Digitessa

It only took me over a year to finish the pair, 4 months after I finished the first. Which is why this was in my UFO-in-denial project. I kept it as a WIP on my Ravelry project page and only once-in-awhile put it to sleep. But Nathania's call for a UFO Smackdown on Twitter & a Facebook group got me going. So glad I did.


pattern: Digitessa
yarn: Wollmeise 100% merino sock yarn in Digitessa (the yarn & pattern came together in a kit)
needles sizes: 2.50 & 2.75 mm KP circs


Yarnissima (Marjan) isn't lying when she says this pattern is demanding.

Modifications:
Because my row/round gauge was shorter than the pattern spec, I ended up at a different spot on the top of foot chart. I had failed to make clear notes on the first sock, so when I did the second (finally), I didn't quite get it to match. :p

And to alleviate any problems in getting the sock on, I switched to the larger needles on Chart 5B instead of Chart 6 as suggested in the pattern. That's right, there were at least 6 charts for this design. I won't complain though as the alternative would be to have the charts printed in teeny-tiny font which would've created issues for me if I had to enlarge them on a copier.


So now that my UFO-in-denial is done, I cast on the second half of my Mystery Stole #4 (aka the Serendipity stole) a year after I finished the first half. Sense a trend? Hopefully I'll finish this second half before the year is up.


Also done is my spinning class with WonderMike. I may not be drinking the Kool Aid yet, but I do appreciate all the skill and hard work that goes into hand splindling. It does seem to be quite an attractive craft as Monkey1 asked me to show her how. I may need to sign her up for a class sometime 'cause my teaching her is like the blind leading the blind at this point. :p


So to distract her from my lack of spinning skills, she and Monkey2 got to split the wares in Woolgirl's Hello Kitty Valentine's kit. I get to keep the yarn (Curious Creek Fibers in a special Woolgirl colorway & yardage) and project bag of course.

Something about cotton

In California, summer weather doesn't actually end in September, more like the end of October and then maybe here & there in November. Maybe that's why it seems like I have a lot of cotton yarn on my needles, whether I actually like it or not.


(No cute mug shot of Monkey2 as she's got steri-tape covering a boo-boo on her chin)

Barefoot Knits tank top in size 6 for Monkey2
Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Carribean Sea - I swear I made a dent in this stash.
size 7 KP circs

Mods:
- Converted the pattern into the round 'til the armhole split. While I understand the authors' reasons for knitting flat, knitting cotton yarn in the round is so much more fun than seaming cotton pieces together.
- knitted the 2 straps from one side only and did a 3-needle bind off to attach them to the other side
- currently basted lavender hemming tape to the straps to prevent them from stretching. Will do a more permanent sewing job when I buy ribbon/bias tape/hemming tape in a matching turquoise color.


Kiddie Cadet - still unblocked
child size
size 7 KP circs
mod: extended body 1" before doing crown decreases

This is actually the second kiddie cadet hat I've made. The first one I made was in blue for Monkey2's classmate who's been fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma since his diagnosis 4 months ago. His chemotherapy & surgery haven't been successful, so we all continue to pray.


In the "it can feel like cotton" department, I've finally finished my first Digitessa sock in the corresponding Wollmeise colorway that came in Yarnissima's kit.


I'm pretty sure my first sock is full of errors even with a bunch of tinking back. Because my row gauge is more compressed than the pattern spec despite using larger needles, I ended up in a different spot on the top of foot pattern when it came time to do the transition to all k1tbl/p1 ribbing. While not as elegant looking as the original pattern, it at least works.

It's one of the drawbacks of putting this sock down and only knitting it while I'm at the cabin. I've actually re-done the bind off at the top of the sock since I took these pics up at the cabin. My first 2 attempts with my usual EZ sewn bind off method came out unusually tight. So I changed the bind off to Yarnissima's which is to bind off in pattern but w/the yarn doubled. Worked like a charm. Now if I can knit the second sock without having to wait 'til our next cabin trip...


Speaking of taking so long, but I finally re-cast on my Marilyn Not So Shrunken Cardigan. I had forgotten how quick this was as I managed to knit 7.5" worth in raglan length over the long Labor Day weekend. It's the last 3" before the sleeve separation that seems to take forever.

Once upon a time...

I could sew. Not so much anymore. Then again I had way more time and patience in jr high for the fiddly parts than I do now. Ironic since I love to knit and crochet.



Drawstring bag:
I looked at a bunch of free online tutorials & and cobbled elements of all of them to use up 2 entire fat quarters just to see how big a bag I'd get and to check my m-i-l's sewing machine after we had it serviced. I figure it would be a good way to re-start my sewing since it involved only straight lines. I still need to take final measurements but it's large enough for Monkey1 to fit one skein of Red Heart super saver skein for her crochet project (she wants to make a throw blanket!), her lanyard project, and a pair of shorts. So far, the seams are holding, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Knitted Babe Flower Power Mini pattern:
Since it was a long time since I sewed a garment, even a little doll one, I just blindly followed the pattern without checking online if there were errata or construction issues. I only realized after I cut the pieces that the size given for the skirt portion was too small to give the fuller gathered skirt look. I could either cut an additional piece to add on or re-cut another piece more to the correct size. Since Monkey1 was fine with the less-than-full skirt look, I just finished off the skirt. I had issues with the order for sewing the lining of the bodice 'cause it left me w/doing the armhole last w/bias tape. PITA so it looks really sloppy/crappy at the underarm seam. But the rest of the dress is okay. Next time I sew a dress/outfit from the book though, I'll need to do a full-on pattern review before I start cutting & sewing.


Knitted Babe Net Tutu:
Knit Picks Palette in Blush, I think
size 3 KP circs
scrap netting/tulle sewn in by hand - I've been keeping an eye out at the local Joann's & finally snagged a remnant in pink recently


And I'm finally making significant progress on my first Digitessa sock. I messed up the beginning of the gusset because I got confused w/the charts and waffled on which side my M1P right and M1P left were supposed to go. I'm now on chart 5B for the leg and upsized my needle to a size 2 (2.75 mm) to account for the snuggest portion of the leg.

Next up: If I remember, I'll flash my custom buy stash that tapmouse got me from Sock Summit 2009 since I couldn't go.

On the WIP slow boat

It's going to be a busy month for me with family events and special knitting for others so my WIP's will be progressing rather slowly.


As part of the Makin' Cookie's Ravelry group KAL, I'm finally working on Cookie's Hedera socks in Fleece Artist merino (I have no idea which version but it's the skinnier one) in Lily Pond.

I did goof up the gusset decreases 'cause I thought I wouldn't need to decrease all the way down to 60 stitches so I didn't move the first & last held instep stitches to the gusset/sole. It turned out I was a little too loose at 62 & so added the last set of decreases in. The only drawback to that is that I don't have the pretty gusset decreases like in the pattern. Sometimes I need to learn to trust in the designer, especially Cookie.


My second chart repeat on my Digitessa sock went a lot faster than the first once I got the hang of Yarnissima's notation & logic. It's on hold 'til I have some time to devote to knitting off 3 charts (2 gussets & the instep).


And I finally got around to finishing chart 6 of my Mystery Stole 4. The yarn for the second half is wound and once I mentally prep for that first bead row where you place them practically every other stitch, I should be ready to cast on for the second half.


The only thing that isn't on the slow boat is the beret I cast on at the Stitches West after party at Purlescence. I did have to cast on twice as I was trying another tubular cast on method, this time in the round. Too much laughter is detrimental to doing it correctly the first time round.

Star-Crossed Slouchy Beret (Rav link)
Dream in Color Classy in Black Pearl - only 1/2 skein
size 9 & 11 KP circs
this tubular cast on in the round 'cept corrected by her commentary
other mod: lengthened the ribbed cuff to 2"

The semi-monthly warning

That's right, it's time for my fellow Rockin' Sock Club members who do not like to be spoiled to stay away from the 'net or at least, don't scroll past the stinkin' cute Tulip sweater (in progress) pic. So instead, I will do a belated Wednesday WIP report.

The Grace sweater sleeves & body are slowly being seamed after I seamed the shoulders and knitted the collar. I'll need to re-block as I don't like how the bottom of the collar is pulling up the bodice, assuming the silk content will relax the fabric enough to counter this issue.

I started this project thinking I would be making this for me, but I'm considering passing this on to my mom. I think the silk content and the lace should keep it cool enough for winters in Hawaii.


Also on a slow pace are Monkey1's Lindy Hop front piece and my second Cleopatra's Stocking. I had a brief bout of Second Sock Syndrome 'cause I so didn't want to knit another short row toe.

There's some seriously small gauge stockinette stitch going on here.


And what's making those 2 WIP's even slower (aside from the small needle thing) is that I have been sucked into the utter cuteness that is the Tulip Sweater. The smaller Monkey2 size and the bigger size 9 needles makes for darn quick work too. Plus it's fun to change colors only every 10 rows. The only drawbacks are that I didn't read all the Rav notes (my bad!) recommending NOT slipping the seam stitch and for a superwash wool yarn, it's got some funky crunchiness/squeak to it.


So. Finally - my eagerly anticipated July RSC kit!


Not just one, but 2(!) patterns by a great teacher & BMFA's tech editor, JC Briar, and our totally fun Sockateer, Hot Flash! I love reading Tina's Dyer's Notes as they give a fascinating insight to her color aesthetic and news of the next color collection.

I think I'll do both patterns, but using the July yarn with JC's pattern and another lighter colored STR skein for the anklet pattern. I am tempted to use Hot Flash's colorway for her pattern. It's only fitting since Monkey1 chose the colorway on my last BMFA purchase and the anklets would be uber cute on her.

That is, after I finish that darn sweater of hers. Someone shoot me the next time I say okay to knitting a fingering weight sweater for anyone, even my darling Monkeys.

Not exactly a pair

It's always amazing to me that you can take the same yarn (abeit in different colors), the same stitch count (66), the same twisted rib 1" cuff, but with 2 different designers, come up with totally different socks.


Sock one:
Spring Forward
Socks that Rock lightweight in Motley Hue
size 2.50 mm Knit Picks metal dpns

No mods to the pattern - However, after reading that this pattern was tight on some knitters in the KAL, I did try it on one decrease short on the gusset to check if I would need to rip back & do a longer heel or less gussest decreases since it seemed like the stockinette stitch gauge was appreciably tighter than the lace pattern.


Sock 2 from the May Rockin' Sock Club kit:
Cleopatra's Stocking
Socks that Rock lightweight in Incredibly Shrinking Violet
size 2.50 mm & 2.50 mm Knit Picks circulars


modifications:
- Size large for the stitch count (I'm tighter on circs than on dpns), but size medium for foot length
- Switched to the larger needles for the last 1" of the twisted rib cuff though it's possible I could've switched a little earlier since I started getting really close to my calf
- Did the front and back slash patterns up to 3", per Yarnissima's original design. (I pm'd her on Ravelry for the original directions.) Due to concerns with not having enough yarn for the large size, BMFA had the leg pattern cut down by 1-ish repeat. I've ordered more yarn in case I run out for sock 2, but I still need to weigh my sock and the rest of my skein to check.

Well, I won't be done with my second Cleo's before our July sock club kit hits, but I will definitely get my second Spring Forward done.

Officially off Sleeve Island

...for now. Gotta love long holiday weekends when I get 2-2.5 hours each way for some focus knitting time. While I'm almost at the end for Grace (blocking, sewing, collar), Monkey1's Lindy Hop is nowhere near done since I still have to do the front.


I also made some progress on my Cleopatra's Stocking. It took me awhile to get used to the pattern, but I'm still not used to the left twist as it's not the yarn over that I keep losing, but the regular stitch.


But I'm loving the quick knit that is the Spring Forward sock from a fellow sock camper, Linda Welch. The STR Motley Hue I'm using reminds me more of a SF Bay summer than a typical one, especially when the fog rolls in and the bay gets all choppy. Miserable as all get out if one was out there on a boat, but really cool looking in that moody Gothic novel kind of way.


The sock does go nicely with the new Namaste Newport bag I got in Charcoal from Woolgirl. I love this bag. Perfect size, classic color. Perfect. And it came with it's own little white cloth bag like those fancy high end bags do!


Of course, I can't just get a bag, so I finally ordered a couple little skeins of Pigeon Roof Studios in Pink Lady light (so cute!) and knitspot's fine cabled fingerless mitt pattern. ( I'd like to use some of my sock yarn for gift mitts.) And Jen threw in a couple wool wash samples (Soak being one) and lip balm. I always love those little extras Jen throws in.

Back to the usual

My secret project is done & handed off to the proper person Monday night, just in time for her to take pics before sending them on. I hope I did well. I am back to my sleeves, but for a little something different I started the transitional rows from the toes to the foot on my Cleopatra's Stockings. Wow, sock club members weren't kidding with the twisted stitch pattern being a little tricky. (eta - it's that cabling a yo & a regular st tbl!) This knit looks like it will need some quality focus time.


So I've decided that I need a sock WIP that doesn't require as much focus and am gearing up to wind up my lovely Socks that Rock lightweight in Motley Hue...


for a fellow Sock Camper's pattern - Spring Forward socks from knitty.com's Summer 08 issue.


Hope everyone has a lovely holiday weekend!