Tag: socks

Knitting

Still Around

Iris Rose

I just looked back at my last post and I was startled to see that I have not posted anything new since last July!  Life has been very busy and not left much time for playing unfortunately.  There has been just too much going on to share with you here so I will try to go forward without bringing in the past.

My last post was about my newest blanket project.  I bought extra yarn, I created six large squares knit in the round, and added the green border.  I didn’t like the narrow border so frogged those and made it wider and there it sits.  After trying out different ways of joining the squares with a panel knit in a lighter green, I just couldn’t find the right stitch.  Frustration took over and I packed it away and haven’t touched it since.  Such is the fate of projects that don’t cooperate!  I still don’t have a clue what I want to do so this pretty blanket in the making will stay in time out a little longer.

I have been knitting socks!  Some of these are hand knit and some machine and I am missing a couple of pair that were in the wash.  I was only disappointed in one pair, the one with the purple, grey and orange.  All of the other sock yarns washed and dried beautifully except that grey which shrunk and felted a bit making the sock just a tad too short in the foot.  I plan to cut it and replace the grey with a different yarn to make it a nicer fit.

I have lots of other things on the go including another one hundred hats project.  I am at seven and counting.  I need to sort out my projects (and my thoughts) and am committed to posting more regularly.  Until next time, happy crafting!

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Second Syndrome

Iris Rose

I hope that you are all having a very happy and crafty week. I am still ploughing through the sleeves. One is finally finished and the second one is about a third of the way done.

This making of sleeves has led me to much thinking. I can’t read while I am knitting because the pattern is too complicated for that and, as I do a lot of my crafting at work, tv is out so that leaves thinking.

I started to muse on the second sock and/or the second sleeve syndrome and why I never suffer from that. I do, however, suffer really, really badly from the first sock or sleeve syndrome. I am always excited to start a new something and get myself going nicely only to find that the work is BORING! I start to think about the next project and find myself slowly but surely hating the current one. The “I am only half way through the first one and I still have to finish and start one more just the same” kind of hate.

       

I have found, at least it works for me, that if I count sections, for example, I am one quarter of the way through, then on third, that the work seems to go a lot faster. I also need to focus on the process itself rather than feeling like I have to rush to the end. I think that this way of thinking makes the work go faster.

Once the first one, sock or sleeve or mitt, is done, the second is a piece of cake. I am so excited about how pretty the first of the pair is that I just want to get on and get the second one finished. No second something syndrome for me. I think that I will rename it first sock or sleeve syndrome!

I should confess that I haven’t been devoting my entire crafting time to the sleeves.  I have managed to accumulate a pile of not quite finished projects, three kid’s sweaters and a poncho as well.  So maybe it is not a syndrome at all but just a sign of a scattered mind.

I hope that all of your first and seconds are happily done (and match) this week and have a great seven days of craftiness.

Knitting

Seahawks Socks

Iris Rose

I know that a lot of you regularly knit socks.  I have knit a few pairs and never enjoyed the process until I am almost finished the second one, then I love sock knitting!

I found a self striping yarn in the team colours of the Seattle Seahawks and just had to knit a pair for my DH, the ultimate Hawks fan.  The yarn is Cascade Heritage Prints in the colourway, Seattle.  I bought three skeins as I wanted to make sure that I had enough for size XXL socks which was a mistake (100g skeins, what was I thinking) as I used about a skein and a quarter but I am sure to make good use of the leftover skein and a bit.

To make the larger than standard socks, I used an old Patons’ pattern book of socks that I found in a tub of craft supplies that I inherited from my Mum.  This book actually has a couple of options for sizing men’s socks which was very helpful.  It was lovely and nostalgic reading notes that my mother wrote out to keep track of the pattern; I used the same pattern that she had used.

I started these puppies in mid-May and finally grafted the toes at the end of August, can you say procrastination?  DH was very happy with the finished socks that fit perfectly and will be well used in the coming football season!

 

It was so much fun to see how happy he was with the socks that I may just purpose the left over yarn into another pair!

#GoHawks!

Knitting

The Second Part is Coming Soon!

Iris Rose

I wanted to have part two of my Northern Rose Shawl pattern up for you today but I am about a day away from finishing the test of this section. I have revised my original knit to expand the lace pattern out to the edges where the stitch increases happen. I like the result and I hope that you will too. I should have it up this weekend for you. Stay tuned to facebook or subscribe to my blog to have instant access to new posts.


In the meantime, I have been getting another pattern ready for you and will be posting it to Ravelry as a paid pattern. You can get it here first (and free) so stay tuned for that too!

Summer is in full swing and although it is hot, hot, hot, we still need to knit and crochet to keep our hands busy and our minds engaged and soothed. I like to work on small projects this time of year. I am currently knitting a pair of socks for DH that are made with sock yarn dyed in the colours of the Seattle Seahawks, his favourite NFL team. I have one finished but have put the second on hold while I finish the shawl pattern.


I have the urge to start some hats and have the pattern in mind that I want to create. I will use bulky yarn to make a quick and, hopefully, really cute head cover for the winter that we all know is coming.


And, just to show you that I really have startitis, I am working on a top down kid’s sweater. I am really pushing it here but if there is no pressure I don’t seem to get anything done!
Watch for my post this weekend to get the next episode of the shawl and stay cool!