The knitting/crocheting for the lace Niebling is done, needs a good wash and blocking ...

... and the elmleaf zokni are also finished. These were cast off using the tubular cast off, http://tinyurl.com/2hovqx

(Thanks, JK.)

Calgary last week ...

... yesterday ...

... and today, another blast of winter, taken an hour after it started this morning.

SRH and Niebling update

... more on Short Row Heels for a high instep - inc heel sts for the SRH.

This photo highlights areas that were added to a toe-up sock, could also be added cuff down;

- yellow-grn: *3 increases to each side of last few alternate rows on the foot before starting the SRH.

If doing cuff down one would need to decide whether or not to include inc sts to charted design, ie plan ahead to either knit these inc rows plain or continue with chart and knit incs in pattern, too, otherwise, there will be a small triangular bit of stockinette, (the blue-grn triangle in photo.)

- bright green: extra rows as a result of more heel sts, eg *36 sts instead of 30 sts dec to 14 live sts

- blue-green: *3 decreases to each side of the first few alternate rows on the leg after SRH's done, (I used plain knit sts all across the back of the heel here, also could have started the leaf pattern as soon as the SRH was done.)

---*change these numbers for a custom fit.

Niebling update:

Last week I wasn't sure I had enough thread to finish this project without having to cut back on the rows. Whew, I'm relieved to have more than enough.

I'm now to the point of crocheting off the edge, at least trying to.

Increase sts for SRH

I like the look of socks made with short row heels (SRH,) however they are too tight for me when the pattern is knit 'as is.' The last socks I made have SRH where the heels are done over 60% of the stitches and they fit nicely.

My current project is the Zokni pattern, http://www.pepperknit.com/patterns/ZokniSocksPattern.pdf , done toe-up and also has a SRH, but I didn't want to use pattern sts for the heel because I didn't know if it would work using yo/eyelet sts and still look nice. Instead I added ease by increasing stitches before starting the heel, then decreased by the same amount after the heel was done.

The heel needle on these green socks had 6 inc/dec sts worked over 5 rows each, ie worked on 36 sts instead of 30 and the instep needle has 30 sts throughout.
*NB I made sure that the inc/dec sts are 1 knit st away from a yo/eyelet.

- at point A, 5 rows before the beginning of the heel, start increases on alternate rows, ie inc 1 st on each side of heel sts on first and subsequent odd rows, knit plain on even rows.*

- make SRH, start with knit 35sts, wrap last stitch, turn ... (More rows are needed to work heel down to 14 'live' stitches as well as back up to 36 sts.)

- at point B, start dec 1 on each end of heel sts* on alternate rows until you have 30 heel sts.

This should also work for cuff down socks and numbers can be adjusted for a custom fit.

Mar 11, am

chinook arch

Chinook winds ...

... bring warm temps - a balmy 12C today and 15-17C tomorrow - and develop their signature arching clouds.
- facing SW. Rocky Mtns in the far distance. The white patch of snow in the nearer distance is Canada Olympic Park (COP) where several events were held during the 1988 Olympics; bobsled, luge, and ski jump, (remember 'Eddie the Eagle' from Great Britain, I believe?) Warm temps from Chinooks that February created problems for outdoors events.

- and facing SE, the other side of the chinook arch.

Niebling update: on Rnd 182, I probably will not have enough thread to complete all 221 Rnds plus a crocheted edging. According to rough calculations I am 65% done with 40 Rounds to go.

I Got Mail ...

... yesterday's additions to my ever growing treasure collection, thanks to Irene in Courtenay, BC.

Niebling update: on Round 119, of 221, (almost 800 sts on this Rnd)- using a 24", sz 2.5mm circ for the second set of 'leaves' where the design pulls in a bit.

(- photo of Rnd 122 done, 816 sts)