As The Yarn Turns

Socks on the Needles

I must be thinking way too much about knitting. This past week I when I was making out an invoice for a customer, I put down Jo Sharp instead of Jo (her actual last name). Then I completely blew off my hair appointment. It's been that kind of week. But I did get a start on the Gentleman's Socks for Rick.

The stitches look a little wonky to me. I'm hoping it's the yarn, but since it's been a wonky week in general, it could be my knitting. Anyway, hopefully a little blocking will cure a little wonkiness. Otherwise, I like the way the yarn is working up. Like a lot of sock yarns, it's kind of harsh while you're knitting, but once it is knit up, it's quite a bit softer. The railway stitch pattern is easy to memorize but the way the sock pattern is written you still need the full instruction set much of the time. I ended up photocopying the main instructions on the front and back of a single sheet so I could tuck them into my sock pouch. That way the socks are still mobile, just not as mindless as my usual socks. They also seem so huge compared to my socks. I keep measuring and comparing them to his other socks just to make sure they're right.

In case anyone is interested in the Kids Weaving book, it starts with weaving paper and sticks and then progresses to several projects using cardboard looms, then a more complex PVC pipe loom with several projects. The final project uses the PVC pipe loom to make tiny pile carpets to use for mug rugs. All of the supplies look like they would be easy to get. I have used a cardboard loom once before to make a little woven coin pouch. It was a quick and easy way to use up small bits of yarn.

by Sydney  |

Too Many Books, Too Little Time

Okay, I admit that I have a serious book buying problem. I just can't help myself. I really do use them and read them though. It's rare that I don't read one of the books I buy. I don't always make something from the patterns in the knitting books but I always find tips and inspiration in them. I received an Amazon gift certificate for Christmas so I used some of it for some fibery books.

One of the books is Freeform Knitting and Crochet by Jenny Dowde. I love this book. I keep saying I'm going to try crochet again and this book may be just the inspiration I need. Right now I know just enough crochet to get myself into big trouble. I'm still recovering from the enormous beret I crocheted in high school. From what I can tell, you can't really get yourself into trouble with freeform knitting and crochet. The book goes through the basics of freeform knitting and crochet. It also has some knit patterns and some crochet patterns. It also got me thinking about ways to be creative in your knitting without designing something like a sweater.

1. Add an edging to a plain top or sweater
2. Go through a knit stitch pattern book, select a pattern and use it in a scarf, baby blanket, or shawl. Just add a garter stitch edge.
3. Knit, or crochet, little flowers or medallions or whatever and apply them to purses or sweaters or even socks.
4. Combine yarns or a yarn and a thread to make a new yarn.
5. Add beads to something that wasn't designed with beads.
6. You don't have enough yarn to make a solid color top? Make it with stripes or make the sleeves a different color.

I'm sure there are more ideas. These are just a few off the top of my head. The other fibery book I got was Kids Weaving : Projects for Kids of All Ages. Sara Lamb had talked about this book on her blog a while back. I don't have any children (well, except for the furry kind), but I'm fascinated by weaving. I've only dabbled in it a few times and this book seems like it might get me started. I don't know enough to tell you how good it is but it has a variety of projects in it. I'm looking forward to trying some of them. So now all I need is some time to try some of things.

I'll leave you with a picture of our ferret Phoebe who kept us hopping all through the holidays. She loved the Christmas tree, especially the ornaments and would go to great lengths to try and steal them. We actually do have two other ferrets but she's the one who gets into trouble most often.

by Sydney  |

Man Socks

I've finally decided which socks to knit. I had already decided that I would knit Rick some socks next. It's been a while since I've made him a pair so he's due some new handknit socks. Plus he seems to like my socks and even wears them. Usually I do my plain stockinette version. His socks seem to take so much longer to finish and I can zoom right through stockinette socks. This time I'm going to make the Gentleman's Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I put off buying this book for a long time because it just didn't sound that interesting. Once I had a chance to look it, though, I realized I was wrong. Not only are there some nice patterns in book, but Nancy Bush has an interesting discussion of Weldon's Practical Needlework and sock knitting techniques. The sock yarn I'm using is Strapaz in manly colors. I'm afraid I won't have enough yarn though, so I will probably do solid heels and toes with some spare grey Fortissima that I have.

When I get nervous about having enough yarn, I usually weigh the skein from time to time as I'm knitting. I have some kitchen scales I use for this. So if I have only 25 gm of a 50 gm skein left when I start the heel, I'll do a solid heel for sure. Otherwise I'll go with the striped heels and toes. I always have to make some kind of change to a pattern. I'm just hoping I'll have enough yarn even with contrasting heels and toes. (Note to self: Next time buy an extra skein of yarn when knitting for big man feet.)

Cathy was asking if the Red Cross Knit Kit is still available. Yes, you can still buy it at the American Red Cross Store. It comes with a skein of army green yarn, needles and an original World War II pattern. When I got my kit some time ago, the needles sent with the kit were larger than what I would typically use for socks. Be prepared for this if you order the kit.

This past week was Sam Phillips week here in the Shoals. If you don't know who Sam Phillips, he is often given credit for discovering Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and others. He was also born here in the Shoals and owned a radio in town until he died a couple of years ago. So last night Rick and I did street magic at one of the events and had a great time. (Okay, Rick did most of the magic this time.)

That's us in front of Sam's car. I think Sam would have been proud at how well everything turned out, at least this one event we attended.

I'm off to knit.

by Sydney  |