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| Still have one to go. |
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| PB&W by BBK, the only one I'll put wool socks on for in the summer. She is missed. |
Welcome to the ZoeiSphere.
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 July 2021
Thursday, 8 July 2021
Two words.
Shingles. Flu.
That's what has been happening since I wrote last. Shingles for the second time, thankyouverymuch, and a nasty flu that wasn't Covid, thankfully. Just now I'm kind of sort of digging myself back up and into the light of real life, so soon I'll be up and running as intended.
Of course I have been knitting and spinning anyway.
This is the first 50g of some Nest Fibre Studio nestlets. Spun on Eeloize, the Electric Eel Nano, plied on a Snyder spindle.
Then a start on a merino batt from Yara Fibers spun on my sheep spindle from Snyder.
Thursday, 2 June 2016
Order done!
Well, the yarn order came in on the 23rd of May, and I've been knitting up a storm. All socks for the order are done, and look great if I do say so myself...
RoseHiver's Hold Your Seahorses and Water for the Elephants:
Sandra Jäger's reindeer socks:
And Maria Simonsen's Elgsokker (modified for fingering weight yarn, with only one moose and a striped foot):
See how those last ones are a nice crisp grey with blue? Yeah... Well, something happened when I soaked them (which I always do so I can block them into shape and make the stitches behave themselves), and now the grey is a mottled pale blue. I am NOT impressed.
RoseHiver's Hold Your Seahorses and Water for the Elephants:
See how those last ones are a nice crisp grey with blue? Yeah... Well, something happened when I soaked them (which I always do so I can block them into shape and make the stitches behave themselves), and now the grey is a mottled pale blue. I am NOT impressed.
Up to this point I have been very pleased with DROPS Fabel, and I still am, as this accident was entirely my fault. I've soaked hundreds of socks, and this is the first time I've had a problem with the colour running... But it's also the first time I forgot a pair of socks in the water for two days. I hope their new owner won't be too disappointed!
But all in all, it's been a great time. The patterns were fantastic, and I'm definitely madly in love with the red/turquoise colour combo.
But all in all, it's been a great time. The patterns were fantastic, and I'm definitely madly in love with the red/turquoise colour combo.
Tuesday, 17 May 2016
Itching for Yarn
It has been a slow knitting week, due largely in part to the fact that the yarn I ordered from Nordic Mart on May 3rd still hasn't shipped out. The yarn I need to finish the commissions. The commissions that are due on June 6th...
However, there is a good update on that. I finally emailed them last night, and got a response (close to midnight!) letting me know that they will expedite my order. So now I just have to hope it gets to cross the border without a hold-up. I wish I had written sooner.
I won't have too much left to knit for the order, so I think I'll be ok if the yarn gets here reasonably soon. Only the second socks for two pair are needed (in addition to the toes of the first socks, but that shouldn't take long at all).
On to the update then, weenie though it is.
I've knit as far as I can on the Hold Your Seahorses until more orange arrives, and am partially through the toe decreases. There is a possibility that I'll run out of navy on the second sock, but I hope to be able to pick some up locally if need be. I'll reverse the colours too, which may help.
Look at how adorable the seahorse is (pre-blocked, so he'll only get better)!
I cast on the fourth and last pair for this order, Reindeer Socks by Sandra Jäger. I love the colours, and think I want to remake my whole world in turquoise and red. The second sock will be with the colours reversed, and for a change I have all the yarn I need on hand. Of course, this is the pair that isn't due along with the other three, but I hope to have it finished anyway.
Cross your fingers with me that I can get the rest of the yarn within a week or so. I can be a speedy knitter, but I'd rather do without the pressure, thank you very much.
However, there is a good update on that. I finally emailed them last night, and got a response (close to midnight!) letting me know that they will expedite my order. So now I just have to hope it gets to cross the border without a hold-up. I wish I had written sooner.
I won't have too much left to knit for the order, so I think I'll be ok if the yarn gets here reasonably soon. Only the second socks for two pair are needed (in addition to the toes of the first socks, but that shouldn't take long at all).
On to the update then, weenie though it is.
I've knit as far as I can on the Hold Your Seahorses until more orange arrives, and am partially through the toe decreases. There is a possibility that I'll run out of navy on the second sock, but I hope to be able to pick some up locally if need be. I'll reverse the colours too, which may help.
Look at how adorable the seahorse is (pre-blocked, so he'll only get better)!
I cast on the fourth and last pair for this order, Reindeer Socks by Sandra Jäger. I love the colours, and think I want to remake my whole world in turquoise and red. The second sock will be with the colours reversed, and for a change I have all the yarn I need on hand. Of course, this is the pair that isn't due along with the other three, but I hope to have it finished anyway.
Cross your fingers with me that I can get the rest of the yarn within a week or so. I can be a speedy knitter, but I'd rather do without the pressure, thank you very much.
Monday, 9 May 2016
Moose, Elephants and Seahorses, oh my!
Hello Monday, hello blog update!
I'm currently working on a commission of four pair of colourwork socks, and one is off the needles.
I based these on Elgsokker by Maria Simonsen. The design is in Norwegian (I think), which I don't speak, so I basically just followed the chart and made up the rest of the pattern. They were designed for worsted weight yarn, but I adjusted them for fingering weight, and only used one repeat of the moose pattern on the leg, striping the rest.
Two of the other pair for this order are on the needles. The first is Water for the Elephants by Rose Hiver. I knit a pair of these a few years ago, and it may just be the pattern that made me fall in love with this designer. These are currently on hold, as I ran out of black and am waiting for a resupply.
In the meantime, I've moved on to the third pair: Hold Your Seahorses by Yvette Noel (aka Rose Hiver). This woman is definitely the go-to for gorgeous animal colourwork patterns. It doesn't look like much yet, but just wait...
As a break from colourwork, I worked on one of the socks for Sock Madness and managed to get the first of the pair knit. These are Sweet Nuttins by Adrienne Fong, and have beads on the leg (I opted to leave them off the foot because I'm not sure that would be comfortable). These have a really cute ruffled cuff that involved casting on a bajillion stitches before decreasing, which looks adorable.
And for something completely different, I knit a lily for my mom. The pattern by Heather Broadhurst was published on Knitty way back in 2006 and I finally decided to brave it (I love socks, but tend to shy away from fiddly things). It is extraordinarily clever, and apart from the never ending i-cord stem, was shockingly fun to knit. There may be more of these in the future.
I'm currently working on a commission of four pair of colourwork socks, and one is off the needles.
I based these on Elgsokker by Maria Simonsen. The design is in Norwegian (I think), which I don't speak, so I basically just followed the chart and made up the rest of the pattern. They were designed for worsted weight yarn, but I adjusted them for fingering weight, and only used one repeat of the moose pattern on the leg, striping the rest.
Two of the other pair for this order are on the needles. The first is Water for the Elephants by Rose Hiver. I knit a pair of these a few years ago, and it may just be the pattern that made me fall in love with this designer. These are currently on hold, as I ran out of black and am waiting for a resupply.
In the meantime, I've moved on to the third pair: Hold Your Seahorses by Yvette Noel (aka Rose Hiver). This woman is definitely the go-to for gorgeous animal colourwork patterns. It doesn't look like much yet, but just wait...
As a break from colourwork, I worked on one of the socks for Sock Madness and managed to get the first of the pair knit. These are Sweet Nuttins by Adrienne Fong, and have beads on the leg (I opted to leave them off the foot because I'm not sure that would be comfortable). These have a really cute ruffled cuff that involved casting on a bajillion stitches before decreasing, which looks adorable.
And for something completely different, I knit a lily for my mom. The pattern by Heather Broadhurst was published on Knitty way back in 2006 and I finally decided to brave it (I love socks, but tend to shy away from fiddly things). It is extraordinarily clever, and apart from the never ending i-cord stem, was shockingly fun to knit. There may be more of these in the future.
Thursday, 5 May 2016
Oopsies!
Well, what do you know - I completely dropped you. I am notorious for falling off tracks, and this seems to be no exception. However, that being said, I just signed up for Tour de Sock again and figured it would be a good time to try some resuscitation.
It's been a year. Lots of knitting, lots of life changes, lots of the same, too. First, here are the remaining 2015 Tour socks I didn't talk about:
I also participated in Sock Madness (which is still ongoing, and I've knit more than this pair, but the other pictures are, quite frankly, embarassing):
I worked on a bunch of colourwork items:
Had company while trying to photograph some projects, as is often the case:
And even designed a pair of socks, which I have yet to write the pattern for:
See? I should have stuck around, and will put my intentions to it. I need a plan. Not a random "whenever a project is done" plan, but maybe once a week could work. How does Monday sound? Have I suggested this to myself before? Sounds awfully familiar...
It's been a year. Lots of knitting, lots of life changes, lots of the same, too. First, here are the remaining 2015 Tour socks I didn't talk about:
I worked on a bunch of colourwork items:
See? I should have stuck around, and will put my intentions to it. I need a plan. Not a random "whenever a project is done" plan, but maybe once a week could work. How does Monday sound? Have I suggested this to myself before? Sounds awfully familiar...
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Tour de Sock: Round 1 Complete!
In the wee hours of the morning, I bound off the second sock to finish my Virrat for round one of the Tour de Sock. They are magnificent.
The toe was new to me (long-tail cast on joined in the round, with the hole stitched up later), as was the heel (which started with a "reverse riverbed gusset" in the pattern).
After my initial negative reaction to the toe, I have decided that it's just fine, and quite a bit faster to work than other toe-up cast ons I've used in the past. As for the heel, I adore it. It fits beautifully, and I think it will hold up well over the years. At least as well as the standard heel flaps I use on top-down socks.
The bind-off used is the sewn bind-off (Elizabeth Zimmerman's, maybe?), and makes a nice clean edge.
I am smitten. My mom wants these, but I'm going to have some trouble parting with them.
Round 2 begins on June 11th, so I have a few days to make some progress on my Paradiesvogel. I just started the foot of the first sock. I'm using leftover yarn, and may have to get creative for the second sock as there is a distinct possibility that I'll run out before I'm done. Ah well, mis-matched socks can be cool too! And in the meantime, they're just fun to knit, which is the whole point.
The toe was new to me (long-tail cast on joined in the round, with the hole stitched up later), as was the heel (which started with a "reverse riverbed gusset" in the pattern).
After my initial negative reaction to the toe, I have decided that it's just fine, and quite a bit faster to work than other toe-up cast ons I've used in the past. As for the heel, I adore it. It fits beautifully, and I think it will hold up well over the years. At least as well as the standard heel flaps I use on top-down socks.
The bind-off used is the sewn bind-off (Elizabeth Zimmerman's, maybe?), and makes a nice clean edge.
I am smitten. My mom wants these, but I'm going to have some trouble parting with them.
Round 2 begins on June 11th, so I have a few days to make some progress on my Paradiesvogel. I just started the foot of the first sock. I'm using leftover yarn, and may have to get creative for the second sock as there is a distinct possibility that I'll run out before I'm done. Ah well, mis-matched socks can be cool too! And in the meantime, they're just fun to knit, which is the whole point.
Friday, 5 June 2015
Tour de Sock: sock the first
On Wednesday I completed the first sock for the competition, but am only finally getting around to talking about it here now.
Pattern: Virrat
Yarn: Cascade 200 Superwash Sport in periwinkle
Needles: 3mm dpns
I began originally on 2.75mm needles, but once I completed the heel turn I realized I was in trouble. The fabric was too dense, and I was in danger of running out of yarn. So I ripped it all out and started over on 3mm (it's a great thing I'm not on a competitive team!).
Now it's perfect.
The heel construction is very interesting and fits quite well. I may be a toe-up convert after all! More on the details of the pattern once I'm finished both socks.
Monday, 1 June 2015
Tour de Sock: Day 1
At 8:30 EST this morning, knitters from around the world were poised over the refresh button, waiting for the very first pattern of the 2015 Tour de Sock to be posted.
I was not one of them. As usual, getting out of bed at a reasonable time seemed entirely unreasonable, so when I finally dragged myself up and out quite a bit of time has gone by. I have, however, more than made up for that lost time by knitting for about four hours this afternoon, and am quite pleased with my progress.
The pattern in question is Virrat by Tiina Kuu. I have no experience with this designer's patterns, but am impressed by the quality of the instructions, which I believe is the rule rather than the exception for the Tour patterns in general.
I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in periwinkle, on 2.75mm needles. I usually knit with fingering weight yarn on smaller needles, so have been pleasantly surprised by the speed at which I'm knitting these up. After just a bit over three hours, I'm ready to tackle the gusset increases.
Toe-up socks are not my normal thing either, though I have nothing against them. The cast on for the toe is a bit strange, as it leaves a hole to be sewn shut during the finishing stage. I doubt that I'll wait that long before cinching it up - it's driving me crazy. But that is really the only complaint I have thus far - the pattern is cute and simple, and this pair has already been claimed by my mother.
Technically I should stop knitting now to save my hands for tomorrow, but I've learned that the bigger yarn and needle combination isn't hurting me at all, and I don't want to stop! We shall see.
I was not one of them. As usual, getting out of bed at a reasonable time seemed entirely unreasonable, so when I finally dragged myself up and out quite a bit of time has gone by. I have, however, more than made up for that lost time by knitting for about four hours this afternoon, and am quite pleased with my progress.
The pattern in question is Virrat by Tiina Kuu. I have no experience with this designer's patterns, but am impressed by the quality of the instructions, which I believe is the rule rather than the exception for the Tour patterns in general.
I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport in periwinkle, on 2.75mm needles. I usually knit with fingering weight yarn on smaller needles, so have been pleasantly surprised by the speed at which I'm knitting these up. After just a bit over three hours, I'm ready to tackle the gusset increases.
Toe-up socks are not my normal thing either, though I have nothing against them. The cast on for the toe is a bit strange, as it leaves a hole to be sewn shut during the finishing stage. I doubt that I'll wait that long before cinching it up - it's driving me crazy. But that is really the only complaint I have thus far - the pattern is cute and simple, and this pair has already been claimed by my mother.
Technically I should stop knitting now to save my hands for tomorrow, but I've learned that the bigger yarn and needle combination isn't hurting me at all, and I don't want to stop! We shall see.
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Tour de Sock 2015
No long-winded introduction awaits you here. I'm here to share my knitting adventures, so pull up a chair, grab your latest project, and let's get going!
I recently signed up for the Tour de Sock competition for the first time. I've admired the patterns from afar, and have always looked forward to the year that my PayPal balance would cover the $7.50 sign-up fee, and this was the year!
I've signed up for a relaxed team, as I want to ease into it. We begin on June 1st, and I'm rearing to go!
To keep myself occupied in the meantime, I am working on a sock for the May challenge over at the Sock Knitters Anonymous group over on Ravelry. I chose to cast on Paradiesvogel for the Fandom theme, and am using up leftovers from my stash.
I love the idea of the slipped and twisted stitches wandering around over the striped background, but I'm not too thrilled with how some stitches are pulled or wonky (look at the centre panel). Hopefully this will sort itself out when I block these.
I recently signed up for the Tour de Sock competition for the first time. I've admired the patterns from afar, and have always looked forward to the year that my PayPal balance would cover the $7.50 sign-up fee, and this was the year!
I've signed up for a relaxed team, as I want to ease into it. We begin on June 1st, and I'm rearing to go!
To keep myself occupied in the meantime, I am working on a sock for the May challenge over at the Sock Knitters Anonymous group over on Ravelry. I chose to cast on Paradiesvogel for the Fandom theme, and am using up leftovers from my stash.
I love the idea of the slipped and twisted stitches wandering around over the striped background, but I'm not too thrilled with how some stitches are pulled or wonky (look at the centre panel). Hopefully this will sort itself out when I block these.
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