Growth

Growing up in my house, you could often hear my mother declaring with a defiant pride that any recipe requiring her to “cream the butter and sugar” would be thrown out.  If you couldn’t melt ‘n’ mix it, it was deemed “too much pfaffing about”!  We’d often laugh about it, and it became a bit of a running premise of our home.  Looking after a family as well as working, Mum wasn’t much one for anything that required her to pfaff.

In some ways, I’ve recently realised that I’ve taken a part of this on board in perhaps not such a good way for me via my knitting of late.  I’ve noticed I’ve been slowly rejecting more and more patterns if they call for something such as an unfamiliar cast-on, or a technique I’m not proficient at.  Becoming set in my ways it seems, as the effort required to attempt something new becomes seen no longer as a challenge but an uncomfortable inconvenience. And all of a sudden, this struck me as rather silly.  I had always supposed myself as an adventurous person, willing to tackle new things in the aim of keeping the mind active and the creative brain stimulated but in fact I now recognise that I actually don’t seek being in situations where I’m short of accomplished!

In an effort to rectify this, I decided to actively seek new skills and embrace the discomfort as part of the process.   As luck happened, whilst collecting another book I had on hold from our local library I glanced quickly at the knitting section, not expecting much I hadn’t seen before but to my delight I found Socktopus – a collection of beautiful sock patterns by Alice Yu all using different and interesting stitch patterns and construction methods.

Socks are a great way to try out a new technique, I reckon.  They’re also great projects to work on while doing the daily work-commute.  Being small, there is the obvious advantage that they are very portable (especially when I’m magic-looping - I switched from my beloved dpns to magic after dropping one tiny dpn in a crowded peak hour carriage one day and having to scramble awkwardly to retrieve it, amidst legs and bags and looks of annoyance from those around me) but they also are great sources of different techniques.

My first choice of project from this book was OmShanti.  Having been a devout yoga fan for over 15 years, the name immediately drew my attention. I’ve just recently returned to a daily practise (which has made me feel so good I question my thinking of why I ever gave it up?) and these little ankle booties will be perfect for Savasana, when the body can chill very quickly as it succumbs to mindful peace.  

The added bonus was the stitch pattern looked just perfect to show off some speckled handpaint yarn I’d been squirrelling, and the construction was one I’d never attempted before.  Tick, tick, TICK! all the boxes.  

The pattern provided the opportunity to try quite a few new-to-me techniques so it was perfect. I learnt:  toe-up sock using a provisional cast on (love it!); short row toes and heels in garter stitch (love them!), and Latvian braid and stranded rib (liked the end result, but perhaps not enough to warrant the fiddly process!)

 The yarn itself is so beautiful.  It’s the something sock base from Republic of Wool in the colourway “Thrasher” and the way it knits up in both garter stitch and the slip stitch pattern nearly makes me weep I love it so much.  I’ve had it on hold in the wings for some time now, just waiting for a good showcase project.  This, my friends, is the project!  I really do think this is my favourite pairing of yarn/pattern ever.

This project has also been an excellent summation of a number of aspects of my life at present; a period of growth on numerous levels; a beautiful, mindful link to my yoga practise, which has given me so much solace during a recent stressful and emotional times; and a rediscovery of how good accomplishment feels even with the accompanying discomfort!   We are often reminded in yoga practise that the very asanas your find yourself resisting are most likely the exact ones you need.  If that isn’t the perfect analogy on this subject, I don’t know what is.  Discomfort (as distinguished from pain) is not a bad thing every now and then.

Using a special skein of yarn that seemed almost too perfect to see any pattern and the pure bliss of sitting with a special yarn, and reflecting on a knitting project as a piece but also a mindful practise, has been a truly lovely experience. 

Every time I look at my feet in these socks, I smile and feel content.  They snug my tootsies in such a delicious way, and the specks of colour against the mint and dove-grey base provide many moments of glee as I discover different little harmonies of colourplay.

How much happiness can be wrapped up in two little booties I don’t know, but there it is.  Pure delight.  

Om Shanti, friends.   May your knitting be delightful and your world contains some peace and contentment this week.

Paintbox

It seems that a heap of people I know are currently taking part in #operationsockdrawer on Instagram, and it's made me take stock of the current status of my own sock supply.

I sorted out my favourites, the ones in high wardrobe-rotation, and then did a good cull of those I no longer wear (for varying reasons; too big, too old, wrong colours).  I was left with about 5 pairs of socks which obviously is not nearly enough, so I went through my sock yarn stash and it seemed there was also a serious shortage of good sock yarn! 

That wasn't hard to rectify (ahem) and now the coffers are well and truly replenished,  I was able to select with delight a super-bright skein of Colinette Jitterbug in the "Paintbox" colourway and cast on.

I posted a progress photo of these socks on Instagram recently, with the caption "Nothing even remotely tasteful about these socks. Or subtle. I love them"  

And I still do.

They are just complete *fun*, and the pops of all the 1980's highlighter colours were a joy to knit.

I deviated from my normal 64st vanilla sock pattern for these, instead using the Madder socks from Nancy Bush's excellent book "Knitting Vintage Socks".  I really do love this book, with all the wealth of information and history contained within it's pages, but to date I have possibly read it more than I have knitted from it.

The Madder pattern uses a Dutch or Horseshoe Heel and a Pointed Toe, so I thought it was a good opportunity to try something different and see if I liked it.

The upshot was I didn't.  Well, I didn't like all of it.

The Dutch heel is, as the alternate description implies, quite horseshoe shaped which I found too boxy for my heel.  It also pooches a bit, despite blocking.  Add to this the fact that the heel flap is knit in stocking stitch rather than a slip stitch, and overall; it's a heel that I don't like and don't think is going to wear particularly well. 

I've done Pointed toes just recently and again, they aren't my favourite, so rather than add a non-favourite toe to a non-favourite heel I decided to go with my usual decrease-either-side front-and-back method.  It fits my stubby little toes rather well.

I find Jitterbug a really "plump" sock yarn, does anyone else think this?  I usually get a result somewhere between a fingering weight and a sport weight when I knit it on 2.5mm needles, so the Madder pattern (60sts) was probably a bit big too, not helping it's cause.

If I go down a needle size I don't like the fabric though - too stiff.  I think next pair I might try a 54-56st, see if I get a snugger fit.  As I said though - these are destined for house socks so the roominess doesn't really matter.  I probably should have worked the leg and foot in the suggested rib, if we're being honest.

It's always good to try something new though, and with my mods and different gauge, it's probably best to take this review of Madder socks with a grain of salt!

If I was a flower growing wild and free all I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee...

I seem to be getting rather theme orientated lately and this week's post is no exception, as will soon become apparent...bear with me.

First things first - there was a slight detour from the Year of Sweaters by Season project.

Instead of casting on my Spring sweater (a light and lacy little cropped cardigan in fingering weight alpaca), I decided to make a Beeline in some lovely fuzzy Creative Focus, and it has barely been off my back, so comfortable and warm that it is.  Warmth being the key word, given how freezing it's been in Melbourne this past week!

This was another great pattern from Heidi Kirrmaier, backing up after my Peasy.  Her attention to detail is spot on, not only in her pattern writing but also in her design aesthetic.  There's the lovely eyelet detail on the raglan increases that is also echoed in the bias line mirroring both sides of the front.  The neckline has just the right amount of scoop, and the slightly tapered body means it's roomy without looking oversized.   Very flattering and very wearable, on a number of body shapes.

Mostly I knit this to pattern, using the M2/42" size.  There's 5-10cm of intended positive ease, and I think that's the exact right amount in my finished piece.  I did add a bit of length to the body, about 5cm in total.  At the recommended length it was sitting right on a point of my waist that I know I don't like, from previous experience. It makes me feel like I've got to keep tugging at the hemline!  I also shortened the sleeves just a smidge, apparently I'm short-armed!

As for the yarn, I really did um and ahh on whether this was the right choice for the project.  There are mixed reports and reviews all over Ravelry and other forums, none really that flattering in honesty, but the colour (Golden Heather for those interested) was exactly what I wanted and I really wanted to try for myself; to make my own judgements.

I'm so glad I did!  Yes, this yarn sheds, and it has a splitty tendency; two of the main complaints against it.  It's a very loosely plied wool/alpaca blend, so neither of those statements are really that surprising.  I didn't find the splittiness as annoying as others, although I did need to pay attention.  A couple of times I had to drop down and fix a split stitch, but that wasn't a lot, or a huge inconvenience. The benefit of the yarn's blend is that there is a lovely halo of long fibres on the finished fabric, and that was part of my intent.  I wanted a slightly retro feel to this jumper, almost like the mohair jumpers of the 50's and 60's.

The other common complaint was that for an alpaca blend, this yarn was super-itchy.  I'm actually quite sensitive to wool-itch, and normally can't wear even blends next to my skin, but this jumper has surprised me in being one of the softest, non-itchy jumpers I've ever made.  I can comfortably wear it next to bare skin, even up around my neck, where I'm usually the most sensitive.  So go figure.  Whether it's the particular tension I've knitted to, I don't know.  But no issues with itch, from the Princess of Itch.  That's a win in my book.

Also, I’m shocked at how little yarn was needed, which seems to be a trend for me this year (possibly due to knitting everything in alpaca blends?). This took exactly 5x 100g balls of Rowan Creative Focus and that's good value in any language, for a jumper of this style.

Overall, a very happy detour was my sweet Beeline, and very happy I decided to see for myself about the yarn.

There was another little project I finished this week - some Honey Badger socks.  Like the Beeline, I used some yarn that I've been wanting to try for a while - Ella Rae Laceweight merino.  Despite the name, this yarn is actually a fingering weight 100% merino, not a laceweight, lest you think I've lost my mind and forayed into knitting laceweight socks!

I've had this skein of hand-dyed in my stash for a few months, having originally purchased it with the intent of making a small shawl of some type, however I had begun to think it wasn't really a colour I'd wear as a shawl.  Being 100% merino, it's probably not the best choice for socks, but I have compared it to Jitterbug and it has a similar high twist so I'm thinking it may be alright?  I'll probably save these for house socks and keep them away from my boots though, just in case.

Upon knitting, this yarn is a bit softer than Jitterbug, but it does the same lovely crisp stitch definition, highlighted by this pattern which utilises a PSSO as part of the lace pattern.  Honey Badger is a free Ravelry download from Irish Girlie Knits, and is very well written for a freebie.  The lace pattern is very addictive so it goes rather quickly too.  These took me just two weeks of not very consistent knitting to complete.  

Aside from some inconsistent pooling between each sock (what's up with that?), I'm pretty happy with them.  Oh, I did a round toe, just to give it a go.  It's OK, kinda like crown shaping on a beanie.  Will let you know how it wears, but seems comfortable so far.

So there you go. This is the week of the Honey and the Bee.  Perfect for brightening the Winter's days and lending thoughts to warmer days ahead.

I think on that note I'll leave you with one of the sweetest songs around, nearly guaranteed to put a smile on your face, and referenced in the title of this post.  Enjoy x

oh so close but no cigar

I was really hoping these would be finished by today, to show you, but despite my best effort over the weekend it was not to be!

Specs:

• My Cup of Tea socks
• #22/24 in the 24in12 challenge
• Jitterbug yarn from the stash
• knitted on 2mm dpn's (I know, right - must be crazy!  but the tight gauge with the high twist yarn is actually kinda nice)

The pattern is a bit of a Pringle one - "just one more repeat" and all that - so they do knit up quick when one gets the chance to work on them.  The toe looks a bit boxy off, but it actually fits my foot really well, so maybe it seems I have a boxy foot!

I'll knock these over tonight or tomorrow and then the plan is to cast on the last two projects for the challenge simultaneously, and work my way through til the end of the year.

fingers crossed, anyways!

barley beanie

I have a small confession.  

I was a bit cheeky, calling my Morganite "finished" last blogpost.  I hadn't quite finalised my button choice, but after a hunt through my button stash, I found what I think you'll agree are damn near *perfect* buttons.

Although the weather has been (has been) lovely recently, I took the cardigan to our last knitting group meetup for show and tell, and even got to wear it for a brief moment after air-conditioning got to me in the cafe!  Hard to say where the Melbourne Spring-weather is heading, but as I look out on to rain and grey skies, I have a feeling this won't be the only occasion I get to wear it in the foreseeable future.

Despite my concerns about the amount of wool I had for this project, I ended up having enough left for a couple of small beanies.  

Actually, I probably had enough left over to have been able to knit the sleeves full length which in hindsight I would have preferred but we won't talk about that...

Instead, have a look at my darling little beanie.  I do so wish I had a wee little head to model it on though.  I need to find some willing toddler models!

Keen eyes will pick that the wool looks much browner in the beanie than the cardigan.  This was the lighter skein I've blogged about ad nauseum.

The pattern is "Barley", and you've probably seen it flooding your recent Ravelry feed.

The generous people at tincanknits recently released a set of free, basic patterns, under their Simple Collection.  There are 8 free patterns in total, all sized from baby to adult, and they are designed as "learn-to-knit" patterns.  Each pattern is accompanied with tutorial links, including instruction for things like how to cast on, ssk/k2tog, and knitting on dpn's.  It seems like if you were a new knitter, you would work your way through the collection in order and build on acquired skills with each new project.

There's a full suite of accessories within the collection, and the final pattern to be released shortly is a jumper.  All the patterns have grainy names: Maize (mitts), Wheat (scarf), Oats (cowl), Barley (beanie), Rye (socks), Malt (blanket) and Flax (jumper), and the styling and graphic design of them is equally earthy and natural.

The design and concept is simple - stocking stitch, with a garter stitch panel.  Within the different patterns, this panel gives the knitter experience in knitting garter stitch both flat and in the round, too.  

I managed to misread the pattern and make my panel reverse stocking stitch, though!  The problem with being (you think) too clever for your own good.  Looking at projects on Ravelry, a lot of clever-clogs did the same thing.

Overall, I think this collection would be a great resource for anyone wanting to start out in knitting, especially if they wanted to have a stylish finished product that has taught them a few tricks along the way.

I also really love this idea, that people are willing to share the knowledge and skills they have for free.

Whether you're a new knitter or a seasoned old-hand, it's always nice to share and be taught, don't you agree?

Morganite

I finished a cardigan!  

Morganite was an enjoyable knit definitely, although the lace yoke was not without challenge and really kept me on my toes.

I wrote last fortnight about my disgruntled feelings on the lack of clear direction within the yoke instruction, and in the end I just had to use my initiative and previous experience to nut it out.   There was some ripping out with gritted teeth, more than once, as I realised my lace was no longer matching up as the raglan decreased, but every second row was purl so it wasn't terribly difficult to re-establish.

I shortened the sleeves and the body, and as I knit I realised I would need to shorten the yoke a little to keep everything in perspective.  I left out the short row shaping on the back of the neck, which I don't think will be missed on my version, and roughly 12 rows of lace, which meant only having 2 buttonholes but I'm cool with that.  I'm not really one for buttoning up my cardigans anyway.  Well, not this style of cardigan.

Overall, I'm really happy with this project.

I love the way the colours work together in this pattern and how luminescent the yarn appears.

I love the geometric lace, like cathedral windows, or mountain ranges.

I love that I got to use my special yarn and the end result was special too.

My ambition to finish both my cardigans was grossly overstated, however.  Wrangling 7 people in a small holiday house proved not conducive to a huge amount of knitting time, and really - I wanted to be part of all the chatter and games and fun!  So instead of picking up my Girl Friday, I cast on zombie socks as part of a Halloween KAL!  

I've used my cloudlover's "Haunted Vineyard" pared with the Charade sock pattern, and the colours are deliciously zombie-like.

The kids were fascinated by the way the colours came up, how they striped at different rates (how they striped at all was quite amazing to the youngest), and assured me they could totally see the "zombie" colours, bless them.

I'm back at work this week, which has been a reality check.  Looking forward to each evening when I can relax with a glass of wine and some simple sock knitting. Returning to everyday life after a break can be a grind...thank goodness for knitting.

(and wine)

project progress

Thank you all for the encouragement on my 24-in-12 challenge quest - I'm so excited and am busily getting prepared, winding skeins, stocking project bags and such.

I do have some projects still on the needles that need attention before starting anything new though.  I think the key to the success of this challenge will be in the discipline (and when I say "the", I mean "my"!)

To this, I have spent time with my Girl Friday this week and she is up to the armholes.  Knitting the majority of the body in the round means no seams but boy - all those stitches do take some time.

This photo makes it look small.  For perspective, the finished cardigan will sit at the top of my thighs, and is a slouchy fit.  

The never-ending saga of Grace continues.  Grave concerns now about yardage.  I feel like this project is slightly doomed...  I'm not even up to the armholes on the back, with less than a ball left of the yarn allocation for that section, so I've decided to stop here; cast on the front and work it to the same length, then work the two pieces together.  If it comes down to not enough yarn, I', thinking I will use a contrast yarn (maybe a turquoise?) for the bodice or the turtleneck.

Once these projects both got too big to cart around, my mobile project this last week has been some long-lingering socks I started ages ago, just to use up the yarn.  

I'd used this yarn originally to make a little toddler cap, but there was what looked like a significant amount left and I didn't want to waste it.  I cast on socks, thinking I could just add contrast toes, but as I approached the toe of the first one it became apparent there wasn't enough yarn so I ripped it back (grumble) and shortened the cuff to anklet length.  I used some Cascade Heritage in "Flamingo" for the toes and it was a really pleasing match.

Of course, I got to the end of Sock #2 and had ample of the variegated to have completed both.  

that's a teaspoon, for reference

Never mind.  I'm well pleased with my new anklets. They are perfect for wearing under ankle boots, or padding around in my pajamas.

And the pink toes are just all kinds of happy :)