H-234 Socks: Progress Report 2

I must admit I'm not quite as taken with the knitting two socks at once concept as I was before I began this project. I use socks as instant gratification projects and this method is, of course, only half as instantly gratifying as knitting one at a time. Five rounds on two socks just doesn't have the same emotional impact as ten rounds on one sock. I also feel like I'm spending more than twice as much time moving things around on the needles as with a single sock.

On the up side, I don't have to worry about gauge consistency or yarn allocation, which is quite nice.

I'm not yet ready to give up on the process, but I would have had one sock almost done at this point. Here is my progress so far.

The Principles of Knitting

Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting
by June Hemmons Hiatt



***** 5 stars out of 5

I have had this book for over twenty years. It was my first and only knitting book until very recently. It is the book from which I taught myself to knit. It is the book that I use to determine if other books are worth my hard-earned money. It is, in my opinion, the standard against which all knitting books should be measured.

Mrs. Hiatt is the Shirley Corriher of knitting: a knitting scientist. She explains the hows and whys of knit fabric construction. She comprehensively covers stitch formation and behavior, fabric construction, decorative techniques, project management, and pattern design.

The layout and illustrations are superior and add value to the reference. The index is outstanding.

It has nearly everything you could ever need to know about the methods and techniques of knitting. The author shows several methods of accomplishing every item she covers. Granted, she doesn’t cover everything, but who does?

It is set up in a rather odd order; sort of like the grocery store. However, I haven’t found this to be a problem since I use it like an encyclopedia. Mrs. Hiatt is rather opinionated in which methods and techniques she likes best. I’m okay with that, since she went to all of the trouble to assemble this masterpiece she’s entitled to her opinions. I always have the option to ignore them.

Overall, it is a comprehensive tome, which would be my choice if I could have only one knitting book.

This book is currently out of print, but rumor has it that it will be reprinted by Simon & Schuster in October of 2009. Put it on your list.

The Pet Post and Other Musings

I finally got a face shot of the elusive Cat No. 1. This is so rare I just had to share. Look at those beautiful eyes.



We are finally getting some proper fall weather here in the Deep South. Do you know how I know? Animal Indicators. When the weather was unseasonably warm last week, the animals looked like this:





When the weather cooled off today they looked like this:







Who needs a thermometer?

Woe is I

I’m going to cry. Well, maybe I’m not going to cry, but I feel like I’m going to cry. I’m having one of those spells where it feels like the world is coming to an end, but it’s not…really.

Oldest Son told me last night that he was considering moving out to the west coast to live with Youngest Son. This should have made me happy, that my two boys would be together. But, noooooo, what did I do? I’ll tell you what I did: I had a meltdown. You know, one of those shrill voice meltdowns. One of those, I’m driving to the store right now for pipe tobacco even though I haven’t smoked for three months meltdowns. I felt as though I was being abandoned. Gawd knows why. Oldest Son lives 1100 miles away from me. It’s not like I’m going to see him any less. Besides, he calls me like clockwork.

Then I had an interview this afternoon for a job I really, REALLY want and I totally blew the interview. Actually, the secretary that scheduled the interview told me I was interviewing for the job I really want. I though I was interviewing for the job I really want. I prepared to interview for the job I really want. But, in reality, I interviewed for another job I had applied for. It was surreal. They were asking all kinds of questions that didn’t make sense and in an attempt to tie them into the job I thought I was applying for all of my answers must have sounded like non sequiturs. About half way into the interview I figured out what was going on, but it was too late to implement damage control. The looks on the faces of the interview panel were clear, “her credentials look great, but she needs a flower pot because she’s a blooming idiot.” All I can say is I’m glad it’s over.

And my cell phone died.

And I got a parking ticket.

Thank gawd for knitting. And vanilla rum.

General Progress

Yesterday I knit! I cancelled all chores and laundry, too. I was tired, so I knit slowly, but I knit!

I worked a little bit on the H234 socks.



I worked a little bit on the Sober Argyle vest.



I haven't touched the Arrrgyle Socks.

I also received patterns for my Twizé. I had attempted to get two free patterns from Webs with my yarn purchase, but they were non-cooperative. However, the very nice people at SWTC accommodated me and mailed the patterns. I now have a pattern for Twizé Tank Top:



And for Greta:



I’m definitely making the Twizé tank, but I’m also toying with the idea of making the pinwheel sweater (pattern from elann.com):



My winter vacation begins on Thursday and I can’t wait. Monday through Wednesday will be busy at work. Thursday and Friday will be busy getting ready for the trip. I have a two day drive to Mom & Dad’s. Oh, how I wish I could knit and drive. I’m hoping to get some serious knitting done while visiting. Maybe even visit some of the local yarns stores.

Hypotheses 2-3-4 Socks

With this pair I’m testing hypotheses 2, 3, and 4 to determine if they can be included in the Unified Sock Theory, hence the name. I will also be adding eye of partridge stitch to the heel flap, just to see how it turns out.

Hardware: 2 – U.S. 1 ½ (2mm) Knit Picks Options 24” Nickel Plated Fixed Circular Needles

Software: 1 – 50gm ball Knit Picks Essential in Lily Pad Multi

Code Snippets:

Judy Becker’s Magic Cast-on

Wendy Johnson’s Fingering Weight Toe-up Socks with Gusset Heel

Eye of Partridge stitch (instructions and chart by Persnickety Knitter)

Invisible Cast-off for Single Rib (excellent tutorial by crankygrrrrrl)

After I finished IGS2 on Wednesday, I started fooling around with a rounder toe for the socks. I came up with one that looks rather nice lying on the kitchen island, but leaves something to be desired on the foot. I decided to try the “elf toe” with sixteen stitches instead of twelve and see what happens.

Thursday evening I cast on two socks at once, from the same skein no less. Not a big deal, one just needs to remember to uncross the yarn every other turn.

Friday night I moonlighted again: no knitting. :( I’m also moonlighting this afternoon and evening. :(:(

I’m using another Knit Picks Essential sock yarn and again the colors are lovely. The texture is very soft. I’m looking forward to seeing the pattern develop.

Unified Sock Theory

I am going to strive to come up with the Perfect Sock Pattern.*

With two pairs of socks completed, what have I learned?

• Toe-up construction is my preferred method
• 2 circular needles beat DPNs hands down
• U.S. 1 ½ (2.5mm) needles are perfect for Knit Picks Essential sock yarn
• Judy Becker’s Magic Cast-on rocks
• Wendy Johnson’s Toe-up Gusset Heel sock pattern rocks
• Elizabeth Zimmermanns’s Sewn Cast-off works, but I’m not thrilled about it
• I'd like a rounder toe for my socks
• The way the heel and toe mess up the pattern makes me sad
• Making the sock with one piece of yarn makes me happy
• Knitting the second sock is anticlimactic
  

Hypotheses to test:

1. A turned heel that won’t drive me crazy exists or can be developed for contrast color heels so I won't have to be sad about pattern distortion.
2. A method to make a rounder toe exists or can be developed so I won't have to listen to the GC say that my socks have "elf toes."
3. A cast-off method that makes me as happy as Magic Cast-on exists or can be developed so I won't have to look at perfect socks with less than perfect cast-offs.
4. Knitting two socks at once will be a more satisfying experience so I won't have second sock syndrome.

*Perfect for me, of course. Your results may vary.

Knit Picks Essential Sock Yarn: Software Review

I have now knit two pairs of socks with Knit Picks Essential sock yarn in two colorways: Meadow Multi and Peacock Multi. I love the colorways and the patterns they create.

The weight of the yarn was very even. I do not like knobby or bumpy yarns and Essential was consistent through the entire skein. The yarn was fairly soft while knitting, maybe just a teeny bit scratchy, but super-soft after washing. There was slight fuzzing after the first wash, but no significant pilling.

This yarn is incredibly durable. Look at the tail below. It was used to cast off the second sock. It went through each stitch twice on a tapestry needle and looks completely unscathed. Not to mention that it was liberally mouthed by Cat No. 2. By the way, that's all that was left of the skein after I made IGS2. Twelve and three-quarters inches, how cool is that?

I’ll have to come back and update this after the socks have been washed and worn a few times, but at this point I’m satisfied overall. I’d have to say a very good value for the money.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 4

Ta Done! These turned out so much better the IGS1. For starters, they are the same size!

Blog Envy...I'm Over It

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm suffering from blog envy. As I read the various blogs I've stumbled across in my adventures, I find myself wondering about the HTML as much as the showcased projects. I'd really like to have a three-column blog...time to modify the stock template. Gee, I like that color combination...wonder what the hex color values are. So many cool features and ideas out there. I guess I'm going to have to start reading the code as well as the blog and then sit down and fix this thing to my satisfaction. Perhaps it is because I've supplemented my income building Websites that I feel kind of inadequate using the stock template. But, hey, wait a minute. This is a knitting blog, not part of my portfolio. It's about what I knit, not how I code. It's for my enjoyment, not my income. To hell with it! I'm going to go knit.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 3

Wendy Johnson of Wendy Knits is a certifiable genius. That's my opinion, anyway. Wendy designed the Fingering Weight Toe-up Socks with a Gusset Heel on which the IGSII is based. It is simple to make, fits very well, is endlessly adaptable, accessible to beginners, quick, and the last gusset heel toe-up sock pattern I'll ever need. See for yourself.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 2

I took the GC to a birthday party at the local skating rink yesterday morning. Since I Don't Play Well With Others I brought my own amusements (IGSII) and sat off in a corner booth away from the other parents.

It wasn't long before I noticed an intelligent pair of eyes staring at me over the back of the booth. I invited the eyes to come sit with me. A young lady of about ten was attached to the eyes. She was quite taken with the socks I was knitting. Once she determined that I wasn't going to do her harm with my pointy sticks (probably something she heard from the other parents, I got weird looks from them) and that I was willing to answer questions, she settled in and asked away. After a time, peer pressure set in and she went off to skate, but I noticed she looked wistfully at my socks each time she rounded the rink.

Soon, another young lady of about twelve, this one with beautiful curly hair, sat down and asked me what I was concocting. I told her I was making socks. She eyed me suspiciously, edged away a bit on the seat and asked me, "For a human foot?" I kid you not, that's exactly what she said. I assured her that the sock would indeed fit a human foot. I demonstrated by putting it over her fingers like a mitten. Her eyes went from narrow with suspicion to wide with wonder. She smiled and showered me with a barrage of questions. She was clearly disappointed when I told her I would not be finished with the sock before we left. She wanted to see it on a "human foot."

During this time Intelligent Eyes returned and stayed, while several other party-goers dropped in for a look. I was getting evil stares from the knot of parents who clearly could not understand why the kids were more interested in an odd, anti-social woman with her old-fashioned craft than the lights and music of the rink or the table full of junk food and bags of party favors. To be honest, this surprised me too.

I wish I had brought along my knitting bag rather than just my sock project. I would have loved to have let those girls knit a few rows just to see what it was like. Who knows, perhaps I planted the seed for two new fiber artists. I hope so.

Here's what sparked so much interest:

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 1

Well, well, well, I've made it through another week. I've had scarcely any time to knit, which I think contributes greatly to my generally sullen mood. I worked out of town one day and got home late, had a school holiday performance one evening, and moonlighted (moonlit?) on two evenings.

This has, however, given me plenty of time to meditate on Wendy's heel instructions and I'm pleased to say I've got my brain around them and am excited to knit them up. I always feel better when I can visualize what a pattern is saying before I actually execute the instructions. Unfortunately, I'm moonlighting again tonight, so it must wait until tomorrow after errands.

I haven't even touched Sober Argyle. Here's what I've gotten done on the Instant Gratification Socks II. I absolutely love this colorway and check out the pattern! Isn't that cool?!

The Dog

It occurred to me yesterday morning that I have not given The Dog equal billing on the blog. Coincidentally, Mom mentioned that very thing later in the day.

She (The Dog) is very sweet, not at all interested in yarn, and only contributes minimal amounts of additional fiber to my projects. So, without further ado The Dog gets her own post.

Instant Gratification Socks II

Based on what I learned from my first pair of socks, I've decided to try a toe-up sock with a gusset heel. I'm using Judy Becker's Magic Cast-on with 24 sts (12 x 12) and then following Wendy's instructions for toe-up socks with a gusset heel that promises no stitches to pick-up. I have to admit, reading the pattern, I'm totally confused as to how this is going to work.

As I'm sure you've begun to suspect, I'm afraid of turned heels. Now, I did sucessfully execute a Sherman Short Row Heel, but I still get the willies when I think about it. I'm not sure why I even attempted the SSRH. It's not like "knit encroachment" and "purl encroachment" are less offensive than "wrap and turn" and all of the other turned-heel vulgarities.

I have high hopes for this pattern.

Sober Argyle Vest II

The needles arrived on Friday and I settled in last night to cast on for round two of Sober Argyle. Not much of a start, but it is a start.

Instant Gratification Socks: Progress Report 3

They're finished. I'm not altogether happy with them, but the GC is pleased.

I've learned that I need to use a smaller needle with that particular yarn and that I have gauge issues between sock 1 and sock 2. (Read: one sock is smaller than the other.) On the whole, though, not bad for a first-ever pair of socks.

TGIF

If this week had persisted for a single day longer, I don’t think I would've survived it. I’m still not quite over my supervisor reducing me to tears yesterday. Needless to say, I didn’t get much done this week.

I've completed most of the second Instant Gratification Sock. All I have left is the toe and the heel. I may even finish it tonight.

After schlepping the 6 lb. box of Twizé hither and yon a few times, I came to the logical conclusion that a five-and-a-half pound sweater is just too silly to be considered and forced myself to quit entertaining the idea. A reasonable person would have been able to deduce this immediately, but I still wistfully imagine how lovely my Reeds & Grasses sweater would look in the Twey Twizé. I am not a reasonable person.

I was fortunate enough to find exactly 13 skeins of Bamboo on sale in Black. I also ordered a skein of Fiery Red as the contrast color. I eagerly await the arrival of my order in a box of sweater-appropriate weight.

I’m now on the lookout for a pattern for the six pounds of Twizé, which should be enough to make two items based on a reasonable person's reconning. I though it might be nice to make matching projects for the GC and myself. Perhaps a lacy tank or shell? Hmmmm.

The needles for Sober Argyle Vest II have finally arrived. I cast on this weekend!

Uh-oh

The box came today from Webs with the SWTC Twizé for my Reeds & Grasses project from Vicki Square's book Knit Kimono. My first impression was WOW! It's Beautiful!

I can't begin to describe how beautiful this yarn is! None of the pictures do it justice. The colorway is a silvery fog, palest pink, and white. The yarn has a shimmer-sheen to it that gives it incredible depth. It has a very soft touch...like a cross between silk and cotton.

As I was petting and ogling a skein, somewhere in the back of my mind a light came on. This skein is heavy. Very heavy. I hefted the box. Uh-oh. Where's the packing slip...here it is...okay, weight...6.0 pounds...WHAT!!!

Here's where my knitting novice status becomes glaring. You mavens out there will get a good laugh out of this one. The pattern calls for 12 skeins of SWTC Bamboo (250 yards/100g ball). I decided I wanted to use SWTC Twizé, it's bamboo, too, and I like it better. Twize is 110 meters/100g ball, which is 120.3 yards/100g ball).

That should have set off the alarms, but alas I just did the math and ordered the yarn. Okay, I'll admit it, like most Americans, I'm metrically challenged. I found my favorite metric conversion website. Let's see here...12 x 250 = 3000 yards divided by 120.3 yards is 24.93 skeins...okay I'll make it 26 just to be safe.

The verdict is: 5.49 pounds. That is going to be an incredibly heavy sweater. Oh, dear.

Instant Gratification Socks: Progress Report 2

The first sock is done and the GC wants to know if I'll be finished with the second one tonight. Ha.

Sober Argyle Vest: Progress Report 4

I frog, therefore I am (happy). Time to start from scratch. I can't wait until my needles get here!

Before:



After:



* And yes, I did manage to get 6 skeins into a one gallon juice jug.

Instant Gratification Socks: Progress Report 1

Since I can't work on the *&^%$#@! vest, I've been working on the Instant Gratification Socks. The GC mentioned that I've been neglecting her Arrrgyle Socks (which is true, but I'm not sure why) and that she very much likes the colorway of this project. Hint, hint.

I caved. The socks have been reduced to a smaller size and will belong to the GC upon completion. I have enough yarn to make myself a pair later.

I've got one sock done except for the heel. You'll notice in the picture below the purple stripe of waste yarn for the afterthought heel. I pulled that last night and the stitches are on the needles for the heel.

Take a look:

To Frog or Not To Frog

When I can't force myself to work on a project, it's a sure sign that I've gone astray somewhere along the way. I'm a mere 30 or so rows from completing the back of the Sober Argyle Vest, but instead of getting that charge that gets me to the end, I can scarcely look at the blasted thing.

My project gauge is 1/2 a stitch per inch larger than my swatch gauge, rendering my finished product considerably larger than it should be. Now, I have the option of finishing it and hoping that I can shrink it in the wash the precise amount needed for a perfect fit, or I can frog the whole damed thing and start over again.

Just saying that makes me feel better.

I don't have the needles I need to re-start the project. I think I'll just let things sit until the needles arrive next week.

Instant Gratification Socks

I worked ten or twelve more rows on the vest yesterday. Even though I'm so close to having the back finished, it's beginning to feel like the never-ending project; a garment of epic proportions. I needed an instant gratification project.

I turned to Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch for inspiration. This book, by the way, is the best sock design book I've ever seen. If you need step by step, hold-my-hand instructions, you might be disappointed. If you want a book that helps you think like a sock designer, this is the book for you. As a nice bonus I was able to teach myself how to knit a sock on two circular needles in about an hour with the instructions from this book and the excellent tutorial at Knitpicks.

In my opinion, knitting in the round with two circular needles is far superior to working with DPNs. I always felt like I was wrestling with an urchin or trying to knit with a sack full of angry cats when I used DPNs. Knitting with 2 circulars is, by contrast, a very relaxing process.

I am making a simple top down sock with a garter rib pattern.

Software: Knitpicks Essential in Meadow Multi - 24043 (the purple is actually more pinkish and the dark chocolate brown is more milk chocolate brown than shown on the site, a minor disappointment)

Hardware: Knitpicks Nickel-Plated Fixed Circular Knitting Needles in US Sizes 3/Metric 3.25mm

Here is my progress so far:

Sober Argyle Vest: Progress Report 3

I've got the armholes about half way done. I may try to finish the back today, we'll see.

Four Day Weekend!

I’ve successfully taken care of the winter holiday season and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. I am feeling rather smug about the whole thing.

The GC loves having a tree, but so does Cat No. 2. The cat knocks down and breaks all of the ornaments on the lower half of the tree, then climbs the tree from the inside and rocks it back and forth until it falls over and breaks another quarter of the ornaments. She then knocks the last quarter of the ornaments off and plays soccer with them.

Last Friday I purchased a 4.5’ tall artificial pre-lit tree and two strings of colored L.E.D. bulbs from The Home Depot. This tree will fit nicely on the table I have in my entry. With gifts stacked strategically around the edge of the table it will be impossible for Cat No. 2 to gain access to the tree. That’s the plan anyway.

Never overly sentimental, I am becoming less and less interested in participating in holiday traditions as time passes. The one thing I used to enjoy the most was wrapping gifts. That was a way I, totally linear, binary me, could be creative. There was a zen-like quality in the process and I wrapped my gifts with origami precision.

Now I’d rather knit and have something to show for my efforts. Also I don’t want to have to go out and shop for gift wrapping supplies, nor do I want to have to clean up the mess, not to mention the terrible waste. So, I purchased a set of reusable gift bags from Wrapsacks, Inc. These are truly lovely bags and they have a cool option on the website to track the bags via their unique tag numbers through their lifetime and travels.

Last season the GC mentioned that she would like a Kyo plushy among other things. Kyo is a character in a Japanese anime called Fruits Basket. I didn’t figure it was very high on her list so I didn’t get it for her. I was informed afterward that it was one of the things she wanted most. I have been informed that it is the ONLY thing she REALLY wants this season. I bought her two: a large one and a small one. I ordered them about a month ago and they’ve been in my closet for several weeks now, along with the Kyo and Kagura pins.

Another gift that arrived a couple of weeks ago is The Bible Series Box Set (2000) DVD featuring: Genesis, Esther, Jeremiah, and Solomon. Several years ago I picked up Esther and Jeremiah in VHS at Blockbuster for about $3.00 each. The GC liked them quite a bit. When we moved down here I got rid of a lot of our VHS movies and those two were among the casualties. I was strongly berated for getting rid of two of her “favorites”. Now she will have them back plus the other two in the series. Are you noticing a pattern here?

Another DVD that she has mentioned wanting several times over the past six months or so is: Benny & Joon. I was able to pick that up for a very reasonable price at Amazon. Yay. On the other hand, she and I have been looking for the past couple of holiday seasons for a copy of The Nightmare Before Christmas without any luck. We looked at Halloween, too, no dice. Unbeknownst to me, this has become a rather rare collectible going for upwards of $100.00. I felt rather fortunate to find a new copy for $35.00 (three times what I will usually pay for a DVD). I ordered it today. Hopefully, I’ll receive it next week without incident.

That is essentially what she is getting this year: 6 DVDs, 2 plushies, and a pair of pins. It just doesn’t feel like much, but I know she wants each of these items.
Tomorrow we are going to put up the tree and she is going to decorate. It should be a nice way to spend the morning.

Sober Argyle Vest: Progress Report 2

Yippee! I got all my rows done and tonight I get to start shaping armholes! Off I go...

Arrrgyle Socks

I've decided to make some argyle socks for the GC. Since she is crazy about anything pirate, I incorporated a jolly roger into the pattern.

Software: Knitpicks Palette fingering weight in red, black, fog, and white.

Hardware: #2 straight sticks for the leg, 2 #2 circular needles for the foot.

Here is my test run in worsted weight yarn:



Software:



Here's my progress so far. Looks like fun, eh?

Sober Argyle Vest: Progress Report 1

Here's my progress on the Sober Argyle Vest. I have half a diamond's width (thirty rows) to go before I begin shaping the arm holes. I'm starting to lose interest and have been ogling the colored yarns I have for the front. The asparagus I ordered to replace the moss arrived. It's still a bit dark, but it's the lightest green available in the DK Swish, so it will just have to do. I hope to get at least those next thirty rows done this weekend.

Jewelry for the Kitchen

This morning I got energetic and installed the cabinet pulls I purchased at The Home Depot two weeks ago. I didn't really feel like doing it, but I wanted the project out of the way before next weekend. I'm happy I got it done and I really love the results. The kitchen looks so much more finished. The happy bonus is that these pulls have no protrusions to hang the pocket of my robe. I'm still not used to seeing handles on my cabinets, so it's a bit of a shock every time I look that direction. Nice though, eh?

Sober Argyle Vest

I am making a modified version of the Drunken Argyle vest by Holli Yeoh published in the summer ’05 edition of Knitty, a very cool online knitting publication.

I am using the Swish DK I purchased from KnitPicks as the software for this project. I’m using my new Options circular needles in the smallest size, 4, for the hardware. Both the needles and the yarn are larger than the pattern calls for, but after the test swatch I feel like following the pattern for the smallest size will work. I am a medium sized person and I knit tightly.

The only modification I’m making in the pattern itself is on the front: I am trading Holli’s curvaceous diamonds for traditional linear ones. Although her whimsical diamonds are cute and I’ll probably make a vest following the pattern at a later date, I am struck at how classy and elegant the back pattern is and I want something to complement rather than contrast for the front.

I cast on and knit the 2.25” of 1 x 1 rib on #3 straight sticks then switched to the circular needles for the pattern. I would recommend doing the first three rows in solitary confinement. I did mine with Terminator 2 on the flat screen and the GC chattering non-stop. Needless to say I misplaced a few stitches and had to go back with the ever-handy crochet hook and make things right.

The yarn still has that odd feel, but it is a pleasure to work with and knits up nicely.

I’m enjoying the circular needles. The cord is wonderful and the silky finish of the needles is fine. I have had to stop a few times and tighten the connections, a minor annoyance. I am having some trouble with the cable connections. My yarn continues to get hung on the small gap. I’ve followed up with KnitPicks and they are sending me a replacement cable.

As an aside, knitting with circular needles does not exacerbate my carpal tunnel syndrome the way knitting with straight sticks does.

Here’s what I’ve gotten done so far:

Notice the classy, subtle diamond pattern emerging. The copious amount of cat hair was generously contributed by:

Cat No. 1

and Cat No. 2