Bling Bling #2 and New Projects

These are the second pair of Bling Bling socks for my mother-in-law for her birthday. I wanted to make her the black and gold as well as the white and gold socks for her birthday. When I finished the Black pair, I needed to make sure they fit before making the other pair. But when I tried them on her feet, I was unable to get them off and was not able to keep them until her birthday next week. At least I'll be able to give her this other pair in addition to the ones she already has.

I've used this past year to learn about the construction of socks, from toe-up to cuff-down and have worked my way through Lucy Neatby's book, Cool Socks Warm Feet. I only have two more pairs of socks to make from her book to finish The Lucy Project. In January Cat Bordhi is coming to my local yarn shop, and I'll learn even more about sock construction. I've already signed up to go and I'm very excited about getting her book, New Pathways for Sock Knitters Book 1.

My plan for 2008 is to learn more about constructing a fitted sweater using my own measurements. I'm going to get measured, take a class, and work out my own pattern. I have a few ideas for the sweater I would like to make, but I'm going to try a couple of patterns before I find a class.

One of the things I've already cast on for is the Cherie Amour from Knitty. I got this Cherry Tree Hill Glitter Thick and Thin yarn from discontinuedbrandnameyarn.com. It was a great deal and I also got some Louet Linen from them. I think this will make a great holiday sweater for Christmas this year. I've read that it's a really fast knit, so I should have it done by then.

Since I loved having a really portable project in my purse, I started another Linen Market bag with the Louet Merlin yarn I got with my order.

This is Peace Fleece for my Central Park Hoodie that I'm going to make. Robin asked me if I was interested in making this, and we thought it would be fun to go through the process together. However, she got her yarn at least 2 weeks before I did and she's moving right along. And since I've already started my Cherie Amour, I'm probably going to finish that before I cast on for something new.

Bling Bling Socks

These socks are a gift for my mother-in-law's birthday next month.

Name of Project: Bling Bling Socks
Yarn: Berroco Bling Bling
Yardage: 2 balls each 92 yards/1.75 oz/50 grams
Yarn Source: Local Yarn Store Yarning For You
Needles and Gauge: 2 Size US 5 Knit Picks interchangeable circulars, 4.5 st = 1 inch
Estimated Time to Complete Project: 2 weeks
Pattern: I put together a few techniques I like to make this sock. Judy's Magic Cast-on for Toe-up Socks, increase for foot, work foot and increase for gusset, turn heel, work leg, cast-off using an I-cord bind-off.

Cast on 20 stitches. Knit 1 round plain.
Increase Round: K1, M1, knit to last st, M1, K1. Repeat for bottom of sole. Knit 1 round plain.
Increase every other round until there are 44 stitches. Start working in ribbing on the instep and plain stockinette for the sole until sock measures 6.5". Start increasing for gusset - work top of foot in pattern, on the bottom of sock - K1, M1, knit to last st, M1, K1. Work 1 round plain. Continue until gusset measures 2.5" and sock is 9" long. There will be 40 sts on bottom needle.

Turn Heel:
Working only on bottom needle K 25, wrap & turn.
P 10, w & t
K 9, ssk, w & t
P 9, P2tog, w & t
Repeat last 2 rows until there are 5 sts left on each side of the heel turn (20 stitches on needle), knit until end of needle.

Work across instep, then on heel stitches - P2tog, P1, K2, (P2, K2) until 3 sts remain, P1, P2tog. Continue around leg until desired length. Work I-Cord Bind-off.They are a little big for me so I can't keep them, and I don't wear gold, but they sure are nice and comfy. The yarn is cushy and I just know she's going to love them. I wanted to make another pair for her in the cream and gold Bling Bling but I have to make sure these fit first. If they're off a little, I don't want to have made two pairs that "aren't quite right". I'm probably going to just make her close her eyes and try them on so I can get the other pair made for her birthday.

Her measurements that I used are -
Foot Length: 9.5 "
Ball of foot circumference: 9.5"
Ankle circumference: 8"
Toe to ankle: 7"
Heel: 2.5"
Toe: 2.5 " wide and long
Ankle Length: she wanted them to go up approx 3".

Progress Update

Here is the Clapotis, halfway done. I'm actually to the point in the pattern where I could start the decrease rows but I think I'm going to do a few more repeats of the straight rows. It'll be a little longer and easier to wrap around my shoulders dramatically, should the need arise.

I really like this yarn, it's so beautiful and soft.

These are the I love Gansey socks from the Six Sox Knitalong. I've done the whole foot and turned the heel with a flap and now just need to knit up the leg. The only change I've made so far is that I didn't start the pattern after the heel turn (the hearts that go up the heel flap). I think I might be wearing these with shoes at some point and I don't want to have a stitch pattern on the heel flap. There will be a new pattern starting in October and I would like to be ready.

And these are the Bling Bling socks for my Mother-in-law's birthday in October. She really likes sparkly things and loves gold so I think she'll be really happy when she sees these. They also kind of look Halloween-ish to me which is appropriate for October. I have the Bling Bling yarn that is cream colored and gold also, so those might be made for her for Christmas if these ones fit her right and are comfortable.