FOs: Socks for Kate & Yoga Socks

Kate’s birthday was in February and I actually had these finished in time. But. At the same time, I had a trip planned to the UK so, I packaged up the socks quickly and then posted them when I got back. Unfortunately, in my haste, I didn’t take proper pics of the finished socks. What you have instead is some work-in-progress shots. They were also late.. Sorry Kate!

Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball in Brombeeren
Pattern: Neely O’Hara Socks by Liz Abinante
Needles: 2mm dpns
Notes/Modifications: I didn’t really change anything. The heel was worked as specified, but the toes were my default ones. I should try some new ways, but I like the way my toes look, so I’ll keep using this method.

These were nice and easy to work up and I love the colour transitions of the yarn from dark to light.

These are now with Kate and I hope she’s enjoying them, especially in this not-so-spring weather!

Next up are my yoga/pedicure socks that I finished last night!

I am so chuffed with these. They are snuggly and warm and perfect for both tasks. I used them last night for painting my toenails.. unfortunately, I spent more time admiring my socks than concentrating on my painting, so they look a mess! So no pictures with them on.. instead you get my lovely foot model. The socks then got another outing this morning for yoga.

Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn in S188 (purples)
Pattern: Yoga Socks #153 by Patons
Needles: 3.25mm KnitPicks Harmony
Notes/Modifications: The pattern is for a smaller length of sock, but I wanted mine long, so I made them longer. I used the full skein for both socks. After the pattern section, the pattern calls for an increase in the number of stitches, and I did this with the first sock and found that it was way too big for me, so I ripped it back to the increase and just carried on with the 64 original sts. The rest is the same as the pattern

This was a pretty easy project. Apart from the ripping back of the first sock and reknitting and the whole splitting the skein in half so I had enough for both socks, I loved making them. It got a little tense near the end of the second sock as I had only a little of the yarn left, but my maths was correct and it all worked out great.

I hope you’re all having a great weekend. Here’s hoping that spring will make an appearance soon!
What are you all knitting this weekend?

The reason.

This is the reason why I haven’t blogged in such a long time.

It has kept me busy.

Awake at nights.

Trying not to turn into Bridezilla.

So far so good.

A few more weeks and things should return to normal.

Hopefully, anyway!!

Next post… some knitting, I promise.

N.B. The invites were designed and printed by my brother.

FO: Fluted Cowl

This is officially my first finished project of 2013!!

When Winter hits, I automatically develop this urge to knit nice and snuggly things and for a while now I’ve wanted one of those HUGE cowls that everyone seems to be wearing.

Right from the moment this want emerged I knew at the back of my mind that it wasn’t going to work for me. I have a small neck and filling it with a huge cowl was not going to help. I am short. I own that, yet I can not accept the fact that this particular style is not going to do anything to help me.

But I WANTED a cowl like this. WANTED. So, I pulled out some super bulky yarn from my stash and proceeded to knit this beautiful pattern. And it really is. I loved knitting this pattern. It’s simple and easy and not much work for TV knitting.

I knew though. Even before I cast off, I knew. I love this cowl. I hate this cowl. But…. I love this cowl. I just won’t wear it and therefore this has now been added to the gift pile. I am sad.

Yarn: GGH Aspen in 42 (Beige) x 5
Pattern: Fluted Cowl by Purl Soho
Needles: 10mm Denise Interchangeables
Notes/Modifications: I used smaller needles as I didn’t have the right size in my needle cache. I also only knit 10″ instead of the recommended 15″. The reasons for this are above.

The yarn on the other hand is not one I enjoyed working with. It’s mainly Acrylic and it was a purchase I made near the beginning of my knitting adventures. Finally used half of it and the rest has been gifted to charity.

Anyway. I enjoyed this knit, but it’s now been added to the gift pile.

FO: Montview Cardigan

Montview has become one of my favorite cardigans that I have ever made. Especially this winter in the snow and cold that we’ve had this past week!

This was actually very easy to knit and when I first started it I was immensely impressed at Ruth Garcia-Alcantud’s pattern writing and the clear and concise way the design flows. I didn’t question anything. I didn’t even want to question anything.

I loved the yarn choice and made sure that it was definitely my choice for tis project and as you know, I normally substitute yarn choice on a project. Rowan makes some fab yarns and his is one of them. It’s springy and soft and the tweed effect works so well. It makes the cables in the pattern pop. Even after blocking, the definition is fantastic.

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed Aran
Pattern: Montview Cardigan by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
Needles: 5.5mm
Notes/Modifications: None.

One of the reasons this was ‘on the needles’ for such a long time is that I detest seaming. And the sleeves needed seaming. So, this lovely cardigan languished in my WIPs basket for a number of months. At the end of December, I couldn’t take anymore and took the plunge and just seamed away. And I can now claim this cardigan as the final finished knit of 2012.

For all those out there looking for a designer that understands how a garment should look and feel and a pattern that just flows, try Ruth’s amazing collection. There is definitely something (lots in my case) there for everyone!

P.S. Apologies for the photos… I decided that posing outside in the snow was definitely not my idea of fun, so you have inside pics and me looking a little scruffy!!

FOs: Socks for two?

Two projects that I did finish late last year were these socks. Firstly we have the Cachoeira Socks from Knitty, by Kristi Geraci.

I made these as a present and they turned out beautifully. The yarn is Wollmeise, and even though I love the colours, the yarn itself is something I find very difficult to work with.

The pattern though was easy enough to work and the lace enough to keep me very interested. I think I would’ve finished them a lot quicker if it hadn’t been for the yarn.

Yarn: Wollmeise Twin in Taube
Pattern: Cachoeira Socks by Kristi Geraci
Needles: 2.25mm KnitPicks
Notes/Modifications: I don’t think I changed anything at all… Maybe the toe end, I have my own toe to work and I always use it, but the rest is according to the pattern.

These have now reached their new home and will be loved and cherished.

The second pair was much simpler. The yarn was so busy that I decided the actual sock would have to be plain.

But once I started the first sock, I got a little tired of the plain sock, so I ripped back to the cuff (which was ribbing with a k1tbl, p1 instead of a knit and purl) and started a simple cable down each side of the leg and then along the top of the foot after the heel.

Yarn: The Knitting Goddess Paradise in Multi
Pattern: Rainbow Socks by me
Needles: 2.25mm KnitPicks
Notes/Modifications: simple cuff and simple cable along leg and foot. The heel is a German heel and I found it quite interesting to work. Not a major fan of wrapping and turning, so to find that I didn’t have to was great fun. I’ll definitely use it again.

These was nice and easy, but not that quick. I found that most of last year I was busy casting on and flitting from project to project instead of working on the ones that I was supposed to be working on.

Hopefully this year will be different and I can actually finish more of the started projects!

FO: Malachi Vest

A few months ago Cosy from cosymakes put a shout out for volunteer knitters and I responded. The pattern she wanted test knit was a simple vest for a baby/toddler. I made the 12 month size.

Yarn: Cosymakes Snapdragon worsted @50g & Debbie Bliss Stella @50g
Pattern: Malachi Vest by Cosette Cornelius-Bates
Needles: 4.5mm KnitPicks
Notes/Modifications: This was a test knit so I followed the instructions as they were. My only change was the increases for the straps. My backward loop increases looked completely messy so I used the Make 1 instead.

This was a complete joy to knit and when I have occasion to knit one again I most definitely will. I found my only issue was actually with my contrast colour yarn choice. The Snapdragon is wool and is fab to use.. Soft and squishy and adorable, but the Debbie Bliss was not so much fun. It’s cotton and pretty hard on the hands… I am a little worried that, with time, it will stretch too much. Hopefully the wool will actually help the cotton keep its shape.

The pattern itself is nice and easy to follow and there were enough size choices to cover from a new born through to a toddler. Also, as the pattern is so easy, I can say that it would not be too difficult to up-size this for a growing child if you wanted to.

Well done Cosy on another fabulous pattern!

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 5,300 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 9 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.