Tofino meets South Forks

More socks all for me!! After making the Monkey socks (post below) I wanted to find a pattern that would be able to handle a highly variegated yarn like the Gourmet Crafter Sock series and I hoped that the slipped stitches of the South Forks pattern would do the trick.

The colour turned out more overall black than I thought it would (green seemed to dominate the skein) but I think the end result is very handsome. These are lovely cushy socks. I still adore the yarn (no colour transfer or breaks with this skein).

The pattern was well-written and I knit it without alteration. Now I have two brand new pairs of socks – decadent!

Pattern: South Forks Socks by Linda Welch
Yarn: Gourmet Crafter Sock by Alexa — Tofino Fern
Cast on: January 19, 2011
Finished: February 21, 2011
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Gift Knitting…

Now I am not a very big gift knitter. I am ultimately selfish with regards to projects that take so much of my time and are usually made with yarn that I am totally in love with (and therefore have no wish to just give away). Debates about gift knitting can go on for days on Ravelry, and non-knitters really seem to have little grasp of how much time and energy go into knitting, so a lot of knitters fall into the same category as me: only give handknits to those you think will appreciate it.

With that said I thought I might quickly flash some of my recent gift knitting here:

Pattern: TTL Mystery Sock by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Sweet Georgia CashLuxe Fine in the Tourmaline colourway
Cast on: September 3, 2010
Finished: October 16, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 4.5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Quick thoughts – made for my lovely friend Janine who, fortunately, has smaller feet than me, because, as you can see, these are a little tight on me in the modelling shots. I found the pattern challenging and ended up ripping out the first sock THREE times and the second twice – I kept dropping stitches or making the socks WAY too small (the cables across the foot really cinch in the fabric). Ultimately it was worth it because I just loved them. I thought the colour was amazing – perfect for my friend Janine – the yarn was luxurious, and the pattern was another beautiful and well-written one by Ms. Kapur.

Pattern: Tangled Vine Socks by Chrissy Gardiner
Yarn: Fearless Fibers Merino Cashmere Nylon in the “Grass is Always Greener” colourway
Cast on: October 27, 2010
Finished: November 20, 2010
Pattern Rating: 4 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Quick thoughts: Christmas socks for my sister – the perfect colour and absolutely decedent yarn. A fun, pretty, under appreciated pattern – though I couldn’t figure out the short row heel (which was new to me) so after making one that turned out awfully I opted for a regular slip stitch heel.

Pattern: Twisted Mockery by Lisa Stichweh
Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon – Skinny Bugga in the Tufted Jungle King colourway
Cast on: November 1, 2010
Finished: December 7, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Quick thoughts: I belong to the Sock Knitters Anonymous Group on Ravelry. They, among other things, host a Sockdown: Ravelry challenge every year. This is a KAL (knit along) for anyone who wishes to participate (and, as long as you follow the rules, you may win a prize). As apart of this KAL different designers design mystery sock patterns every second month. These, pictured above, are the results of my very first MOCK (Mystery Sock) with the SKA group. I had never attempted such “difficult” socks, but the pattern was clearly written and easy to follow and I adore the results! These became a Christmas gift for my mom Laurel and I hope she likes them as much as I did!

I seem to have a bit of a hat thing going on…

This my Star Crossed Slouchy Beret (pattern free on ravelry). Yes, I succumbed to the pressure of the numerous ravelry projects (6591 and counting!!) – I thought all those knitters must know a good pattern when they knit it! Turns out they (the knitters) totally do – I love it. The pattern is simple (clearly written), but very satisfying. I also thought it was a great project for handspun yarn.

I used three different skeins (medium blue, light blue and blue/brown) of Yummy Yarn – specifically her handspun “soft spun” which is cushy and soft – I am a true fan of this local dyer/spinner.

Pattern: Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson
Yarn: Yummy Yarn Soft Spun – Medium Blue, Light Blue & Blue/Brown
Cast on: December 24, 2010
Finished: December 30, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 4.5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Note: photos courtesy of Michael

Another New Hat!!

Bramble, pattern found here – free – on Knitty, is supposed to be a beret, and honestly I passed it by when I first saw it, because I really am not a beret person, in fact I rarely wear hats at all. I think it is my short forehead that doesn’t play well with hats.

Then it snowed, and my llama hat itched, and I was worried my head would get very cold if I couldn’t lessen that itchiness, so did what any completely sane knitter does and went searching for a pattern on Ravelry. I found that this Raveler (dianabel) had modified her hat (series of Ravelry links) into a slouch.

So I completely ripped off dianabel’s modifications and made this yummy, soft, lovely cabled hat. It is the back detail that really sold me – I love how it all loops together.

I didn’t have enough yarn (I couldn’t justify a run to the yarn store seeing as I had just bought the llama handspun the week before) to complete the entire hat out of the Paris Night (navy) Malabrigo so I (kind of) randomly started off with a few green stripes to stretch my yardage. It turned out exactly as I envisioned! I absolutely love it.

Pattern: [modified] Bramble by Amanda Muscha
Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted – Paris Night & Verdes
Cast on: November 25, 2010
Finished: November 29, 2010
Pattern Rating: 5 stars
Yarn Rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Note: photos courtesy of Michael

I love my new hat…

While down at Granville Island two weekends ago, I slipped into Maiwa to find some bulky yarn… yes, the early snowfall had driven me into wanting a slouchy hat, one that would cover my entire head. Once there, I happened upon some lovely natural handspun llama and, after quick conversation with the owner of the shop, I figured out that I had actually met the llamas from which this yarn was spun.

Derry Walsh (at Derry’s Orchard & Nursery in Aldergrove) grows and sells apples trees (among other things) and last March we wandered out that way to pick up two one-year-old dwarf whips (trees). While we were there Derry gave us a tour of her acres and we met her llamas. Derry and her husband use the llamas for “exciting packing trips” and they are amazing beasts – strong, beautiful and friendly.

This handspun came from Shandy, who (I believe) was her biggest boy. He had the most amazing eyelashes and kept reaching out to sniff my hair while we were visiting.

I used almost an entire skein (200g) for the hat and then gave it a soak in soak and then a bath in hair conditioner in an attempt to ease the itchiness. This repeat bathing really relaxed the hat and now it is almost too big, but I love it anyway.

I am completely enamored with the fact that I met the animal whose yarn I then used to knit this hat. Completely enamored.

Pattern: Autumn by Jane Richmond (Ravelry & Etsy)
Yarn: llama handspun, natural brown, bulky weight
Cast on: November 20, 2010
Finished: November 21, 2010
Pattern rating: 5 stars
Yarn rating: 5 stars
Ravelry Project Page

Oh! Ruby Longjohn Socks

I finally got shots of Michael’s newest socks – proudly modeled by himself by a blueberry bush in the backyard.

These socks, paired with The Woolen Rabbit Kashmir yarn in the Oh! Ruby colourway, were knit from another fantastic pattern by Anne Hanson of KnitSpot. I really think the yarn perfectly suits the pattern.

The pattern: Longjohn Sock – The pattern, as always, was clearly written and offered in multiple sizes. I first knit up the size medium on 2.75mm needles (aka size 2), then chickened out after the cuff and recast on for the size large. Unfortunately, I should have stuck with the medium, because, 5 inches into the large, I figured out the large was TOO large – Michael, size 10.5 feet, likes his socks tight.

The yarn: Kashmir: this was my first time with any Woolen Rabbit yarn and I was prepared to fall deeply in love with this merino/cashmere/nylon blend. First of all, the colour – GORGEOUS! Unfortunately for me, Michael was home when this package came in the mail and immediately claimed this skein for his next pair of socks. The downside was that the red seriously came off in my hands, in a seriously difficult to-get-off-with-multiple-washes red stain (that twisted around my right index finger). I also found the yarn far too thin for my taste when knitting socks (the fact that these socks felt like they took forever to knit probably didn’t help). Also the yarn wasn’t consistent – very thick/thin throughout and somewhat nubbly. HOWEVER, the finished pair of socks is amazingly soft and really akin to dress socks – definitely meant for special occasions!! Michael LOVES them.

Ravelry Project Page

Cast on: July 28, 2010

Finished: September 2010

Pattern rating: 5 stars

Yarn rating: 3 stars

ETA: showed Michael this post and the following conversation ensued:

Michael: “Wow, my ankles look really wide.”

Me: “What are you, a girl?”

Michael: “Not with those feet.”

les Abeilles by Anne Hanson – a mini triangle shawl

This was my first triangle shawl and I absolutely loved knitting it. I have done a number of Anne Hanson, Knitspot, patterns now and les Abeilles is definitely up to her standards – well written and so pretty.

The colour, Peony, is a big departure for me, as was the yarn; first time I tried Sunshine Yarns Sunsilk, but I love both… just not too sure it’s the right colour for my skin! I knit the mini and think it is the perfect size to compliment, not overwhelm, an outfit–and/or just right to add a little neck warmth!

This was a very quick knit and looks WAY more complicated than it actually is… the pattern is mostly comprised of knitting, purling, decreasing (ssk & k2tog) and yarn overs. No tricky stitches. I think this would be a great beginner lace project. FYI – I used stitch markers between every repeat and, after the setup rounds, had no issues with the math–this might have been overkill, but I didn’t have to rip back, not even a single row.

I believe I bungled the grafting at the end–the kichener stitch and I are not on friendly terms and this time was no exception to our mutual dislike. Oh, well, I think it is still totally pretty and a very unique construction. I will be knitting this pattern again, very soon, probably in a darker yarn.

As to who will be the lucky recipient of this les Abeilles? Hmm… I’m not too sure, it is awfully pretty…

Ravelry project page (if you are a member).

Knitting FOs (Finished Objects)

First up, a very fun knit from the Early Fall Knitty 2010 – Coquille by Mary Lou Egan.

I knit the small size with 2 skeins of Crystal Place Mini Mochi (colour:108 – neptune rainbow), but the consensus on Ravelry seems to be that the shawl tends to take more yardage to complete (both sizes). I must knit tightly?

I absolutely loved the colours of this yarn, and originally bought it to make socks for Michael. Then the pattern came out and I was inspired to knit a Coquille instead, which I am actually happy about because I found the yarn very splitty, so even with an easy pattern I had to pay attention. The yarn also broke on me THREE times, just pulled apart with the slightest tug. I definitely would not have been a happy camper knitting socks with this yarn.

FYI – If you are a member you can check out my Ravelry Project page for more details.

Next up Mystery Socks ’09 (ravelry page) by Kirsten Kapur, which, I gather, were originally part of a KAL (Knit Along), but I laid eyes on the pattern after the mystery part of the kal was complete and LOVED them.

I had a skein of my favourite sock yarn– Handmaiden Casbah– in the Bronze colour way. I could once more rave about this yarn, but I am pretty sure I have made my feelings clear in previous posts.

I adore these socks. They fit me perfectly (I knit the size small to compensate for the bigger yarn gauge)!

FYI – Ravelry Project page

What is on the needles now? Another pair of Michael socks and a new shawl!

Knitting Update…

So I finally got a knitting project off the needles… Roger Socks by Anne Hansen for Michael. I’ve been feeling guilty because two sets of Michael’s handmade socks have recently (mysteriously!?) been felted in the dryer and his remaining pair has developed holes (as hand knit socks often do, especially when there are nails popping out of 75-year-old hardwood floors all round the house). The yarn is casbah, colour pewter, by Handmaiden and is, so far as I have tested, my absolute favourite sock yarn. I spotted this skien at Urban Yarns (blog) and, as I was reaching for it, Michael called dibs and well… seeing as I was dragging him to the yarn store in the first place and seeing as all his socks were currently ruined (and I still have 2 wearable pairs) I felt he deserved a new pair of socks.

LOVE the colour/pattern combination!!

Here is the sock against jeans (in an attempt to capture the colour). I adore how the pattern appears to be woven when, in fact, it is just strategically placed horizontal and vertical ribs (clever designer!!). The pattern is well written and very accessible. This is third pattern I have done from Anne Hansen (KnitSpot) and I have a bunch more queued at Ravelry.

Once the camera was in play, Parker had to get involved in the sock modelling… of course!

In other knitting news, I have two current works in progress:

This is the front side of the Kelmscott cardigan by Carol Sunday knit with mirasol qina yarn in the deep red colour way. I am gong to LOVE this sweater (I think) once I manage to get it off the needles (I am currently working on the collar), but this pattern has definitely been a challenge and I am not looking forward to the crocheted edges, as I actually have no idea how to crochet!

I am using four strands, 3 yellow and 1 beige, of reclaimed cashmere yarn for this cabled baby blanket (pattern found in this book). I found the cashmere sweaters at ValueVillage and harvested the yarn. The blanket is going to be so pretty and soft!