A few months ago I was knitting socks. And then I started feeling some arm pain. And then I felt more arm and wrist pain. So I (very sadly) set the socks aside.
I have begun working on them again. Hopefully they don’t cause me too much pain. My feet are cold!
Log Cabin Washcloth
The center is knit on the bias as follows:
CO 4 sts
K2 sts, YO, K to end of row.
Increase to 31 sts.
K1 st, K2tog, YO, K2tog, K to end of row.
Decrease to 4sts.
Cast Off
The outside stripes are knit in a log cabin pattern.
Yarn: Sugar ‘n’ Cream in Hot Blue and Robin’s Egg; Peaches & Creme stripes (blue, purple, green, white)
A few weeks ago Ann and Kay over at Mason-Dixon Knitting started a one-sock knit-along. I had a sock that I was working on, so I was more than happy to join in. I knit dutifully on my Juniper sock (note the singular use of ‘sock’) for days and days. Until one day something inside me snapped. I didn’t want to knit this sock anymore. Who cares that I had finally memorized the stitch pattern. It wasn’t fun to knit. If I had been smart I would have remembered that I didn’t particularly enjoy the hat my sock pattern is based on. Now don’t take me wrong: the designer did a great job with that pattern. I have nothing against them. I just don’t particularly enjoy mock cables.
Still, I could get over this if I was sure the finished object would be perfect. But here’s the rub: I don’t think the socks will fit after washing. It seems my best course of action may be to frog the sock (frogging is so named because you rip-it, rip-it). I may also take a page from one of my favourite knitters ever, Stephanie Pearl-McFee (what a lovely coincidence that we share the same name) and deny any and all knowledge of this project.
What sock? I don’t know what you’re talking about.
What is it that makes us crafters abandon one project in favor of another? Boredom? Insurmountable problems? Short attention span?
I started my Smaug Shawl many months ago. But it was hard, so I moved on (Also, Christmas presents).
I started my Spruce Socks a few weeks ago. But then I found the Smaug Shawl, and it was magically easier than it used to be.
But now the rows on the Smaug Shawl are really, really long (320 stitches). Getting across a row is an accomplishment, and I’m starting to get a little bored… even though it is silk.
Also the fabulous gals over at Mason Dixon Knitting are hosting a one-sock Knit-a-long. Do I join? Do I stick firmly to my shawl? Do I work on the Spruce socks, or do I dig out some new sock yarn and start a different pair?
Too many choices….
P.S. A friend gave me some new fabric recently. I might have accidentally started cutting out a tank top.
I have been knitting away on Farrah and I am rather pleased with my progress. Farrah is a dolman sweater knit all in one piece.
I am in the middle of the sleeve increases, and it is starting to be very large and unwieldy. But also very beautiful.
Well, I waved my magic wands over some materials (for a long time. Seriously, there was a lot of wand waving!) and out came these lovely socks! Tadah! (you can clap now)
Pattern: Petty Harbor by Rayna Curtis
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Tweed in Marine Heather
These are a Valentine’s Day gift for my boyfriend. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his feet…wait…? I knit them over 3 weeks.
Yay! Now I can start my sweater!
I understand if you want to harbor animosity toward me because you are not an original. The thing is, I had 2 skeins of the same yarn, and your brother had the luck of the draw. I guess that kind of sucks for you. But is that any reason to take it out on me? I am trying my hardest to knit you and make you beautiful and functional, and if you were for me I would totally knit you in a different pattern than your twin. But you are not for me, and the person I am knitting you for would really like for you and your brother to match. So can you please stop dragging your feet and just knit up faster? I want to start a sweater. It’s the colour of Conch shells and beautifully soft.
Thanks. I knew you would understand.
I have one sock done. It’s a pity that one sock is only one-half of a pair.
Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Tweed in Marine Heather
Pattern: Petty Harbor by Rayna Curtis
This yarn is amazing. I love feeling my knitting and showing it off to other people. They are always impressed by how soft it is! The pattern is easy to memorize and shows progress well. I always get off track on a project when I can’t see progress. The pattern is worked over 4 (fairly obvious) rows so I can keep the knitting blues away.
Many people think that when I am knitting I’m just sitting quietly, indulging my particular hobby. What they don’t know is how much time and effort and science and math goes into everything I make.
Every material is different and reacts differently with its surroundings. Wool is warm and springy, and you can choose between hand-washable and machine-washable. Silk is luscious and strong. Cotton keeps you cool, but can also be a workhorse in dishcloths. Linen stands the test of time.
And it’s not just the materials that make up the yarn, but the structure of the yarn itself. Yarn can be thick or thin, tightly spun or roving or somewhere in between. Also, colours!
Now we come to the tools we use to work with yarn: straight needles or circular or double point. Round, square, hexagonal. Wood, glass, metal, bamboo. Each works differently with yarn and will yield a different end product.
Not to mention the skill involved. When you spend a significant part of your life practicing one particular activity you are bound to become an expert at some point. Some knitters choose to be an expert on lace, or cables, or stranded knitting. Some are really good at socks or dishcloths or pom-poms.
And let’s talk about socks for a second: socks are a marvel of ingenuity. They fit a foot! Have you ever looked at feet? They are the oddest shaped things. What about gloves? They have these towers rising up from a central section. And sweaters keep you warm while allowing you freedom of movement.
See, what people don’t understand is that people who write knitting patterns are architects. They are super smart and talented and the world does not give them enough credit.
So when I’m sitting in the corner working on my sock I’m not just knitting. I’m building yarn buildings!
Dramatic Lyric 