Veni, Vidi,Vici - Vilai

Sock Innovation project #5 in my quest to get though the entire book is done. What a challenging project. Let me just warn you now. You'll need to use all your powers of memory, focus and attention to stay on pattern. I broke out my colored pencils to color in the breaks in the pattern, stitch markers, lifelines, the whole arsenal. I did have to rip out the first sock several times, then it all came together in the second sock. I used some lovely Madelintosh sock yarn that I had received in a previous swap. The yarn is a nice rich forest green with flecks of brownish gray and teal. I didn't want to do a variegated yarn because I wanted this pattern to really pop. I used a size one needle for these instead of a size two and I'm sure the fit will be much better.

My Mom is the Best!!!!!!

Christmas 2011 didn't bring lots of presents, but the best one clearly as to be my new yarn swift. I have been wanting one for ages and now that I'm spinning it's a must have. I couldn't wait to set it up with the ball winder I got many years ago. It's maiden use was to wind up some nice fingering weight merino that I got from Rhinebeck '11.

Sock Innovation Project - Devon

The latest project from Cookie A's Sock Innovation has been completed. I used Bearfoot from Mountain Colors and it took almost the whole skein. I have had this in my stash for quite a while and was looking for the perfect project. I like the "tonal" effect rather than using a variegated. It really madepattern pop.

One tip I must share is that I had to change from my addi turbos to bamboo needles. The yarn was a little slick and I kept dropping stitches. The bamboo needles helped keep the stitches on the needle. I also highly advise the use of lifelines. I used a size two needle and am still second guessing whether or not I should have used a size one instead. It is my hope that the socks will draw up a little. They fit well and look great. I really love the way Cookie A designs the ribbing to flow with the pattern. You don't see any break. I have learned from this project, however, that you should use a larger size needle for the ribbing as it tends to be a little bit tighter than the pattern of the sock.

Sock Innovation Project - Sunshine

The third edition of my Cookie A Sock Innovation project was a very quick sock to knit up. I wanted to stay with the color that was shown in the book, so I used some Plymouth Italian Sockotta that was in my stash. The pattern was very easy to follow and the superwash yarn is tried and true for durability. This is the third time I have used this yarn for a project and the color stays bright after lots of trips through the laundry. An added plus is that it is only around $9.00 per ball which makes one pair of socks.

Sock Innovation Project - Eunice

The second sock in Cookie A's "Sock Innovation" has been completed. This was made with "Miss Babs" yarn. It was so luxurious to knit up and the color is great. As always, the photo doesn't do the project justice.

This was a challenging project for my skills. Cable patterns with two cable needles and the use of lifelines, and moving stitches about on your needles was the norm. I finally got it done, but really had to pay attention to detail.

I got lots of compliments on the socks and can't wait for the warmer weather to wear them. I might even buy a pair of Mary Jane loafers to show them off. I would also like to thank my "photographer" Eric (my son) for his help with the blogging.

Fingerless Mitt Envy

In my previous post, I spun up some nice blue merino wool from Ashland Bay Fiber. This is the finished product. The pattern is a free Ravelry pattern. I used size one needles. The pattern knit up pretty tight, but it was a perfect fit for me. I will have to alter the pattern if I ever have to make them for larger hands that mine. Either that or use a size 2 needle. The pattern was easy to follow and the newly spun up yarn gave off some nice blue and purple hues that will look great this winter with my violet pea coat.

Show Me the Money - Gynis

I had set a goal to knit all the socks up in Cookie A's Sock Innovation. After much thought and much debate, I decided to just knit them up in order of the book. The first pattern, "Glynis" was knit up in some Opal that was given to me as a prize. Normally I wouldn't have chosen this odd colorway. However, as I started knitting it up, I started to like it. It reminded me of the same colors of money; (ie, dollar bills). Every time a passerby saw me knitting on this project, they would agree with me that it reminded them of US currency. The socks knit up a little tighter than I wanted. I used a number 1 circular needle with the magic loop method. Cookie A doesn't offer up different sizes, but does give a nice tutorial on how to size up or down to your liking. I guess I should have read that before beginning.

Oh Malabrigo

I was given this malabrigo worsted weight yarn through a group on Ravelry called "Random Acts of Kindness." I had put on my wish list that I wanted some Malabrigo yarn. This underspun worsted weight yarn was luxurous and very nice to work with. I made this Saroyan Shawlette and it turned out lovely. The Saroyan is the opposite of the Cedar Leaf Shawl that you knit vertically instead of horizontally. With the Saroyan you cast on and increase for six leaves, continue on the same size for another ten leaves, then decrease to do the last six leaves. With the Cedar Leaf Shawlette, you cast on the 270 stitches and work back and forth horizontally. When you have completed the shawlette, the leaves are added while binding off the live stitches. While both are similar, they are still unique in their own way.

Cedar Leaf Shawlette

One of my favorite knitting podcasts is "Never Not Knitting." The host, Alana Dakos is a knitter and a designer. When she designed this shawlette, I had to make one for myself. The yarn is Handmaiden Lady Godiva, a 50/50 silk and wool blend. It took two hands to make up this beautiful garment. Although it looks complicated, it was quite easy. Like I said, "all you have to do is read and count." I would love to make another as a gift for someone very special. I can't wait for the weather to turn a little colder so that I have an excuse to wear it. The ice blue will look great against my purple coat.

Another Baby, Another Blanket

When Michelle, who is like a daughter to me, announced that she was having a baby in September, 2011 the search began again for the perfect baby blanket. Although she knew I would probably make her a blanket, she asked me for one anyway. I was more than happy to do it. I found this blanket on ravelry.com and though it would be an easy project that I could just "whip up." Thirty-five squares that would make a nice patchwork design. Then I printed up the pattern and discovered that it was to be knitted all in one piece. Apparently the designer had the same love of sewing together squares as I did. She didn't, however have the same feeling for intarsia design. I pondered which was the worst of two dislikes, then decided to plunge in and just follow the pattern. It called for Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn. I would have chosen different colors, but Michelle chose the colors. That's something I usually don't do. There was some difficulty in keeping the yarn untangled, then I learned the "Contentintal for one color, English for the other" method and it got easier. I would definately love to do this project again, but use natural fibers. The yarn, while nice did split and was a little "fluffy." The blanket for Jaidey, was a big hit at the baby shower. Can't wait to see a picture of him and his blanket.

Alexandria's Blanket

If you saw my earlier post, I had an inspiration from four sharpie markers; orange, green, blue and rosy pink. These were the closest colors I could come up with. When I found out that my niece, Morgan was having baby Alexandria, this inspiration turned into this project. This is my second Moderne Log Cabin Baby Blanket. I like to make the blankets extra large, so that it can be used well into to preschool. I loved the rich colors from Paton's Classic 100% Wool. I also loved using natural fibers. The yarn was so wonderful to work with and knitted up beautifully. The blanket was a big hit with Mom Morgan and MeMe Robin.

Cozy Klean Kanteen

I love my Klean Kanteen, but it can get slippery from the moisture formed when it's filled with cold drinks. I got the idea from someone in a yarn shop that had a cozy for her Klean Kanteen. I knitted up some nice merino and decided to make myself my own cozy. The design was my attempt at a Fibonacci Sequence. Not only does it keep my beverage colder longer. It keep the Kanteen from slipping out of my hand.

Debbie Does Dyeing..........

Once upon a time, a young woman wanted to learn to spin. She bought lots of nice fiber, one of which was not dyed. It was her hope one day that she would learn to dye and create something beautiful.

Here is the story:

First she placed the beloved merino/mohair fiber into a vinegar and water soak for 30 minutes. She used 1 cup of vinegar to one quart of water.

While the soak was processing, she then took these extremely expensive, hard to get ingredients, along with the same sophisticated equipment and mixed up her lovely dyes (aka grape, lime, and orange kool-aid). She used one packet of kool-aid mixed with 2/3 cup of vinegar.

Once the soak was done, she drained as much water out of the pot until the water just covered the fiber and placed it on the stove until just under a boil. Water boils at 212 degrees and she used another sophisticated tool (meat thermometer) to get the water to about 135-140 degrees.

Using a serving spoon she carefully added the dye from the darkest to lightest in the pot. She didn't have to use a lot, as a little goes a long way (about half the prepared dye mixture). When she added the dye, she then put the heat down to medium, covered then simmered for 30 minutes.

After the 30 minutes was up, she used this sophisticated tool to drain some water out of the mixture. As you can see, the water is clear which means the fiber has completely soaked up the dye.

And here is the progress so far. It is now in the cooling stage. In about 2-3 hours, it will be rinsed out and laid flat to dry.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to thank my friend, Mary, for giving me the inspiration to dye

and for youtube.com for providing me with the videos for instruction.

California Here I Come

My cousin's daughter, Railey (or should I say my second cousin) has always wanted to be a mommy. I was thrilled to hear that she was pregnant with her first child. I had been admiring this baby blanket on knitpicks.com and had been waiting for an excuse to make it. I made the blanket with knitpicks "comfy" pima cotton. It is a really soft yarn, and turned out nice and thick. I used a mattress stitch to sew it together. I even have yarn left over in order to make a few handtowels (hopefully). The pima cotton makes this a soft, machine-washable blanket. Since little Peyton lives in California (her daddy is a marine), the lightweight cotton is perfect for her.

I also love the quilted design of the piece. It made for easy knitting and was able to finish the blocks quickly. There was, however, one snag in the pattern. The "peony arrows" were not correct in the pattern. There was nothing in any notes about pattern errors, but when I made the arrow a complete 10 ridge rows, the block turned out way to big. I had to stop and play with it for awhile until I got it right. I ended up doing seven garter ridges so that the block wouldn't be too big and the rest of the pattern of the block didn't pull. With regard to the borders of each block, they want two garter ridges, but I did three. This way I was able to pick up stitches for the next round of color without too much pulling.

Now it is to be packaged up and sent off to Oceanside, California. Hopefully Railey will send a picture of Peyton and her new blanket for this blog entry.

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