One-Skein Shawl

Pattern: Knitters Review One-Skein Shawl

Yarn: ArtYarns Silk Rhapsody, 100g-260yds, in a palest blue/silver colorway 149, one skein, used all but about 10yds

Needles: US11 / 8mm

Gauge: 9 stitches/4” unblocked

Started: April 12, 2007

Completed: April 18, 2007

Finished Size: 72” x 32”



Notes:
Mimi asked me to knit a sample of the One-Skein Shawl for the shop, and it had to be done in time for her to take to Stitches Camp. So Hurry!
I used all but about 10yds. Knit on US11’s rather than US13’s with three extra increase rows and one extra eyelet edging row.
This yarn is like knitting with kittens. It’s very soft with one ply of silk and a smaller ply of kid mohair. The halo isn’t very pronounced while knitting, but it has fuzzed up a little with blocking and wear.

Wisteria Scarf

Pattern: My own using a basic top-down triangle shawl shape, with Evelyn Clark’s edging from the Shetland Triangle and Flower Basket Shawls

Yarn: My own homespun, fiber Australian wool roving from Holly Spring Homespun, color Dyers Delight. Finished yarn is 2-ply fingering weight 16wpi, 45g, approx 210yds, spun on Grafton Nina

Needles: Aero circular, US5 / 3.75mm

Gauge: Lace

Started: Spinning in fits and starts, plying April 6, 2007, Knitting started April 7, 2007

Completed: April 8, 2007

Finished Size: 38” x 20”



Notes:
I spun two spindles full of singles which I wound off onto PVC pipe. The pipe is part of my homemade lazy kate which worked perfectly. I added a CD to the underside of the spindle for added plying capacity. The yarn bloomed quite a bit after a soak to set the twist.

I wanted to use every bit of the plied yarn, and I did. Good thing I even plied the leftover yarn with itself from the second “half” of the singles.

I started with basic top-down triangle shawl construction and added grouped YO/decreases that flow into the edging since I didn’t want plain stockinette for the body. I plan to eliminate the partial groups from the chart for the future and also look at other simple lacy rib patterns that could be used instead.

More photos here.

Jaywalker Socks – Happy Valley

Pattern: Jaywalker, by Grumperina, from MagKnits, September 2005

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces, Shepherd Sock, color: Happy Valley, from emtnestr on eBay

Needles: Addi circs US1 / 2.5mm

Gauge: 8spi in stockinette

Started: January 2007, while taking care of Mom

Completed: April 4, 2007

Finished Size: Womens Large, fits my US11’s


Notes:
I first knit the leg on US0’s, but the chevron pattern has so little stretch that even my skinny minny feet were not going to fit through the sock leg. Re-knit on US1’s which have enough give to make a wearable sock. I find I really prefer the fabric using Shepherd Sock on 0’s though.

In the oops department, I inadvertently knit one heel with plain slip stitch, and the other with eye of partridge. Oh well.

Had less than an ounce/24g or approx 86yds left over from two skeins, so I estimate the socks used about 344yds to complete with a nice long leg (approx 9 inches).

These socks started fast and I like the way they broke up the variegation of the yarn. I would try another chevron pattern before I knit this pattern again as the lack of stretch results in a sort of baggy ankle.

My feelings about the Shepherd Sock remain ambivalent. I think the socks are nice and soft after a soak. I find the yarn just a little thin and stringy while knitting it which I didn’t feel about the Trekking XXL even though it’s about the same gauge. I ordered this color on eBay and it’s a bit pale and pastel for me but I’m planning to give these to my Mom for Easter as they are perfect springy easter-egg colors and fit Project Spectrum too. Interesting too how different the pooling is on each foot.

For the Sock Marathon I used 344yds or two-tenths of a mile.

Monkey Socks

Click for larger

Pattern: Monkey Sock from Knitty Winter 2006

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Yarn, Plumicious, 2 skeins, from Y2Knit in Funkstown

Needles: Two circs, Addi US0 / 2.0mm

Gauge: 8spi

Started: 2/21/2007

Completed: 3/25/2007

Finished Size: Womens US 11


Click for larger

Notes:
This pattern was a fast and easy knit for me. I found the stitch pattern easy to memorize and knit without full concentration. I knit the pattern as written except for using an eye of partridge stitch for the heel flap and picking up one more gusset stitch each side on the heel. I used six full repeats on the foot before decreasing for the toe.

The Claudia’s yarn was wonderful to knit with. The colors are hard to photograph and are more vibrant in person, ranging from a hot pink through soft mauve to chocolatey brown. Until now, I’ve resisted using a highly variegated yarn with a complex stitch pattern, but I think this combination really worked. The stitch pattern, though bordering on lace, is simple and geometric enough that it holds its own with the yarn.

Claudia uses a Louet Gems Pearl base and I love the tight twist while knitting. A soak and block by just patting into shape really softened and relaxed the yarn.

The pattern is knit top down, and I knit it long enough for a size 11 foot, yet had enough leftovers that I could have done an extra repeat or two on the leg. Leftovers, 20g approx 65yds.

Endless Husband Socks DONE!

Pattern: Simple stockinette, 72st, toe-up, flap-heel from Knitting Fiend, EZ Sewn Bind-off (Knitty article here)

Yarn: Trekking XXL #96 greys/greens, only about 30yds leftover

Needles: Addi US 0 / 2mm

Gauge: 8-9 spi

Started: Spring 2006, set aside many times out of sheer boredom

Completed: February 26, 2007

Finished Size: Mens US 11, 10 inches from heel to cuff

Notes: The colors are muted greys and greens and the Husband loves them. I enjoyed knitting with the Trekking XXL, but next time he gets sportweight socks!

Mystery Shawl 1: Mystery Diamond

As usual, I need help with blocking and Ivy is happy to oblige



Pattern: Yahoo Mystery Shawl 1, Now Goddess Knits Mystery Diamond

Yarn: Henry’s Attic Silk & Ivory, silk/merino blend, undyed, 4.9 oz = approx 625 yds. Cone purchased from Wool2Dye4 in Lynchburg.



Needles: Aero 32 in/80cm circular, US6/4.0mm
Gauge: Lace
Started: June 2005
Completed: August 2005
Finished Size: 76 inches x 36 inches



Notes:
The first mystery shawl, in five clues, one per week. Construction was simple, top down triangle, with each clue progressing from the previous. No border or edging. I modified the last two rows to exaggerate the scallop when blocked.

The Silk & Ivory is fingering wt, easy to work with, very soft, blocks well, with a beautiful sheen. It has continued to develop a bit of halo with wear. Holds its block well even packed away and traveling. It is very warm.

Won third prize at the 2005 State Fair of Virginia for Knitted Lace - Amateur

Mystery Shawl 2: Flowing River

Fortunately, I had lots of good help with blocking.



Pattern: Yahoo Mystery Shawl 2, now Goddess Knits - Flowing River

Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr, laceweight silk & wool, hand-dyed with Gaywool acid-dyes to a medium lavender/periwinkle, 2.6 oz = approx 825 yds. Cone purchased from Textura Trading



Needles: Aero 32in/80cm circular, US5/3.75mm

Gauge: Lace

Started: September 2005

Completed: January 2006

Finished Size: 80 inches x 34 inches



Notes:

The second mystery shawl, in five clues, one per week. Construction was quite a bit more complex than MS1. Center triangle was worked, then a wide border, finally a knitted on 25st edging. Started September 30, 2005, I kept pace well with the first four clues, then lost steam with the endless edging. This shawl went with me to Dominica in late October, was put away for xmas knitting, then finally finished on a trip to Dad’s in Jan 2006.

The Zephyr is a fine laceweight, easy to knit, quite soft, with a nice subtle sheen. It seems warm for its weight. Finished wt of shawl is just 2.6oz.

This shawl won a First Prize for Knitted Lace and Best of Section for Lace - Amateur