FO: Monkeying Around Socks

Put these through the washer and dryer today, and took a picture:



Project: The Crazy Monkeys, based on Cookie A's pattern.

Yarn: Jojoland Melody Superwash, significantly less than 2 skeins.

Needle: Knitpicks 32" fixed circular, size 0 (2 mm).

Notes: I really like the look of this yarn, but found it too splitty for my taste. I kept catching extra strands of the stitch in front of the one that I was knitting, which is not a usual thing for me. Superwash, though, is definitely the way to go as far as socks are concerned; I have enough to do handwashing various items for work wear, let alone having to add socks to the mix. Per the picture, one of them really is slightly longer than the other: an unfortunate side effect of not having sock blockers, I think. Whatever. This so does not bother me.

It was fun to see the simple lace pattern appear, although I am apparently not yet smart enough to memorize the 8-row pattern repeat. It's always good to try out a new technique, and this time around I learned how to do a gusset and heel flap from the bottom up. Interesting, but the result was not quite as snug a fit as the short row heel I did on my previous pair of socks. I think I may need to pick up a sock pattern book soon to learn a little more about sock construction and fit.

This project has gotten me firmly hooked on knitting socks, so yay for that! I usually wear cheap cotton ankle socks, the ones you get at the drugstore for $2 a pair, but I rather like the idea of having a pair of handknit socks for every day of the week. Maybe someday I'll even sign up for the 52 Pair Plunge. :)

FO: Nomad Man

This is my brother's Christmas scarf. He shaves his head, and he lives in one of those Christmas-y towns where they have actual snowdrifts, so I'm thinking he'll get some good use out of it.

I have to say, I wasn't caught by the pattern when I first saw it, but it was fun and super easy to finish.



Project: Nomad Hat and Scarf, Interweave Knits, Fall 2007
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino Chunky, forest green, 7 balls
Needle: size 9, 10.5 and 11 circulars

Notes: Didn't bother with the Emily Ocker cast on, and accidentally knit the first 50 rows of the second scarf end with a size 9 needle instead of moving up to the 10.5. Surprisingly, it makes almost no difference, and will certainly make no difference when it's blocked. Hurrah for crazy loose gauge!

Procrastination, stress relief, whatever

Looky, I have cast on and am up to round 4 of the lace pattern for the Monkey socks!



As evidenced by the textbook crowding into the shot, I should be studying. Alas, I have nearly given up on this course and anticipate having to repeat the exam in March. The irony is that the work I'm doing at the job is actually at a much more advanced level than my course. Ugh. I hate irony.

FO: wrist warmers!

These are lovely, and completed just as the weather has gone from refreshing to uncomfortably crisp:



Project: Wrist Warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, 1.5 balls
Needle: US 6 circulars
Notes: Cast on 28 stitches for a snug fit, and three patterns repeats instead of two.

Untempted

The sweater, she has been wound back into balls.


I knit two inches on the yoke and definitely needed at least one more skein. Even though I found one on Ravelry in someone else's stash, in the end I just didn't love this sweater enough to keep moving on it.

I've learned enough over the past two years to see what didn't work about this particular pattern for me. Straight 2x2 ribbing is not particularly flattering to my square torso; I need something a little more patterned that adds the illusion of shape. I also look much better in a V-neck than any other style of neckline, and, in retrospect, an off-the-shoulder sweater was probably not the most practical of wardrobe items.

This is okay! This project has been sitting on the needles for nearly two years, and I'm glad it's over. I will happily use the yarn to make a pair of wrist warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, a Quickie Cowl, and maybe a Foliage hat.

First Christmas gift of the season - done!

Yep, I got going again on the scarf this week. Train knitting rocks! People are fascinated by the concept of variegated yarn, and will not hesitate to talk to you about it. I gave my yarn label to a girl wearing a lovely basketweave scarf. Spread the Noro love!

Tonight I had a rare couple of free hours, so I sat down and finished off the scarf for my brother's fiancee. And here's my first attempt at modelling:



Project: My So-Called Scarf
Yarn: Noro Kureyon, colourway 164, 3 balls
Needle: US 11 circular

I suppose I should airbrush that chin zit-in-waiting...

KAL: Clean slate for 2008!

Barely any knitting, and no blogging in 2007! Wow, am I lame. So, I joined a knitalong on Ravelry to get some closure on a few projects.

Look! I have progress!



That's a whole three-inch sleeve and a one inch of the second sleeve, all since last night. I would have had them both done, except that I had to rip the first attempt, as the called-for number of stitches was way excessive for even my beefy bicep. This project might actually be done by the end of the week...(ack! jinx!)