Really, I don't know of any 3-legged girls who could wear these all at once so we can rule that out as my reason. Or we could play the old Sesame Street game "One of these things is not like the other" but with this photo it would be too hard. My honest to goodness reason for so many slippers is that I didn't like my first go and since I had enough yarn, I didn't rip it out. See, what happened is I didn't like the way the ribbing rolled toward the toe.
I admit, I didn't block any of these so the rolling would have been minimized if I had. But I tried a different method on the 2nd pair and instead of binding off the 12 stitches (as on Round 8, Child version), I put them on a holder then continued to work Row 1 in the next section. I also changed the number of stitches picked up along the side edges (from 14 sts to 12 sts). That helped a bit to keep the ribbing from blooming outward.
This is a fun and quick knit. You can, as my scientific experiment concludes, get 3 pairs in the child size from one skein of yarn so if the child tends to loose things (who doesn't) the third can come in handy.
I used some synthetic suede similar to ultrasuede for the soles which I had conveniently on hand. I think hand sewing them on took the longest amount of time. There were no pre-punched holes to make it quick and easy.
And here they are in action. They do stretch to fit like the pattern says. Thank goodness they do since this child is gonna have feet like her momma's.
~ Inner monologue: Here's hoping the momma skips over this post and never reads the reference to her big feet. ~
I thought I'd post some photos of some of the other versions I've done with the Argosy scarf design. This (see photo above) is actually the first version ever, the prototype. It's done in Tahki Yarns Brilla Print which I believe is discontinued. I really like this one-- the color(s), the feel, the drape. It blocks wonderfully and really shows off the stitches. I didn't take photos of it until after it had been hanging for several months so the stats that follow are after gravity has done it's thing. The finished measurements are 4"x74" using 2 skeins. Keep in mind that this will not keep your neck warm unless its summer.
This one is done in KnitPicks Gloss in Woodland Sage using 2 strands held together. This photo shows it before blocking and the shade is really brighter in real life. I really like this yarn but couldn't imagine something this nice on my feet so I tried a scarf instead. It's yummy too. I used only 2 skeins again (it cost under $10-what a bargain!) and the finished measurements are 4 1/2"x61" (remember, that's before blocking). I really must get more of this but I'm hoping they bring out more colors.
And then there's this version which is still in progress. I'm using Rowan Tapestry in color Pot Pourri (col.172). Its 70% wool, 30% soybean. In the skein it has a sheen to it but when knitted, it gets a bit fuzzed up. Before blocking, the width is 4 1/4" but it should finish up around 5" wide-point to point. Can't even guess on the length right now.
...buying knitting magazines. Even the ones that usually don't have designs I like. My house is way too full of magazine stacks that I can't find places for. My library upstairs is going to cause the foundation to crack from the load bearing down. I shouldn't call it my library since 50% of the weight is DH's collection of books, so if he can collect them so can I (justification? I'm sounding desperate).
Two issues are English publications, Knitting and Simply Knitting (wildy imaginative names and quite confusing). The rest are Knit 1, knitscene and Creative Knitting. I'm not always in love with the designs in these mags but there is usually something that catches my eye...
~Inner Monologue: ...like that glint of light sparkling off the white teeth of leading men in old movies, think Tony Curtiss in the flying machine movie...~
...like specific details, stitch patterns, use of short rows, etc. As my magazine collection grows, I'll just make sure I have a fire extinguisher nearby.
My apologies go out to anyone who tried to access my blog over the past weekend. Hopefully that'll be the last time it happens. Our time is too valuable to be cranked by a bogus website. more»
I had a nice little blurb written up for this book, deleted it somehow, and now I'm redoing it. I'll make it more brief this time.
* I no longer have this book since I left it in a waiting room and it has now been "adopted" by someone else. Here's hoping they knit! *
I like this book. The toys are cute and seem pretty simple. The horse/unicorn really caught my eye and I'd like to make one someday, when I own another copy (sniff). I will probably skip some of the embroidery, although what is shown is very nice.
The only things I don't quite like are the arms and legs of the dolls--I-cords and long lengths of it. The strappy clothing also looks like it would come right off of the doll unless it were tacked down. I was nervous when the cover mentioned crochet on the cover but was pleased that the majority of the toys that I like don't involve any or much. Plain and simple, I'm a knitter. At least for now.
It's my nearly completed Entrelac Sock. I still have to weave in the yarn ends. This is not the most clearly written pattern.
I ended up with a hole that I'll have to fix. And they are in need of blocking. This is the first pair of socks that I consider really needing a blocking. Sure when its on the foot, the heel won't bag and the toe won't poof but who wants to take pretty pictures when they look like this? I guess I do. I like to document the good and the bad. Don't get me wrong, these are good and the knitting is fun.
There were 4 stitches on the heel that were supposed to be grafted but I couldn't gather up the patience to do it. I gave it a go but got so frustrated. Maybe my vision is hindering me but I find it hard to tell the direction of the stitches while on the #1 needles. I defaulted back to my trusty ever-so-easy, 3-needle bind off. I don't let it bother me that's its not the prettiest finish.
These are rather thick socks so I may use them as slipper socks. They will probably matt into a felted sole after many uses since its a hand wash wool.
I didn't make them as long as the pattern instructed since I ran short of yarn. That's fine with me though. I prefer them close to my ankles. The second sock was started last night so maybe I'll have a new pair to wear while the coffee perks and the cinnamon rolls bake on Christmas morning. Toasty toes...
...while I was shopping for others, I came across this bargain at Tuesday Morning today. I only paid $8 for it. Can't beat that kind of deal. Looks like I'll get my money's worth out of it after just a 5 second glance through it. I'm trying to collect as many stitch pattern reference books as I can. Weird thing is, I keep putting off getting the cream of the crop--the Barbara Walker collection. And if you've never checked it out, there is a fun website where you can make lists of the books you own called LibraryThing. Did I mention it was free? You can check out the books I've listed in mine by going to the link at the side of my blog.
My blog is up and running again thanks to added bandwidth. One of these days I may just understand what I've got myself into. For now, I'll continue to fake it.
This past September, my Mother, sister and I went to Tulsa for a day of shopping. This included a trip to the yarn shop, Naturally (that's the name of the shop, not a statement as to "naturally, we had to stop for yarn..."). I'm the only knitter in the group so they wandered around in a curious way, coming up with ideas of things for me to knit for them. Mom saw a very simple triangular shawl using a mohair yarn, garter stitch and large needles. No problem with that request since I already have a stash of mohair in a color she likes. She decided she'd like a little something added for weight so she bought a black cotton/rayon blend (Classic Elite Imagine-discontinued-I think). The shawl is almost complete and I can't decide whether to spark up the edges with some kind of trim: picot, scallops, something crocheted...? We'll see since Mom is particular and may not want anything at all.
My sister decided on a pullover vest using a silk blend yarn from Katia called Scotch Tweed (I think its discontinued also). She can't wear wool next to her skin but since this has only 26% in it, she can wear a shirt underneath. There was no pattern for this yarn so I gave myself a challenge. I told her, "Oh yeah, I can do what you want".
~ Inner monologue: "What the heck are you saying! You've never done this before and people will see her wear it. She won't clean the house in the thing--well, hopefully not! ~
This is the result:
I made a sketch, took lots of measurements and used the Croquis woman to help keep my notes tidy. Then using a grid to match my gauge for this yarn, I overlayed a schematic drawing and voila!, I had something to go by.
It's knit up in the round and is a pretty easy design. I thought about doing this up as a free pattern but I just don't have the time and energy to add more sizes. This is probably a typical Misses size Small/Medium. Since the yarn is probably discontinued, that's another reason why I can't psyche to do it. If I get motivated, some day I'll post it on my free page. For now, I'm content that I got it done before Christmas. Maybe I'll knit a little scarf to go with it since I have enough yarn left...hmmm...
I wasn't happy with the first entrelac sock that I started in the Trekking XXL yarn for a couple of reasons: a) the pooling wasn't appealing and b) the gauge wasn't tight enough for my liking. While visiting my LYS the other day I picked up this Claudia Hand Painted fingering weight. It's more robust than the Trekking and I'm not seeing light through the gapping that shows where the picked up stitches occur. Plus I didn't have a smaller circular needle on hand to make my gauge tighter so I'm able to use my #1's with this new yarn. The end product will be a bit thicker and roomier than a typical handknit sock so I'll probably wear these around the house with my slippers.
This is the Trekking sock that will be frogged. I think this yarn is destined for a simple sock pattern. At least the first go round gave me practice working entrelac at such a small gauge, learning a toe-up version and working a different type of heel (I don't know the technical name for it).
This is quickly becoming a comfort knit. I can now pick the sock up and know where I left off without referring back to the instructions. But there is one thing about entrelac that gets to me--the backing up. I had to do this last night and I had to take it back 2 rows of rectangles. Its a slow process since you have to do it stitch by stitch. If there's an easier way out there, I haven't heard about it. I'd love to know one.
Warning: This yarn looks glorious in the little tightly twisted hanks when purchased but beware. There are hidden wisps of untamed fluff. As you can see in the photo above, they're pretty obvious. In the two skeins that I used for my project, there were (combined): 3 tufts and 2 thick sections that were obvious when knitted up. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Pure Silk and is about $15+ per skein. I knitted this up in a tight gauge which makes imperfections in the yarn more pronounced so I had to get picky. Thankfully, I had enough of this to work around the bad spots but since I hate weaving in any unnecessary ends, this got my goat. It also fuzzes up a bit more that I'd like in the finished product. Any spot that receives extra friction or handling will get even blurrier as times goes by. I've got another skein of this in a light green and I'm going to see if the shop will let me exchange it for something else.
