The Red Sweater

My First Sock

So, I’ve knitted a sock. A sock and a half. It was cool to see the variegated yarn begin to take shape in it’s fancy pattern. And it was cool to see how the simple heel was made. And it was rewarding to see that the heel used exactly one stripe of color so it stands out. And finally, it was interesting to dig into the second ball and find the exact same beginning point in the pattern for the second sock, and see it work out.

But that’s it, I think. Been there, done that.

I don’t think I will become a sock knitter, no offense to those of you who are. Maybe it’s because I don’t wear socks in general. But I also think this particular sock, the one I’ve made, it horribly ugly. I’ll never wear these. Certainly not out of the house. And I haven’t ever seen any other patterns or yarns out there that I would wear. And I think with knitting or sewing it’s the challenge of the design that I find interesting. Calvin Klein doesn’t design socks. Neither does Rowan. And I don’t make them. (except for this last one of the pair, that I will finish someday, just because I should).

My sweetie actually picked this yarn out himself

…then bought it and gave it to me with a “Is this nice yarn? Would you make me a scarf?”. Yes!

I’m doing a basketweave pattern with a touch of blue on each end of 4 1/2 feet of gray. The yarn is Adrienne Vittadini Sara - 70% wool, 20% alpaca and 10% nylon. Really soft but the stitches don’t come out very even and this will need some ironing. But otherwise a perfect at lunch in the car in the rain project.

I finished the back and one side of the front of the Noro cardigan. It’s just flying - 18 sts/4″ - I really like that gauge. Not too bulky, not to … what? … fine? What do we call the small gauges? Anyhow, you know what I mean.

Yeah, it’s FRIDAY! I feel like I earned this one.

‘Mel’ from Rowan’s Big Wool book

At lunch today I finished a handle on my light and pretty summer knitting bag (it’s called “Mel” from Rowan’s Big Wool book, designed by Kim Hargreaves, but I’ve adjusted the gauge and I’m knitting it in Tahki Baby in light blue — soooo soft). I am continually impressed with the intelligent way that the Rowan designers construct their designs. Even something as simple as this handle. It’s knit flat in stockinette with a slip stitch 2 stitches in on each side every knit row - this creates a natural fold in the fabric. Between these slipped stitches are 3 stitches of stockinette. The effect is that when the handle in folded and sewn together, losing 1 stitch on each side in the seam, you have 2 stitches on the bottom 3 on top (not counting the slipped stitches that create the fold) and the bulk of the seam in the middle. The bottom of the handle is perfectly flat while the top is curved because of the one extra stitch and the seam. I hope this makes sense. It’s makes for a lovely, sculpted handle. I hope Kim wouldn’t mind my describing it in such detail, but the rest of the bag is designed just as cleverly.

It’s a must have for summer…

The Bond Ultimate Knitting Machine

My dear parents (below) gave me a Bond Ultimate Knitting Machine for Christmas. Let me tell you, this thing is cool. It lacks the ambiance and meditaton of hand knitting but I’m more and more wanting to get into design and it will be really helpful to put an idea together quickly. I whipped out this puppy sweater in a day (the pattern is from Dog’s in Knits, the basic pattern at the front of the book - I made up the color design on the fly) and that was very rewarding! Right now I have a blanket in the works - it’s going to take me just a couple days. Even with crochet, nothing takes just a couple of days. Wow! The only problem is that it’s a little loud. But it is really cool.

Bob built me this stand for it out of a smattering of Home Depot supplies. It’s adjustable so I can sit on the couch or stand up. Isn’t she beautiful? Thanks, honey!

I know Bonne Marie has a machine that she uses occasionally. Does anyone else own one?