Double finish

I finished up a couple of projects last week.  First up, the Farfalle Socks.I’m pleased with the way these came out and think I’ll have lots of chances to wear them.  They are kind of a denim blue.  I modified the (free) pattern a bit to improve the fit. 

Specifically, I knit the leg over 72 stitches as indicated, but I worked the heel over 34 stitches (not 36) so it wouldn’t be too roomy. I had 38 stitches on the instep needle while I did the heel. After picking up the gusset stitches, I decreased on the sole of the foot until I had 34 there (while keeping 38 on my instep needle). I continued the stitch pattern down the top of the foot. When I was ready to begin the plain stockinette toe, I decreased by 4 stitches in the cable twists. Then I rearranged stitches so I had 32 on each needle, and did my normal toe.

I did this because for me, 64 is the right circumference in stockinette. But 72 worked great in the stitch pattern (since the cable twists pull in the fabric and reduce stretchability).

I’m happy with the resulting socks, though this yarn base is not a favorite. The fiber content is fine (75% superwash merino, 25% nylon) and it is a 4-fly yarn.  But the twist is too loose and the yarn splits very easily. This would be terrible yarn for a beginning sock knitter.

…though the dye job is GORGEOUS and this stitch pattern shows it off well.

I also finished the crazy rainbow bright bag for my niece:I think she’ll love it.  But me, ever the critic.  The pattern called for a size 7 needle, but I went down to a 6 so my gauge wouldn’t be off.  That’s fine - but I STILL had to stop at least one inch short of specified length so I wouldn’t run out of yarn.

Projects like this appeal to beginners but are actually quite challenging for them. Holding splitty yarns doubled isn’t easy. Neither the viscose or the Cotton Fleece have any give, which makes the beginning rounds of the body very difficult (you knit the bottom of the bag flat, then pick up stitches around the edge and knit up in the round). The instructions for picking up stitches on the edge of the bottom are confusing; you can’t pick up 27 times between 27 ridges, as there are only 26 “ditches” between the ridges if you have 27 ridges.  I would have written this much differently.

But it’s done, and she will love it.  It should wing its way to Texas later this week.

I’m nearly finished with Boy 1’s Crazy Brown Socks. I love the scrappy look, but there are a lot of ends to weave in! Soon, I’ll show you a scarf-y thing I started, and return to the Vodka Gimlet. 

Christmas is coming…!

Are you the type of knitter who knits a lot of holiday gifts, or not?  I fall somewhere in the middle.  I usually knit one or two significant gifts – often far ahead of time – but additionally, I succumb to some last-minute idea for something else handknit.

I’m right on track this year.  My big gift is for my mom (she doesn’t read the blog, so you all know about it already): the Pamuya shawl I finished in September:My last-minute gift is something a little less “me.”  Here’s a peek: Remember when I went to that yarn shop in the Outer Banks a couple of summers ago?  It was full of bright colors and stocked way more cotton than wool, not my aesthetic at all.  But I got caught up in that vibe and bought the yarn to make a little bag.  The multicolor yarn is made from recycled viscose from Indonesia.  It is held double with Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (80% cotton, 20% wool).  You got the pattern (a shop original) for free if you bought the yarn.  I did it. I don’t know what I was thinking… this doesn’t look like a bag I would carry.  But you know who it does look like?  A 4-year-old girl!  So when I ran across this project recently when tidying up, I decided to knit it up for my niece for Christmas.  I think she’ll love it.

This is one of those projects that is deceptively simple.  The pattern is dead easy – you knit the base of the bag flat in garter stitch, then pick up stitches on 3 sides and begin knitting in the round – but working with these two yarns together is difficult.  I can see a beginner knitter being drawn to it and then frustrated by it.  But I will push through.  I got some done while errand-ing yesterday and during a music concert.I’ve noticed that knitters like to take care with the wrapping of their gifts, also.  If you aren’t already aware of the fabulous gift tags designed by Laylock, you should make your acquaintance.  She just recently released some free, printable tags shaped like mittens with care instructions already printed – you just circle the appropriate symbol(s). I’ve been using Laylock’s KnitLove tags for years.  They are really lovely.

For non-handknit gifts, you might enjoy these retro-look printable gift tags.  So many independent designers make things freely available for us to use – it’s a wonderful gift.

What are you knitting for Christmas, Hanukkah, or anything that’s celebrated this month?