Knitting Pharm

They rock me, they really, really rock me

Man alive, that Socks that Rock is one sweet, addictive knit.

I started with the Garnet Dreams and decided to branch out in the needle department.  Years ago, my mom picked up some 2mm Addi Turbos for socks, and hated them.  She passed them on to me, I hated them and passed them back.  She sent them to her best friend out west, who hated them and sent them back.  We've all been using 2.5 mm needles ever since.

Then I got my first Knitpicks circular and we noticed a very large difference.  The needle tips themselves were a great deal longer.  This seemed to be the answer to the 2mm Addi problem.  Longer needle tips would offset the smaller needle size and give back the maneuverability.  So I ordered a 2mm size in the Knitpicks circular and have been waiting for a chance to give it a try.

Enter Socks that Rock.

I wanted really good stitch definition for this beautiful yarn, so I decided to give the 2mm a try.  72 stitches on a 2mm needle would be great, but what pattern to use?

Enter Pepperknit.  Enter Anastasia.

I upsized the pattern and made it a bit more spirally (4 spiral repeats to the round, as opposed to Pepper's 2).

Here's the revised chart:

The m1 is done by knitting into the stitch (not through the back loop, so not invisibly) and eliminates the baggy loop that I get from working a yo at end of round.

I plan to continue the pattern up the front of the leg, and maybe just do a slight rib on the back of the of leg.  I am undecided as to whether I'll work a mirror image for the other foot, but will post the chart if I do.

Here's sock #1, worked from a short-row toe with gussets.  I'm just getting ready for the upward heel flap.

I love the 2mm needle for this yarn, although the cord seems to be pulling a bit from the join.  At least I know the Knitpicks people back up what they sell, should it need replacement.

The circular cardi is moving along, albeit at a snail's pace.  At 576 stitches to the round, I make about half an inch per hour.  I'm getting ready for the outer lacy rows and pointed edging, which excites me to no end.

Exit Deb.  There's knitting to do!

Shedir, she's done

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes, all.  I had kid play and cake and too much coffee, pretty much an ideal day.

On the subject of coffee, here is the little lady who has changed my life.

I can't believe I haven't blogged about her yet.  She was my Christmas present from hub, the only thing I really wanted.

We love her.

Still knitting feverishly.  Still have hats on the brain.

Shedir from Knitty's Breast Cancer Issue.  I had seen so many beautiful versions of it, I had to try it for myself.  I used my leftover Needful Yarns Dubai Stretch and upsized the needle to a 3.75 mm.  Fun pattern, and a great reason to experiment with the slip and switch method of 2-stitch cables.  (Ariel Barton, will you marry me?)

Mr. Pharm is starting to show great enthusiasm for selected knitting projects, namely those for the feet.  Last week he told me he only wanted to wear his handknit socks, and this week he took one look at my new felted clogs and asked for a pair for himself.  Here they are:

I really miss Patons Rustic Wool and don't know what I'll do when my stash of it (recovered from the frogging of old garments) is gone.  The beige is from an old sweater (circa 1995), the grey from a poncho I knit and wore while pregnant.

The mailman greeted me with the stuff that may well end up being my undoing.  A package from e-bay.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

County Clare (L) and Garnet Dreams (R), both in lightweight.

I am also proud to report that my favourite little married couple are knitting.  Together.  And a lot.

Patrick models the hat knit for him by his brother, Christian.

Patrick and Christian model their hats.

Patrick and Christian act like boys.

Photographer Wendy (married to Christian, but you already knew that) is doing a bunch of hats of her own and helps Christian with starting and finishing of his projects.  Talented couple, and cute to boot!

My birthday wish

How many ways can I put this?

 

When they clunk, they're done

How's that for a compelling header?

Borrowing another page from the "all the cool kids are doing it" book, I snuck to the most fabu yarn shop last week on a mission.  THE pattern.  Still armed with some Patons Classic from a previous binge, I dug out the combination I felt was the most slipper-like.

I swear, dear Harlot, I wasn't intending to copy yours to the letter.  That said, I did.  Wedgewood and Chestnut.

I did the largest size, mens 13 or something ridiculous like that, with the intention of felting them down to my size.  Three cycles and clunk!  (That's the noise they make when you take the washing bag out of the washer, in case that wasn't immediately apparent.)  They fit perfectly and the cat and I are very happy with them.

I went to my NB again to help out my family, armed with my mateless socks and the best of intentions.  Wednesday, I finished my Online sock's leg and did the foot for Falling Leaves.  Thursday I finished Falling Leaves and cast on Ripple Weave.  I ended up spending the night away from home, so did a few rows every time I woke up.  I even fell asleep midway through binding off the cuff, but at 6:30 am on Friday, it was done too!  All of my socks have mates. (I am the Dr. Phil of knitting - no one goes mateless on my watch.)

No photos, since the singles were all posted earlier this month.  Just imagine both feet, and a much happier knitter, having retired the Ziplocs and embraced the life of a knitting tight-ass.

To achieve this feat, I actually went to the above absolutely terrific yarn store and left with only my pattern.  No yarn, since I knew I'd get to the hospital with it and cast on immediately.  The skein I carried around at the shop was an amazingly bright and gorgeous colourway of Trekking XXL, so one can only guess how serious I was about getting the others done.

While at the market, I also went to the Wool Fondlers (hee!) event and met some terrifically friendly fiber artists.  One lady had some alpaca handspun that made me want to ditch the yarn diet forever.

I have had second thoughts about entering my stretch sweater in the design contest.  Anyone who has seen it has not commented on the unique construction, but the stitch pattern.  Alas, the stitch pattern is not mine, so I shall share the sweater and give credit where it's due.

It's boat neck, done in 2 tubes.  The first tube is knit cuff-to-cuff, with openings for the body and head, and a scoop to the front neck.  The body is picked up and worked down in the Hedera stitch pattern.

The model is pissed.

I have a rule to add to the Knit From Your Stash guidelines.  Paypal funds earned from design publication are exempt from yarn puchase scrutiny.  It's the universe's way of asking someone to continue knitting.  That said, my indiscretion last week was of the sock yarn variety, so why do I feel the need to justify it?

This time thirty five years ago, my dear mother was in the hospital, waiting for the arrival of her second child.  Tonight, we eat cake, for tomorrow, I'm thirty five.

Insta-knit gratification

Toddlers, with their lack of impulse control, need their loving parents to guide them in developing patience and social skills.

What have I done?

On Saturday, my sweet Amy asked me to knit her a pink sweater.  I went stash diving and promised her a sweater "sometime soon, pussycat".

She wore that damned sweater today.  Not a great lesson for my wee one, but damn!  What a cute sweater, and what a fun knit!

I used Needful Yarns Dubai Stretch, and I think I'll withhold photos until I decide whether to enter it in their design contest.  It's pink and girly and lacy and makes me really, really happy.

The trick now will be to preserve its condition on the off chance it is required for photography.  Methinks I'll knit a duplicate if I get the call.  I do, by the way, understand the magnitude of the aforementioned if.

In other knitting progress, the circular cardi is about halfway done.  Still love the yarn, still love the pattern, still can't believe it's up to 576 stitches to the round.  The only change I made to the Debbie Bliss pattern was to use waste yarn for the armholes, instead of casting off and then back on.  I am so bored with the massive circle, it is tempting to break things up with a sleeve or two.  The closure I have for it is the most beautiful ring and stick brooch from Perl Grey Pewterwear.  (They sell them at Baadeck Yarns, if you need one.)  They come with the sticks dyed to match the Fleece Artist colourways.  Seriously.

Hats?  Someone ask for hats?

Really awful photo of me, and yes, I am just that tired.  I couldn't even be bothered with working the end in before popping it on.  It's a plain hat done in 2 strands of Knitpicks Shimmer.  So very light and warm.

Here's another one, slightly reduced stitch count so different colour pooling.  This one's for a chemo patient who means a great deal to me.

So why is all of my laceweight finding its way into cute but decidedly un-lacy hats?

I have found my Kryptonite, my friends, and its name is lace.

I think I could do it if I wanted to.  The problem is, I don't like doing it, and I have a dozen other potential projects in my stash that I know will enjoy, will not make me swear, and will not require meticulously placed lifelines, counting, and did I mention the swearing?

Case in point:  my Knitpicks Shimmer stash.  I got a bunch last summer, when all the other kids were knitting lace.  I was going to do shawls for every woman I had ever met.  Tried a bunch of patterns, free, not free, easy, difficult.  I could do it.  I just got so BORED.  This yarn was frogged so much, I expected it to go green and slimy.

My last attempt was the Fiber Trends Flower Basket Shawl.  Great, great pattern.  It was looking fine.

The problem?  The thought of doing even one more stitch was less appealing than jabbing my Addi Turbo in my eye.

In a burst of "life is too short to knit crap that doesn't tickle me pink", I frogged what I could and pitched the rest.  And started knitting caps.

I'd be curious to hear if anyone has had such a reaction to the experience of knitting lace.

And how did this get in here?

A felted backpack?  Me?  I just don't know what I'll do when we stash of Patons Classic is depleted.  I love casting on a quick bag to keep things interesting.  However, I am committed, at least for the time being, to participating in this:

Details are here.  Sock yarn is exempt.  I like the way these people think.

Off to do some family things, and unlikely to post from the road, so that's it for me until Monday, the day I turn 35.  Thirty five.  Sounds quite grown up, doesn't it?

All hail the Turtlegirl

Cristi in North Carolina recently e-mailed me re. heel flap math and the Diamante pattern.  She works in a LYS and had crunched the numbers for a client (a task I was too lazy busy to do for myself).  Behold, her new math for toe-up heel flaps, with her permission.  My additional comments are in red.

I've adapted the Diamante heel before, and really, it's just the basic principle of how the heel is constructed, not so much the numbers.   So, the heel cup is formed over 20 stitches in the original pattern.  Or, 1/3 of the stitches on your needle #2 after you've completed the increases for your gusset.

To figure out how many you need to increase, try it on!  Keep increasing until the sock hits the crease of the top of your ankle/foot.  I start my increases at the first bony protrusion on the inner surface of my instep and stop them at my ankle bone, if that makes sense.  I can post a photo, but not before a much-needed pedicure.

Take your final stitch count, divide by 3 and you have your heel cup #.  Do the sl1 p1 and sl1 k1 rows as directed, (16 rows total) and just follow the flow of the pattern.  Don't worry about the numbers themselves, just the gist.  Here, are the generic directions.

X is 1/3rd of the stitches you have on Needle 2 after gusset increases.

Row 1 [RS]: Work in patt to end of Needle 1 (Round 5 or Round 11 of patt); k first (2/3) sts of Needle 2. Turn work.
Even-numbered Row 2-16 [WS]: Sl 1, p(X-1). Turn work.
Odd-numbered Rows 3-15 [RS]: Sl 1, k(X-1). Turn work.
Row 17 [RS]: Sl 1, k(X-3), w&t.
Row 18 [WS]: Sl 1, p(X-5), w&t.
Row 19 [RS]: Sl 1, k(X-7), w&t.
Row 20 [WS]: Sl 1, p(X-9), w&t.
Row 21 [RS]: Sl 1, k(X-11), w&t.
Row 22 [WS]: Sl 1, p(X-13), w&t.
Row 23 [RS]: Sl 1, k(X-15), w&t.
Row 24 [WS]: Sl 1, p(X-17), w&t.
Row 25 [RS]: Sl 1, k(X-8), pick up and k 8 sts (1 st in each slipped st) along edge of flap. Turn work.
Row 26 [WS]: Sl 1, p(X+7), pick up and p 8 sts (1 st in each slipped st) along edge of flap. Turn work.

You will now have (X*3 + 16) sts on Needle 2: (X+16) heel flap sts, and X gusset sts on each side of the flap sts.

Row 27 [RS]: [Sl1, k1] to last 2 heel stitches, sl 1, ssk. Turn work.
Row 28 [WS]: Sl 1, p to 1 stitch before the end, p2tog. Turn work.
Repeat Rows 27 and 28 until all gusset stitches are eaten up. X + 18 sts on Needle 2.

Work Row 27 once more, but do not turn work. Proceed to Leg.

If you want a shorter, wider bottom flap, that can be achieved too.  Work back from the final desired stitch count for the needle (72 in the original Diamante pattern, 60 for the downsized).  The heel flap width plus the number of heel flap rows worked will equal the final number.  For example, I have lately been doing a lot of heel flaps of 24 stitches wide, 12 rows of bottom flap for a final stitch count of 36.

Want to know something else that's cool about Cristi?  If you're lucky enough to get an e-mail from this delightful ducky, her display name is...

Wait for it...

PROSTITURTLE.

That makes my day a little brighter and a little dirtier.  I like that about Cristi.

Calling all Diamante knitters

If anyone here has worked the downsized version of Diamante, could they please leave a comment here?  Melodye in Maryland is looking for some numbers for heel flap math, and I have yet to work the downsized version myself.

Thanks in advance!

Huge amounts of knitting going on

Now that the kids aren't in daycare much, they are afternoon napping like champs again!  This has allowed huge progess on my projects.  As promised, some non-hat-related knitting content follows.

I resurrected my Debbie Bliss cardigan, now that holiday knits are done and I'm allowed to knit for myself again.  The only problem was finding a sufficiently long needle to work 500+ stitches.  Someone suggested my Denise kit, but I've lately been inadvertently doing that little quarter-twist while knitting, and the thought of 500 stitches tumbling off at the joins was enough to give me cramps.  Then came the brainwave:  Knitpicks makes insanely long cords for their Options needles!

I cannot begin to express my love for Knitpicks.  Their quality is superb, their shipping is quick and reasonable, and their customer service is the best on the web.  My Options needles have quickly surpassed my Denises as my first choice.  I thought nothing could displace my beloved Denise set as my favourite, but it happened in less than three months.  My 60 inch cords (yes, cords, they arrive in sets of 2, with end caps and tightening tool) arrived early this week, along with just a couple more of their fixed-join circulars for socks.  I now have sizes 0-3 inclusive in the 32-inch length, which should cover off all of my potential needs for this year's Rockin' Sock Club.

I instantly dug out my Handmaiden Ottawa and got back to work.  No photography or words could amply express the beauty of this yarn.  The thick and thin, the undyed tweedy bits, the delicious Cape Breton Highlands colourway... I may never leave the house again.

 

Next was some more socks.  Knitpicks Essential.  Better than its Tweed cousin, quite inexpensive, but not up there with my favourites (Opal, Cherry Tree Hill, Fleece Artist) for feel.  These ones were done toe-up on a 2.5 mm circular, Magic Loop, 72 stitches.

 

These were inspired by Thuja, but with a slightly "seedier" rib.  Worked over a 9-stitch repeat as follows:  Row 1: (k3, p1, k1, p1, k3)  Row 2:  (k1, p1, k4).  These are a surprise for a sometimes-reader, but he'll be picking them up in a couple of hours, so here's hoping he stays occupied with his kitchen cupboards until he gets here.

Next is an experiment in Sockitecture (Cat Bordhi's term, not mine).  When I attended a workshop with her a couple of summers ago, she told our very excited group that she was exploring some new forms of sock construction for an upcoming book or books.  She asked the question, "Do a sock's gussets have to be at the side of the foot?" and the answer was a resounding "NO!"

 

Here's a plain stockinette sock worked in Online Highland Colours.  The only change I made to my toe-up recipe was to move the gusset increases to the centre front of the sock.  I think the effect is seriously cool.

So, how about embracing the second sock syndrome?

IT'S MAKING ME CRAZY!

I can't handle it.  The little Ziplocs in my stash room are occupying my every thought.  I think the lack of order is mirroring the current chaos in my personal life.  In any case, I can't take it, and all of my socks are getting mates this month.  Can't say I didn't try.

Let's talk hats

Stephanie has so very kindly posted an appeal on my behalf for chemo caps for Metro Halifax.  I've been doing a few for there and for here in Truro, as well as some for personal reasons.  (Family emergency?  Chemo caps?  You do the math.)

As promised, I'm posting some hats of my own, as well as some ideas to keep it from being quite so monotonous.

I have my own biases when it comes to chemo caps.  I'm a longtime fan of fingering weight, and a new convert to Lorna's Laces.  The colourways are downright edible, and the end product is good and soft.  For anyone who tolerates wool, the Shepherd Sock is an excellent choice.

First hat isn't a chemo caps, as the colourway is a reject from the intended recipient's own stash.  Awhile back, I did a swap begging for some STR, any colour.  A kind knitter sent some along, with a warning.  This colour was not really up to the BMFA reputation, and she was just not able to work it in a way that was the least but pleasing.  I heeded the warning but the colour was not the pleasant surprise for which I had hoped.  She called it Elf Barf.  I just called it ick.  The colourway was a blend of hospital green, ruby red and baby pink.  I sh1t you not.  I really didn't want for it to go to waste.  To tone down the colour changes, I double stranded it.  While that did serve to blend the tones a wee bit, the results were still less than stellar.

Then I put the hat on.  It was soft and yummy and felt terrific.

Then my kid stole it.  Wonder of wonders, it looks cute on her!

OK, everything looks cute on Laurel, but still.  I call that making lemonade.

So my chemo cap opinions?

• They're a great opportunity to try a new yarn, perhaps the luxe one that you can't afford a bunch of, but can swing just one skein.
• They're a great way to perfect new techniques.  A tubular cast-on looks wonderful on a hat band and will make you very proud.
• They're a great way to experiment with stitch patterns and shaping techniques.  If you make a boo-boo or can't remember exactly how you performed a specific technique, fret not:  you don't need to match it to a mate.

My hats are inpired by socks of late.  Lacy, textured, it doesn't matter.  It's all good.

Case in point, Pomatomus.  My love for this pattern is no secret to anyone.  I worked the chart over 156 stitches on a 2.5 mm needle in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in the Vera colourway.  For the decreases, I think I did them in groups of 12 stitches, but I can't remember.  That's the beauty of the hat.  You wing it, and you answer to no one.

Next?

Worked in the Estonian fishtail pattern from Lucy Neatby's book Cool Socks, Warm Feet.  I found this stitch pattern didn't give enough stretch for my big feet, but man alive, as a hat!  (I also did one in Knitpicks Simple Stripes, and the self-striping coupled with the spiral of the pattern gave a stacked block effect that I wished I'd photographed before shipping it off to my local hospital.)  Again with the Lorna's Laces, this time in Black Purl, on a 2.5 mm needle.  I cast on 144 stitches, worked the rib and increased to 162 stitches.  Decreases were done over groups of 18 stitches, to yield a top that looks something like this:

I would buy Lucy's book for this stitch pattern alone, but it happens to also be jam-packed with brilliant sock advice.

Next, Monkey!  This one's an outdoor one, worked in a Nova Scotia yarn I purchased from The Loop in Halifax last month.  The company is called Give it a Whorl Fibres (no website that I know of), and their yarnist is a brilliant woman named Janine.  This yarn is a handpainted wool and angora blend.  Yum.

This one was done on a 4.5mm needle, 96 stitches, so 6 repeats of the Monkey pattern.  For the decreases, I just started deleting yarn overs and it all came together.  Not sure how, but I don't have to know!

I have loads more to share, including plenty of non-hat knitting and my update on embracing SSS.  Will try to get back on tomorrow.

Please knit hats.

Socks, socks and, oh yeah, socks

Being away from home and kidless last week gave me a chance to spend some pretty intensive knitting time.  Socks are so great and portable, and I love to switch things up.

My resolution this year is probably quite opposite to that of other sock knitters.  I've never had a SSS problem, being uptight enough to finish a pair before starting the next.  In 2007, I am embracing the fun that is moving from sock to sock, with no regard for finishing pairs.  The result is lots of single socks, lovingly bagged in Ziplocs with the remainder of the yarn and pattern notes.  It's the only form of rebellion in which I indulge.  Clearly, I need to get out more.

Admittedly, this one's a pair.  However, the second sock was not completed until I had done one from another pair.  Such.  a.  rebel.

The pattern is Cat Bordhi's Flow Motion, from Vogue Knitting.  It's worked in two (loud) shades of Opal solid, yellow and red-orange.  I'm calling them my Inferno socks.  I love the front gussets as an option to traditional construction.  The lace pattern, while obscured by the insane colours, was super fun to work.  On a 4mm needle, these babies were completed in no time.  The only change to the pattern was a short-row toe.

Next, I revisited an old friend.

Falling Leaves.  The first pair I made went to a LYS for display.  These ones are staying!  They're worked in Opal handpainted (drool!), basically to pattern, but with a w&t (instead of yo) short-row toe and my Diamante gussets and heel flap.  I may have to break my rebellious streak for these, as I can hardly wait to knit #2 and start wearing them.

Charlene Schurch's Ripple Weave socks, from Vogue Knitting.  These are in some yummy yarn my mom found for me in Maine.  Great Adirondack Yarns Soxie, in the Canteloupe colourway.  This yarn is incredible!  I went toe-up for these, as is most definitely my tendency lately.  I started the twisted rib on the front half of the toe.  P1 tbl is not for the faint of heart!  I did the Diamante gussets and bottom flap.  For the heel flap, I decided against Eye of Partridge.  It's never wowed me, particularly for yarns that are anything but a smooth, single colour.  So I kept up with the twisted rib for the heel flap.  Again with the p1 tbl, but I think the result was worth it.  I like but don't love this pattern, so I'll be content to let the second sock sit for awhile.

In other finished objects, I did another pair of Monkey socks, this time in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, in a delicious teal colourway.  I donated these to my local hospital's chemotherapy service before I could photograph them.

Squeaked out one more pair of Pomatomus in the Ballet Dancing.  The yarn is finally gone.  Also, one more Austermann Step pair in grey, which is also gone.

I also managed to squeak out a Knitty submission for spring, using some yarn I received as a holiday gift.  I had originally decided not to submit for this issue, but this skein of yarn inspired what I think is a really nice design that I whipped off in no time.  Until I hear from Amy, no photos of this one.

I've been doing some non-sock projects too.  They will have their own post in the coming days.

My next resolution?

Change the date settings on my parents' camera.