Two and a half
That’s how many pairs of socks I knit while writing/testing this pattern! You’ve already seen the green and gray pair I knit for my Hogwarts secret pal last year. Here’s a better picture of the stitch pattern that I didn’t show you at that time. Amelia’s socks were size Medium.
I used the leftovers (Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Pewter) to test the Wide size. What you don’t see in this picture is that I ran out of yarn. No surprise there, since I didn’t have an entire skein to work with. Only the toe needed to be completed, so I had my Mom try them on, and they fit very well. Continue reading »
designs, knitting | 12 stitchesSlytherin Socks
It took a long time but I finally finished the socks for Amelia, my Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO pal. We had exchanged emails at the beginning of the swap where she indicated that, because she received a pair of Gryffindor socks in the previous swap, she was open to receiving a pair of socks in another house’s colors.
Based on her feedback and comments, I decided to knit a pair in Slytherin House colors. My original plan was to knit a pair of Nagini socks. However, I got the feeling Amelia was interested in knitting that pattern herself someday, so I decided to design something new for her.
I still need to work out a few last details (and pick a name!), but I plan to have the pattern available next year. My holiday and charity knitting have me busy until the end of this year.
knitting, secret pals or swaps, socks | 13 stitchesVirtual Vacation
I got to visit West Virginia, courtesy of Heather C, for the Knitter’s Virtual Vacation Swap!
The first thing I saw when I opened the box was this cute pink mesh tote. Continue reading »
knitting, secret pals or swaps | 8 stitchesSlytherin!
Whee! Early last week, my Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO package arrived from Amelia Crowhaven! She sent some great stuff!
Peach Cuties
This week, I’ve got Jury Duty. I have no idea if I will be selected to sit on a jury, but I suspect I’ll get a lot of knitting done while waiting. I’m planning to take Big Christmas Gift #1 to work on; my goal is to finish a big chunk if not the whole thing.
Meanwhile, here’s a FO report. I decided to knit up a couple of cute, little pieces for my Knitter’s Virtual Vacation Swap downstream pal, blog-free Rachell, who’s expecting a baby in November.
These are knit with Panda Wool in the Saffron colorway. I chose this color because it was light and gender-neutral but not pastel or babyish.
The pattern gives instructions for the hat to be worked flat and then seamed. I hated the thought of a seam on a baby hat, so I knit it in the round. For the most part, it worked out well, but I mis-translated the garter border for the lace edging as stockinette. It doesn’t look too bad, and I made sure to match this ‘design feature’ on the booties.
These are the first bootees I’ve knit in this style. Admittedly, I never really was a fan of these squarish baby shoes because they remind me of Frankenstein. Now that I have completed a pair, I think they’re cute as heck.
(Ugh… these pictures are blurry in places. I didn’t notice when edited them, my eyeglasses must have been dirty!)
baby stuff, knitting | 12 stitches
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.
books, knitting, socks | 7 stitchesAll Hail Caesar!
The mosaic socks for my Sockapalooooza pal are finished! I’m ever so pleased with how these turned out.
knitting, secret pals or swaps, socks | 25 stitchesHogwarts SS2 Questionnaire
We’re in the middle of Harry Potter mania with the newly-released movie and the soon-to-be-released final volume. I enjoyed the Hogwarts Sock Swap and after much deliberation decided to sign up again for Hogwarts Sock SwapTWO. This time around, I’ll be a Second Year, and interestingly enough, I’ve been transferred into Slytherin House. (Silencio! No booing or hissing.)
This swap runs from August 1 to October 31. Rebecca Deputy Headmistress McGonagall has modified the swap objectives to keep things interesting.
Goblet of Fire
Owl Post made a delivery last week! I eagerly opened up the box from my Hogwarts Sock Swap pal Tanya to find several packages wrapped in purple and green, natch. These colors have nothing to do with Hogwarts, but happen to be one of my favorite color combinations. Which to open first??
knitting | 14 stitchesDecisions, decisions (Part Two)
It took a while, but I finished swatching the possible color combinations I had chosen for my Sockapalooooza pal’s socks. A few quick pictures will show how the swatches turned out.
knitting | 17 stitches
