A not so manly skeleton scarf, oh and some socks.

I had intended this scarf to be for my husband, but it seems that this is not a very manly scarf. I thought that might be the case so I had him try it on (when it was the right length for me) and asked him what he thought. He thought it would look great on me. The fine ladies at my knitting Group also confirmed that this was definitely not a manly scarf, I'm not so keen on these things. I finished it up, and after it was washed, blocked and dried, I had to agree, this was way to luxurious for a man! I just love it!

Pattern: Skeleton scarf by Donna Druchunas from Arctic Lace
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas - Alpaca & Silk in Kiwi
Needles: US #3
Gauge: 6 sts = 1"

I did change the pattern a little. I used a different yarn (thicker) but still wanted a rather narrow scarf, so I only did one repeat of the pattern instead of two. Also, the ends of the scarf don't really match so I changed the end border a little to make them match better. I blocked this rather quickly (I was excited) so the ends to really match in this picture. I will block it again and be patient this time, it's totally worth it.

Now, on to the socks. I must apologize for how horrible these pictures are. I should really get myself a nice camera. Anyway, I knit these up for me. This was my first time using the Panda Cotton and I didn't know how they would turn out, so I just made a little pair of summer anklets.

Pattern: Highland schottische kilt hose by Nancy Bush from Folk Socks.
Yarn: Panda Cotton in Fern
Needles: US #0 dpns
Gauge: 8 sts = 1"

I significantly shortened this pattern! I eliminated the beautiful turned down cuff and all of the leg and made tiny little ankle socks. I do like the full pattern and might make them another time, but right now this is all I wanted.
The yarn is rather splitty. I needed a break after finishing the first sock and picked up a shawl that I have been working on in some INCREDIBLY splitty yarn. When I started up the second sock the yarn didn't seem to be splitty at all. The socks are very comfortable, so soft and perfect for summer. I will be knitting more socks with this yarn, I already bought more.

Here is another summer sock.

Pattern: Spiral Boot Socks by Veronik Avery from IK Summer 2007
Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Needles: US #2 dpns.
Gauge: 7 sts = 1"

These socks are actually quite different from the pattern. I shortened them so they would be good for summer, but I also changed the stitch pattern without realizing it. I cast them on with out having the pattern in front of me, fairly confident that I remembered the stitch pattern. I didn't realize until I got to the gusset that instead of doing a k2tog dec., as the pattern calls for, I was doing a SKP. So, my spirals go in the opposite direction and the stitches look a little different (see how all the stripes peak up a little bit, they should be pointing down). Still, they turned out pretty nice and were quickly claimed by my youngest. I do think I will try this pattern again, knee socks this time in a nice soft wool.

Even though it has been pretty warm here, I needed a little wool fix. I got a little more than I bargained for.

Pattern: Undulating Rib Socks by Ann Budd from Favorite Socks.
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in Toscana
Needles: US #1 dpns.
Gauge: 7 st = 1"

This is a great pattern for a guy, I know, I am not the best person to make that call, but all three of my guys like them, especially my husband!

I am not sure if there is a mistake in the pattern (it isn't on the errata page) but I thought this change looked better - after the plain ribbing, start the undulating rib pattern on row 9 of the chart. I didn't continue the purl sts. along the toe dec. simply out of personal preference. Other than that, this sock is great.

I did run into a slight problem (my mistake, not the pattern). The stitch count on the instep changes from the 1st half of the chart to the 2nd half. This is important to realize when you are decreasing for the gusset. On the first sock, I counted just the heel sts. and stopped decreasing when I got back to the original number. On the second sock, I counted all the sts. and stopped when I got back to the original number. When I got to the toe, I realized I had decreased 2 extra sts. on the second sock. I figured he wouldn't even notice, it's only 2 sts. I had him try them both on (the 2nd still on the needles) and he said, "These are really great! Why is this one so much tighter? Is it the needles?" ARGH! I ripped them back to the gusset and did them right. He is totally worth it (he buys me lots of yarn).

Hello Spring!?!

This is what I woke up to the other day, beautiful yes, but in April! I am finally ready for spring and this is what Mother Nature throws at us.

Well, I have been doing my part to encourage spring to come by knitting up some wonderfully bright spring colors!



This was my first attempt to bring on the warm weather. My son chose the yarn but after seeing it knit up decided it might be just a little too "girly" for him. I was not surprised, I had already started to size them for myself. (For some reason there is dark stripe of pink in the photo, don't know how that happened because it isn't really there.)

Pattern: Slip-stitch rib from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Duet in Spring Fling from A Swell Yarn Shop
Needles: US 1 dpns
Start/Finish: April 3-10

I just love this yarn, the colors are so vivid and the yarn is so soft and squishy, you can't help but squeeze it. I also like that she includes a matching solid color for the heel/toe/cuff. I love the way the solid portions bring out that color in the rest of the sock. I think it makes the socks calmer. They can be too busy sometimes with the colors changing so often and the stitch pattern on top of it, the solid parts give your eyes a place to rest. Plus, you end up with a tail at the top of the gusset so you don't even have to worry about that little hole you get there. The only problem with these socks is that they are a bit warm for spring (they are actually perfect with the spring we are having) but they don't really cry out for warm weather.

Realizing my error, (knitting warm socks to beckon spring) I knit these up in a real attempt to call for warmer weather. Just look at that yellow! If that doesn't bring the sun out, I don't know what will. If the color alone isn't enough, the yarn is - get ready - COTTON!! How's that for warm weather knitting.

Pattern: Flame Wave Socks by Ann Budd from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Cascade Fixation in color #1430
Needles: US 3 dpns
Start/Finish: April 6-14

First off, I love this book, I have already picked out the yarn for the first six patterns that I want to knit. I put the yarns in their own little basket, to help keep me focused.

The pattern is great and works really well with this yarn. I used the suggested yarn simply because I had never tried it before (and it was sitting right next to the counter in the yarn shop - looked like fate to me and I'm not one to tempt fate). I don't really care for knitting with cotton because it has no give, so I didn't have very high expectations for this yarn. Once I started to knit with it I was pleasantly surprised. The elastic in it gives the yarn a lot of stretch, but not too much. I can see how people might want to knit too tight or too loose with this yarn, but when I just ignored the stretch and knit normally with it I ended up with a nice tight fabric with an amazing amount to stretch. The cuff of the first sock (on the left in photo) is a little stretched out because I kept making people feel how stretchy it was. When I finished the pair, I held them up to show them off and before I even said a word my son said, "I know, I know, they're stretchy!" I will definitely use this yarn again, I already bought more.

Well, back to my knitting.