The Sock Saga continues.....

Hi Everyone 

I’ve another knitting sad moment to report. Having made good progress and upped my game re colourwork and socks, sadly it doesn’t fit ! My first version of the Molly sock (read about it here) caused a few problems but I thought , I’d sorted things out and made good progress. As you can see from my photo story - top image - I’d put a heel in and was quite a few rows into the foot of the sock. I decided to try on the sock and it was clear, the sock would not comfortably fit. I could get the sock on but the instep part of my foot caused lots of strain on the front (where the heel meets the top and bottom) and getting the sock on and off was difficult. So, it had to come out and I’ve started again, this is version 3. 

                      

Having realised the problem, I went for a walk to think through my next move. I did consider, only partially, frogging the sock - back to the point just before the heel but that didn’t quite work either ! 
It seems, my mistake was to come down a size from version 1. This sock (#1) did seem a bit big but clearly, I need the larger size when working in stranded colourwork. I’ve taken the sock out and have made around 3-4 rows.

 I think, I have a reasonable chance of success this time- only time will tell !

I’m treating the drama as practicing my skills. If everything works out, I’ll do a more detailed story of the changes I’ve made or are about to make, regarding the pattern. All is well at the moment.

Thanks for calling in today.

Shetland Wool Week Pattern for 2019

Hi Everyone 

I had a lovely morning on Saturday- a breakfast meet with my local knitting group, followed by a session- knitting the Shetland Wool Week Beanie Pattern for 2019. The pattern is called the Roadside Beanie by Oliver Henry. I’d had a preview of the Beanie at Edinburgh Yarn Festival in March but hadn’t really looked  at the pattern (in detail), so the pattern came as a bit of a surprise.

After a lovely breakfast, I was ready to knit. I was thrilled to find out, we needed 7 different colours of Jamieson & Smith yarn. So many lovely colours to choose from. The pattern does suggest several different colourway options but I needed to go for my own ! Not sure why ? but I felt the need to choose yellow/ citrus shades along with a few greys. I just stood at a wall of yarn (in my lovely local yarn shop - Fine Fettle Fibres) and simply chose the colours which spoke to me, then the next etc. In the end, I had my seven colours.

             

I’ve made reasonable progress and have used 6 colours, the final yarn is another shade of yellow. I love the combination and have decided to use these colours for a cardigan sometime soon.

Regarding the pattern, I’m not totally convinced about the sheep motif or the boat- I do acknowledge this is the back story to the pattern (apologies to Oliver Henry). If you would like a copy of the pattern you can find it here. You can read all about the story. I do love the ribbing and the crown pattern. For my Beanie, I will change the sheep for some regularly spaced lines and the boats will get a cross and/or gate shape.

I have quite a few other projects on the needles at the moment. I need to manage each one to make sure I work on them all. I’m hoping to knit a few lines of my hat each evening and will share progress here on the blog.

Thanks for calling in today.

Knitting Socks

Hi Everyone 

I’ve a little sock knitting update story today. I talked about the Molly sock a few days ago, you can read about it here. I had made a bit of a mess of the colourwork as well as completely ruined the short row Heel. The sock was frogged and I started again. This time, I’ve knitted the colourwork inside out and have had more success. I’ve done this before and suddenly decided this approach could help. It’s not brilliant but I think, it’s better ?

                   

I have a tendency to knit tightly (at all times) and I need to concentrate on finding a way of changing my technique. I’ve also decided to make a Heel with a flap this time instead of the short row Heel. Again, it’s my poor technique which lets me down with the short row style. I know, I can knit a very neat Heel with a flap. I’d like to eliminate any chance of a hole in the heel knitting and the Heel with a flap is, the one for me. I would like to conquer the short row Heel technique but not for this sock, there are too many other issues. Other than my poor technique, I love the Molly sock. The colours are subtle but very pretty and the colourwork pattern is quite striking. I’m back to where I was at the beginning of the week, so all is good !

My other sock on the needles is a new pair of Men’s socks. I’m using my own simple sock pattern, which I’ve called the pattern Miss Mitchell’s Garden Socks. This time, I’ve graded up the numbers and am using Tuku Wool in Color 162 which is lots thicker than my usual sock yarn. This yarn is a lovely rich Rust colour. I’ve been testing out gauge and I think, I’m there. I’ve gone up a few needle sizes from my usual 2.00/2.25mm to a 3mm and will see how we go. I will use these socks for general, communal knitting, no real thought needs to go into the pattern, just simple knitting. I’ll add an afterthought heel. I may add a lifeline strand (of yarn)where I want to place the heel, this makes life very easy when I need to add the heel later. I’ve started at the cuff so these socks will be a top down. I’m going to call this version of my pattern Mr Mitchell’s Garden Socks. My knitting size will fit a 9/10 UK size foot.

That’s about it for current sock knitting. 

Have a lovely weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with more Making news.

Easter Eggs or Fabric ?

Hi Everyone 

I don’t really like chocolate - shock horror ! It’s fine in very small amounts, in a biscuit or cake but a Chocolate Easter Egg does nothing for me. So, instead, as an Easter Egg replacement,  I received a couple of pieces of beautiful fabric. Blue, of course.

               

I’ve been looking at this fabric for some time. It’s 100% cotton from Seasalt. My photo isn’t highlighting the colours but there are lots of different blues/greens, mainly blue, with a lighter (neutral)colour large check. The fabric is very pretty and destined to make a skirt. I’m planning to make the Saltmarsh skirt from Merchant&Mills. You can check out the design here. This design is one of the designs from the lovely Merchant&Mills Workbook.

 The skirt is a simple, long-line design (with side pockets) which is gently gathered into the waistline with a drawstring tie.  I hope to get all the pieces cut over the next few days and I’ll share the progress of the project here on the blog. I’m hoping this skirt will be a useful addition to my Summer wardrobe. I’m not usually a skirt person but this skirt seems just right for my new fabric and I’d like to plan a few more items around this skirt. I’ll be thinking more about this idea.

Thanks for calling in today.

Summer Top or Nightwear ?

Hi Everyone 

I’m sharing a new (potential) Make today. This time it’s a Summer Top idea. 

Looking in my wardrobe, I’m missing tops (especially me Made) for warm weather. The last few days have been very warm, it’s probably all over (for now) but I’m sure we will get the good weather back and a few new tops would be good.

               

My plan is to use my recent Nightwear pattern for a top. The finished fit is especially good for me and in the right fabric, I think a little top would be lovely. I have some very pretty cotton batik picked out for the job. The fabric is generally blue with lots of splashes of bright colours. I only have one metre of this fabric, so am hoping I can get the front and back, cut out in the two standard pieces. My only concern is about the length. However, I’m considering piecing an extra add on hem, if it’s a bit short. This modification could improve the top and make it less like nightwear. 

I like the pleats (see my photo story,bottom right) on the front but may stitch them on top rather than inside. This will again, give the top an extra decorative feature. I will leave out bows and ribbon and may add a couple of tiny buttons on the front. I also like the small frills gathered around the neck and sleeves, so they will stay.

I think this top will work well with jeans and shorts. If successful, I have a number of other 1 metre pieces of fabric that could be Summer tops. I’m sure there are lots of opportunities to hack the pattern to give a few variations.

Thanks for calling in today. I’ll share my top when complete.