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.

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.

Instant Gratification Socks II: Progress Report 4

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

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?!

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.

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:

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.

Sober Argyle Vest: Progress Report 2

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

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.