June 26, 2006
Cowboy Socks
The University of Wyoming Cowboys Socks are finished.
Project Details:
Pattern: Oak Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: WY Cowboy from Sunshine Yarns - 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon.
Needles: US #1 (2.5mm) Addi Natura 6" dpns
Thoughts: I really like the simple rib pattern. It worked well with the self-striping yarn and I think ribbing makes for a better fitting sock (especially when you're knitting for someone else). I'm quite pleased that the stripes matched - exactly!
And they fit!
The only modification I made was to change the sl1, k1, psso decrease in the gusset to a ssk, and I only did that because I like the ssk decrease better. This is the first pattern I've done with a round toe, and I really like how it looks and fits. I'll definitely use it again.
I'm still working on Butterfly and I've started a Noni bag (my first felting project). I'll have pictures for you tomorrow.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:54 AM | Comments (23)June 13, 2006
Stripes 'R Us
Today's post is brought to you by Stripes 'R Us. It's an entirely stripey day here at Unwind. First up, we have the completed Mason-Dixon Knitting Burp Cloth.
In reality the colors aren't quite that neon. They're a nice medium blue and an apple green - Peaches & Cream cotton. This is a really simple stitch pattern - just garter stitch with a slipped stitch thrown in on the right side to keep things interesting.
And, as requested, here's the back:
In other stripey news, one Oak Rib Sock is done:
Best of all, it fits! I made my mom try it on because I wasn't sure about the length (luckily the rib provides lots of stretch for a good fit in the width department), and she reports that it is "perfect". So, I've cast on for the second one. I'm taking the sock with me to Estes Park this weekend. I imagine I'll be able to fit a couple of rows in over the lunch break or something and will hopefully have a bit of progress to show next week.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:31 AM | Comments (13)May 19, 2006
A Little Thing Called Progress
Thank you all so much for your nice compliments on Fritz (and Clapotis, of course). I thought about whether I should tell him about all the compliments, and decided that while his ego is rather large, it's kind of mean not to tell him. I'm sure in his own way, he thanks you.
What is it about the excitement of new projects? Is it just that they're new? Or is it something about choosing the right projects? I honestly don't know, but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth (as my dad would say). I am just having the best time with Hourglass. I know it isn't complicated or challenging, but I think it's the combination of a pattern I know I'll wear a lot and the super yummy Sundara Yarn.
I'm on the second set of increases and I think I have one more set yet to do. One of the best things about this project is that it's perfect for tv watching, and I've been watching a lot of tv this week - all those season finales. I can knit on this without looking, except when I need to do an increase or decrease. The yarn isn't splitty at all and it just glides along on the addis. A winning combination. This sweater is knitting up to be rather dense, but the yarn relaxed considerably when I blocked it, so I'm operating on a bit of faith and hoping the same will be true for the sweater.
The Oak Rib Socks are also progressing nicely, although it doesn't look like I'm going to have them both done before next Friday for my mom's birthday. But, I've decided that if I don't, well they'll just be a gift for no reason and she'll get something else for her birthday. I've turned the heel on the first sock and am decreasing the gusset.
I tried to make the stripes work out and I think the solution I finally ended up with is just fine. I thought about cutting the yarn to keep the stripe repeats the same in the heel, but decided I didn't want to be that fussy with these socks (that is not to say that I couldn't be that fussy with a pair of socks - I have the personality for it). I think the wider heel stripes add a bit of charm. You want perfect, go buy some socks!
This weekend promises to be much quieter than last weekend and I'm pretty happy about that. My mom wants to knit a felted bag. She's thinking about a large tote. If anyone has any pattern suggestions, I'd love to hear from you. We are going to try to get to the yarn store and get her started on something and then I think I'll work on my knitting and my yard a bit while the weather is still good. It's been unseasonably warm here - we went from winter to summer in one day, but it always gets cold again before Memorial Day. So, I'm not going to plant any flowers, but I think I'll clean up my flower beds and get some new mulch and that kind of thing. Have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:02 AM | Comments (18)May 11, 2006
They Fit!
Lorraine got her socks! And they fit! And she likes them! Today is a pretty freakin' wonderful day. All that worry and stress (and 3 socks) and it all turned out ok. What a relief. I haven't seen my socks yet, but I'm not worried about that part. My pal's socks are ok, so I'm ok.
Still no yarn from Purly, but I wasn't really expecting it until today or tomorrow (I was, of course, hoping for yesterday, but not really expecting it). I finished Clapotis and will take her out for a photo shoot tomorrow. But for today, you get to see my newest sock.
These are the Oak Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks and they are in yarn Dani dyed especially for me in University of Wyoming Cowboys' colors. They will be a gift for my mom. Hopefully for her birthday the end of the month. I wasn't going to start another pair of socks until I started the Unst socks from Knitting On The Road as part of the Amazing Lace, but when you don't have a list of projects and a sense of obligation, you can do any darn thing you want. Right?
ETA: If you're a reader of Knot Without My Knitting, you may have noticed Caitlyn's site is having technical issues. I was worried, so I e-mailed her. She told me some very sad news. The Department of Homeland Security has seized the server and the backup server where her blog was housed. Someone's site that was housed on the same server was doing something illegal, so they seized everything. The host doesn't expect Homeland Security to return the server any time soon - possibly even months from now. She's working with Diana to restore the site with a new host, but because everything is going to have to be recreated, it's going to take some time.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:17 AM | Comments (20)
