the Spring Cleaning bug. Winter clothes are being put away, the house is getting a good cleaning, and the clutter is being cleared out. Part of that clutter is all of the ideas that have been floating around in my head since last year. It's high time to get them out of my head and into the world. 

One of these ideas was a simple washcloth that would use up my small, leftover balls of cotton and be useful around the house. The pattern wasn't as simple as I first envisioned and it seemed like I spent more time ripping than knitting. Short rows came to the rescue though and after a bit more tweaking, the idea was finally out of my head. The final pattern uses worsted weight cotton, US 7 (4.5mm) needles, increases, deceases, and short rows to get the final shape. Both solid and variegated yarns look great and don't hide the pattern. Besides from giving a few sample stitch counts, I've also included directions on how to make any size cloth you want. Have fun making one as big as you want and use as much or as little yarn as you want.

Good luck with your own spring cleaning both knitting and other-wise. 

Game Knitting!

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Buttoning Headband from Game Knitting by Lee Meredith

@rav

Even though I finished this headband as Winter was ending, I feel like I finished it right on time. After all, it'll still be there when Fall and Winter come around again. Second, the knitting helped me stay warm, cozy, and laughing through the last of Winter's doldrums because of Game Knitting. Its premise is simple but powerful - knit a basic pattern according to a set of occurrences in TV, movies, or daily life. So, I to kept myself happy with tea and knitting along to the Red Green Show. Whenever someone used duct tape, something exploded, or someone got hurt on Adventures with Bill, etc, I made a cable. Some episodes had more cables than others but it was a great time and I was sad to bind off.

Game Knitting is more than just a headband and cables though. It's more than hats, scarves, and mitts. It's more than short rows, bobbles, ribbing, eyelets, and color work. It's all of these things thrown together with randomness and spontaneity. You might not know what to expect when you begin but it's a lot of fun finding out. The ebook showing you the way is full of colorful photos, patterns, detailed explanations, and lots of inspiration. I can't wait to use it again.

Cotton Leaf

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Cotton Leaf Rag by Ann Buechner (ravelry)

This leaf is one of the latest additions to my fleet of hand towels and washcloths.  I couldn't resist making it way back in December since it reminded me so much of Spring and non-freezing temperatures. It turned out to be a really quick knit and all the short rows made it so much fun. Maybe I'll be able to make a few more before Spring officially arrives.

Home

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There’s always a bit of work involved to make a place feel like home. Moving boxes and setting up furniture is only the start. For me, though, it’s the small things that have the biggest impact. So, when house hunting began in earnest, I dug out my cotton stash to make a piece of home. Three kitchen towels were finished soon after moving day and, after a few months of use, they look like they belong here. It finally feels like I do too.

Linoleum Dishcloth by Kay Gardiner (ravelry)

Mosaic Stripe Set (ravelry)

Mosaic Flower Dishcloths (ravelry)

Play

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Pattern: Konnichiwa by Judy Summer (

ravelry

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Yarn: Cascade 220 - 

Ruby

Needles: US 6 (4mm) DPN’s

Date: Feb 1-13, 2010

@rav

March’s socks, Konnichiwa, were so much fun that I finished them in less than two weeks. They’re a combination of a good pattern, a good yarn, and a good technique. Those things aside, what made them really fun was that I didn’t hold myself to the pattern. My version is toe-up, a larger size, and has alternating cable crossings. In other words, I let myself play.

I know play doesn’t seem like much. After all, shouldn’t I be working and productive? Shouldn’t I be doing something important? What I’ve come to realize, through knitting and architecture, is that play is very important. Play is the driving force behind serious work and focus. It is the motivator behind great work and great feats because it pushes people to keep experimenting and pushing limits. Without play, work (or anything else) becomes something to finish so you can get onto something you like. People can tell difference. So, don’t be afraid to play. You never know where it will take you.