Sock knitting weekend

Knitting in groups is so very rewarding. Our group at the Knitting at Lake Lauzon sock knitting weekend in Northern Ontario were helpful to each other, encouraging and just plain fun to be with.

We all know that learning new techniques can be frustrating. Encouragement from other students helps a lot. And look at all the little socks that were knit. Those new to sock knitting worked from the cuff down to the toe in a traditional sock construction. The knitters who had knit socks before worked one from the cuff down with a short row heel and a second sock from the toe up with the same short row heel. I had to throw a curve at them, hee, hee, hee!

There may be some serious sock knitting addicts coming out of this class. Thanks for a lovely weekend.

The project chosen by the group for next year is a hat with I-cord and a steek. Should be very interesting. If you want to join us in Algoma Mills, ON for next year's weekend April 25 & 26, 2015, email me deb.cabinfever@gmail.com and I'll get you on the notification list.

 

-Deb

P.S. From the comments: I agree Liz, any distraction helps. Sharon I would be so happy is my sweater looked even a little bit sexy but I'm afraid that is not the case. Something to shoot for though.

Shirttail

I'm trying to knit my sweaters a little shorter these days. I, along with some of you I'm sure, knit most of my sweaters to the length that will cover parts of myself that I'm not in love with. So this one from the Need A Circular Yoke book (coming out in June) is a tiny bit shorter than usual and has a ShirtTail bottom border. It's worked with short rows and gives a gentle curve to the bottom border.

Fuzzy bathroom mirror shot of sweater in progress. (Only knitters can appreciate this type of photo, at least I hope you will.) Now that I look at it, it's not all that short!

Sleeves next.
-Deb

Preparing Briggs & Little wool

I've started another Circular Yoke. This is my #4 sweater from the upcoming Need A Circular Yoke book. Another testknit. I'm going to try the Shirttail bottom border this time. I should have it done by next week.
I'm using Briggs & Little Tuffy. One of my favourite wools. It takes some prep work but I know this sweater will last. I'm still wearing a B&L sweater I knit in the year 2000!

You can see that this wool has little bits of vegetative matter in it. B&L don't do a chemical burn to get rid of it. Most of the straw falls out during the process of spinning but there is still quite a bit left in the wool.  I spent some time last night picking it out.

I know it would seem a pain to do this but I feel like I'm part of the process. I didn't raise the sheep or spin the wool but I have cleaned it up. The last necessary step before producing a clean ball of wool for knitting.

B&L and I made this possible. A tag team effort.

-Deb

Do you have favourite stitch patterns that you come back to over and over? In the new book you get to choose which stitch patterns you use for your Bands of Pattern work. One of my favourites is any stitch pattern with twisted stitches. These are 2 stitch cables which do not require a cable needle, Yay. They make a raised design on a stocking stitch background which is very effective. I could work whole sweaters using these little tiny cables and be quite a happy knitter.

 I work them like this:
TR (twist right):  knit two stitches together and without taking the stitches off the needle, knit the first stitch again. Take both stitches off the needle. This is really easy to do.
TL (twist left):  knit into the back of the second stitch and without taking the stitches off the needle, knit into the first stitch. Take both stitches off the needle.
And here's a new sock pattern I'm working on. It will be up as soon as I can finish this sock. Lots of twisting on this one. I'm calling in Pine Cone Socks.



Have you used these little cables?
-Deb

We took some photos of the Circular Yoke sweaters for the upcoming book. Early days still but I'll post some photos over the next couple of weeks so you can see how it's shaping up. There will be colourwork:

 

This is a traditional style worked in Northern Lights Chunky weight wool, High neck, 1 Band of Pattern and Raglan shaping worked below the patterning to finish the Yoke. The neckband stitch pattern is the same as the Transition Bands above and below the colourwork. It's almost done, needs some more length on the bottom and then to the blocking board.

 

Here's me in my A-line tunic with 3 Bands of Pattern this time, no raglan shaping and cap sleeves. Worked in Cotton Tweed DK weight yarn with Garter Stitch neckband and Transition Bands (worked between Bands of Pattern).

This circular yoke has a Scoop Neck and 2 Bands of Pattern, one worked in lace and one worked in colour. Interesting isn't it.
There's more to come, stay tuned,
-Deb