Pithy
(Quick update re: the Rory pattern; it’s now available for downloading or saving to your library at Ravelry. If you’re not a Raveler, a public download link is available here.)
No knitting report today, but look! Pretty yarn! more »
Goldilocks
When I started putting away the few colors of left over Wool-Ease I had pulled from stash for the Gansey Watch Cap, it occurred to me that I could make my own marled yarn by mixing and holding different color strands together as one yarn.
But what to make? Hats! I needed to add a couple more to my packet for Cornerstone.
Red Ribs and Cables
These are my first pair of socks completed in about two months. I didn’t think I would be happy with a sock break, but it really helped! In fact, I’ve already started a new pair, this time for gift-giving later this year. Still in the works are the socks for my Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO pal; I must get back to those soon!
The pattern I used is from Sockamania Club KAL; it’s a nice combination of wide ribbing and cables. It was pure luck that these characteristics matched my sock pal’s preferences perfectly. These also qualify for the Socks in the Cities KAL. (I met the hostess, Sarah W, last weekend at The Yarnery, fun!)
This is actually my first time using cables in socks. I don’t think I did too badly. Since this cable is on a stockinette background, it doesn’t pop as much as it would on a purl background. I rather like this subtle effect, which fits the pattern name well.
In these last two pictures, the hint of purple in the reds is more apparent than in other pictures. Oh, and these socks were knit toe-up.
I had extra motivation to finish these quickly so I could mail them off to their new owner overseas without much delay. Fingers crossed, I hope they fit!
Three old ladies knit the socks of death
Today’s post title is courtesy of Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief. I thought this chapter heading was too cute not to use. (The book is first in a series about a boy’s modern-day adventures with the Olympian gods, demigods, creatures, and monsters. If you are familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, it’s easy to guess the three knitters are a recreation of the Fates or moirae.)
Did you notice? I’ve been on a sock break lately. In late August or early September, I suddenly wanted to knit something different. But I didn’t go cold turkey; I’ve been stealthily working on a sock design for my Hogwarts SS2 pal, Amelia.
It’s been a slow process. It took me a while to get a chart draft worked out to my satisfaction, and then even longer to knit it and see what worked—or didn’t. Finally, I think I have gotten it sorted out.
Here’s a preview:
There’s no color for two reasons. It’ll be a surprise to Amelia as to which House colors these are. (She is in Gryffindor, but is open to other house colors since she received Gryffindor colors in the first term.)
I also removed the color because I’m interested in your name suggestions and didn’t want any color influence. I do have a favorite name in mind, but want your fresh perspective. (I haven’t decided yet whether to submit this design to a magazine, or to self-publish.)
Meanwhile, while trying to boost my socknitting mojo, I signed up for Socks in the Cities KAL, and volunteered to be a Sockapalooooza Savior.
After a few false starts, I decided to knit the newest Sockamania Club KAL pattern for my pal. The colorway I’m using is “The Berry Brigade” from Spunky Eclectic. The purplish tinge has, thus far, been impossible for me to capture in a photo, but I’m loving the red.
