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!

Winter has arrived

Oh how I love Winter in Melbourne!

We are blessed with cool crisp weather here, perfect for doing all those hibernating things Winter is designed for, but also just right for rugging up and getting out and about.

Which is what we did over the weekend...

A beautiful 2-hour walk first thing Sunday morning, along the creek and around the wetlands near our house.  We discovered a bird hide, and said "Good Morning!" to lots of like-minded walkers and bikers as we went, and heard loads of frogs - always a good sign of a healthy environment, I think.

no birds, but the layers of vegetation reminded me of stranded colourwork

We were almost home when the light mist turned into a fairly steady rain, which is all part and parcel I guess? Nevertheless, it was so nice to get inside and dry off, and get cosy with some handknitted socks and a bowl of lamb and barley broth.

And of course, with my knitting.

Beeline, in Rowan Creative Focus

Baby bonnet with earflaps, in Isager Alpaca 2

and a new project bag from a recycled op-shop pillowcase

Hmm, I'm sensing a colour theme...

There's been a slow pace at our place this week.  Housework has been kept to the bare minimum and creativity, planning, and taking time to enjoy some down-time have stepped to the forefront.  I like this balance.  I've got a few designs in the works at the moment, which I'm trying to get written up and ready for release; very exciting stuff!  I'm also trying to make time to get to galleries, visit people, and read books or just listen to music (as opposed to just having it on in the background).  

Plus I've been working on ideas for displays and presentation for the shop.  I love visual presentation, and am so happy to be given licence to experiment and create beautiful vignettes for all the samples and new products we are bringing in.

I find when I place focus on my creative process and space, even more ideas and thoughts and what-ifs, and extensions of all of the above start flowing.  Ideas filling up my head faster than I can get it written in my journal, or on the needles/canvas/paper/sewing machine, and it's such a rewarding exercise that I'm always astounded I don't do it more often!  From experience thought, I know it's hard to keep the creative "on" all the time.  There needs to be some allowance to regroup and breathe (and do the dishes!).

The balance is harmonious at the moment, however.  I can live with the mess. 

Graffiti Alley Baktus

ahh, holidays....and all that lovely knitting time.  Glory days of Summer, for sure.

One thing I love doing over my Summer break is casting on a new project on New Year's Eve -  it’s like a promise to the new year ahead. This year it’s a Baktus using Christmas gift yarn from my Mum, the Colinette Jitterbug "Bright Charcoal" I showed you last week.

This project has been my constant companion, from NYE fireworks near the Yarra, to Monopoly marathons and evening movies, and all the multitude of activities it takes to entertain five kids of varying ages over the course of last week.   

It's been with me at breakfast, at lunch, and at dinner, and every snack (Christmas cake, anyone??) in-between.

Naturally, all this close companionship has meant this WIP is now a FO - in just 7 days, BAM!

Oh my, how much do I love this scarf?!

I love that it's "grey", but there is so many flecks of colours that it seems to pick up on whatever I pair it with.

I love that it reminds me of the graffiti of Melbourne, with the riotous mix of layers of art and all the colours blurring into a kind of kaleidoscope

I love that it's made from wool my Mum gave me for Christmas

and I love that it's my first 2014 accessory FO.

I used the mod notes from mustavilla to make it a Lacy Baktus, and I think the addition of the eyelet rows really gives the scarf a little more oomph.  It also helps make the repeats go faster, of course. 

If I had one thing I'd change, I think I'd slip the first stitch of every row to make a neater edge, but I didn't think of this until I was too far along to rip back.  The edge is fine as is, but I do think it would give a better finish done as a slipped edge. 

Now, if only the Melbourne weather would cool so I could wear my very-Melbourne scarf!