Back to socks. I'm back, baby!

A week was all it took to bring me back to socks.  That week happened to be incredibly productive, as I squeaked out a fingering-weight sweater and did my first real blocking.

I started with the Isabella pattern, with the lace panel all the way up the front.  I then added a short-row cap sleeve knitted directly onto the piece, which happens to be the most brilliant technique ever.

Lots of tweaks to the pattern, as always.  Instead of casting off for the armhole shapings, I worked short (w&t) rows and put the stitches on holders.  Why cast off what will be picked up later?  I did the same for the shoulders, keeping the stitches for grafting, rather than casting off and then sewing up.  I added a ton of length to accommodate my freakishly long torso.

Here she is, pre-block:

And just to prove that bunching her up for a bath wasn't going to break my heart (baby steps, people!), I rolled her in a ball to show off her colours.

then sent her for a soak while I went out for foam tiles and pins.

Pinned her out all nice and pretty.  Note the waist shaping and the way the lace pattern creates a ripple at the bottom hem.  The pooling, of course, changed when I went from the round to back and forth, but I like it that way.  On the back, this created thick stripes of red and yellow right along the centre.

And any doubt I'd had about starting the lace pattern at the bottom evaporated when I saw it all pinned out.  Lace blocking, you are a fairy godmother indeed!

(I added a purl on either side of the lace panel for a bit of extra "pop".  If you like this, you may wish to do the same thing.)

I cast on Plunge pair #14, Cookie A.'s Flicker.  Gorgeous and fun pattern, although I'm a bit bored with the Sage Green Louet Gems from recently working with it.  I may have to leave sock #1 an orphan and explore some other colours in my stash.  Photos to follow.

Another project this week was haircuts and portraits for the little ladies.  Results are here if you wish to see them.  I am ridiculously proud.

Hope this weekend is fun for all!

Comments

[Jen]

I think the sweater looks great. I love the bright colors! :)

[Theresa]

I love that lace pattern!

[Asaknitter]

Simply lovely! Great summer sweater.