Sunday, September 30, 2018

Year of Projects 8: Week 14



Last week I finished my Test Knit Socks, and now the pattern has been published... introducing Crossbuck Socks!

This week I finished my Autumn themed Monster Socks for the Instagram KAL #monstersockkal2018. When I started with these socks I wasn't really sure about the colours individually or in combination, but adding bright contrasting stripes has done the trick so I'm happy with them now that they're done. There's something so satisfying about using up scraps. Most of the yarns used came from scraps that were 50 grams or less. And at least three of the yarns were entirely used up with these socks. I love that!

As I mentioned last week, I was inspired by @danaraeknits' Christmas themed Monster Socks in greens and reds so I've dug through my scraps and pulled out some likely looking yarns. If you are thinking Wow, that's a lot of yarn... way more than needed for one pair of scrappy socks, you are entirely right. By weight there's enough there for about a half dozen socks, but I'm not much of one for repeating the same pattern so let's just plan on one pair for now. For these socks I'm going to use the pattern Stash Buster Spiral Socks. My plan is to cast on today and hopefully get through the cuff and into the leg patterning. 
The KAL continues until October 31st.  Just pick your scraps or minis and post with the hashtag #monstersockkal2018. That's all there is to it!

My Nain remain ignored for now. Tomorrow morning I'll be selecting and opening another bag for my 2018 Paper Bag Project. That and the Christmas Monster socks will share priority for the next couple of weeks. Poor Nain!

2018 Paper Bag Project - September, October, November and December

      Twisted Flower Socks - using Hikoo CoBaSi yarn in Egyptian Blue
      Feny Socks - using Lang Jawoll Superwash in turquoise and chocolate
      Diamondback Socks - using Songbird Fibers Sock in Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Full Skeins from stash

      Somewhere Socks - using Mountain Colour mini set
      Pairfect Socks - using Regia Pairfect
      Mood - using unknown variegated blue yarn
      Kazak - using unknown tonal purple yarn
      Harris Tweed Socks - using Wollemeise self-striping green/gold/red yarn

    Large (more than 50 grams) and Small (less than 50 grams) scraps from stash

          Salor - in various tan, orange and brown small scraps
          Vanilla Bean Striped Socks - in various colourful small scraps
          Squircle Socks  -  in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
          Escape Reality Socks - in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
          Bill Huggins - in various scraps
          Mosaic Marbles socks - using Langwoll Magic Dégradé scraps with black (or white)
          Checkbox Socks - using large scraps
          Stash Buster Spiral Socks - using various scraps in green?
          Hearty Stripey Socks - using various scraps
          Double Heelix Socks - using leftovers from Feny Socks
          Nain - using large scraps of Stretch Bamboo in light blue
          Jelly Rolls - using all the leftover Stretch Bamboo in various colours





    Sunday, September 23, 2018

    Year of Projects 8: Week 13


    My top priority for last week was to finish my Test Knit Socks, and happily they were finished a few days before the testing period ended. I expect that the pattern will be updated and published later this week; I'll provide a link once it's "live". In the meantime I can share my finished photos. There is an interesting leg chart with slipped stitch cables in two colours and then the rest is a waffle stitch rib which makes for a very nicely fitting sock.  I'm quite happy with how they turned out, although the variegated red is a bit loud!

    My second priority - my Instagram KAL #monstersockkal2018. - also saw some progress. My first sock is done and I'm approaching the heel section on the second sock. Completing this pair will be my main focus for the coming week. Fortunately most of the colour changes were effected using Russian joins so there aren't many ends to weave in.

    While scrolling through projects from other participants on Instagram, I came across a "Christmas" pair in greens and reds from @danaraeknits. I love this idea, so I might just make a Christmas pair of my own after this "Autumn" pair are done. If you're on instagram you're welcome to join up. The KAL continues until October 31st.  Just pick your scraps or minis and post with the hashtag #monstersockkal2018. That's all there is to it!

    My Nain socks have once again been completely ignored. I'm starting to feel guilty so I hope to pay some attention to them in the coming week as well. We've shifted abruptly into fall weather so knitting wool socks rather than bamboo now holds more appeal. The Nain socks are definitely summer socks and not fall socks. Never mind though, they're pretty and they need to be finished!

    And I can hardly believe that we're nearly to the end of September! Where does the time go? Come October 1st I'll be opening another bag for my 2018 Paper Bag Project. Any of the remaining three projects is more complicated than vanilla socks, so I'm looking forward to something a bit challenging.

    2018 Paper Bag Project - September, October, November and December

          Twisted Flower Socks - using Hikoo CoBaSi yarn in Egyptian Blue
          Feny Socks - using Lang Jawoll Superwash in turquoise and chocolate
          Test Knit Socks - using unknown variegated red yarn
          Diamondback Socks - using Songbird Fibers Sock in Ruby Throated Hummingbird

    Full Skeins from stash

          Somewhere Socks - using Mountain Colour mini set
          Pairfect Socks - using Regia Pairfect
          Mood - using unknown variegated blue yarn
          Kazak - using unknown tonal purple yarn
          Harris Tweed Socks - using Wollemeise self-striping green/gold/red yarn

      Large (more than 50 grams) and Small (less than 50 grams) scraps from stash

            Salor - in various tan, orange and brown small scraps
            Vanilla Bean Striped Socks - in various colourful small scraps
            Squircle Socks  -  in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
            Escape Reality Socks - in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
            Bill Huggins - in various scraps
            Mosaic Marbles socks - using Langwoll Magic Dégradé scraps with black (or white)
            Checkbox Socks - using large scraps
            Stash Buster Spiral Socks - using various scraps in green?
            Hearty Stripey Socks - using various scraps
            Double Heelix Socks - using leftovers from Feny Socks
            Nain - using large scraps of Stretch Bamboo in light blue
            Jelly Rolls - using all the leftover Stretch Bamboo in various colours



      Sunday, September 16, 2018

      Year of Project 8: Week 12

      Last weekend we returned from a few days in New Hampshire, but rather than posting I spent my time on Saturday and Sunday tidying, doing laundry and catching up on work. Things have been busy   and hot to the detriment of my knitting progress.

      Although I split the driving with Gavin, and I was required to pay attention to road signs and directions while in the passenger seat, I did get make some headway with the test knit socks. The first (left) sock is done and the second (right) sock is mostly done... I just need to finish the foot and work the toe. The patterning is subtly different from right sock to left sock so the designer has asked that both be knit at least past the heel turn before the end of the testing period on September 21st. I'm further than that already so my plan is to complete the pair and provide modelled photos before the end of the test period. That will be my focus over the next few days.

      There's some progress too on my Instagram KAL #monstersockkal2018. Although I wasn't loving the sock when I was randomly mixing browns and bits of orange into mainly yellows, after adding a series of brighter stripes I'm happier with it now. The FLK heel has been completed and now I'm onto the leg of the first sock. This will take over as my main focus once the test knit socks are complete. If you're on instagram you're welcome to join up. Just pick your scraps or minis and post with the hashtag #monstersockkal2018. That's all there is to it!

      My Nain socks have been completely ignored. They're going to remain on the back burner until the other socks are done and off the needles, after which I can give them my undivided attention.

      New Hampshire was beautiful as evidenced by this drone photo Gavin took of a sunrise at the ocean. Of course he's used HDR setting and tweaked the vibrance, but lovely still. We spent most of our time in the ocean or in the pool to escape from the crazy heat. Cell coverage was sparse to non-existent and the motel's wifi was very poor, so the vacation was restful and unplugged. Unfortunately we timed things poorly and Gavin didn't get much surfing in... the storms and hurricanes were making their way up the coast after we left.

      When I returned from New Hampshire I started volunteering one morning a week at a local cat shelter. It sounds more fun than it is - in my four hours a week I spend about three hours and 58 minutes scooping out cat litter boxes... sweeping, washing and disinfecting kennels... washing out and refilling food and water bowls... there's always more that needs doing, so just a scant few minutes a week are actually spent playing with cats. Still, I feel good about doing it and it's nice to get out and meet some new people, so it's well worth the time and effort as far as I'm concerned. At any given time there appear to be about 60 cats and kittens at the shelter and many more in foster care. And so far it looks like about 10 cats a week are adopted and another 10 or more are rescued or surrendered. If only more people would spay or neuter their cats!


      2018 Paper Bag Project - September, October, November and December

            Twisted Flower Socks - using Hikoo CoBaSi yarn in Egyptian Blue
            Feny Socks - using Lang Jawoll Superwash in turquoise and chocolate
            Test Knit Socks - using unknown variegated red yarn
            Diamondback Socks - using Songbird Fibers Sock in Ruby Throated Hummingbird

      Full Skeins from stash

            Somewhere Socks - using Mountain Colour mini set
            Pairfect Socks - using Regia Pairfect
            Mood - using unknown variegated blue yarn
            Kazak - using unknown tonal purple yarn
            Harris Tweed Socks - using Wollemeise self-striping green/gold/red yarn

        Large (more than 50 grams) and Small (less than 50 grams) scraps from stash

              Salor - in various tan, orange and brown small scraps
              Vanilla Bean Striped Socks - in various colourful small scraps
              Squircle Socks  -  in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
              Escape Reality Socks - in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
              Bill Huggins - in various scraps
              Mosaic Marbles socks - using Langwoll Magic Dégradé scraps with black (or white)
              Checkbox Socks - using large scraps
              Stash Buster Spiral Socks - using various scraps in green?
              Hearty Stripey Socks - using various scraps
              Double Heelix Socks - using leftovers from Feny Socks
              Nain - using large scraps of Stretch Bamboo in light blue
              Jelly Rolls - using all the leftover Stretch Bamboo in various colours


        Sunday, September 2, 2018

        Year of Projects 8 - Week 10


        As planned on the first of September I pulled a paper bag for my 2018 Paper Bag Project and tore it open to find a caked skein of variegated red yarn - no surprise there.

        Without delay I cast on a test knit for a designer through The Testing Pool group on Ravelry. I've knit the cuff, the colour work/cable section that tops the leg and made a start on the waffle rib that comprises the balance of the sock. I had worried that the red would be too busy for the pattern, but I think it looks fine. The waffle rib is very simple making these socks ideal travel knitting for our road trip to New Hampshire next week. With any luck I'll have them completed by the end of next week. 10 hours there and 10 hours back in the car should give me plenty of knitting time. And nowadays the GPS takes care of the directions; I don't have to watch road signs and follow along with the map book.

        On the spur of the moment I also signed up for an Instagram KAL #monstersockkal2018. I've cast on and made a start using a bunch of yellow/beige/brown/orange scraps from stash but I'm finding the combination very meh. So much for my vision of a subtle shifting autumn colour feel! Now I'm trying to decide what to do about it. This morning I pulled out some really bright orange, bright red and light natural scraps from stash with the idea that they will brighten it all up and break up the same-same yellowy-brown-ness. I'll knit another inch to introduce the new colours and then make a decision after that. If I still hate it then I'll rip it out and go with brightly coloured stripes instead. The KAL runs until Halloween (October 31st) so there's no rush.

        If you're on instagram you're welcome to join up. Just pick your scraps or minis and post with the hashtag #monstersockkal2018. That's all there is to it!

        My Nain socks weren't completely ignored either. I hope to finish sock one before we leave for our road trip on Tuesday morning. With a forecast of unending rain punctuated by the occasional thunderstorm I expect that lots of knitting will get done through the rest of this long weekend. Whatever happens Nain won't be coming along on the trip - it requires constant attention to the chart, and with all those yarn overs and twisted stitches I don't think it'd be very forgiving of any dropped stitches or errors from inattention. I'd better just leave that in my knitting basket until I get back!


        2018 Paper Bag Project - September, October, November and December


              Twisted Flower Socks - using Hikoo CoBaSi yarn in Egyptian Blue
              Feny Socks - using Lang Jawoll Superwash in turquoise and chocolate
              Test Knit Socks - using unknown variegated red yarn
              Diamondback Socks - using Songbird Fibers Sock in Ruby Throated Hummingbird

        Full Skeins from stash

              Somewhere Socks - using Mountain Colour mini set
              Pairfect Socks - using Regia Pairfect
              Mood - using unknown variegated blue yarn
              Kazak - using unknown tonal purple yarn
              Harris Tweed Socks - using Wollemeise self-striping green/gold/red yarn

          Large (more than 50 grams) and Small (less than 50 grams) scraps from stash

                Salor - in various tan, orange and brown small scraps
                Vanilla Bean Striped Socks - in various colourful small scraps
                Squircle Socks  -  in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
                Escape Reality Socks - in various colourful scraps plus something neutral from large scraps
                Bill Huggins - in various scraps
                Mosaic Marbles socks - using Langwoll Magic Dégradé scraps with black (or white)
                Checkbox Socks - using large scraps
                Stash Buster Spiral Socks - using various scraps in green?
                Hearty Stripey Socks - using various scraps
                Double Heelix Socks - using leftovers from Feny Socks
                Nain - using large scraps of Stretch Bamboo in light blue
                Jelly Rolls - using all the leftover Stretch Bamboo in various colours