Sunday, December 31, 2017

Year of Projects 7: Week 27


So my Brigit Socks are done and aren't they lovely?! This is exactly the sort of sock pattern that I love - lots of ribbing for a nice snug fit with some added interest from cable sections.

I did modify the pattern somewhat - as I mentioned in an earlier post - to eliminate puffiness at transitions from cabled patterns to stockinette, and, to centre the pattern on the leg.

The yarn is unknown MCN from stash, although I'd guess it's either Wandering Cat yarn or Studio June yarn. Either way it's gorgeous. I find MCN is a little thicker and loftier than plain merino/nylon blends which works nicely with this pattern to avoid holes at the crossed stitches. Although it's beautiful to work with, these days I don't buy much MCN as I find it doesn't wear as well as plain merino/nylon. I've got a lot of very pilled socks in my sock drawer! They're still comfy but it'd be nicer to see the stitch pattern still :)

Back to the yarn... I only wish I had another half skein. To my way of thinking both the leg and the foot of this sock could use another repeat. Unfortunately, with my giant feet in mind, there's never enough yarn for that. I read somewhere that socks look best proportioned when the leg is at least as long as the foot, and I've found that to be true. For this sock I lengthened the foot by adding 12 rib rounds (similar to the cuff) as I didn't have the yarn for another full repeat. I'm happy enough with the socks but they're a bit small for me. They'll have to go on the gift pile.

A little more progress on my Mad Mix Socks but not enough to justify another photo. The last couple of weeks have involved a lot of travel knitting, which was better suited to a simple chart like Brigit than multiple charts like Mad Mix. Not to worry, now that Brigit socks are off the needles, I can turn my undivided attention to Mad Mix.

Er, did I say undivided attention? Well, that's not really true. I celebrated a birthday a couple of days ago and unwrapped some lovely yarns. From my brother I received some Ploome Fiber Arts DK Merino Single yarn. Mark met the yarnie, Anna Matthis, at the Boyce Christmas market in Fredericton and picked out a couple of lovely skeins for me. I couldn't help but wind one skein and cast on a hat just to see how it would knit up! The yarn colourway is quite busy so I decided on Violet Waffles hat -  a simple, straight forward hat. At the moment I'm about an inch away from starting crown decreases. If I'm not mistaken I'm going to have enough left for a matching scarf or cowl. Pretty, huh? It's a gorgeous base too - really nice hand with lots of sheep-y lanolin - an absolute pleasure to knit. Right now I'm picturing it with one of those big, fluffy faux rabbit fur pompoms; once it's done I'll see what I think on my next visit to Lens Mill Store.

Not shown is another skein of birthday yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock yarn in a bright and happy colourway called "Papaya". Mmmmm, Tanis + Cashmere!!!!! I'm spoiled and I know it!

On Ravelry I'm part of a "Canada Let's Swap" group. I don't participate in the swaps but I have signed up for a KAL: 2018 Paper bag Project Year Long KAL/CAL. You take 12 month-long type projects you’ve been meaning to knit/crochet, and put each in a bag you can’t see through. Each month, you pick a bag and get knitting (or crocheting)! My 12 projects are bagged - they'll all be socks and they're mostly from my YoP list above. So we'll see how that goes, but I think it'll be fun. If this sounds interesting to you, and if you're a Canadian 18 years or older, well then you're welcome to join us.

That's it for me for today. Have a great New Year everyone. Gavin and I will be toasting the new year at about 9:30pm and calling it an early night shortly thereafter. Gone are the days of staying up all hours!

9 comments:

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Love the Brigit socks! If it's WCY, it's probably Sandalwood.

Wishing you and Gavin a very happy new year!

Becki said...

Oooh... I wish I could rub my fingers over those Brigit socks. They truly are lovely. Love! Love! Love!

Breathing Life said...

Those socks are awesome. I too love ribbed socks and the cable on yours is so intricate. Happy New Year.

Sam I Am...... said...

Love those Bridget socks and I definitely can relate to the 'big foot' syndrome! Thank you also for the links you always put in...I truly appreciate them. I love the Tanis Fiber Arts....she has some beauties for sure! The idea of the 12 bag projects is intriguing. Of course, I'm not Canadian and I don't have enough stash or moolah to fund my next 12 projects but if I did....that would be a fun one! I can't wait to see you reveal yours as the months roll by.
Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you had a great one....I have #69 coming up this Thursday, I feel great and am still very ambulatory so that's reason to celebrate right there! LOL! Happy New Year!!!

Lucy Bowen said...

Happy new year. Your birthday yarn sounds lovely and your Bridget socks are gorgeous.

Gwenyth Love said...

Those Brigit socks are perfection! Amazing job!

Stefanie said...

I love your Brigit socks. I feel you plucked them off some building or church in the UK. Yay for birthday yarn! I hope you had a lovely celebration. Cashmere is the way to go. Oh boy I need more cashmere sock yarn in my life.

Anonymous said...

Brigit is GORGEOUS!

Leftycrafter said...

The Brigit socks are great. I love all the design work on them. You make some of the prettiest socks ever. I just love coming to your blog to see what sock is being made.