Sock Reincarnation

The beginning:

 
Pattern: WendyKnits.net sportweight toe-up sock. Size US 3 DPNs (KnitPicks Options)
Yarn: Creatively Dyed (shared here on the blog)
Cast-on as a Cast-One Sunday Project. Completed in 7 days.

The first life:
The heel needed healing.

The second life:

I shortened the foot by 1 inch and the heel hits wrong. *ugh*
I added 5 short rows in the heel flap to lengthen it so knitSB would like it better.
The cast-off was too girly loose for him. I used the knit two, *pass sts back to left needle, k2tog through the back loop, knit one, repeat from *. I like this bind-off a lot but it doesn't work for the recipient.

The third life:

I pulled it out and will knit top down socks for him. I know how to knit top down socks and know the heel fits him.  I expect there are better toe-up socks patterns to allow adjustments (evil, no less) but I wanted to knit a second pair using this nice pattern.

The lesson learned: 
Not every foot likes the same toe-up sock pattern.
I loved following this pattern from my iPhone. I didn't use paper to print the pattern. How green of me.
I like WendyKnits (free) patterns.  They are easy to follow and this one worked for my foot well. I think her Faro Easy Shawl is next after I finish two projects.  Visit back for details.

Knit Meredith in Rapture

Knit Meredith in Rapture, a photo by knittingbrow on Flickr.

I'm a very lucky person.

This past Sunday I was knitting with my peeps and Knit Meredith was called up for the Rapture. Just last month it was Yarmando and now a second person I knit with got the call.

Knit Meredith was generous and passed on the Rapture. She opted to stay and continue her work on the Windschief hat she's knitting out of llama yarn. The West Knits Design is part of a commitment she made with Josh. She committed to finish the project and not allow it to be a NoFO (No Finished Object) (registered trademark).

I wonder who will be called to the Rapture next?

Healing the Heel

Healing the Heel, a photo by knittingbrow on Flickr.

Well crap. I cast on a pair of socks for knitSB and was measuring my progress periodically by having him try on the sock. It seemed to be going well untiI had him try the socks on.

Oh, did I forget to tell you I finished the socks on Friday night? He was trying on the socks before I ran in the ends.

Look at that heel! it is at least a half inch too long. The only way I knew how to fix the length is to rip back past the gusset increases so I could start the gussets earlier. I did this. and was able to turn the heel on one sock in about 3 hours. That includes the progress on both socks :)

I made at alteration to the pattern and added some short rows on the (non-existant) heel flap. This will help the sock to fit properly.

Pictures of the finished project soon.

Please note: these are knit using WendyKnits.net sport weight toe-up sock pattern. I'm using Creatively Dyed Yarns Calypso. I like the result.

Evil Opted Out of the Rapture

Remember how the "Rapture" was supposed to take place a month back? The Sunday after, my knitting peeps get together and I saw this sight of the Evil Sock Genius Yarmando being called up.....
He opted not to go so he could continue his service to sock knitters everywhere.

KPPM socks are now hole-y

KPPM socks are now hole-y, a photo by knittingbrow on Flickr.

A few months back I posted how I repaired the toe on a pair of socks. I picked the pair out of the drawer to wear yesterday to wear and discovered a hole in the 1X1 ribbed leg. These were knit using Koigu KPPM. I don't remember the needle size.

Bummer. I think it is time to toss these socks. They were my second pair of toe-up socks and I used the WendyKnits.net basic pattern. I've knit a few more pairs and have learned some different techniques.

Thanks, socks for making my feet feel good.

knitSB's Sourdough bread

We like bread.
We like baking bread with our BIL Jack.
The last time we visited, Jack gave knitSB a sourdough bread starter.  We've been able to keep it alive for the last 4 months.
Here's a picture of the first loaves made using the starter.

I took this picture a couple of months ago but wanted to share it with Joanne so she could show BIL Jack.  knitSB was very proud of how the bread turned out.  It was rather good and I enjoyed a lot of it thinly sliced, toasted and buttered as a snack. 

I'm making another batch of bread before we start a new diet. Bread won't be on the menu for several months but I'll be able to keep the starter alive.  I might even make bread for people at work or our neighbor, Judy.  I gave her a loaf from last week's baking but haven't heard how it was. 

2011 Great Lakes Fiber Show Review

I had a good time attending the 2011 Great Lakes Fiber Show with Yarmando & Darlamour.

I picked up three skeins of Creatively Dyed yarn.

I picked up three skeins of Creatively Dyed yarn at the 2011 Great Lakes Fiber Show

On the left we have Woodbrook in colorway Toco. A 100% superwash merinao 250 yards (gauge 4-5 sts per inch on a 7-9)
Center we have Valencia in colorway Ramsay. A 100% extra fine superwash merinao 250 yards (gauge 4-5 sts per inch on a 7-9)
On the right we have Woodbrook in colorway Julian. A 100% superwash merinao 250 yards (gauge 4-5 sts per inch on a 7-9)

I wanted to find worsted weight superwash so I could knit socks.  I cast-on with the Valencia on a size 6 and I don't think it's a true worsted weight.  I'm going to have to go to a size 3 to get a firm enough gauge for socks. I'm waiting to knit these until I finish another pair of socks.

I love this picture of Yarmando as he shopped Ohio Valley Natural Fibers booth. 

He picked up a sweater's worth of yarn.

The best line of the visit came from darlamour. "What's with the kkk sheep?"  I think the picture explains it all.


I picked up an ecolution hemp bag TRT1: The Rainforest which is the perfect size for a pair of socks.

I had a good time and appreciated being driven up and enjoying the lemon shake-up. 

Next time I'll show you my basket.  You know you want to see my basket. It's okay.  You wouldn't be the first person to ask to see it.