Too Much to Explain, Let Me Sum Up

Life just gets away from you, and more specifically, from your blog.  You buy a house.  You start singing with a new chorus.  No, two new choruses.  (Choroi, I suppose.)  You adopt another dog.

But you keep knitting, oh so many wonderful things, and you definitely don't want to stop talking about them.

So while you wait breathlessly for further details of Camp Loopy 2013, I leave you with a few photos and a truly wacky pair of socks:

Vinca Minor

A new sock pattern for you on this rainy Monday evening.  (Lovely and rainy for New Mexico!)

The pattern says it, mostly, but I wanted to talk a little about my inspiration for these.  Sometime in like . . . darkest 2011 or something, I went to the Yarn Underground.  It may have even been the first time I went--it was that long ago.  I was wandering around, browsing sock yarn like you do, and my eye fell on this skein of Society Socks Fingering.  Once I saw the colorway name, I knew I had to have it, and it had to be socks for my mother.

My mom, you see, is a stone-cold hardcore gardener, and botanically-named yarn is right up her tree.  (So to speak.)

Being the procrastinatrix that I am, it took me years and years to get around to knitting them, but once I did, they were so quick and easy that I wondered why I hadn't done it before.

Anyway, they are this year's Mother's Day gift (given early so she could model for me, haha).  Love ya, Ma.

For all details and to purchase, follow the link (and take 50% off with code MAYDAY)!

Animal Crackers

in my soup, monkeys and rabbits loop-de-loop . . .

STUCK IN MY HEAD FOR ALL TIME!

As you may have guessed, I finished the Animal Crackers socks!

PATTERN: Animal Crackers by Don Yarman.  Interesting and enjoyable to knit.  I made the smallest size minus four stitches to account for my gauge in the thickish yarn. 

YARN: Wollmeise Twin (80/20 merino/nylon, 510 yds/150g skein) in colorway WD Himbeere.  A note about Wollmeise colors--Claudia, the dyer, has what you might call exacting color standards, and skeins that don't meet them are pulled out and labeled "We're Different."  She sells them in grab bags on her website, and sometimes regular skeins are pressed into service.  So WD skeins can be very close to a named colorway, or they can be radically different.  Either way, they're still lovely.

As always, it's a pleasure to knit with WM, and it makes wonderful socks.  I used just under 100g.

NEEDLES: US 0/2mm.  Knitter's Pride Karbonz have lately become my favorites, more so even than wood.  I don't like the metal tips, which seem a bit sleazy, but I do like the carbon.  I have a pair of knockoff Blackthorns, but I haven't tried them yet.

NOTES: Gozer approves!

I am still knitting on the big blue blob, incidentally.  It has gained a ribbing and about 8 inches of sleeve.  Send chocolate.

In progress

Oh good heavens, I blinked again, and here it is December.

I have been knitting a great deal, mostly on this:

"This," you may say, "looks an awful lot like a giant blue blob."  Well, you'd be right about that. In theory it will grow up to be a "# 255 Henley neck down pullover for men" (how's that for euphony?), which is intended as a Christmas present for my little brother.  I've been working mostly on that because, as the astute will note, Christmas is only about three weeks away, and the blob is still in blob form.  It is several inches longer now than in the photo but not THAT much longer.

My other project of late, when I can't take anymore of the Blob, is a sock.  It is also intended as a gift, but I don't think it will be a Christmas gift.  More like a vernal equinox gift.

I do have lots and lots of finished objects to show you, but those will have to wait for another day, as I am back to blob knitting.  Later, gators!

Charybdis

Oh my goodness, what happened to October?!  I blinked and there it went.

I have been knitting, but don't have anything suitable to show you today . . . so let's go once more to the archives.  I see I have reached Camp Loopy 2013

These were my first project, a pair of Charybdis socks.  (And coincidentally I'm wearing them as I type.)

PATTERN: Charybdis by Fiona Bennett.  I used my favorite toe and heel and pretty much butchered her very nice pattern.  My apologies. 

YARN: Dragonfly Fibers Djinni Sock (80/10/10 merino/cashmere/nylon, 420 yds per 113g skein).  I would classify it as a heavier fingering.  I haven't been best pleased with the wear on this yarn--it has a ton of pills after just a little over a year of wear.  But in fairness, the dyer does note "technically, you can machine wash, but I wouldn’t," and I do.  I also throw them in the dryer occasionally.  On the other hand, they are very soft and comfortable to wear.

NEEDLES: US 1/2.25mm.  I usually knit socks on 2.0mms, hence the classification as a heavier fingering.

NOTES: A quick and enjoyable knit.  I had to unpick the cast-off on one sock and keep knitting in order to use the required amount for Camp Loopy.  I have this problem with socks frequently, as I like them on the shorter side (read: am lazy) and my loose knitting means I tend to use less yarn when I do so.

These pictures were taken by my wonderful friend Amanda.  Thanks, Amanda!

Setbacks

So far, this has been a rather frustrating week.  Remember the baby sweater?

A very bad picture by way of reminder

All the pieces are knit, and all the extant ends woven in.  Next is the duplicate stitch to form the plaid pattern.  At first, I thought this would be a doddle, as I could use the crochet hook method (explained very nicely here), but it turned out not to be workable.  (The crochet stitches spread the knitting too far and make it look funny.)  So now I am duplicate stitching, stitch by tedious stitch.  It is customary at this junction to request that others send alcohol, or chocolate, or whatever the knitter's personal vice may be, but in this case I don't think that legal stimulants will cut it.  Send methamphetamine.


Next, my mindless sock-in-progress went from this (plus about two inches, since I worked on it at the movies the other day):

to this:

as I finally accepted that it was going to be too big to fit the intended recipient.  The good news, I suppose, is that eight fewer stitches will be that much quicker to knit.  But!!

And finally, I have hauled out a UFO that is positively ancient, by my standards--it was begun in March 2012.   It's a top-down raglan sweater (read: boring), and I don't really like it?  I think I will like the finished product, but the knitting of it is tedious, and I didn't do a very good job with the pattern.

Or this photo.

I feel like casting on something very easy and bulky, just so I'll have the satisfaction of finishing it.

Not Quite So Speedy

After last week's hectic productivity (I finally finished the Daybreak!), this week has been more sedate.  I've worked more on the sweater for my little cousin . . .

(almost done with the back)

. . . and launched the second Animal Crackers sock.  
 

My brain is teeming with many ideas for this and that, but I am resolved to remain semi-monogamous until these are done.  Maybe.

Lurching Toward Vague Competence

Today is the Irishman's birthday, and we wanted to go to the movies.  Which meant, of course, that I spent all afternoon frantically attempting to turn a sock heel so I would have plain knitting for the feature.  I should really learn just to have a plain sock at the proper stage at all times.  Or do afterthought heels, I guess.

I spent most of the movie winding yarn for my third Camp Loopy project, but when I pulled out the sock I got a surprise.  Turns out in my rush I'd left my fifth needle at home.  So this happened:

I am nothing if not resourceful!

Also this week I have been spinning!  This is half of a braid of Polwarth combed top from Into the Whirled.  I think, despite my lousy picture, that this may be my best spinning effort yet.  TI moved my wheel to a different place in the living room which actually turned out to be a really good spot--right next to a window, directly underneath a lamp.

Next is the other half of the braid, of course (I am going to to try to spin from the same end and then keep the color changes consistent in the 2-ply), and then I don't know.  I'd like to try spinning from the fold, but I'm not sure which fiber would be best to start with . . . *   Anyone have suggestions?

*Incidentally, we aren't supposed to end sentences with prepositions because it can't be done in Latin, and some crabby grammarians† decided that it would be proper to make English grammar conform to Latin grammar.  This is pretty ridiculous, it almost goes without saying.  In Latin you literally CAN'T end a sentence with a preposition, as a preposition in Latin a) always has an accompanying noun/adjective/adverb and b) always comes BEFORE its companion.  (See that "pre"?  Actually, look at the whole word--pre + position.  Makes sense, no?)

In brief--too late--it's not a philosophy to which I subscribe.  Not slavishly, anyway.

Also, my favorite preposition joke:‡ a woman walking around the Harvard campus stops another woman and asks, "Excuse me, ma'am, but where's the library at?"  The latter woman replies, icily, "At Harvard, we do not end our sentences with prepositions."  The first woman says, "Okay then, where's the library at, bitch?"

† "The Crabby Grammarians" is my new band.

‡ Does it really surprise anyone that I have a favorite preposition joke?

Victorian Boating Socks

PATTERN: Edwardian Boating Socks by Emma Grundy Haigh.

YARN: Fable Fibers Novel (80/10/10 merino/cashmere/nylon, 600yds/150g skein), colorway "Denim."

NEEDLES: US 0/2.0mm

MODIFICATIONS: Virtually none.  I used the twisted rib adaption of the heel for extra stretch, and made the leg longer than called for in the pattern.  I did end up with differing numbers of stitches occasionally, because Ms. Grundy Haigh uses the (frankly) stupid "needle 1, needle 2" method of pattern-writing, which is impracticable for anyone wanting to a) avoid ladders, b) use a different number of DPNs, or c) use something other than DPNs in the first place.  I may not be the best designer in the world, but I do try to write my patterns with an eye to flexibility, particularly when it comes to something as individual as sock-crafting preference.

You may notice that these are way too long for me.  That's because they will be a birthday gift for my father in November.  (Seriously, Camp Loopy.  Get shit done.)

Yet Another WIP

Last summer, I participated in Camp Loopy, and it was so much fun I'm doing it again.  (Not to mention, I got three FOs--including a sweater for myself--in three months.  V. efficient for the normally non-monogamous knitter.)

The first month's challenge is to knit something inspired by a favorite book, movie, or TV show.  At first, I was stumped, so I went prowling through my Ravelry queue.  And what should I find but the Edwardian Boating Socks, which I queued way back when the Yarn Harlot knit them.  (Whenever THAT was.  Some time ago.)

I immediately thought of To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis, one of my favorite novels by one of my favorite authors.  Much of the action takes place in the 1880s, while boating, you see.  (The book was inspired and heavily influenced by Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat.)

So really they should be Victorian boating socks, but WHATEVER.  A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

I am knitting them in Fable Fibers Novel (80/10/10 merino/cashmere/nylon), which I am liking very much so far.  Nice and plump.

I am also absurdly pleased by the matchy-matchy stitch marker.

Giant Blue Socks

These were the Irishman's Christmas present for 2012.  As is the custom, he received only one sock (but at least it was a complete sock and didn't have any needles in it or ANYTHING) at Christmas proper, and I finished the other in February.  (In my defense, his feet are very large.)

Pattern: Mindless Socks 

Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere (70/20/10 merino/cashmere/nylon).  This was really a wonderful yarn to work with--the hand was lovely, and it made beautiful socks.  Himself had been begging for cashmere socks forever, and I finally managed to oblige.

Needles: US 1/2.25mm

Another WIP

Last Christmas, my mother gave me a gift certificate to the LYS in my hometown (which is fabulous, by the way, hi, Shelley!) and oh-so-casually mentioned that they'd had "really beautiful socks in this yarn that was right by the register!"

I took a hint.

(That's a Crazy Zauberball in colorway "frische Fische.")

Greek Keys

Apparently I knit not one but two pairs of Knitspot socks in the summer of 2012 (fancy that).  These were a "training" project for the Ravelympics.

Pattern: Woodsmoke Sock by Anne Hanson.  As you can tell from the name, she thought the pattern looked like curls of wood smoke in the dark brown yarn she used to knit the original, but I thought it looked like Greek keys in my Mediterranean blue yarn.
 

Yarn: The Yarn Yard Cairn (80/20 merino/nylon, 437yds/100g skein), in an unknown colorway.  This yarn was a gift from Aspen, and the pictures don't really do justice to its beauty--there were all sorts of little flashes of purple in with the blue.  It was also really enjoyable to knit with.

These ended up as a gift for my cousin Kathy (she graciously hosted us on part of our cross-country odyssey).  Thanks, Kathy!

State of the Lanafactrix: Knitting Edition

Now that you're all caught up on what I've been doing that ISN'T knitting . . . here's what is.

The Rose of England proceeds apace.  It's past where it was before I discovered my horrible error of the other day, even.  Not that you can really tell.  It's still a giant white blob.  But I have reached the final chart for the smaller size.  So "soon" (read: in another 30 rows) I'll have to decide whether I'll stop there or continue.  It pretty much depends on how much yarn I will have used, because the KAL requires a minimum of 1000 yards.  Heaven knows I have more than enough on the cone.

I haven't worked on them much since starting the Rose of England, but I do have non-blogged progress on my Animal Crackers socks to report--I'm past the heel turn.  See?  Still a nicely written pattern that's turning out a nice project.

Mostly this week I've been devoted to the piece I'm designing for Heather--everything but the very last finishing is in place, conceptually, so I've been trying to push through version one so I can take version two with me on vacation next week.  (More about that later.)  So really I'm going to be terrifically boring for the duration.  Sorry.

Ravelympic Glory!

Yeah, yeah, we're supposed to call them the "Ravellenic Games" now, but whatever.  I invite the IOC to send me a cease-and-desist, as it will only drive traffic to my tiny blog.

Anyhoo, I knit these socks for the 2012 Summer Games.  They were chosen cannily as a project suitable for knitting quickly while traveling--we drove across the country three times that summer (I don't recommend it, incidentally).  I was right to do it, they knit up easily in the allotted time and I achieved three medals, which still may be seen on my Ravelry profile.

Pattern: Sign of Four by Anne Hanson.  Easy to knit, easy to memorize, and easy to adapt to toe-up.  I subbed in my favorite toe and heel (which I pretty much always do.)

Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot (60/25/15 wool/mohair/nylon, 400yd/100g skein) in colorway "Moose Creek."  Love this yarn.  It's nice and thick (verging toward sport) and cushy.

I intended to give them to my dad for his birthday that year, but (foolishly) I put them into storage and then moved, so they became a Fathers' Day present for 2013.  When he was living in Cyprus.  A place where no mohair socks are ever needed.  But now he's back in Idaho and wearing them regularly.  So knitworthy, my dad.

Fir Cone Socks

When last we visited the Fir Cone socks, I was working on the leg of the first specimen, a gift for my boyfriend.

I have no memory whatsoever of finishing that sock or knitting the second, but I must have, see?

Ravelry informs me that I finished them November 9, 2012.  Good for me.

The yarn was Cherry Tree Hill "Sockittome" (which has apparently been discontinued?  A pity!) in "Java," a colorway chosen by the recipient himself.  It was nice, if a little splitty, but I think that was due to the needles I used.

It was my original intention to write up a pattern for these, but given the limitations of the medium (64 stitches gave me socks that fit a size 11 EEEEE foot), I never got around to it.  Maybe I will someday . . .

More spring socks

Hey, check out these ridiculously adorable socks!

(Photo © iknit2purl2)

 

They are the Yoshino Socks, and they are free until the 10th with the code SPRING.  What's not to like?  I think they would look super in Wollmeise . . .

Spring Startitis

I think spring has finally arrived here in New Mexico, and I have got startitis BAD.  So far I've managed to confine it to one new project:

 

This is the beginning of a pair of Animal Crackers socks (designed by a nodding acquaintance of mine who is an awesome guy, incidentally).  Very much liking them so far.  To the extent that I am neglecting both my designing and my Moyen Age.  The yarn is not quite so vivid in real life, more of a rich deep raspberry.  Wollmeise Twin, of course.  (I kind of went on a WM binge last year.  I will be knitting from stash for awhile.)

Speaking of my Moyen Age, no appreciable progress since last time, but I did take updated photos.  Actually, I guess I didn't tell you I finished my sleeve.  And the picture does not deceive you: that, on me, is a bracelet length sleeve.  I TOLD you my arms were short.

 

I also got a decent picture of the sleeve cable:

Have I mentioned that I love this yarn?  I'd link it, but sadly the dyer doesn't seem to have an internet presence at all.  Which is a shame, because it's divine.  (Maple Creek Farm Yarn "Portland" [50/50 silk/merino] in case you come across her at a festival or something.)

I have so far kept the startitis contained by a) leaving the socks upstairs so I am forced to work on the Moyen Age when I'm downstairs and b) planning new projects but not actually casting on for them.

Not sure how long this will work.

Sprightly Socks

I was obsessed with the Wollmeise colorway "Iris Sibirica" pretty much from the moment I saw it.  I finally managed to lay hands on a skein last winter and, finally done gloating over it, cast on a sock toe in mid-February.

Then I promptly cast it aside because I have the attention span of a particularly flighty magpie.

You know what happened next--thwarted from making further progress on my Moyen Age, I picked the poor neglected thing up once more, and BAM.  INSTASOCKS.

These are seriously addictive to knit, people.  I'm not sure I should sell them, to be perfectly honest.  The world economy might grind to a halt while the sock knitters neglect their jobs and homes to knit Sprightly Sock after Sprightly Sock.


But I can't keep them to myself--they deserve to be out among their people.

So without further ado, the Sprightly Socks--put a little spring in your step!

Purchase it here (and take 50% off with coupon code "SPROING"!)

These would be a great place to start for someone who knits a lot of socks cuff-down but has never knit toe-up socks before, or someone who has cut their teeth on the Mindless Socks and is looking to something a little more challenging.  The rectangle toe-up cast-on and German short-row heel both have photo tutorials!

(They would also be excellent for those clown-barf multis in your stash that you never quite knew what to do with.  This is how much I care.)

This Is Not a Pipe

Nor is it a blog, as it has no pictures, which are surely the sine qua non of bloggery, no?  (Note my subtle working of a Latin bon mot into the conversation.  This is why I spent all that money on college.)

But sock the first of the obsessive pair is done, and I am about three inches up the leg of sock the second.  If I knit diligently (and monogamously), I'll have it done by the weekend and the pattern polished enough to release by next week.  But this leaves me with something of a dilemma.

As is usual, I knit this pair of socks to fit myself.  But I don't think my feet and legs will photograph well in the pattern--it needs someone with narrow feet and skinnier calves so the stretch of the fit won't interfere visually.  And I'm not sure I know someone here whom I know well enough to ask to be a sock model.

Imagining the ensuing Craigslist ad has me crossing my eyes.