State of the Knitting

A long, slightly disorganized post about what I am knitting at the moment.

1. A super soft scarf for me
Turbulent Indigo, Kirsten Kapur (free pattern)
Yarn: Rowan RYC Silky Wool, 50% merino, 50% silk.

This yarn is soft, smooth, warm, and luscious. It has a lovely gentle sheen, and the purple is nice and the purple is nice and saturated. The picture below shows the yarn with a bit of a halo, but it is much less apparent to the naked eye.

Mods: I cast on two extra pattern repeats, and went up two needle sizes. I wanted the scarf to be nice and open. The yarn is DK weight, as is hand spun the designer used. I have had this yarn in my stash for probably over two years now. I have been keeping my eye out for a good scarf pattern for DK weight yarn, and this one struck my fancy. This wool is so soft and silky (as the name silk wool implies!) that it belongs next to the skin.

2. Lace!
Pattern: Shetland Triangle
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace, purchased at a sample sale, in a fabulous merino-cashmere blend.

Every knitter has a conception of the type of project that will make them a "real knitter." Something beyond the basic skills that come easily to each particular knitter. Something the knitter values for both the skill required and for its beauty. For some it is color work, or sweaters. For me it is lace. I love the way lace looks, and to me, that is the ultimate knitting goal. Yes, I would like to do some color work, and I would like to knit a sweater, but for me, its the lace that does it for me. My first attempt at lace did not go well. It is frogged.

For this, my second attempt, I picked an "easy" pattern, Evelyn A. Clark's Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style. I also invested in Addi Turbo's lace needles. I figure, the last thing I want to get in my way is a crappy join or blunt bamboo needles. They were a bit pricey for needles, but they are beautiful to work with.

3. Fun socks!
Pattern: Pomatomus, by Cookie A
Yarn: Hand painted by Yarned Forces

Once sock done, one to go!


4. Plain socks
Pattern: Lichen Ribbed Socks, Nancy Bush from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock

When I first started this sock I sort of guestimated how big to make it. I was converting the pattern written for a ladies' sock to a man sized sock. I did not measure, and just sort of went with it. Not a good idea. Before knitting the heel flap, I had N try on the sock, and the cuff would not even go over his foot. Lesson learned, I got out the measuring tape, did some calculations, and cast on a MUCH larger sock.

This is my simple mindless knitting of the moment. I am really liking the Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock....its my first time knitting with the stuff.


I have some FOs to quickly report on as well, with full posts on the way. Both are still awaiting blocking.

A beret for N's grandma....

My Clapoits, which I love, which broke my circular needle. They were cheap needles, purchased on eBay, and the join was not the best. I had to finish off the project on straights. Not a big deal, since I was already to the decreases by the time the join bit the dust. I tried a scotch tape repair, but it did not hold up for more than 1.4 rows.

A couple pics of my knitting related goodies, mentioned previously: my namaste purse, and the project bag it came with:

Finally, a picture of Kristina and I over Memorial Day, on a boat ride around Newport Harbor. Not the most awesome picture, but it is proof she is still out there :) Beleive me, she is still knitting in all her (few) spare moments, and when she graduates school, will be blogging again!

Enough rambling today. Have a great weekend!