Category Archives: pattern

Broken seed stitch recipe

Posted on by
10

This sock recipe landed in my inbox last week. It’s not a complete sock pattern in that the designer (Hanna Leväniemi) assumes you know how to knit one already. Since I do, I wanted to give it a try. Here’s a link to the Broken Seed Stitch recipe.

blue, green, yellow hand-painted yarn

This ungodly, bright yarn was a dyeing experiment from September 2020 when one of our granddaughters dyed yarn with me. It’s been sitting in my fingering-weight yarn stash for a few years thinking I would overdye it sometime but obviously didn’t.

I really, really, really needed a sock project on my needles so with Mr. Aitch’s help*, I wound it into a ball. I wanted to coordinate it with something that would tame the glaring colors and found some Knit Picks Stroll in Aurora Heather, a deep green with bluish undertones. I’ve used this color twice before and it’s just beautiful.

My typical sock is 64 stitches on US #1.5 (2.5mm) and I knit top-down (from the cuff) to the toe. After 15 rows of k1, p1 ribbing I joined the “contrast” color and followed the 4-row broken seed stitch pattern.

I. Am. Loving. This. Sock.

The Aurora Heather really toned down the bright greens, blues, and yellows so they almost glow.

My only issue is where the colors and pattern change at the end of each row. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong or if that’s just the nature of the stitch. When I knit the second sock, I will knit a half row before I change yarns so the join will be on the opposite side of that sock.

The inside looks cool, too!

So what’s on your needles, or hook, or embroidery hoop?

Patti

*I’m seriously thinking about getting a yarn swift so I don’t have to beg Mr. Aitch to hold the yarn on outstretched arms while I slowly wind the it into a ball. Do you have one or can give me any suggestions for one?

Backwards

Posted on by
5

I thought I would have my mosaic socks finished for the weekend.

I’m unknitting instead. This pattern is pretty straight forward and easy. I’m just not paying attention to what I’m doing.

Maybe I’ll make progress again later today. 🤞

Sporty-shortie trial and error

Posted on by
11

I wanted a short sport-type sock with support around the arch. Not finding any patterns available, I decided to try to develop one myself. Over the weekend I finished the first shortie sock and learned a few things about pattern making. It’s not as easy as one might think! There are lots of trials, successes, and errors. This sock pattern is no exception.

First of all the cuff needs to be tighter. It’s the twisted rib: knit one through the back loop, purl one, repeat. (k1tbl, p1, repeat to end of row) It’s not too loose but it’s not very snug either. Perhaps a smaller needle… I also see a huge gap where the heel begins. Oops!

The arch ribbing is also not firm/tight enough around my foot and could begin right after the gusset stitches, if not sooner. I used a US #0 for that part which is the smallest needle I have. I ordered three more of the nine-inch circular needles last week: US #0, US #00, and a US #000. Hopefully one of those will work better. Plus I might switch to the twisted rib the way the cuff is knitted to tighten up that section.

I tried a new-to-me toe that fits really well. It’s a basic round toe in which the toe stitches are decreased every few stitches all around the toe instead of just at the sides. Maybe my sister (Yes, Jude, I’m referring to you!) will like the looks of it better than the usual wedge toe in most patterns.

So I’m not giving up. I will be making some modifications in the next attempt.

Patti

The accidental shawl

Posted on by
4

My progress on the shawl I began knitting while stuck in traffic due to an accident:

I’m adapting the Kindness Shawl pattern to make for an easier travel knit.  All garter stitch with the eyelets in the main body.  Not sure if I’ll go to a lacy pattern at the edge.