Fiber Fool

I’m taking a break from fit Friday this week. Not because I haven’t been doing stuff this week, but there isn’t much to report and I have no photos. So, today I’m going to share with you what I gave you a glimpse of in Tuesday’s post - a finished knit object! Yes, I finished knitting something. It is a minor miracle!

I received a somewhat last minute invitation to a birthday party for a one year old. I had limited funds and limited time, but wanted to bring something to mark the occasion. I happened to have three balls of Austermann Bambou Soft in the stash in boy-appropriate colors - one ball of camo-inspired variegated and one ball of coordinating tan. At first I thought I’d do an inverted version of Amanda’s riff on my Sundog pattern, Sunpup. But with it being May, she pointed out it was likely to get forgotten by the time the weather was appropriate. Plus I had no clue what size this boy was for his age as I hadn’t seen him since Halloween. So a softie seemed like a better option.

I’m so glad I went that route as most all of the presents given were hard plastic toys and several made lots of noise. The softie stood out amongst the crowd of gifts and was well received by the birthday boy, his parents, and several of the party goers too!

Pattern: Knit Hedgehogs by Purl Soho
Yarn: Austermann Bambou Soft, 65% superwash wool, 35% bamboo - I used a single strand of the tan for the face, ears and belly and doubled the variegated for the body/back portion.
Needles: The called for US 4 and US 8

The pattern was pretty straight forward, especially since Purl Soho always includes a lot of step-out photos along the way. I think it took me about 3-4 hours total of knitting. I suspect if I knit another one in the semi-near future it would go even faster. I did like doubling the variegated yarn for the body as I knew the face and body were compatible and since I drew the yarn from different ends of each ball and made sure colors didn’t line up when I started I had no pooling. I think the result is adorable, even though I was a little dubious about the camo colors in the softie in the beginning.

I’ll definitely keep this pattern in mind for any future children’s gift knitting I’m wishing to do. It isn’t a huge investment of time or yarn and is a fun knit.

I’m so excited…it’s all done and I only spent 2 hours finishing up the second sleeve last night. Unfortunately, Isaac was already in bed then. Hopefully, I can get him to try it on this evening…and I’m crossing my fingers that it fits fantastic. I have slight fears that my tension was a little off and the sweater will therefore be smaller than I aimed for. But, this is a pre-blocked fitting and a multitude of sins can be corrected with a good bath (that goes for more than just sweaters). I can’t wait for the fancy photo shoot we’ve got planned for this weekend.

I haven’t weighed the leftover yarn…but there’s a decent amount. Enough, I’m sure, to knit Jacob (nearly 1 year old) a coordinating vest. I already drafted the pattern using inspiration and sizing from Sundog. I incorporated the same stitch patterns, and details but modified to a saddle shoulder vest. I’ll be sure to share the pattern when it’s complete.

Pattern: Triple T Socks (2X2 Rib, and Mock Mini Right Cable versions) (Ravelry)
Designer: Designedly, Kristi
Size: 5″ Circumference, Toddler
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Lullabye
Needles: 2 - US2 (2.75mm) 16″ Circulars
Gauge: 8 sts/in
Knit For: My Sister Knits Class Sample

I call this a “sorta FO” because they are a pair of socks, that were knit together toe-up on two circs, but they don’t match. I have another non-matching “pair” on the needles as I type. They are all four samples for a class I will be teaching in May at My Sister Knits. It’s a Two Toe-up Socks on Two Circulars class.

For me, the big advantage (besides minimizing yarn waste) of knitting toe-up socks is not having to swatch. You can start the toe and take it up to your “usual” stitch count, measure your gauge and make any adjustments to stitch count that may be required. Because of this, the pattern for the class (included with class enrollment) is going to be multi-sized (4″-11″ circumference in 1/2″ increments) and multi-gauged (7-10 sts/in in 1/2 sts/in increments) with tables similar to Budd’s Handy Books. I am also including four rib-based stitch patterns that can be plugged in, hence the need for four sample socks!

If you want more info on the class, I’ve added a link to the menu bar at the top - “Fiber Art Classes.” Just click on that anytime and get the latest info on classes I’m offering. There is also info there if you are interested in scheduling private knitting or spinning classes. I have also set up a mailing list for both class updates and knitting pattern updates. So go sign-up! And add patterns (AT) designedlykristi (DOT) com to your address book so you are sure to get all the messages.

Okay, back to the socks :-) I absolutely *hated* this yarn when knitting it in my size. I tried it four times and couldn’t stand it. I’m so glad I pulled it out for these as the 36 sts at 8 sts/in makes it do a very pleasant spiral stripe. I actually like these little socks! I have to admit to having my doubts, but it was one of the few yarns I had in my stash that the shop was currently stocking. I do think 8 sts/in is a bit loose for Lorna’s, especially when ribbed, but I know that is the preferred gauge of many a sock knitter and for me time is of the essence so the small number of stitches was welcomed. If I ever knit with it again in adult sizes it’ll be at 9 sts/in or so I’m guessing.

Speaking of gauge, several of us have over the weeks discussed gauges for socks. In general, I like my socks nearly able to stand up on their own so that they hold up well to lots of wear. But, are you afraid of sock patterns that call for 9 or even 10 sts/in? What is your preferred sock gauge? Do you knit the same gauge no matter the sock yarn? For example, I find Lorna’s to be on the lighter side of the fingering classification, but others like Fortissima, for example, are heavier - do you use the same gauge for those? Myself, I change needle sizes and gauges depending upon the yarn most of the time, hence my patterns running anywhere from 7.5 sts/in to 10 sts/in (in a forth coming pattern yet to be published, or scheduled just yet).

Purchase for $7.50 from the Designedly, Kristi Fiber Shop!
See the Pattern Info On Ravelry Here!

My landmark 5000th shot occurred last Monday while having a photo shoot for my latest pattern design. Those of you who asked about the hat that cutie was wearing, here it is! It is the Archimedes. In that photo and the one at left is the unisex ribbed version without the beret blocking. In the top photo, both the lace and ribbed versions were blocked over plates to create the beret shape. Both have the optional 3-stitch i-cord bind off around the band, a treatment that is recommended if the wearer lands on the smaller end of one of the five sizes.

All three versions of Archimedes have crowns adorned with a spiral pattern created by ribbing or eyelets in honor of scientist and mathematician. They are knit from the top down with either 2 circular needles or 4 double pointed needles. There are several crown and band options included so the hat can be different each time you knit it.

Knit from fingering weight yarn, the beret versions have a nice drape. Most of the sizes take significantly less than a 100 gm skein of sock yarn, in some cases even less than 50 gm. For an even lighter weight beret, knit from a mohair blend yarn like Kidsilk Haze. The cream version was knit from 15 gm of Kidsilk Haze! It is featherlight, yet still nice and warm. The red beret was knit with less than a skein of Colinette Jitterbug. The two infant versions were knit using Brown Sheep Wildfoote and both took significantly less than a 50 gm skein.

For the beret version I recommended the lighter sock yarns - Trekking XXL and Pro Natura, Lorna’s Laces and Lang Jawoll for example. You could even try a single or doubled lace weight! Mid weight sock yarns work well for either version. For the hat version I recommend either heavier sock yarns or very elastic ones such as Koigu, Louet Gems, and the Jitterbug. If the yarn is very elastic it will loose the beret shaping over time. The pattern is quite versatile and the gauge to be most concerned about is the band and your head measurement. The band does have a tendency to stretch after blocking so I recommend knitting the band to be about 20% (or more) less than your head circumference.

Many thanks go out to Amanda and Ashley who test knit the pattern for me and served as very patient models. Ten month old, Isaac, also modeled the infant version. Thanks guys!

I’ve been struggling with getting the singles fine enough for the yarn I was hoping for. When I do get it as fine as I want my left hand cramps up because I’m having to put so much pressure on the single to keep the twist out of the drafting zone. Anyone have any theories on why I seem to require a death grip on my forward hand??

To break up the spinning I’m doing some knitting as well. Like several of you have noted, having a project that hits critical stages quickly and can be completed relatively quickly can be very important to one’s mental health. So, I cast on for a Charlie’s Wiggle Sock from the new Bordhi sock book. I have a baby beret (more on that, probably Friday) knit out of this same yarn ready to give to one of the owners of the coffeeshop where we gather to knit on Monday nights. Seeing as how one of the gals is knitting a sweater and another is knitting a mom and baby hat I thought a little matching pair of socks might be a nice addition. It’s low pressure, but does allow me to familiarize myself with yet another new construction technique with minimal time and yarn output.

I have to say, the sock is adorable! I am knitting it at a much tighter gauge than called for, so I knit the largest size and I think it is probably more newborn size. But, that works well seeing as how the baby is due in early November! Newborn socks will be required for a fall baby!