I finished the first of the Easy Mosaic Socks yesterday afternoon. Yay!!
After the incident, I am so happy I persevered and got right on it. My knitting mojo is back.
I finished the one ball of the Regia Tweed at the toe and this next ball has some thin and thick parts. It’s the last of this yarn in my stash and the only one with this issue.
And not wanting to get caught up in second-sock-syndrome, I already knit the ribbing on sock number two.
I’m ready to start the pattern on the leg.
I’m glad I marked the main color (MC) and contrast color (CC) on my chart as I don’t want to get mixed up again.
Yes, I remember. I fractured my humerus over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd). I’m out of the sling and going to physical therapy twice a week getting strength and motion back. It’s a long process but I see lots of improvement.
I finally picked up my knitting needles last week “thinking” I could knit another 1898 hat for a charity event. All knit, no purl. I could knit about 15-20 rows on the headband section before I had to stop and rest for the day. Slow going to say the least considering I completed one of these hats in 2-3 days in the past! It’s going to take some time to get my knitting skills back.
My next knitting attempt will be this sweater for Pepper. Maybe I’m just more motivated to knit this than the hat. We shall see! Truth be told I don’t usually buy individual knitting patterns but I’ve been eyeing up this sweater for a year (since we decided to actually get a puppy) and finally decided that Pepper was worth it (plus it was on sale at the time). I didn’t have any superwash DK yarn in my stash and “had” to order some (in Rhubarb). It should arrive today! I know I could adapt the pattern and use a worsted weight yarn but I don’t have the brain power at this time to do the math.
Formal training with Pepper will end before Christmas. We’ve learned so much and even though we have more to do, it’s time for a much needed break. One armed training was not fun but I’m able to use both arms now. Miniature Schnauzers are headstrong PLUS she was the alpha dog with her siblings, a tough thing to overcome for her.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention as I had a limited amount of yarn for a hat so I adapted the pattern to my needs. I made a slight modification to the pattern by using two colors for the band.
***For a two color band:
Using provisional cast on, CO 12 stitches in Color A, 3 stitches in Color B, and 12 stitches in either Color A or B, leaving a 20 inch tail. (If you prefer to seam instead of graft the ends together, use your preferred cast on, but leave the same length tail.)
Set up row (WS): Color B Sl1, k11, pm, sl3 wyif, pm, Color A k12* Make sure to twist the two colors to avoid a hole.
Start back of headband:
Row A (RS) = Color A Sl1, k to marker, sl m, Color B k3, sl m, Color A or B k to end.
Row B (all WS rows) = Color B Sl1, k to marker, sl m, sl3 wyif, sl m, Color B, sl m, Color A or B k to end.
Any questions regarding the original pattern should be directed to the designer, Kristine Byrnes. This modification is for a two-color headband.
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.
Knitting In Flashes 