Eeek, it's steeking!

I joined in the steek-along at the Angel Yarns Knitting forum, and have completed my first ever steeking. It's only a swatch, but I like the way the crocheted edge worked, and I have a few patterns this is required for.

I knit the sample in one day in between band practises and an evening concert, including the coach trip on the way there. I did the steeking on Monday evening, and I'm quite pleased with the result. Below is a view of the swatch before cutting. Unfortunately this shows my inability to concentrate during fairisle knitting, but i think i would have concentrated more if I knew it was going to really matter.

I knitted this using the magic loop method, and one colour in each hand. I felt like i was doing something really clever! Two views of the swatch before and after cutting. I tried both the crocheted edge and the blanket stitch but i think i needed a sharper, smaller needle for the blanket stitch and much prefer the crocheted edge. I also added some ribbing to the crocheted edge (not shown) just to show myself that i could.

Dying using acid dyes

Dying was Ashford acid dyes turned out to be almost as easy as the KoolAid dying I tried previously. Completed in a couple of hours one evening, I used a skein of sock yarn that I bought ages ago (which unexpectedly turned out to be horrible), a skein I dyed using KoolAid which turned out far too pale, and an undyed skein.


They look a bit prettier now they are in balls.

Pomatomus Socks - Finished

I have been busy, I have been on holiday, I guess I am never going to be a good, regular blogger, but I have been knitting (and dying) and have some finished objects to blog about...


Pattern: Pomatumus socks, started and finished on holiday.
Modifications: The lacey pattern of the second sock was adapted to be a mirror image of the first. I twisted the stitches picked up along the heel flap edge, which i think looks quite pretty and suits the twisted rib stitches used throughout the lacey pattern.
Yarn: I used some hand dyed wool, dyed using Ashford dyes

I spent a lot of time sat on a canal boat knitting these last week. They are a bit loose on me so i might try a smaller size needle (these were 2.75mm) if I do this again. Also, the second is a lot neater than the first, which is slightly annoying, but not so noticeable in the photos I think. However, I do like this pattern, I love the way the twisted rib at the top and heelp flap flows into the fish scale pattern, and I would definately consider knitting these again.

Sockkkkkkkkks

I seem to have been knitting these socks for quite some time. My BF is in the merchant navy and wears knee high white socks as part of his tropical uniform. When he asked me if i could knit him a pair, it seemed nice thing to do. The size 13 feet and the fact that the socks needed to ne knee high, which very high on a 6foot 4 man, was a little daunting, but it means i don't have to think what to knit next for a while. After just over 2 weeks of knitting, they look like this. I am knitting 2 at a time to avoid second sock syndrome, but also so that i don't have to remember every detail of this made-up-as-i go-along pattern. The sock next to them is one of mine, for scale.

Just in case i ever decide it would be nice to knit him another pair of socks, these are knitted on 2.5mm needles. There are 72 stitches and this pattern is a 2*2 garter rib pattern. The heels were short row heels from the cafe curtains socks pattern and the toes, though originally knitted from the toe up have since been modified to my more normal top down pattern. The toe up heel flaps i tried from Cookie's Baudelaire sock pattern looked okay, but not as good as this alternative, simpler heel. I've decided to knit some elastic into the turnover so these are presently on hold.

Sweetheart Socks - WIP

I've not long finished the first sock of a new pair I'm knitting. They are Cairi's Sweetheart socks, modified to add a tabi toe from here so i can wear them with sandals, and in the yarn I hand died with Koolaid. I love the pattern, and I really like the colour this one has turned out. The lovely pattern and colour aren't so clear in this photo, sneakily taken under my desk at lunch time.

Last Minute Purled Beret

Pattern: Last Minute Purled Beret
Modifications: I like the knitted side, so this won't be a "purled" beret! Also added some shearing elastic to help make the width correct
Yarn: Angel Yarns Luxury Seraph Yarn, less than 1 skein

I didn't swatch for this as I wanted a quick beret for an Allo Allo themed fancy dress costume. The yarn is gorgeous and the pattern was very easy. I didn't swatch so it's lucky it turned out so well, and not surprising it needed a little elastic. This took probably less than 3 evenings to knit.

And it does look better on me than the bear!

Urban Aran - So close to finishing

(Photo to follow)

Pattern: Urban Aran
Modifications: Lots! See below
Yarn: Yaeger Extra Fine Merino Aran in colour 554, Peacock (13 balls)

After languishing on the end of my bannister waiting for weeks to have a zip installed, I finally got round to it yesterday... However, i should have know not to attempt zip installation when tired, and the sides don't match. I also had very limited colours of zips available in the shop, and didn't think it would matter as noone sees when it is zipped, but of course i am unlikley to often completely zip it up, and a green zip would look better. Furthermore, my choice of a double ended zip means that one of the zip pulls permanently hangs out the bottom of cardigan, looking very blue.


However, apart from the zip, and the length, which would ideally have been a bit longer, i really like this cardigan. It is a great colour for me, and warm and cozy, and I still love the way the cables overlap at the waist. The modifications to the pattern are very similar to those described on Streets and Yo's and i think they've worked well.