Sommer Designs

Mystery Socks: F I N I S H E D

That was fun, can we do it again? I pretty much finished the toes on both socks over the weekend and then sat down in front of my computer yesterday and watched the Kitchener Stitch video on Knitting Help a few times before I tried it myself. It wasn't hard, but my closure seems a little bumpy. I am not ripping it out and trying it again; I'm very happy with the end result and dudes, it's just the toes.

I really like how the toe decreases with this stitch. It's more gradual and it feels like there is more toe room. I like that. I also like that I totally knit A PAIR of socks in a month. With my attention span, that's just insane. This completes my third pair of socks!

So. Of course, yesterday after I finished them, I twiddled my thumbs for about 2 minutes before I cast on some Monkeys.

But these will go much slower. This I know.

I have to do some sewing. After all, that's what I get paid to do. *sigh*

Mystery Sock: The Foot.

I've decided I like knitting two socks at a time. Not two socks at a time on the same needle; I have that book, but haven't tried it yet, it looks complicated [honestly, I bought the book just for the patterns!]. Separate needles are fine for me. I finish one portion, and then go and do it again; it sort of reinforces the detail/instruction/stitch, etc. I may not like or appreciate this later, but for now, it works. Plus, I have two almost completed socks, which for me, is an amazing accomplishment.

I liked the foot the portion of this Mystery Sock - the ribbing down the center made its' way into the fan/cablely pattern like the side of the sock. It's hard to see here, so I tried it on for you:

It's hard to see there too! Today the final [toe] clue was revealed, and I'm bummed because it instructs us to graft the toe at the end. That was the part of my sock knitting class that I didn't pay attention to. Figures, right? It looks like I'll be spending some time in front of my computer on watching videos of Kitchener Stitches. Thank goodness for that.
 

Mystery Sock: Two Turned Heels.

"Oh my, what have you done?"
"Nothing, except I TURNED TWO HEELS!"

Last Thursday morning, the third clue was uploaded on the Mystery Sock - the heel flap & the heel turn. Really, two of my favorite parts of sock knitting. By the conclusion of 30 Rock that night, I was done. And then I thought, 'Well, now what do I do?' Sure, I could work on my Deep Breath Sweater, but that's too easy (and sooooo boring right now, going around and around with that lace yarn that takes FOREVERto knit. It's better to save that for unconscious knitting).

Instead, I picked up another set of DPN's I had laying around and cast on the second sock, worrying just a tiny bit that I would screw everything up. But I successfully kept both socks separate, and more importantly, the center pull yarn away from the outside yarn, and there you go, by the end of yesterday, Jeb's a millionaire, two socks.

As you can see, I was incorrect in my assumption that the lovely cablely vine was the front and back of the sock; it is the side, with the rib pattern front and back. That's okay, I can deal.

Now, keep in mind it's only Tuesday and the next clue doesn't come out until Thursday (the gusset, which, I admit is NOT my favorite part and now I get to knit it twice, big sigh...), so of course, I'm wringing my hands and trying not to cast on yet another sock (No Purl Monkeys!!!!!).

It's true, I have sockitis.

Oh, and since a few people have emailed me about my photography set up - here is what it looks like if I step back just a tad (just a tad, because if I step back any more than a tad, I will fall over something and hurt myself):

It's fancy. Most of my smaller photos are taken this way - that's two white poster boards and special light bulbs in classy Home Depot lamps. I go into more detail here.

So, I guess, no knitting today. I guess I'll just have to do real work...
 

Mystery Sock Progress

Thank you for the thoughts and comments on my back! I've been resting it well, and just yesterday, while standing in the kitchen, I realized it was feeling a lot better. All of a sudden. There's still a little tightness and soreness, but I'm hoping that I can get it to loosen up this morning during my workout.

The upshot was that I had ample time to work on my Mystery Sock. I've finished clues 1 and 2 (the cuff & leg), and really wish I could have started the second sock in the time between clues, but I'm working off one big cake of yarn and can just imagine the tangled mess if I were to start another from the outside of the cake.

But back to the sock: this is the cuff. It's a rib pattern for a few rows, then a curvy thingy, and then back to the rib. I sort of wish it was rib the whole way, but I love how it flows into the leg pattern.

The pattern is very easy (so far) to follow, and I was totally tickled when I saw how the pattern was revealing itself. The front (I'm assuming this is the front!) and back are this cabley pattern, and the sides are rib.

The next clue, I believe, is the heel. I love how the expectation to be ready for the next step is keeping me on this, but I'm not sure I like the whole "Mystery" knit-a-long concept. I'm too much of a control freak to not know what I'm doing, or what it's going to look like, and I find myself checking the 'spoiler' threads on the Ravelry group to see pictures of other completed sock steps.

In any case, as always, I'm thrilled to be following a pattern and getting it.

I think I can finally say it, I'm a knitter. ♥

Ishbel, my belle.

How corny. How predictable. But Ishbel is done; finished last week and finally blocked earlier this week. And what a difference blocking made, more so than anything I've ever knit.

Before blocking, it was a puffy, lumpy, bumpy mess. The beautiful pattern not even discernable.

After blocking, after being stretched and pinned, all the SSK's and YO's flattened and pulled, you can actually tell that a fair amount of work and concentration was put into it.

Of course, I had to interrupt Scott in the middle of an episode of Good Eats to show off my completed project. He was thoroughly impressed, even remarking, 'How'd you make it go this way and that way?' 

'Trade Secret' I told him.  He just shrugged, 'okay.'

But he did add a "Wow."

I love this. Definitely my favorite project so far. ♥

Ishbel Progress & KAL

I am so in love with this pattern! Seriously, this has been the most enjoyable knit I have ever made. It has just the right amount of challenge to keep my attention, but not so much that I can't memorize the repeats and chug along.

It's so hard to see the pattern in these photos, but it's there! This is one project that will definitely need blocking. I spread it all out last night, and just sat there stunned that I had accomplished this.

AND! I'm using the chart!And, I'm LIKING using the chart! I've gone back to look at the written directions a few times, and it just seems so wordy! I feel like I've reached a pivotal point in knitting. After I finished the stockinette portion, I was paralyzed to move on to the lace. Then I remembered the lifeline, and added it. I just removed the waste yarn last night, and am now about 4 rows into Section D. The end is clearly in sight!

As if that wasn't enough, I think I might have my next sock project. Yesterday I was catching up with my Bloglines and Leslie mentioned a Mystery Sock KAL (knit-a-long). (!!!!!!) How fun does that sound? Each week, another portion of the pattern is uploaded, and the point is to knit the pattern (obviously) with no idea what the pattern is, or how it will turn out. This whole idea is coming at a good time; I am nearing the end of Ishbel; still have my Deep Breath Sweater (for knitting when I can pick up/put down); and now a new challenge. I have no idea if I will be able to keep up and have a sock knit (let alone two) by the end of the month, but I think it's a cool idea.

Oh, and the yarn?

I reached into my sock yarn stash (Yes! I have a separate stash for socks!! Hello? Dork.) and pulled out some Fiberphile Glimmer that I bought a while ago. Luscious.

P.S. Did you notice that nifty pattern holder magnet up there on the chart? I just got it and it's indispensable for following along! You can find it here!

I have absolutely no self control.

I was driven from the garage workshop early yesterday (by far, the hottest day!) and practiced with my leftover sock yarn, for like, 5 minutes. Then I decided to ball the skein of yarn I purchased recently on Etsy (here!), and that's all it took. I promptly cast on Ishbel. 

So far, so good, but I'm not at the lace yet and apparently, there is an errata in the written directions so this might be the nudge I need to figure out how to read a chart (NO!). I love watching this take shape! Do you notice how the knit comes diagonally off the center? Isn't that amazing? At first, I was thinking 'why is this so wonky and curling under?' and then, I'm like, 'oh you dolt, duh. It's a s.h.a.w.l.'

And what about that color? That's what I'm talking about! It goes with my whole theme this season. That's no oversight, I can assure you! I'm thinking I need more yellow tops. Always.

That's all I have time for this morning - I have to do some sewing before it heats up and I'm driven to the couch to (*sigh*) knit the afternoon away in the cool comfort of my manufactured air living room, with (hopefully) something good to watch, like Ice Road Truckers. (oh, like you haven't gotten into long haul trucking on ice? Please. It's 100 degrees. I know better.)

Final Score: Carrie - 9 Weather - 0

Plain sock: done. Interesting to note: the first sock was knit on DPN's and the second sock on 2 circulars. The second sock is slightly lose, not a big deal, but I need to remember that for next time. They haven't been blocked yet. I love them. Sooooo, comfy!

I am holding back the desire to cast on another pair of socks. Holding back because I would like to make some headway on my Deep Breath Sweater. I feel like I'll be knitting that forever. I do have quite a bit of yarn left over from these socks, and what I think I am going to do is practice. I'm dying to make Ishbel, but I am a little worried that the pattern is over my head. A little leftover yarn will be perfect to cast on and see if I can handle it. [happy dance]

8 Malaga bags were completed in my sweatshop. It heated up very early yesterday and I started to play mind games with myself (one more bag, 2 more bags...) until I noticed Gracie laying next to me on the concrete floor panting. She's like my canary in the coalmine: time to get out.

I stole 5 or 10 minutes here and there, and by last night had them done. I didn't dare turn on the iron until this morning to press them out. I have a few more cut out and waiting, but I'm out of purse feet, so until they arrive, I'm on haitus.

Good thing too, it's supposed to be another scorcher.

Heatwave knitting

I grabbed that screen shot at 6:50 am today. It's going to be another scorcher. Didn't I tell you?  Our summer doesn't really start until Autumn. Just when everyone else is cooling down and getting out their sweaters and scarves. And man, I'm ready (for sweaters & scarves, not another heatwave).

It's put a little damper on my production. I can chug along really nicely until about early afternoon, when I am driven from the workshop, which heats up like nobody's business. I wish I could say I'm sewing all morning, but there are other things to take care of when you are solo. I'm not exactly complaining, but I was in a groove. A good one.

The heatwave has given me the opportunity to gain inches on my plain sock. I'm glad I decided to make a plain sock. I thought it might be boring, but it's been a good reminder of just sock knitting and construction. And as boring as they are, I KNOW I will wear them. I'm almost at the toe decreases; in fact, I think they will happen this evening.

I love this yarn also. It's Fiberphile by my friend Georgia. It's super squishy and like butter going through my fingers. And very forgiving. And it doesn't split. And the color is beautiful. It reminds me of Autumn. If we had one.

This is my favorite part: the heel. I was so intimidated of the heel before I started knitting my first pair of socks. It just seemed so complicated. But I love it now. I love the rhythm of the slip, knit back and forth. And then the turning - oh my gosh! Who invented turning the heel? I actually sit next to Scott, and say, "watch this." He doesn't. But then I show him after it's turned, that little pocket that gets created, magically. And he raises his eyebrows like he's really impressed. I'm sure he just wants to get back to Anthony Bourdain or Guy Fieri, but he pretends to be impressed, and that's all it takes for me.

I have a confession. Two. I had to rip back twice. Once, about 7 rows into my heel flap and then again after I turned the heel. The first time, I mistakenly slipped, purled instead of purling across and the second time, I'm not sure what I did, but my turned heel was more like a turned column.

I took a deep breath each time, sort of psyching myself into taking the yarn off the needles. Just in case I totally screwed up, I entered the mindset that I would frog the entire sock. That far into it. But you know what? I got it back on the needles with no problem! I had a couple of missed stitches, but I got those back on the needle with the crochet hook and a little voodoo yarn magic! I'm feeling good about these socks. They're going to be my lucky socks. I just know it!

Finished: Hedgerow SOCKS!

 

Oh Lord. I just had to finish these before I blew my brains out. Okay, that's a little drastic overstatement. But have you ever gotten so sick and tired of something that you actually didn't want to finish it?

They started with such...eagerness. Such zest. What went wrong? It's all my fault, and I take full responsibility. I'm so angry with myself for deviating from the pattern on the instep and going to plain ribbing. I was nervous and unsure of myself, and took, what I thought to be the easy way out. While it was the easy way out, it completely changed the sock. This was a monumental lesson to me.

Also, I will probably never use ShiBui again for socks. While I think the yarn is beyond gorgeous, it knit up super dense for me. I'm sure it will be fine, and I actually wore them all day yesterday and they felt fine (they actually felt quite good).

So there you have it. Carrie actually finished a pair of socks. Woot!

ALSO!! I want to thank my friends over at Rare Bird Finds for the shout out on my Lavender Liners yesterday! Thanks kids!