Possessed to Knit

Iris Sibirica Sock

I have completed my first Wollmeise Iris Sibirica sock in 100% merino yarn on size 2.25 mm purpleheart dpns.  I am using 72 sts with 64 rounds for the k2, p2 ribbing, followed by 20 rounds of stockinette, and the heel over 44 sts down to 14 sts on size 2.00 mm Signature Needle Arts dpns.  The foot is 70 rounds of stockinette to the toe (again, with the 2.00 mm dpns) which is worked down to 8 sts on each needle before grafting.  My Saami socks ended up with a hole in the toe and the heel of one of the socks.  I re-knit both toes with the size 2.00 mm dpns and replaced the bad heel with an "afterthought" heel on 2.00 mm dpns.  The gauge for this sock is about 9 sts and 12 rounds to the inch, which I hope is dense enough to prevent any holes from forming.

Berry Hill Mitts completed

I have completed my Berry Hill mitts in Great Northern Yarns Mink/Cashmere yarn.  These mitts are quick to knit with only 40 sts on a size 4 (3.5 mm) Addi Lace 32" needles, but I kept refining the pattern to fit me so they took longer.  I started with a size 5 needle and had nearly completed the mitt and decided it was too big.  I shortened the bottom cuff and lengthened the top piece.  I also changed the thumb gusset increases to every third round, centered the thumb in the middle of the mitt and made the thumb 2 sts smaller in diameter.  I ended with the sewn bind-off which is nicely featured in Wendy's Toe-Up Socks for Every Body.  She includes a helpful tip on smoothing out the join to the beginning of the round.   These mitts are very comfortable and the yarn is wonderfully soft.  Thank you to Laura for this lovely birthday yarn.

Speaking of birthdays, Caitlin (right) & Colin (left) turn 2 years old tomorrow.  Here they are watching Belle & Sebastian on my Coachella DVD with me.   Coachella started on Friday night, so we were quietly having our own little Coachella.  We took them to Pet Smart today and picked up a few new toys and a new bed for them.  Let's hope Caitlin is finally past chewing the zippers out of everything and they actually get to enjoy their new bed.

Rosebud Socks

I recently started the Rosebud Socks from Wendy's Toe-Up Socks for Every Body.  As you can see, I am knitting both socks at the same time.  I tried this a few years ago on a pair of top-down socks.  It did not work out as the sock edges became too loose.  It is better this time around with Wendy's pattern.  Her combination of lace stitches and twisted stitches gives these socks a lot of stretch, so they will fit without a lot of adjustments.  Though I do not have the 24 row pattern memorized, every other row is a "work the stitches as set", which is very helpful.  I am using Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock in the Watercolors colorway with 2.00 mm Addi Lace needles for the toe and 2.25 mm Addi Lace 32" needles for the remainder of the sock.

Fields of Clover Socks Completed

Here are my completed Fields of Clover socks knit up in Three Irish Girls Kells Sport merino in the Sweet Pea colorway.  Fields of Clover is just one of many clever designs created by Ann.  I was eventually able to memorize the 12 row repeat of this toe-up pattern.  These socks were quick to knit with only 60 sts on size 2.5 mm Addi Lace circular needles.  The Kells Sport merino is soft and nice to work with.  I used a size 2.25 mm circular needle for the toes to prevent any holes.  I recently created a hole in the toe of one of my Saami Wollmeise socks and plan on re-knitting both toes with my 2.00 mm Signature Needle Arts dpns.  My Fields of Clover socks feel wonderful.  Ann, Patrick, and Wendy are helping me to become a successful toe-up sock knitter.