Super Quick Entry 7.13.11

Just a quick note to say that I have blocked/am blocking (they are still pinned and wet) the shawlette and socks.  My niece's birthday is in August... I'm still not sure I will send them.  I might hold on to them for Christmas instead.  But I will post a photo of them pinned to the cutting board and towel.  The shawlette is really pretty, and you can really see the pattern.  Of course, blocked it is a bit bigger.  I will have to decide if it is appropriate for a 6 year old.  At least she will get the super soft socks. 

Decisions decisions...

C. A. Losi

P. S. So now I can say really truly totally FINISHED with both projects.

Sock Progress/Great Blog/Inspiration 7.10.11

Wow, by my title, I obviously can't come to a decision on what to write this blog entry about.  FOCUS.

So, I will just take it piece by piece.

Sock Progress
I am making such great progress on the socks for my daughter, Allie.  I needed 31 rows for the foot (toe - to - gusset), and decided that if I could accomplish 15 rows a day, it would take me 2 days (ok, 15 the first day, 16 the second...).  Then the first day I only finished 5 rows.  LOL.  So then I down-graded it to 5 rows a day, taking 6 days?  The second day, I got to 17 completed rows, and when I got up this morning at 5 am I thought, ok, lets try 10 rows.  But I got  into a Buffy groove (Harmony's Gang, Xander Double, Dracula) and finished all 31 rows.  I need Allie to come home to try the socks on just to be sure they are "gusset ready." 


I am not sure why all these photos are blurry.  I think I need more light, maybe.  Anyway,
aren't they beautiful?  There is not much of a pattern so far.  Toes, and a simple 1k1p ribbing for the feet.  Once I get through the heels, the pattern will start.

The worst thing about the blur is you can't see how beautiful the yarn is.  Cascade Heritage Paints Sock Yarn - Isle of Skye #9825 And wow!  what a dream to knit.  It is super stretchy.  I have never used real sock yarn before.  I always made my "socks" with sport weight before now, because it knits up so fast, and well, I'm a slow knitter.  I never realized how cool real sock yarn is.  How nice it is to work with. 

And I love my needles.  I'm using Harmony circular needles from Knitpicks.  They are beautiful.  At first I had a little trouble with the circular part being so circular.  I really should have put it in some hot water to relax it a bit, but with all the knitting, it has relaxed enough now that it isn't getting quite so tangled.

BTW Spike just kissed Buffy.  We are getting into my favorite episodes.  The last 3 seasons of this show were amazing.

Great Blog
For some reason, my Kindle hasn't been downloading new material.  I primarily use it to read  blogs, and by blogs, I mean knitting blogs.  I don't really like to read books on it, though I might download a few to read when I am traveling.  Anyway, it finally updated 2 of my favorite blogs, Wendy Knits and Knitting With Karma.  So I had a wonderful read, catching up with about 5 entries in both blogs. 

The Knitting With Karma July 4th entry was especially wonderful.  Liz Marino, the author, wrote a wonderful piece about how knitting has changed in the USA from the Revolutionary War to today.  Here's the link for that entry: Knitting with Karma: Independence Day.  It was so interesting.  I love this blog because Liz gives really good instruction (knitting Math), fiber information, LYS information, color ideas, etc.  But this particular entry was just inspiring!  It really made me think about how important home crafts have been through the ages.

[I'm happy that my daughter, Allie, enjoys crocheting.  I wish I could get Samantha to knit, crochet, and/or sew.  Particularly sew.  She has such a wonderful sense of style.  She would be able to create such cool pieces if she had the tools.  OK, I left out my sons.  The 2 youngest learned to knit years ago when they were performing in The Nutcracker.  All the boys in our cast learned.  It was a wonderful way to keep them occupied and quiet in the dressing room. But they haven't picked up needles since then.  Knitting is such a wonderful stress reliever.  I should try to encourage them to try it again.] This part is off topics... FOCUS

That leads me to the next idea I had for this post:

Inspiration
I have had many ideas for projects, especially since I started reading blogs by designers.  The Independence blog gave me inspiration for a writing idea.  I am continually amazed by knitting and crocheting.  I mean, who figured out how to do it?  How did it develop?  I want to do some research into the real history of knitting.  What are the earliest pieces?  And what/where are the earliest needles?  How long ago did people start?  Was it before or after weaving?  Anyway, this is really interesting to me.  I hope to research and report back.

C. A. Losi

Socks For Sissy! 7.8.11

I have begun some socks for my daughter, Allie.  Here is the info:

Pattern:  "Raindrops"  from  Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes

Yarn:   Cascade Yarns Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn Merino Superwash 25% Nylon Colorway 9825 Isle of Sky

Again, this information is from fibergypsy :

total foot length

Children/adult women:

2-3:  9 1/8 in

4-5: 9 5/8 in 

6-7: 10 1/4

from my gauge swatch:

gauge:  size 0 needles:  6 stitches /in horiz, 7 rows/in vert

for the small socks:

100% = 56 stitches

75% = 42

50% = 28

Toe - to - Gusset Length (TGL)

Size 6-7

X =  10 1/4 in

Y = 41

Z = 7

X - (Y / Z) = TGL

10.25 - (41/7) = 4.39 in

4.39 x 7 =  30.75 rows  rounded up to 31 rows

Allie texted me today that she wears a 7, so 31 rows it is!

BTW Toes are finished =)

 You can't really see the colors, but it has a wonderful subtle color change that should look really pretty in this pattern.  I have never knit anything in this yarn before and OH MY, it is a dream to knit.  I tend to knit loosely... I always have to go down 2 needle sizes for some reason to get the proper gauge, hence the size 0, but the yarn is just lovely.

Here is the Shawlette and finished matching socks:

Why aren't the ends woven in????  Well I can't find a tapestry needle!  I swear that I own a million of the things, but every time I finish up a project, they all disappear.  I need a small bag inside my big knitting bag with these needles and a crochet hook for repairs.  I will get on that today.  

C. A. Losi

Heel Flaps 7.1.11

Just a quick addendum.  The heels of these socks are knit super loosely.  I don't like them.  I've noticed this on all the socks I knit.  I sometimes wonder if it is a blocking thing, or if I should use a smaller size needle just for the heel flaps.

C. A. Losi

Matching Socks Friday, July 1, 2011

I finished the Summer Mystery Shawlette and realized 2 things:  1. it is pretty tiny, indeed a "shawlette" and 2. I had 2 balls of the gorgeous purple yarn left.  Soooo I decided to make a pair of socks to match the shawlette.  This will make a great gift for one of my little nieces, Katerina and Martina. 

Sorry but this post will be a lot of numbers and math as I work my way through the basic sock pattern in Toe Up Socks 2-at-a-time.

First, what size/how big to make the socks...

from Fibergypsy.com

For size 6 1/2-7 children's socks:

Width around the top of cuff: 5 7/8

Heal flap length: 1 1/8

Total Foot length 5 7/8

size 8 - 8 1/2

Width around top of cuff: 6 1/8

Heal Flap Length: 1 1/3

Total Foot Length: 6 1/4

My gauge:  

size 2 needles = 18 /4 stitches horiz, 5/1 rows vert

size 1 needles = 22/4 stitches horiz,  6/1 rows vert

I will make the size 8-8 1/2

so 5 1/2 stitches to inch horiz.   5 1/2x 6 1/8 = 11/2x49/8 = 539/16 = @33.67 stitches

I think i will do 32 inches.  I have to divide it onto 2 needles. Hope they aren't too small.

32 stitches = 100% of the sock

28 stitches = 75% of the sock

16 stitches = 50% of the sock

8 stitches = 25% of the sock

From Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes, the formula for the number of stitches from Toe-to-Gusset is:  X - (Y/Z) = TGL (Toe to Gusset Length)

where X = desired Total Sock Length (6 1/4 in or 6.25 in)

Y = Number of rows in Gusset and Heel Cup (75% - 1 stitch) 75% = 24 so 23!

Z = Rows per inch from gauge (6)

X    -   (Y / Z)  = TGL

6.25 - (23/6) = 2.316666666 inches

since my gauge is 6 stitches per inch i will need 6x2.31666= 14.5 rows

Melissa recommends rounding down, since socks stretch.  So my toe-to-gusset length is 14 rows!

I have knitted the toes, casting on 8 stitches per side per sock (I love 2 at a time).  I increased to 16 stitches per side. Now I have added the gussets.  I increased the sole side of the socks to 32 stitches by adding a stitch on each end every other row.

I love knitting for kids because it goes so quickly.  Now I am working on the heal cups.  So back to the math.  I find it really helpful to take these notes as I knit.  Reading, doing, writing helps me to get the formulas into my head.

First a HINT!  I put a removable marker at the far end of the circular needle, in the loop.  Sometimes when I'm knitting, the 2nd sock slips and becomes one circle, instead of staying divided.  This is no big deal since I know how many stitches belong on each side, but if I put a marker there, it helps.

Heal Cups:  (using of course my Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time guide)

total stitches on sole side = 32

knit 1/4 ( 1/4 of 32) and place a marker  (8 stitches for these socks)

knit 1/2 of 32 - 1 (16 - 1 = 15) and slip the 16th as to purl ( or whatever makes it 1/2 of the total stitches) bring the yarn to the front to "wrap" the slipped stitch, place 2nd marker on left hand needle and slip the stitch back onto the left needle.  Wow.  Seems complicated.  I have made heels with just knitting 1/2 of the stitches.  I think the slipping and wrapping adds strength?  We shall see.

Once I finished the heal cup, I knit the heel flap, always knitting (or purling depending on side) 15 stitches (1/2 of total shoe - 1) then either SSK or P2K. Each row is 16 total (1/2) until there are only 16 total stitches left on the heal side.

All that is left is to knit the leg =)

3 inches is recommended.  6 rows / inch so 6x3 = 18 rows.  I should finish up tomorrow!

C. A. Losi

Finished All ... except... 6.26.11

Well, it only took losing 3 kids  (3/8) to finish the knitting part of my summer shawlette. My 3 wonderful God Children have gone home to live with their father.  You saw photos of Holly in the volleyball pics in an earlier post.  I am sure you will be seeing photos of all of them if you continue to read this fabulous blog (all 0 of you who are following it), as I intend to knit their Christmas gifts...

So here is a photo of the finished ... except shawlette:

So what is the except?  Weaving in the yarn from when I had to add another ball, and then blocking it.  Here is a close-up of the pattern:

The color is gorgeous.  The feel is fabulous (silk and bamboo).  The shawlette is indeed a shawlette meaning TINY.  Perhaps I should have really looked at the finished dimensions before I decided not to expand it...  But it is very very pretty and did I forget to mention FINISHED?  except... Well I shall weave in ends today, and I have to buy the special soap for soaking then blocking, but, it should be completely finished by tonight.  As it is so tiny, I am thinking of giving it to my niece who is 5.

Next exciting news is that I have now crocheted my first Rose and 2 rose leaves using the Irish Lace book.

I am noticing that all of my photos are blurry.  This is disconcerting since my idiot-proof camera is supposed to auto-focus.  Since I have an astigmatism, and rarely wear glasses for it, I can't always tell if something is blurred or if it is just my eyes...  Hmmm.  I am going to post this anyway, then try to take some better photos for the next post.  Perhaps if I held the camera a bit more steady?

Anyway, I really want to make this "opera bag" from the Irish Lace book.  As far as I can tell, it is just a collection of motifs:  flowers, spirals, stars, leaves, etc., laced together with a cool lace border and then a rope strap.  I plan to make the various designs in the book and when I have enough for 2 sides of a bag, lace them together.  By "lace them together" I mean, use the lace crochet techniques in the book for connecting motifs.  This will be certainly long-term, but each piece will be short.  My favorite kind of project since it will seem that I am continually finishing stuff!  I am reading the directions for the Wild Rose.  The first line says something like "make a small loop of pl."  the PL means Picot loops, ok, that is easy, but what is a small loop?  how small?  One of the interesting things about Irish Lace patterns is that they aren't exactly patterns, since as the author says, every lace maker uses different tension, different size stitches, etc, so they can only suggest the number of stitches certain things will use.  I of course, in new things, like EXACT PATTERNS with EXACT NUMBERS.  But I will try hard not to freak out and just be creative and trust my own judgment. After all, if it is too big, I can just rip it out.

O!  I also found a new blog that I am following on my kindle.  It is    Knitqwik by Marla Theodoro.  So far it is a new pattern with every post.  That is about it.  Not a lot of chat, just a complete "free" pattern.  But since I pay $.99/month, that is a lot of free patterns every month.  Also it has the market bag pattern I saw mentioned in another blog I read (forget which one), and really want to make.  If that bag isn't too hard/long, I might make some for my sisters for Christmas gifts.  How Green of me.

I wanted to say also, that not only did I lose my 3 God Children  (they left Friday morning), but also my youngest son who left last night for 5 weeks in Pittsburgh to dance/study ballet with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School.  I am down to half my kids.  Will I get a lot of knitting/crocheting done?  or will I just mope around missing the kids?

C. A. Losi

Finished with Part 3 6.23.11

My summer mystery shawlette (from WendyKnits) is almost done.  I am so excited to actually finish a project. Of course I haven't actually finished it yet.  But I have finished part 3.  You can see my purse in the bottom left corner, and my shoe in the bottom right corner of this fabulous photo.  I took it with my crappy phone at the dentist's office where I finished this section.  I have already printed out the last section, Part 4, and am ready to go.  As this shawlette started on the bottom with a giant cast on row, and is getting smaller by 4 stitches every other row, it is now knitting up VERY quickly.  However.  I kind of wish I had paid more attention to the finished specs.  It is indeed a "shawlette" and seems to be a bit small.  I was thinking of giving it to my mom at some future date, but I am not sure it is big enough.   I might give it to one of my little nieces as a dress up piece.  I shall have to see the finished piece to decide.

Anyway, I am excited to have finished another section.  Tonight I am volunteering at the swim meet so I will be totally busy.  But tomorrow I take my god kids to the airport, there is opportunity for knitting while I wait for their plane to take off....

C. A. Losi