WIP Central

It's been so long since my last post because I have so many long-term projects I've been working on. I usually post when I've finished something.

A ton of things have been in the works for me. I've been working on my socks for the Think Outside the Sox contest. It's a lot more laborious of a process than I thought it would be. It's one thing to knit a sock not using a pattern and come up with your own ideas. But then to try to articulate them down on paper so anyone can read it and know what you're talking about is quite another. I guess it comes down to the deadline. All submissions have to be in by January 1, 2009. If I could take my sweet time, and work on other things when I felt like it then it wouldn't be as bad. But the next shipment of the Rockin' Sock Club came, and I can't start them (again). Look at this colorway...
It's so beautiful! I want to start them and work on them but I just can't let myself until I finish my entry. It's the only way it'll get done.

Which brings me to another point. Stitches West 2009. After careful consideration, hemming and hawing, and almost absolute denial that I was going to submit to a frivolous trip completely for myself...I'm going. I've got my hotel room at the Santa Clara Hyatt Regency, I've got my plane ticket to Santa Clara, and my classes have been signed up and paid for. I'll be joining a few of my fellow enthusiasts for a fun-filled getaway that I've already dismissed my guilt for. One of the motivating factors for me going was the sock contest. I mean, they're announcing the winners there! I'm not the only one of my friends who will win that night either. My other friend is going to win in her category also, so it makes sense for us to be there together to celebrate. (It's good to visualize your goals!)

I did manage to finish these socks for Son #1. They were the ones I would carry around in my purse and knit on when I had a few free moments.

-->Name of Project: Garter Stitch Toes and Heels
Yarn: Sock it to Me! Collection Harlequin
Needles: Size US 0 (2.0 mm) Knit Picks dpns
Estimated Time to Complete Project: 2 months
Pattern Notes: These are based on the Timberline Toes pattern from Lucy Neatby. I went toe-up using a provisional cast on with 28 stitches, short-rowing down to 9 sts, then back up to 28 sts. Then I picked up where the provisional cast on was and worked in the round for the foot. I worked a garter stitch short-row heel over 34 stitches, short-rowing down to 10, then back up to 34. Then worked up the leg. I knitted 1.5" of ribbing for the top then used a sewn-bind off.

As usual they are now his favorite thing to wear which makes him a very worthy recipient.

Another event to be excited about is the Torrance Fiber Festival. A couple of us are going to meet up to go check it out. It's about a 2 hour drive from where I live which I think is a bit more reasonable than the 14 hour drive to Taos, New Mexico for the Taos Fiber Festival. So that's it! Back to working on the never-ending sock entry...

April Fools!

I was going to do the Springtime In Paris socks with the Six Sox Knitalong but they just posted their April pattern today and I have to do the new one. They're called the Horcrux Socks (themed on Harry Potter) and they look very cool. And since I've just finished my Timberline Toes (see below) it's perfect timing!

These socks took me almost a whole month to complete. I want to get to the point where a pair of socks will only take me 2 weeks at the most. With knitting time being a commodity this month it just couldn't happen. I used two Size 0 circular needles and Socks That Rock Lightweight in the colorway Thistle. The Tubular cast-on stretches enough to fit over my heel comfortably has a pretty rounded edge. The Garter Stitch Short Row Heel and the Garter Stitch Toe gives a little extra cushion and feels very good on my soles. It will be awhile before I'm able to wear these out.

I always use two circular needles to make two socks at a time. I'm pretty sure that I will always use this method. I just think that it is easier to have both on the needles at the same time and if I do something to one sock, it's going to happen to the other. It eliminates the need to take notes or remember if I changed something. And I almost always change something in the pattern.

Status Report

Sahara Sweater is going along quite nicely. I haven't had to rip back (yet). I've done the decreasing for the waist and am going to start increasing for the hips. I got quite a lot done last Sunday while watching movies with my best B. Thanks B :) I love watching movies and knitting. Good times.

My Timberline Toe socks from Lucy Neatby's book Cool Socks Warm Feet are going very smoothly. I've turned the heel and am working on the foot. The garter stitch short row heel came out nicely so I should be okay with the garter stitch toe. I would venture to say, they'll be done this weekend...maybe.

Mini Timberline Toe Sock

It didn't take me very long to knit this little sock up and learn the techniques for this sock from Lucy's book. It's got a Tubular cast-on which gives the top a smooth, rounded edge. Then it uses a Garter Stitch Short Row Heel which is just like a normal short row heel except you knit every row instead of purling on the wrong side. It looks very cool and I imagine would be a nice cushion on a sock. It finishes off with a Garter Stitch Common Wedge Toe. This particular technique uses purl rows to create the ridges and adds durability to the sock.

I liked using these particular techniques and look forward to casting on the full-size sock so I can try it on and see how it feels. I'm using my Socks That Rock Lightweight in colorway Thistle (used in mini version shown). I'll probably stay up later than I should just to get them going because I'm excited.