sock porn for knitting voyeurs.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Squares, socks, sari silk... alliteration twitterpation.

(Are you looking for the sock yarn contest? Link here... Please leave couplets on *that* post's comments and *note* they are supposed to flow from the choka in progress! Read more on ChokaOnIt... and if you've already entered, thanks! I'm having a blast reading them, and think I should run contests more often!)

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Aside from reading couplets, I finished up knitting my 5x5 squares for Warming Grace...


Clockwise from top left:
Sock/dk handpainted superwash, loop rib stitch
Henry's Attic Kona Superwash dyed with easter egg dyes, fountain stitch
Henry's Attic Kona Superwash dyed with easter egg dyes, Irish moss diamond stitch


Clockwise from top left:
Henry's Attic Kona Superwash dyed with easter egg dye-- doubled, mistake stitch I "discovered" :)
Santa Cruz Handspun "Prancer" 100% wool, fisherman's rib stitch
Rowan Calmer, openwork slip stitch


Clockwise from top left:
Santa Cruz Handspun "Prancer" 100% wool, stockinette stitch
Santa Cruz Handspun "Prancer" 100% wool, "Branching Out" pattern from Knitty
Santa Cruz Handspun "Prancer" 100% wool, "Clapotis" pattern from Knitty

Isn't Grace's yarn (from Santa Cruz Handspun) beautiful? :) It was perfect for the Warming Grace project, and it was super nice to knit it into something that will be precious to someone like the final blankets will be. I already have more yarn on order from Santa Cruz Handspun, and haven't even photographed 2 skeins that still are hanging out on my desk, waiting for inspiration to strike... (I had a pic of the Prancer skein but accidentally deleted it...)

These squares were fun, but the most fun was after they had been blocked and dried; my son had *the* best time playing with them on the tabletop as I was packaging them up for Canadia... its inspired me to be on the lookout for afghan/knitted block books to make an afghan for him. (Barbara Walker's Learn to Knit Afghan Book? I saw a couple of great squares on Jason's blog... any other recs for afghan/knitted squares in books?) It'll be one of those ongoing projects, a sqaure or two at a time-- can I sew them together at different times? Cos I know babybear will lose them if I let him play with squares for too long a time.

I think I'm going to use the Merino Worsted from Interlacements I bought at the Knit and Crochet Show for the afghan squares. I have 2 lbs of it incl. the variegated 8 oz skeins, but I think the BW Learn to Knit book calls for like, 5 lbs... I don't want to make a big afghan, but something the kid can drag around and I can put into the wash, so it may work...

I also sent in a skein of Brooks Farm Fourplay for the Warming Grace drawing... (same kind of yarn I used for my Odessa hat #2)



Aside from the squares, I've worked pretty much just on the Sunburst Sling bag...


Sunburst Sling bag, almost 10 triangles (almost complete, one side)


Up close

The sari silk is so hairy. I don't not like it, but can see myself knitting this in .. banana silk? Something else in the future. Great pattern.

I haven't worked on the "step above" entrelac socks from Knitter's Magazine, Summer 2004 since my last entry about them... It is a fun pattern, will look great when done, but... it doesn't *feel* like I'm knitting a sock! Silly I know, but true. I'll finish them, but in the meantime I cast on for another sock...



Basketcase Socks
pattern compliments of Dave
started: April 28, 2006
Henry's Attic Kona Superwash, dyed with easter egg dyes
US 2's, 7 sts/inch

I couldn't get 7 sts/inch on US 2's when I knit the Wyverns, but now do. Weird, but good...

The start date is correct, too (yesterday!). I just have powered thru them, and it felt great. As nice as knitting the squares and the sari silk purse was, I missed knitting socks. I'm already thru the gusset decreases, and just have the length of the foot to complete. The cuff is a little longer than my usual fare (7" or so to top of heel), but I'm digging my Child's Shell socks with their long cuffs, so maybe it'll be a new thing for me.

I have knit the instep with the pattern all the way across the 30 sts, where Dave only uses 18 sts in patt on the top of the foot (I meant to follow the pattern to the letter, oops)... My instep worked out like this

row 1 & 2: k2, p2, (k10, p2) twice, k2
row 3 & 4: k2, p2, (k2, p6, k2, p2) twice, k2
row 5 & 6: k2, p2, (k10, p2) twice, k2
row 7 & 8: k8, p2, k6, k4, p2, k8
row 9 & 10: (p6, k2, p2, k2) twice, p6
row 11 & 12: k8, p2, k 10, p2, k8

Otherwise, pattern is followed exactly :)

I like the color of the yarn, but I don't think I necessarily like them together like this... don't know. I *do* really like the Kona Superwash again-- what fast knit socks! Anyone else have dk weight pattern recommendations (aside from Sensational knitted socks)? I just have a ball knitting them and finishing a pair so soon.

I taught myself "combined knitting" for this pattern to help make my ribbing look better, with all of the knit/purl action going on. Combined knitting or combination knitting (how I'm using it in the round) is worked on purl stitches-- instead of wrapping the yarn counterclockwise once the needle is inserted thru the front loop as usual, the yarn is wrapped clockwise (I wrap it, Annie "scoops" it) and the resulting purl stitch uses less yarn, and makes ribbing look much neater and less wonky when the purl meets the knit stitches. It creates a twisted stitch, so on the next round you knit/purl (whichever is called for in the pattern) tbl... and if its a purl st you'll be purling tbl while wrapping the yarn clockwise again :)

It sounds weird, and took several rows to get used to, but I can totally see a difference in my ribbing. Here's an up close pic-- the 1st 5-7 rows were my regular knit/purl, afterwards is the combined knitting in action (about after the 1st orange row).



You can see near the top where the ribbing is wonky. It would clear up in blocking or in the wash, but the difference (to me) is noticeable in the lower rows, no weird knit stitches previous to purl stitches. (I admit I photog'd the worst example I could find in the ribbing.) Basketcase is a cool pattern to practice combined knitting on, since you're not always purling/knitting in a column so its more interesting than straight rib and I think it definitely looks good.


Look ma, no holes!

Compliments of C. Schurch's advice in Sensational Knitted Socks for picking up extra sts at the gusset to eliminate any holes. I dig the look of different textures here.

One more pic (I promise)...



Joann's having a knitting and crochet needle 40% sale, and they sent a 50% off coupon I used on the book... The super tiny crochet hook is to learn how to get beads on yarn without prestringing them (I can get this hook thru 8/0 and 6/0 beads, but haven't tried hooking yarn with it yet), and I gave away all of the other hooks I had to Building Futures with Women and Children before realizing how handy they come for picking up dropped stitches... The dpns pretty much complete my collection-- now I've got to find a dpn and circ needle organizing solution other than stuffing them in gallon sized ziplocs. There's great stuff over at etsy and I just can't decide what I want (or come to terms that I want all of it!) :)

Phew. Back to the sock, been away too long!

16 comments:

lexa said...

Love the way your Basketcase socks are striping! Your Easter egg yarn turned out soooo nice! Love your squares, too. Can't wait to see the finished sari silk bag. I never realized looking at it on eBay that it's that hairy!

I'm so glad you used the word "wonky" on your blog! I use that word a lot, and no one believes it's a word. At least I can show them someone else uses it! (They also use it in an episode of George Shrinks.) I've always been told that people need a "Sheri Dictionary" cuz I either use words that aren't words or use real words in ways other than what they really mean. At least I know what I'm talking about... usually!

Dave said...

Very cool! I'll have to give that combination knitting a try. Purling thru the back loop with a backwards wrap. Hmmmm ... maybe tomorrow, with a big pot of coffee :-)

Great colours in that Santa Cruz!

Re afghans: it's not a book, but have you you seen http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/afghans/sampler.htm ?

Jerry & Maxy said...

Your Easter dye yarn looks amazing - I wasn't sure how bright the colors would turn out - bright they are. Super pretty. As is your purse and Basketweave sock!!!!

Elspeth said...

Hi yourself! I love the LTKA book, and have been interested in the Great American Aran Afghan as well.

I am so jealous of your book! I still have a 40% off coupon so maybe I should go back tomorrow and see if my Joann's has it!

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Wow, you've sure done a lot lately! I love the new socks you are working on the Basketcase ones), they are looking great so far.

Anonymous said...

Those socks are great, I love the detail. enjoyed reading your blog I will be back :)

Grace said...

Woohoo! Thanks for the plug ;) Your squares are great, and I love the Basketcase socks too. Your blog is aptly named-- so much sockyarn Pr0n!! Yum!

Jason said...

Wow! That's a lot of knitting! Love the socks. Another one on the list of things to knit! :-)

Here's a link to some afghan squares. Just pictures and info on where the patterns come from. Not actual instructions. But quite inspiring.

http://www.pagebypage.com/walkerafghan.php

Stacey said...

I love both the basketcase socks and the openwork slip stitch pattern! I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for other DK weight patterns for the HA I have also!

Bridget said...

The Easter Egg dye really turned out bright and clear, way more so than I expected! I'm really looking forward to trying to dye some sock yarn I have. I'm also really interested in that sari yarn, can't wait to see the bag!

Stacey said...

I meant to ask - where did you find the openwork slip stitch pattern? I've cruised a few of my stitch books with no luck....

Knittypants said...

Wow! so much going on in this post.

Your squares look great, all the pretty pink patterns and your sock are great, I just ordered myself sock needles and I am keeping my eye out for the perfect sock yarn and it's all your fault!! I can't resist after seeing countless gorgeous pics!!

soapy said...

Great yarns! OH MY!I've never tried that kona superwash looks very yummy your making me want to get some myself! You've got so many great squares and awesome colors!

Coleen said...

Wow! you're a busy knitter! Love the squares, the stitches and yarn are all beautiful. The Basketcase sock is very cool. I will definitely need to check out that pattern!

Anonymous said...

Nice squares, such variety and fun colors, too!

Unknown said...

I love those JOann sales. Those socks are cool! Thanks for sharing the link to the pattern.

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