Fiber Fool

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).

Okay, get your minds out of the gutter! Yes, you! Admit it!

Much of this weekend was spent doing garden preparations. DH did a lot of mixing of dirt to prep three of our raised beds in the side yard and helped me get the patio container portion planted as well. However, disaster struck sometime on Saturday night. Emma dog dug up the entirety of the greens bed. Since I did the sand broadcast method to plant that bed and she dug down to the newspaper level in multiple parts of the bed we’re not counting on getting much. But we put an uncovered cold frame over the top to hopefully keep her out. Then I rebroadcast a half of what we had left of the greens into another bed and we also cold framed that. She is also not getting to enjoy the yard as much as she would like because she is being monitored while outside.

The other bed we had planted on Saturday had miraculously been left alone. But we put bamboo stakes at the corners and ran some nylon around them to make an ad hoc fence. It had worked with the lower bed last year so I really should work with this taller bed. I hope! That bed is housing out newly planted carrots (three varieties), radishes (a blend and then last year’s variety), and a short row of scallions.

On the patio I transplanted the two spearmint and the grapefruit mint that we had bought at Bath when we could only find peppermint seeds. These went into containers and we put three bamboo stakes into the pots and put another pot on top to protect them from the cold. Seeing as how it is snowing this morning, I’m really glad we went that route! In two little rectangle pots I sowed some chives and some cilantro.

I also started another set of seeds yesterday. This included mostly companion plants and some herbs. I cheated and used the peat pellets this go round rather than the newspaper pots we’ve used for most of it. I figure these guys won’t be inside for *that* long that they would need the extra room of the newspaper pots. Also, I didn’t have enough pots already made and was out of newspaper strips. Hauling out the paper cutter, digging up some newspaper, and making pots required just a little too much energy for what I was up to after the work outdoors. Also, my allergies or something is ruining my sleep so I’m feeling near total exhaustion, even right away in the morning.

Even if you’re not a spinner you can still knit the Queen of Diamond socks that were featured on the cover of the Spring 2007 issues of Spin-Off Magazine. The knitting pattern is now available through my store on Ravelry. I’ll be adding it to my store here over the weekend so if you are not a Ravelry member you can still purchase it. It will also be available to wholesalers soon.

The download version includes a smaller size so it can now be knit in three sizes for 7.5 - 10 inch foot circumferences. There are also brand new charts that should be errata free. For you non-spinners there are several recommended commercial yarns - Colinette Jitterbug, STR Mediumweight, Textiles a Mano Wuxi would be supremely beautiful, and any indie dyers who use Henry’s Attic Kona Superwash DK as a base as well as anything that gets you the recommended 7.5 sts/in. For you spinners who maybe were not Spin-Off subscribers last year, this pattern contains the basic info needed to spin the yarn (plies, tpi, wpi, ypp). If you desire detailed info on how I dyed the fiber and spun the yarn please order the back issue from Interweave.

The pattern is written for toe-up construction on two circulars, but with the charts it should be adaptable to your favorite method if you are an experienced sock knitter.

Anyone remember this? Yes, it has been nearly a year. This picture was taken April 12th, 2007. I had only gotten through the hem and hadn’t done the neckline or started the sleeves.

The project is Sahara from Stitch Diva Studios. After completing the hem and trying it on I was seriously worried that it wasn’t going to fit, despite the measurements and gauge swatch so it was easily cast aside when some deadline knitting came up. Then, it was warm enough that I didn’t figure I’d wear a knit tee. But, the weather and the fact that I have only one more object to knit on a deadline made me feel like pulling it out.

Actually, the fact that I didn’t have my deadline project prepped to take in public was the real catalyst to pulling this out last Wednesday. But it was worth it. I think I’ll have it wrapped tonight or tomorrow. It seems quite short, but the yarn will grow. I tried it on at SnB last night and it was mostly a hit. I still haven’t decided if I’ll wash and block before I decide to lengthen or if I’ll go ahead and add some length to the body. But, it was decided that I’d be fine just lengthening the detail stitching at the hem rather than frogging back before the hem ad putting in the length there, so that’s a relief.

I also decided to declare my Lucy Bag from August 2005 to be done. It has been at this state since then. I had thought I would go back in and add some beaded embroidery to the paisley portion, but I’ve decided I like it as is and I’m not a fan of embroidery work. So, a UFO gets decalred an FO. It doesn’t get much easier to shrink that UFO list, does it? LOL!