Sweater 'n socks

I've done a few pairs of socks in the last year or so, primarily using the lovely, free TDTU Vanilla Sock  by Rachel Roue.  I've settled on using Jawoll Color Action sock yarn by Lang Yarns as it has lovely, self patterning colours available and wears well.  Even with excellent wear characteristics, it's very nice to the touch.  This yarn also comes with a spool of reinforcing thread that you can use to fortify the heel or toe area if you're so inclined.

Guston Sweater, stock photo

In current project news, I'm working on this sweater (pattern is Guston by Ann Budd).  This is the first sweater I've knitted that's not using oversized yarn and 12mm needles.  This one uses US 7  (4.5mm) needles.  It's also the first one I've done with any patterning more complex than a simple ribbing.  So, I'll be learning plenty while working on it.  I'm getting close to finishing the stockinette section below the textured yoke area.

As for the yarn, I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash in the Lichen (867) colourway.  I like Superwash wool.  It makes me feel so much safer when it comes to laundry day.

All the socks I've made so far are washable wool.  They've been through the wash many times (on cold, gentle cycle, with a "Woolite" type soap) and hang dried to no ill effect.  I love my wool socks.  They are far more comfortable than store bought cotton socks, and keep my feet dry even when wearing rubber bottom boots, or when wearing the same shoes for 30+ hours straight.  (It was a one long train ride).

So, I sign off with dreams of sailing ships and sealing wax, knit socks and warm sweaters.

Young Knitters

Earlier this month, I was visiting with my brother's family which I don't get to do all the time as they live about one day's drive from where I live.  It was most excellent seeing them all.  While visiting, I had the pleasure of teaching my niece how to knit.  She's doing a K4P4 scarf and it's looking lovely.

This, in itself, is most excellent.  My nephew has seen that "hey, she's getting Results, this is cool!" and now wants to learn too.  So, sounds like I'm going to be getting him started in the next few days.  I'd love to get a few pattern suggestions for teaching a 9 year old boy to knit.

As for my socks, I need to put more time into them if I'm gonna get them done fast; they are coming along well.

Stripy Socks are 30% and 60% done!

It's been a busy kind of week.  This past weekend I went camping with a lovely lady, heard great tunes, met great folk, saw more dogs than I could shake a stick at, and made it through a torrential downpour mostly dry!  I camped out with a great bunch of folk at a farm and listened to some excellent music this last weekend.  I brought my sock knitting along, but as things were damp I passed on knitting.

I've been thinking about weighing the sock to see when I'd hit half of my 100g ball of yarn, but realized the needles would throw the weight off.  Instead I weighed the ball of yarn.  Now I know there's 70g left from 100g of yarn.  Twenty grams left for this sock, then it's on to the second one.  They're gonna be SO comfy!

I'm also mulling starting to knit some more winter wear ... maybe more mittens or a nice touque.  If anyone has any other nice patterns they suggest I'd love to hear 'em!

Bringing a Sock to Heel

Well, working with the TDTU Sock pattern on Ravelry.com, the heel was pretty easy.  The tough part wasn't the heel, but that the pattern doesn't make it clear if the heel is the same for the 16 and 18 stitch per needle versions.. I assumed it was... it seems to have come out well.  Now to knit an upper!

I'm also back home from vacation.  Camping, visiting friends, driving a full day and then visiting family was most excellent.  Another full day drive and I'm home safe and sound.

What project(s) are you working on this summer?  Are you getting ready for winter, or knitting something for this season?  Do tell!

A sweater done and more Socks!

Well, finally the Sweater whose body a friend gave me now has arms.  I guess it could be said I heeded the call to bear arms rather than to bare arms.

I'm currently on vacation.  I just finished off several days camping in Vermont, and am visiting friends in New Hampshire.  Soon after, I'll be visiting family in Delaware, then it's back home to Canada.

Sock, Needs Heel

In the midst of this, I've been working away on another pair of socks.  This pair is one that is done from the toe up rather than from the leg down.  It lets you try it on as you go along for a nicer fit.  I think I'm almost ready to start the heel of the first sock.

Good food, good friends, and knitting to boot!  I surely cannot complain one bit!

Two socks done, found a new technique

The Socks Are Done!  They are the first pair I've ever made.  Once I finished the first sock I liked it so much that I rushed to get the second sock done in record time.  :)  They fit well.  They are warm and comfortable.  A hand knit sock has a definite edge over a store bought cotton one.

Some time ago, I was given a partially completed sweater by Cymru.  Now I'm putting the arms on a partially completed sweater I was given.  I made a few visible mistakes near the beginning of the sleeve and didn't realize they were quite that visible until I was a several inches in.  I don't know about you, but while I dislike ripping things back to fix an error, I positively despise trying to pick up all those stitches again.  I invariably drop a few and sometimes don't realize it until it's much too late.

This brings me to my 'new' technique.  It's called a lifeline.  Basically you work a strand of yarn through the row where you want to stop ripping, then all the stitches end up on the yarn.  Here's a video that walks you through creating a lifeline.

Now that the sweater has been disarmed, I'll start that sleeve again and (hopefully) do it correctly this time.

1 sock done, .85 to go.

One sock is done, the next one is started.  The first sock took 70 grams of yarn (Naturally Magic Garden Buttons)

I also picked up some lighter weight sock yarn yesterday... a bit pricy, but nice.  It's Austermann Step.

I'm going to try to hurry this sock along a bit to get it done sooner as the first one is so warm and comfy.  :)

If you have a favourite sock pattern (easy ones are especially welcome!) let me know.

Back at it

I've been offline for a while, but am back at it with a pair of basic socks from a Leisure Arts book (#4083) "I can't believe I'm Knitting Socks".  Personally I believe it without question... unless I need a right angle turn and no thumbs in my mittens!  I'm knitting them with a double knit (DK) weight yarn.  With the leg on this pattern being ribbed all the way down, it's taking more than 50g per sock.  I'll post the final yarn weight when the first sock is done.  I wasn't too amused at needing to graft in new yarn in the foot, but I the method I use doesn't show at all.  If you want me to dig up a youtube of it let me know in comments.  :)

I was also gifted with the better part of a finished sweater.  I'm not sure I can say it was disarmed as there were no arms on it just yet.  After this sock, or maybe after both of them, I'll get back onto adding arms to the sweater.  I've been doing magic loop for it, but I find magic loop more of a pain than using DPNs.  I may pick up a set of DPN's in the right size for the sweater.  I'm kinda falling in love with Hiya Hiya DPNs that I'm using for my socks, so I may splurge for a set for the sweater.

Well, I'm off to knit a bit more and do any last minute things for Christmas.  I suspect I should maybe decorate the Christmas tree soon.  :)

Cardigans, Tea and Cooking

Well, I've not started back on the socks yet.  After a major project I do tend to take a bit of a breather.  What I have got is a new 'cookbook'!

In closing off the Cardigan tale, my wife came for her visit.  She brought me a lovely set of Tazo brand tea in a beautiful spun bamboo container!  A truly tasteful  gift that I am thoroughly enjoying!

I gave her the Cardigan and she loves it!  Yay!  The only problem was that she didn't have enough space to fit it into her luggage.  So ... I'll be snail mailing it to her in a few days.

I put 'cookbook' in quotes because it is more of a how and why book than a recipe book. The cookbook is "Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking" by Michael Ruhlman.  Instead of giving a collection of new and wonderful recipes, this one gives the basics as well as how they work.  For me, the big benefit is that you learn to "use what you have" as long as you keep a few basics in the pantry.  I've only just started reading it, but the pancake ratio / recipe is to die for.  :-)

Are there any 'how cooking works' or 'how to cook' books that you'd recommend to myself or others?  Post a comment for us all to see!

The Home Stretch

Life has been ... busy.  Between work and volunteering I haven't spent as much time knitting as would be ideal.  New Years eve was spent with a few friends ... chatting, playing cards, eating munchies and, of course, drinking.  :-)

Now some news ... as you've guessed by the picture, the knitting on the cardigan is done! I need to weave in a few loose ends, and then on to blocking to make it the right shape and to take the size down a little bit..  I've taken a quick, over exposed picture of it (see left).  As it's knitted in black wool, I overexposed the picture to show a bit more detail.  :-)

My wife will be visiting the week after next, so it's with some relief that I've finished the knitting of the sweater in time.  I figure I'll block it on Tuesday assuming all goes well.

After that, it's on to the five year sock!  What makes a sock into a "five year sock"?  Time away from knitting and other projects!  :-)  Hopefully the matching sock will _not_ be a five year sock.  If you've any tips on blocking to share, please post them into the comments!

Variable time ...

I remember years when the holidays were so busy that time vanished before your eyes.  This year for me ... the holidays took their time going by.  They were more exhausting with less to do.  I suppose it's partly because I was under the weather with a cold, but also partly the whole living alone thing.   With the cold I didn't get any knitting done for a while...  It' snot a good idea, you know ... knitting with a cold.

Christmas was a quiet day at my home.  I had my mum over to visit; we enjoyed Christmas TV specials and a small Christmas dinner.

As for project progress, I've completed a 2" seed stitch border around both front edges and the bottom of the cardigan and have finished a sleeve.  The border and the sleeve each took one ball of yarn.  Now it's one sleeve and a large ribbed collar to go... then onto Blocking it.

Speaking of the sleeve, I got to try a few new techniques including knitting in the round with only three needles and magic loop (video courtesy of knittinghelp.com).

If anyone reading has any articles on blocking I'd love to hear about them in the comments as I've never done it before and would greatly appreciate any and all help!

"I knit so that I do not kill people"

Many times a friend of mine has told me the phrase, "I knit so that I do not kill people".  Apparently at least 900 other people agree with her as there is a Ravelry Group with that name.  My knitting has been side tracked the last few days; I begin to see her point. 

This being the first Christmas since my wife left, I was sorely tempted to leave the house in a non decorated state.  Then I was asked if a group I volunteer with could use my home for our annual Christmas get together.  Doing the decorating .... the putting up of garlands and lights and wreaths and trees and ornaments and such .... was not physically taxing.  Emotionally it was a true challenge, one that left me physically and mentally exhausted many times over several days. That said, the house did get decorated, the party did happen and it was a truly merry time for one and all.  The true credit goes to my wonderful guests; they brought all manner of pot luck food and far more importantly brought warmth, grace, light and happiness into my humble home.

For a time the cardigan was set aside ... partly owing to preparing for the party and partly a lack of measurements to work with.  The party is past and the measurements are in!  Let the yarn hacking resume!  I'm past the decrease for the waist and working down towards the hip increase.  I'm looking forward to learning how to do a "seed stitch" border and to finding out how evil it is to knit a sleeve on 12mm double point needles. Maybe I'll look up "Magic Loop" knitting and give that a shot instead.  I keep hearing about it, so maybe it's worth a try.
If anyone has any suggestions about knitting with double points or with magic loop or any other techniques for knitting in the round I'd love to hear about it in the comments. 

A busy few days...

Knitting hasn't been at the forefront for the last few days, but it has been interwoven here and there.  Instead, this has been a week focusing on true friendships.

A long time friend was having a rough week this week.  He needed several favours which I was happy to help out with.  The longest one to complete was looking after one of his sons for a few days whilst he took care of other matters.  His son is twelve.  We had a good few days of it.  Some highlights included an international trip to visit a Zoo, walking in a Santa Clause "Parade of Lights", going to church and listening to music in a local "Bias-free" (all sexual preferences accepted) bar.

During the same time, I was able to meet with a local knitting group for a few hours and get some help on the Cardigan.  I ended up finding the help in the Errata page on Ravelry for the pattern.  I got a fair bit done on the Cardigan, but now it's on hold as I await a couple much needed measurements from my wife.

On Friday evening, my boss called looking for help on an important issue, so while babysitting and going to parades, church, zoo's and a bar we worked together on and off all day Saturday and Sunday (today).  My friend collected his son this afternoon and I spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening divided between talking with friends, working, enjoying a few pints of beer, as well as listening to poetry, literature and good music.

Despite the fact there was work mixed into the first few hours of the afternoon, it was a most enjoyable way to wrap up several very busy days.

Frustration in small measure

Today's work on the cardigan was a day of slow progress, frustration, and of learning.  I attended a small knitting group at my work for an hour at lunch and completed "Separate the sleeves" without issue, and then was promptly stumped by the following decrease row.

The pattern did not quite make sense.  Basically, it was vague and asymmetrical.  So, I planned to visit a local knit night where several people gather at a local cafe to knit.  My hope was to find out how I was misunderstanding the pattern.  However, the discrepancy stumped even the more experienced knitters there.

On returning home, I looked over the Ravelry pattern page for the project and found a list of corrections to the pattern which the author has posted to her website.  These corrections are not integrated into the pattern.  The section I was having issues with appeared to have had a correction posted about two years ago which was not integrated into the pattern I purchased a few days ago.  So, using these updated directions I was able to complete the decrease row.  I wonder how many more of the "Errata" items are needed to successfully complete the pattern?

Ah well, time to press on and continue knitting the body of the cardigan.  The trick will be getting a good fit when the recipient is not living in the same city.  I think I'll be calling her and asking for a few more measurements!

There was learning.  There was frustration!  There was PROGRESS.

So, todays Adventure in Knitting leaves me wondering how other people handle it when the pattern doesn't work?  Let us know!

New Beginnings

I've knit on and off for years. More off than on. My first project was a cable knit scarf that I still use to this day. I've made three pairs of mittens. The mittens are nice and thick and are quite straightforward. (free mitten pattern).

Yesterday evening, after sourcing a pattern at FrenchGirlKnits.com, I'm starting on making a sweater / cardigan for my wife. We're separated at the moment, but I'd still like to give her a nice Christmas present, so I'm working on the Cardigan. For those who'd like to see some pics of the pattern, here it is. It's made with some very thick yarn, so it's coming along quite quickly. I hunted all over got the yarn and the over-sized needles at a local store called "Wool'n'Things". I'm almost done the "Yoke" and should be onto other parts soon! I never would have imagined there were so many increases at such odd points in the Yoke. Lots to learn!

Now then, I'd love to hear about your favourite beginner sweater patterns (mens and ladies patterns please!) as well as any advice you have on knitting a sweater with big wool.

~~Douglas