ABB (All But Blocking) Thursday, July 21, 2011

I finished Allie's "Rain" socks yesterday, well everything but weaving in and blocking.  I am not sure I like the casting off method I used.  Casting off Toes-up Socks can be a bit of a challenge, because the cast off must be very loose so the top of the sock is stretchy.  The book by Melissa Morgan-Oakes (Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks) recommends 3 different methods.  I chose the method where you add an extra stitch between each stitch on the last row, then bind of a double wide top.  It makes a kind of "frill" around the top of the sock that is supposed to disappear when worn.  We shall see.

These socks look so lumpy unblocked and unworn.  I have ordered some blocking tools from KnitPicks.com, specifically:  Sock Blockers.  Ok, I know I can make my own from some wire... and possibly just block with pins...  But well, I want official blockers!  So I will wait to get my new toys to block these socks.

Samantha wants a pair in the same yarn, but I have a birthday coming up for my great-nephew Zack, so I am going to make a quick pair of socks for him first.  He will be 5, and they should be pretty small, so a quick knit.  It took me 2 weeks to make Allie's, so Zack's should be really fast.  I'm not going to do any pattern, just knit them toes up with probably a 2x2 ribbing.  I got some nice orange striping yarn from Lion Brand Yarn Red Hots.  It's not the softest yarn, but it looks like it will knit up in a nice stripe.  And it is a fun collection of colors that a 5 year old boy should like.  Don't worry, I will buy him a dinosaur, too.  So far, I am working on the swatch.  It looks right now like 8 stitches, 11 rows, but I need to knit a bit more to be sure.  I want these to fit =)

About Life:

I have walked just around the block (1/2 mile) now Mon. and Wed.  On Wed., I was thinking that I would walk the other block (we live on a corner) and make it 1 mile, but as I left the house, my left sock traveled under my foot, and wadded up there.  I don't know about you, but I HATE THAT.  I kept telling myself that it wasn't that annoying, and that I could just keep walking.  But, I knew that I was walking just slightly weirdly because of the extra bump under that foot, and that I would ache in strange places because of that.  So I just did the 1/2 mile.  Excuses?  Reality?  IDK.  Well, I hope to do the mile today.  Of course, I didn't go right away.  I sat down to knit and write in this blog.  Excuses?  Reality?  It is gray but not raining...  I will walk the full mile today...

And on Buffy:  She has been raised from the dead.   This is such an interesting story-line.  I love that they returned her from Heaven, and that she now thinks of Earth as Hell.  Also, I'm on the episodes with the 3 "evil geniuses:  Andrew, Jonathon, and Warren.  Andrew is one of my absolute favorite characters in this wonderful show.  And I'm doing a quote from Spike (who is also sooo wonderfully written and acted), where he saves Mr. Giles, then says, " Did your life flash before your eyes?  Cuppa tea, cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea."  I so love Spike.



C. A. Losi
7.21.11

Morning List 7.18.11

To do list:

1. walk - write
2. laundry
3. checkbook
4. knit
5. grocery store (CAT FOOD!)

1. Walk - Write:

I took a walk around the block.  It is about 1/2 mile.  It took at least 20 min.  Maybe 30.  I am not kidding.  In my defense, I haven't been able to walk for 3 weeks because of some minor surgery on my right calf.  The doctor expressly said, "NO Walking."  And also, we live on a very steep hill.  Also, I have bad knees... wow I'm slow and out of shape.  I get my stitches out tomorrow, but I absolutely have to start walking again.  I love such sedentary activities, video/computer games, knitting/crocheting, cooking, reading, movies, etc.  My body is atrophying. Every Day.  Every Day I will walk and then write briefly.  I get good ideas for poetry and so on while I walk.  When I have completed a poem, I will post here.  I will also log my walks so I can't cheat.

2. Laundry:

On the 4th load, but I need to fold and put away.  That will happen as soon as I save/log off this blog.  Back... I did 6 loads, folded and put away.

3. Checkbook:

Organized April =)  Ok, I didn't balance... A bit every day because it is so boring.

4.  Knit:

I have finished 2 repeats of the vertical pattern on Allie's socks.  She wants 3 repeats, and each repeat is 20 rows.  I am on row 3 of the last repeat.  Then there will be about 1 inch of ribbing, and done!

5. Grocery Store:

Ok, I didn't do this.  Samantha and I went to the movies and saw, Horrible Bosses.  Really funny.  Then we bought cat food at Petco, which was the most important thing anyway.  I made up some tuna salad for dinner.

Tomorrow I get my stitches out and Allie wants me to check out some apartments with her.  I hope I can get in my walk before everything starts.

And, since I didn't go to the store today... my list tomorrow will be:

Walk
Laundry (2 loads left)
Knit
Grocery

In not necessarily that order.

C. A. Losi

OUCH! 7.16.11

The final Harry Potter movie (The Deathly Hallows Part 2) opened Thursday night (Friday morning really... 12:01 am).  Why is this being reported in a knitting blog?  Other than it marks the end of my kids' childhood?  The end of our family's greatest common obsession?  The end of the phenomenon that encouraged a love of reading in millions of kids of this generation? 

Why, sitting in line for the movie for 4 1/2 hours gave me ample time to knit of course! 

Since my 2 youngest sons are out of town (James is visiting his good friend Olivier in France, and Luke is dancing at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School's Summer Intensive), I went to the opening with Allie and Samantha.  Allie brought crocheting, and I brought my socks.  Samantha brought the book and reread most of the 2nd half of it AGAIN.

I was able to finish the heel cups and both heels.

Why the ouch?  if you look closely at the photos, I am using new needles.  Why?  I really loved those beautiful rosewood Knit Picks needles.  However, in an effort to knit a bit tighter, I BROKE them!

Honestly, I almost cried.  First of all I dropped some stitches, then I had to transfer the ones on the broken part to a holding needle... o so carefully.  Then I had to find another size 0 circular.  Michael's?  nope.  JoAnn's?  Nope!  Pacific Fabrics?  thank goodness, Yes!  They were the only store with size 0, period, much less in circular.  But I had to go with metal needles.  I stopped using metal knitting needles when my good friend and fellow ballet mom, Maggie, got me restarted knitting.  I was amazed at how much nicer wooden needles feel.  But, all they had in size 0 circular were some 40" Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles.  I was nervous, but, wow, I love them!  I can knit super tightly, also, because I don't have to worry that I am going to break them.  They are a bit more slippery, but I am getting used to their "feel."  I think I will order some more in even smaller sizes.

So my OUCH! and some fabulous Harry Potter 3-D (yes, I got a pair of the commemorative 3-D HP glasses), has brought me this far with the Allie Socks:

 This shows the one finished heel and the other with the heel cup.  Can't wait to start the legs.

Maybe I will knit while I re-watch the Deathly Hallows part 1.  I totally feel the need to see that movie again. 

Lumos!

C. A. Losi

Confessions of a Blockhead 7.14.11

Last night, I made a quick post because I was so excited that I had blocked my Summer Mystery Shawlette and matching socks.

Part of the reason I was so excited was, drum roll.... I HAVE NEVER BEFORE BLOCKED ANYTHING.  Ok, I mostly crocheted afghans or knitted socks, and really why block socks?  Just wear them...

But, wow, you can see the lace pattern so much better now that it's blocked.  I posted this before, but here is the shawlette and socks unblocked:

Here is a close up of the Blocked Shawlette:

The color washed out a bit, but you can see the pattern pretty well. And here is a close up of the unblocked shawlette:

 Wow, what a difference.  I am sold on blocking (lace at least), and am now an official BlockHead.

On to other projects.

I am still knitting the gussets on the socks for Allie.  It's been pretty busy around here... I'm not sure with what, probably playing computer games.  She came over to try them on and said they felt loose... ouch.  I shall continue on with them anyway.  When I get the gussets finished (today!!!), I will take a photo, then another with completed "heel cups,"  and then heels.  I love being able to document every bit of progress in my knitting projects.

I just received an invitation to my Great Nephew's 5th birthday party, and my niece's baby shower.  Not sure I will make something for Zach (maybe some quick socks, but then I'll have to buy him a toy, too...), but I would love to actually make something for Katie, or her new baby.  Why do my nieces keep having boys?

O, speaking of boys, I posted a photo of the Poet Shirts I made for my sons for their ballet performance, but I also wanted to post a photo of them in the shirts.  They HATED them.  LOL.  They both complained that the shirts were too puffy.  Decide for yourself:

Enough blogging for the day.  I need to increase some gussets!

C. A. Losi

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