You know it's been a long time between posts when even Nathan is asking me when I'm going to blog again! It was only when I started going through all the photos I've taken over the last month that I realized how long it's been. For example, since my last post I've managed to go from the very start of my children's vest for afghans 4 Afghans to it's completion, along with a matching hat!
The vest after the initial cast-on, and again as I was nearing the end of the turtle neck.
Notes:
Pattern: mostly of my own design, modified from the Debbie Bliss pattern Stocking Stitch Sweater in her Easy Knits. As the original was a sweater, I had to change it to a vest, using online patterns as a guide. I also wasn't sure if I would have enough yarn for the pockets, so I added these on after-the-fact instead of working them into the body as with the original. The hat is just my basic hat design. I made the twirls on top by casting on between 12 and 16 stitches, then casting off the next row (I don't know where I read about this, but it worked!)
Yarn: Sam's Hand Knits 100% recycled cashmere (thanks mom!). I was worried I wouldn't have enough for a full sweater with only 6 1.75oz skeins, which is why I made a vest instead of a sweater. In the end I had enough for an extra-long turtleneck, pockets and a hat to match. (Although I used up every last yard in the process!)
Pattern: mostly of my own design, modified from the Debbie Bliss pattern Stocking Stitch Sweater in her Easy Knits. As the original was a sweater, I had to change it to a vest, using online patterns as a guide. I also wasn't sure if I would have enough yarn for the pockets, so I added these on after-the-fact instead of working them into the body as with the original. The hat is just my basic hat design. I made the twirls on top by casting on between 12 and 16 stitches, then casting off the next row (I don't know where I read about this, but it worked!)
Yarn: Sam's Hand Knits 100% recycled cashmere (thanks mom!). I was worried I wouldn't have enough for a full sweater with only 6 1.75oz skeins, which is why I made a vest instead of a sweater. In the end I had enough for an extra-long turtleneck, pockets and a hat to match. (Although I used up every last yard in the process!)
I also managed to (finally) complete my lovely Eveleen, which had been my longest running project up to then. It's already been out on more than one occasion - it's perfect for the not-quite-warm, not-quite-cold San Francisco evenings. And it's comfortable too! (I was worried about the wool-for-a-short-sleeved-sweater oddity of it all, but it works).
(Photographic proof at left that I really did baste the pieces together this time before sewing them up - and it fits great!)Notes:
Pattern: Eveleen from the fall/winter 06 Rowan, unmodified except for the addition of one extra shell repeat in the body for extra length.
Yarn: Knitpicks Palette, as a more affordable substitute for the original Rowan yarns. The yarn was really nice to work with (I would definitely use it again) but what I gained in my back account I lost in sophistication of colors, as these are definitely, um, brighter than the originals. The ribbon is a vintage greenish brown one from The Ribbonerie here in San Francisco. It's not perfect, but it will do until I track down the perfect shade of chocolate velvet.
And finally, not only did I finish Nathan's socks, after redoing the heel 5 times and adding more and more length, (too bad he is photo-shy) I have managed to make some progress with my own Hedera socks, moving from the two ankles to the completion of the sock #1:
The heel is finished on sock #2, so I am ready for the turn on that one. Because the yarn is smooshy, I'm knitting the sole & toe of these socks on 1's while keeping the pattern on 2's to give it a bit more durability. The biggest problem I've had so far is in the toe cap, which I reworked over & over again on sock #1. It is always either too small or too long, or maybe it just doesn't want to look right against the patterning no matter what I do! I've decided to just be satisfied with what I have, consoled by the fact that area will be inside the shoe anyways and promising myself not to look too closely when I wear them.
Hoping it would fit with the pattern, I worked the heel again in the alternating slip stitch that I used for Nathan's socks. Now that it's done, I'm not sure it was the best aesthetically, but it is comfortable. You asked how I did this so here is my technique (worked over an even number of stitches):
Row 1: *sl1, p1* (repeat from * to *)
Row 2: sl1, knit to end
Row 3: *p1, sl1* (repeat from * to *)
Row 2: knit to end
So, basically, it is the same as a standard heel, only I alternate which stitches are slipped on every odd row to create a type of dimpled effect. It makes it a little bit harder to count the rows; I have to remember that every 3 rows actually equals 4 rows knit (so if I count 9, I've actually worked 12). I've also found that because it doesn't pull in as much as the traditional heel I need fewer rows than the pattern may state, so I need to accommodate the gusset accordingly. But in the right situation it can look great and the padding inside feels really nice too.
I've been knitting on Hanami as well, but you'll have to check out the hanami-along to read my post on my progress there!
As a last show-and-tell, here are pics of the baby items I've worked on this summer that I didn't want to post before in case the giftees saw them too early.
Sarah M's baby set for Evan:Blanket, booties and hat in Dale Baby Ull, from Dale pattern 16411.
(Too much tight knitting on size 1's, even if the end result was really sweet. I'm not sure I'd repeat this experiment)
Dana K's baby goodies for Daniel and Etienne (b. August 27, 2007)
Washcloths and Bibs (the latter from Mason & Dixon Knitting) in Blue Sky organic cotton, variegated white & beige and white & green shades, with an added shell crochet border to the bibs.
Cute, fast & practical. I loved making these!
That's all my knitting for now - I've definitely been busy!
I'll leave you with photos from our first anniversary getaway to Big Sur, about 3 hours south of San Francisco along Highway 1. (If these photos aren't enough, there are more here).
We had a great weekend hiking in Julia Pfeiffer state park among the redwoods,
up to the Valley View lookout among the live oak trees,
and down to Partington Cove to explore the tide pools.
Seaweed and mussel patterns (above); starfish and sea creatures (below)
Saturday evening we went to a concert at the Henry Miller Library under the stars, which was a great cozy affair (if slightly chilly). The next morning we walked along Pfeiffer state beach to relax in the sand before meandering our way home.
Husband of one year walking along the beach.
In all it was a great getaway - and so close! Hopefully we can continue to leave the city more often as we explore our new bay area home and settle into year #2 (no more newlyweds, we're just plain old married folk now!)
Love to you & Dad, and happy birthday too!
Megan
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