Cybersocks Done

- a fun Nov/Dec KAL, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SocknittersSAM/ .
I cast on 72 sts on two-2.5mm circ's and they're too loose, (about a ladies size 7 1/2 and I'm a small 6.) I'm getting better at stranding though - the knitting doesn't pucker and the sock doesn't bind.
I played around with the pattern on the sole to conserve on the coloured yarn. It turned out that I had plenty so now I have lots left over - oh well, more stash for mini or multi-coloured socks.

Also finished, but no pic, is a cotton sweater I made for DMIL for Christmas.

This bag's complete now that the button's sewn on. I gave it to DSL and I think she really likes it, (hm...mmm will see if she uses it.)

FFBag done

Yesterday's progress ...
I used the bag as felted and didn't bother to resize it, just eased in the fullness as best as possible when sewing in the lining.






Now it's fully lined with a zipper closure and one divider/pouch. I didn't use the buckram stiffener in the bottom nor the dowel inserts at the top edge. Instead, I used one piece of Flexi-Firm to line the front/bottom/back - sewn directly to the lining before attaching inside.
Also, the strap is made in one piece, (knit I-cord,) but both ends split and attach to the top edge along front and back.

Christmas Stocking done
- 2mm and 2.5mm needles, cast on 96 sts.
- finished size: back length ~12", diagonal from top of back to tip of toe ~18"
- Made from sock yarns;
red (x2) - 4218, Sandnes, Smart Superwash*
black - 1331, Scheepjes, Invicta Extra (leftovers)
green - 8514, Sisu, Maskinvaskbar*
multi - 2405, Schoeller Stahl, Socka Color* (Fortissima Colouri)
(NB: should have used double strands of the thinner green and multi-coloured yarns)
* http://birkelandwool.net/

Update on FFBag

- tried felting in washing machine, cold water - didn't felt much
- tried hand felting/agitating in basin with hot soapy water, 3 rinses (alternating cold, hot, cold) - still didn't felt much
- tried washing machine again, hot wash/cold rinse cycle - OVERFELTED! 13"x7"
- now, will try to soak overnight in vinegar/cool water to restretch a bit.
http://www.knitnik.com/ -see Oct 31, 06. (btw, I didn't do this after all.)

(link/info added to Oct 24 posting)

Knitting

Yesterday I saw a reprint of Nicky Epstein's Felted Floral Bag in the latest, (thinner?) Interweave Knits!!!
(NB- IK,Holiday Gifts Special Issue http://www.interweave.com/knit/special_issues/knits_gifts.asp)

OTN - a Christmas Stocking based on a pattern found in Dale of Norway, Best of Tiur No. 170.
- stranding technique, (not weaving one ie not PW)
- purchased book here, NAYY:
http://spinblessing.com/item.php?art=DG170E
- see Design 5 Akantus

FO - washed and blocked Maple Leaf Socks

Maple Leaf Socks

WIP from Oct 8 these socks are now done and waiting to be washed & blocked.

Pattern found here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/T_Socks_KAL/

Fall Garden

Seasonal transformations never cease to amaze.



Hard to believe that this scene from January turned into these other ones ...






June








July









Today, some plants still hanging in there after 2 bouts of morning snow.

Decision time soon on FFB

Hmmm... do I shape it more like a purse or a box?

'Felted Floral Bag'

Progress so far-
DSIL requested Nicky Epstein's pattern.
- yarn: mainly Cascade 220, some Quebecois
- 3.75 mm needles
- narrower side panels with the upper part tapering slightly
-may add some sort of button type closure/loop.

Couldn't get just the right wool colours ... time for microwaving with Kool-Aid and vinegar, (I use a capful - just in case.)
This is what I got by adding just a titch of orange and 2 Tbsp of orange + 1 Tbsp strawberry to warm up the original colour, far right.


... the messy private side.
Instead of intarsia for the colourwork I used a fair-isle technique, in the round. Also, worked the design pattern on just the one side. Good thing this will be felted cuz my tension's wonky, (partly because the 2 types of yarn are different weights.)

Hazel Carter SLS - rectangular version

- blocked with tig welding rods

- finished size:

45 cm x 180 cm

18" x 71"


- shawl washed and rinsed gently in tepid water

- microwaved a wee bit of potato starch in a cup of water


- squeezed excess water out of shawl

- soaked it in cooled potato starch solution, diluted to 1 liter.

Laceweight yarns

- white Zephyr *
- black Skacel **
- loden Superlamb (coated, should bloom after washing) *
- white Grignasco Extrafine **



*http://www.shuttleworks.com/
** http://knittingroomcalgary.com/ NAYY

Shawl Edging and ...

These edgings are the ones that I've decided to use for the sides and ends of this shawl.





... and my latest purchase - cool self-patterning sock yarn, (AHHH, Mona, stop enabling me. LOL)

Samplers and Shetland 'Shawl' progress

I enjoy trying out different techniques and stitches. So when Carla started the 'Sampler M KAL' I hesitated just a split second before I joined, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnitalongSamplerM/ .
YIKES, I'm now a member of more than 20 knitting groups! ... somewhat obsessive, considering that I started the year on one list.

Here are 2 sides of a sampler cushion I made using stitches from a Pinguoin publication.









... still trying out edgings for the sides of this shawl, definitely not the one with the NUPP-like bumps.









Wish you could have smelled the wonderfully scented mock orange bush and peonies last week.

Weather warning last Thurs.

The sun shone briefly during the pelting.








When I went to pick up DS from work the driving, in the heavy rain and hail, was like driving through a car wash. A few drivers were forced to pull over & wait it out. Other areas were worse off, cars were floating in a parking lot and many homes and some businesses had major water damage.

SLS progress

I've decided to make a variation of Hazel Carter's Shetland Lace Shawl - a rectangular stole rather than a square shawl.








Also, OTN is the Maple Leaf sock
designed by Jeannie Townsend, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/T_Socks_KAL/


... and Cascading Leaves sock, also by Jeannie ...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TownsendSocksKnitALong/
(no pic as I will probably frog - instep's too tight, toeup with short row heel)

... and other attempts at assorted shawls, Faroese mainly.

paeonia Sarah Bernhardt

Sock pattern link

I found Marguerite's 'Old Shale, 2 yarn sock pattern' on her blog:

http://stitchesofviolet.blogspot.com/2004/12/old-shale-two-yarn-sock-pattern.html

Branching Out Scarf

I finished this on Sat. and blocked it the following day.

OTN: Branching Out scarf for DD. http://www.knitty.com/issuespring05/PATTbranchingout.html

For MIL's socks, I'm pretty sure I used DGB 'Confetti' selfpatterning sock yarn on the cuffs and toes, but I can't find the ball band for the colourway #. It may be that the band was missing as it was the last ball at Birkeland Bros.

The quilt was also a birthday gift I made for her a few years ago.

I finished these 'Stitches of Violet' last Saturday for MIL's birthday, (2 days late.)

Changes I made;

- used a 3/1 rib instead of 7/1

- didn't use the patterned yarn for the heel

These socks were knit one at a time because I had only one ball of each yarn. My tension on the second cuff was quite a bit tighter, but still will go over MIL's instep.

Finally blocked FF&L for Mom.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frostflowersandleaves/

- 72" wide, across the top
- 42" center back, from top to bottom point
- 54" side edges



I used Mom's stash of straight needles and some T-pins to block the shawl, worked better than circulars for the straight edges.









Mom's socks finally done, 5 days late for Mother's Day.

Stitches of Violet Old Shale Two Yarn Sock Pattern

Kroy self patterning and grey Scheepjes

2.25mm, 100cm Inox circulars, Magic Loop, combined method

Test blocking

Another photo of test/blocking. I starched just one end of the border/edging.





The next day: the edge still lays flat and the fabric is quite crisp from starching, (even with handling/scrunching.) Blocked larger than suggested final gauge, so will try blocking to gauge next time to see if edge still lays flat.

SLS test block (Shetland Lace Shawl)

So far, so good. The 'lengthened' diagonal edge lays flat. Will see if it stays flat after relaxing a few days without being stretched to the max. Starched with potato starch.

I'm using the Magic Loop technique to knit 2 socks at the same time on the same 100cm length needle. So cool!

The 2 balls of yarn are in separate plastic bags inside the small shopping bag. I've threaded the yarn, 1 through each handle of the paper shopping bag, to keep the tangles to a minimum.

Hope the 'lengthened' edge eases in when the FO is blocked. I have my doubts. (Sponge Bob's laughing at my efforts.)

Yay!!!! Spring is finally here. (Actually, the blue scillas were out last week.) However, the dandelions are making a comeback in a big way, so I was out painting them with weed killer earlier today.