Ronan's Blanket

When my nephew Kyle and his wife Amanda had their son, I wanted to make something unique and unusual, with a "bright and dark" motif.  

This pattern - Op Art, available on Ravelry for free, hit the right note.  The pattern is visually stimulating as well as soft and warm.  It is worked in the round from the center out.  It got a little tedious near the end with finding longer needle cords.  I loved it's "off-center" design and slightly not perfectly squared shape.  The  blanket was a big hit with the new parents and grandparents.

Sock Innovation Continues

The next pattern in Cookie A's Sock Innovation - "Sam" was made with Knit Picks "Gloss."  This is a merino/silk blend and I loved the colorway.  

I have really been partial to the monochromatic colorways which make the patterns in this book really pop.  The pattern is easy to follow, but you get a false sense of security with such a simple pattern. I did have to frog and start over several times.  Again, with all others you have to pay attention.  I'm closer to using up my stash and haven't had to buy any yarn for long project yet.  I am happy with the results.

Zahra's Blanket

This is the second time I'm knitting "Johnny's Blanket" but I'm calling this one "Zahra's Blanket."  

When a co-worker and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child, I was commissioned to to a blanket for them.  What impressed me most was the involvement of the father on this project.  He went to my blog, and picked out this blanket, chose the colors and asked me to alter the blocks so that his daughter's name go on the blanket.  He even consulted on the font of the letters.  It was a total collaboration.  

Knitting it in one entire piece was easier the second time around after finding yarn bobbins from Knit Picks.  I got it done in time for Mother's Day.  It was a big hit.

Sock Innovation - Wanida

The latest submission of Cookie A's Sock Innovation - Wanida was simple to follow and worked up nicely.  I used the the Risata from Knit Picks that was in my stash.  

I'm really into the simple chromatic colors that make the pattern pop.  Even though the pattern is easy, remember that you need to pay attention with all of Cookie A's patterns.  It's hard to go back and pick up dropped stitches with all the K2T and SSK's.  You can very easily tell where you are in the pattern by paying attention to the design.  

I like the red/burgundy color which is out of my comfort zone.  Can't wait to get to the next project.

My First "Two at a Time" Toe Up Socks

I have always wanted to try toe up socks and finally decided to give it a try. This is a simple pattern that I found on ravelry.com. The Sock Yarn is some nice 100% cotton yarn that I had received in a previous swap. The recipient was my sister who lives in Tennessee. The cotton made sense since the weather there is much warmer and wool socks probably wouldn't be worn as much. 

I used a "figure eight" cast on for the toe with 60" Addi Turbo Size 1 needles. It was a little tough beginning at the toe with so little stitches and such long needles. Once the increasing for the toe was done, it was smooth sailing. I did the heel flaps one at a time because it was just easier. One of these days, I'll master the short row heel and not have to separate. It was an easy project, but you have to do everything backwards from cuff down. Just pay attention to the directions and you'll be fine. I hope that my sister like them.

Angee

Cookie A's Sock Innovation, #5 - Angee is very easy one to follow. 

The colorway is called "Dune Twist" from Knit Picks, which was part of a sampler pack I had purchased a while back. 

Even though it's an easy pattern, you shouldn't forget to keep track of your rows and use your lifelines. The variegation in the yarn is just enough for you to get lost if you're not paying attention.

The yarn was a nylon/wool mix that would often split, resulting in ripping back some rows or picking up dropped stitches.  The nylon in the yarn will make it a long wearing sock.  I had this yarn in my stash for quite some time and it knitted up nicely, giving the sock a nice mix of color without hiding the pattern.

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Vilai

Sock Innovation project #5, Vilai, was a  challenging project.  You'll need to use all your powers of memory, focus and attention to stay on pattern. I had to  break out my colored pencils to delineate breaks in the pattern, as well as stitch markers, and lifelines. 

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 called for making the fit much better for my small feet.

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, Devon was made with Bearfoot from Mountain Colors that I have had this in my stash for quite a while.

I like the "tonal" effect rather than using a variegated. It really made the pattern pop.  

I had started out with my Addi Turbo's, but changed over to my bamboo double pointed because the yarn was a little slick and I kept dropping stitches. The bamboo needles helped keep the stitches on the needle. 

As with all of Cookie A's patterns, I highly recommend 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, without seeing 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. 

"Eunice" was made with "Miss Babs" yarn that I had received from a previous sock and yarn swap. It was so luxurious to knit up and the color is great.

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.  Cookie A's patterns really have you step out of your comfort zone.

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 which I had purchased at a Sheep & Wool Festival. This is the finished product is the result of one of the first fibers spun on my new Heavenly Handspinning wheel.

Because I had around 200 yards, it called for a small project and I chose "Mitt Envy," a free pattern from Ravelry.  I used a Size 1 needle although the yarn was a little thicker.  It produced a very tight fabric, making those twists a little hard at times.

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 or Size 3 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.

If you would like to see more of my spinning projects, please visit my spinning blog "debknitsnspins.blogspot.com."

Show Me the Money - Glynis

 


This is the first project of my Cookie A - Sock Innovation goal.  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, but began to love it as it worked up, 

While the photo doesn't do the colors justice, the scheme 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 Size 1 circular needle with the magic loop method. Cookie A doesn't offer up different sizes in her book "Sock Innovation," 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, but I was lucky that my foot was the size of her template.

Oh Malabrigo

I was gifted this Malabrigo worsted weight yarn from a fellow friend on the Ravelry group "Random Acts of Kindness." 

I had heard about this yarn on the DoubleKnit Podcast and placed it on my monthly wishlist.  I was surprised that the donor didn't want this yarn.

This under-spun worsted weight yarn is luxurous and very nice to work with. I made this Saroyan Shawlette, available for free on Ravelry.  

The Saroyan is the opposite of the Cedar Leaf Shawl that you knit vertically instead of horizontally and the leaves are knitted on as you move up the pattern.  While the Cedar Leaf Shawlette has a fixed width, you can make the Saroyan Shawl as long and as wide as you want.

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 released the designed this shawlette, I had to make one for myself. 

The pattern called for Handmaiden Lady Godiva, a 50/50 silk and wool blend. It took two hanks 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.