Christmas knit #9 "Hourglass" update.

I figure I have about 20 hours put into these socks so far. I have about one full repeat of the pattern left before I start working the heels. I am pleased with the pattern a lot. Sure these socks are taking forever, but the pattern looks really cool. If I had an year of my life to spend on one garment, it might just be a sweater made out of this pattern in a cream colored yarn. It is very tempting to think of knitting something like that, but it would most likely take a year to do, lol

This picture shows both the pattern and the colors pretty well. I put the pattern behind the sock so you can actually see the detailing better (the holes weren't even visible otherwise).

The pattern I am following is rated extra spicy (the equivalent of expert level). I have not ran into anything difficult yet, or at least nothing has stumped me or needed "figuring out." I am wondering if the extra bump up in difficulty is just due to how much attention the pattern requires. This is NOT a pattern to work while watching an interesting tv show, that's for sure. There is cabling, knitting through the back loop, and purl two together through the back loop, but I wouldn't say any of those are hard (gotta say I am not overly fond of the P2tog tbl stitches though).

I hope the person I am making these for loves them, seeing as how I am putting such a huge amount of time into them (and I think they are pretty cool!). These socks should be extra comfy as well. Most of the showing stitches on the outside are purl, so nearly all the stitches that will be against the feet will be smooth knit stitches.

I probably won't post on these socks again until I finish them, which will hopefully within the next week.

Christmas knit #9

You know how I started that pair of black thigh-highs for myself for fun? Well I started making them using the needle I needed for Christmas knit #9, lol Stupid, but hey, I power knitted through the foot of the thigh-highs so I could switch out the needles. Hooray for completing the feet on the thigh-highs!

I am making a sock pattern from Knitty.com called "Hourglass." It is an extraspicy difficulty level, but so far is pretty fun to work (I like patterns that require lots of attention and careful detail). I am using Knit Picks Stroll Hand Painted Sock Yarn (same kind of yarn as was used to make "Spring Forward"), which is machine washable and driable 75% Superwash Merino and 25% Nylon in the color "Make Believe." The coloring on this yarn is beautiful, and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product. And as usual I am using magic loop method. I think it is pretty safe to always assume that when working socks I am using the magic loop method, unless otherwise noted of course :)

 The hank of yarn on day 1.

 Here is the yarn divided as evenly as possible into two balls.  Aren't those pretty colors?

Here is my progress after 5 1/2 hours of straight knitting through last night... yes, I stayed up all night knitting (can't claim that's it's the first time either, lol). I have worked about two hours on it today and am nearing completing the first pattern repeat. I will post a new picture when I get enough progress that the pattern really starts to show.

Christmas knit #8

Christmas knit #8 is a simple black scarf. I am using Knit Picks Swish Worsted 100% Superwash Merino in black, and size 6 needles. I am using the "Apocalypse Scarf" pattern.

There isn't really much to say about this project so far. It is a really simple pattern and very easy to memorize. I added a chain edging to smooth up the edges, and am using a smaller needle to make it denser, but those are the only changes I've made thus far. I've only worked on it one evening so far, and progress is decent for the time spent on it. Anyway, here are the pictures :)

New personal knit, and a dumb goof-up.

I started a new project, just for fun. It is something for me that will be on the back burner and isn't on any timeline. I have those 4 hanks of black sock yarn (Knit Picks gloss) just siting there not getting used. What would be cooler than having a pair of knit thigh-highs? So I cast on for toe up socks and started knitting. This is something I am just making and not following any sort of pattern, though I did look for inspiration on the lace. In fact I am using the lace pattern for a shrug on knitty.com titled "I do." I do think that is a beautiful shrug by the way, and I hope to make it at some point in the future.

I am not very far yet, though I think it is looking kind of cool so far. Weird to knit thigh-highs, right? I will admit I have always secretly wanted a pair of long knit stockings, but didn't have the ambition to actually do it and never found a pattern that inspired me enough to commit. I am envisioning wearing them under a bulkier knit dress with a pair of boots or plain heels. When my husband found out what I was making, he assumed I was making them for another reason...men and their dirty minds.

Right now I am using 2.5mm needles (magic loop method and two-at-a-time like usual) and plan to increase needle size as I work my way up the leg. I am hoping this will increase the size enough to prevent me from trying to increase, though I am sure I could figure out how (but I really don't want to have to figure it out!). I will no doubt run out of yarn and have to buy more, but I am not that worried about it as this is a "for fun" project for myself. I will just order more yarn if or when I need to. Here is a picture of my progress so far (about 2 days worth of work).

 

 

I kept the toe portion pretty short, hoping for good comfort and good looks with more variety of shoes. we'll see if in the end it was a good idea or pointless, lol

Where is the dumb goof-up? I assumed I had the needles required to make the next planned project. I ordered that pretty jade yarn to make a scarf for a Christmas knit, then decided I needed needles for the project. I ordered the needles, got them, and just tonight started winding the yarn into balls. I went to start the scarf and guess what? Those needles I bought special for this scarf, well they are the wrong size! They are not a tiny bit the wrong size, but way off. I bought size 6 needle tips, but I need size 2 (2.75mm) and size 3 (3.25mm). I don't own needles in that size with long enough cables! So frustrated with myself for making such a stupid mistake! I ordered the two needles tonight and hopefully I will get them around the 14th. I was so tempted to get some yarn too, but I resisted and only got the two needles.

Since I screwed up and need to wait for yet another order before starting this project, I will be working on something else instead. I picked a very simple pattern for a knit scarf for another person for Christmas, and I have two more pairs of socks to make. I will be starting one of the projects tonight, but I haven't decided which one yet. I am not sure I feel like winding more yarn to make socks, but I am not sure I want to work on a black scarf and the black thigh-highs for myself at the same time. All the dark colors may depress me, I am pathetic like that, being influenced so heavily by what color yarn I am working with, lol Anyway, I'll be knitting something! When I do decide what project to start next I will be sure to post, though probably not tonight. My husband is working late tonight and if I stay up and wait for him I will be up until about 3:00 am. So hopefully there will be a post with my decision tomorrow!

Christmas knit #7 "Spring Forward" Complete!

Hooray for a complete and finished pair of socks! These socks are super bright and happy looking (yes, a touch crazy too). I am planning on giving these to someone who has had a rough patch lately and could use something cheerful, and what is nicer than a pair of fun hand-made socks?

The pattern was decent, though I really didn't follow it. I used the magic loop method and the pattern is written for dpns. So while the pattern called for shifting stitches around between needles, I didn't have to move my stitches at all :D I think the pattern is interesting and it is very simple to knit, but I don't think I like it enough to make it again.

I love the yarn. I have been very pleased with all the yarn from Knit Picks that I have tried so far, but this sock yarn feels great and comes in some very nice colors. I have two more sock patterns to knit up using this same yarn in different colorways, and I can't wait!

I used my bum needle with the dull-ish tip and the sharp tip, and didn't really even notice it while working. I used the sharp tip to do the knitting, but didn't have any problems at all while using the duller tip for the ssk decreases.

I usually link to the patter and what products I used, but am too lazy right now to do so. I am not to lazy to post pictures though ;)

Christmas knit #6 "Danica" Complete!

I would have had this scarf finished on time and posted Thanksgiving evening if all would have went well. I ended up getting a terrible stomach bug that day and have spent most of this past week trying to get well again (knitting and barfing wouldn't make a good mix anyways ;). Well it is finished now and looks rather handsome.

The pattern lies when it says weaving in all the ends takes less time than you would think; it took me about 3 hours to do :( Weaving in ends is not my favorite thing to do, so I am glad that is over with. The scarf was trying to roll a bit on the ends so I blocked it. I wet blocked the scarf, but did not pin it and tried to scrunch it up a bit so it wouldn't lose that cool "woven" look. It lies flatter now and looks nicer. This was a great project, fun to make, quick to complete, and looks cool. Here are the pictures!

Christmas knit #3 "Skullface" COMPLETE!!

Yes, I finally finished "Skullface." In the end I choose to not make a back for it. Once I got the entire thing together I decided adding a back would just make it too heavy and too bulky. It is a wide scarf and I don't think it would be as functional if it were thick as well.

I made a few alterations to the pattern and I believe they were for the better. I omitted the scalloped like edging on the ends and the cord for tying it to make a "vest." I think it looks more masculine now and has simpler lines. I also chose to graft the two pieces together instead of a three needle bind off. I think it looks much nicer and isn't noticeable unless you are actually looking for it.

Over all, I am really pleased with the scarf. I think it looks great, is fun, interesting, but not so crazy as to be unwearable. I do imagine that it will be quite toasty and warm for this winter and is long enough to be wrapped around the face/neck twice. I really hope the recipient likes this scarf and enjoys it this winter.

Here are pictures of the finished product, including a shot of the back :)