Possessed to Knit

Wollmeise Schwammerl Socks Completed

Here is Al modeling his new Wollmeise Twin (80% wool/20 % nylon) socks in the Schwammerl (mushroom) colorway.  I used my 2.5 mm (size 1) Addi Turbo 40" circular needles and 72 sts for all but the short-row heels and toes where I used my 2.00 mm (size 0) Addi Turbo 40" circular needles.  The yarn colors puddled a lot, but Al doesn't mind as he likes the camouflage colors.  I have had issues with my 100% merino Wollmeise socks getting holes in the heels and toes and I am hopeful these Wollmeise Twin socks will last longer. 

Stepping Stone Socks Completed

Here are the Stepping Stone socks I knitted for my nephew, Joshua, who turns 7 years old on Sunday.  The yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Sport in the Hollyberry colorway, leftover from his mother's Twinflower and the same yarn (but different dye lot) from his Spiderman mittens and hat.  I thought I was using my 2.75 mm Darn Pretty dpns, but it turns out that they were size 2.50 mm dpns.   For the heels and toes, I used 2.25 mm dpns.  I always find myself inspired to knit Joshua something for his winter birthday as he really appreciates my knitting, even at his young age. 

Twinflower Completed

Here is my completed Twinflower for my sister, Teresa, as a slighlty late birthday present.  I selected Knit Picks Stroll Sport in the Holly Berry colorway because Teresa prefers machine washable yarns.  I used my size 5 (3.75 mm) Addi Lace fixed needles for the body and my size 4 (3.50 mm) Addi Lace fixed needles for the hem and the cabled neckband.  The set-in sleeves were a bit of a challenge, and Amy Herzog has a helpful blog about setting in sleeves here.  I also made a sample of a sewn hem and a knitted together hem, and the sewn hem looked much nicer.  I found some heel reinforcing yarn in a similar color at Fibre Space for sewing the hems down.   I will mail it tomorrow and I certainly look forward to hearing how it fits.

New Year's Day

I did a good bit of spindle spinning in 2011.  The silk singles are on the top and the cashmere singles are on the bottom.  I wound the cashmere into a center pull ball and plied one strand of silk with two strands of cashmere using my Gem.  Now I need to find just the right project for this precious yarn.

In 2011, I knitted 13 pairs of socks and I have three single socks awaiting a second sock at the moment.  I completed 3 scarves, one shawl, 2 pairs of mittens, 5 hats (one handspun) and one handspun French Press cozy.  I also have front, back, and sleeves knitted and blocked for a Twinflower pullover for my sister, Teresa.  My nephews have recently discovered Harry Potter and each would like a Harry Potter scarf to wear for the rest of the winter so I will start on their scarves next. 

I hope to knit with more of my handspun yarn in 2012 and to experiment with my inspiring 250 Japanese Knitting Patterns book.  Happy New Year!