Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Lots - o - socks

I have been busy on a few pair of socks lately.
First I made these, with KnitPicks Essential. They are the Uptown Boot Socks from the book Favorite Socks. I had to use the yarn for this pattern once I saw Knitting Iris' turquoise Uptown's....I already had the yarn, and couldn't see it as anything else. These are a gift for someone.
Turquoise Uptown Boot Socks

Then I knit these. I bought this yarn at my favorite yarn store when I visited my sister in Austin. Hill Country Weavers was practically the first yarn store I ever set foot in, and it has - unfortunately - been my yardstick as far as knitting stores goes -I am always disappointed because none others have added up. This particular visit did not go as planned. We drove with the three toddlers all the way there, and Zora fell asleep in the car (as planned). I went in to do a quick breeze through while she slept, but about 2 minutes later she woke up. I had to quickly grab the yarn I saw and leave. This is Lorna's Laces in Devon. I love it, and I think it looks great with the wave-like pattern of the Tropicana socks from Magknits. I am almost finished with Zora's matching pair (just enough yarn for that!!!)
Tropicana Beach

And here we have my work in progress - the Snicket socks - designed by the same person who wrote the Tropicana sock pattern (Sabine), and also in MagKnits. I think this yarn really suits the pattern. It is Fleece Artist Merino Sock yarn in Saffron. I think I may need to make some fingerless gloves for a beekeeper friend someday, using this same pattern. And Lee thinks it would be a great hat pattern too.
Honeycomb Snicket Socks

Snicket closeup

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Dancing Top

When this pattern came up on knitty, it was an obvious choice for Zora. I can actually picture making many of these for her. I really wanted to do black and cream, but this is the yarn I found in the moment, and it is really cute.

front monica tank
back monica tank
I have seen a lot of people leaving the back ruffle off, but I love the back ruffle.
I am thinking about pulling out the knitting machine I never use, and just whipping some out in a knitpicks yarn. It would be an ideal knitting machine project - it is just squares and rectangles with the final row decreases being the shaping. I am getting bored with that much stockinette. I actually fell asleep while knitting this, so...
But, oh so perfect!
monica tank 2

Monica from Knitty Spring 07
Cascade Sierra - an ecru and a blush - 1 ball each
Size 6 Knitpicks needles. I had to relearn how to knit a bit, to use these without getting huge holes in my fingertips. This was my first project with them.