Wednesday, March 08, 2006

More Stuff & Nonsense…

I got a couple more things done for the Dulaan bag :)

These are based on my usual pattern, but I made some changes.  I used size 4 needles rather than 5s, trying to get a denser (i.e. warmer) fabric.  I used dot stitch down the leg (a plain multiple of 4 does the job nicely) and I used two purl-outlined diamonds on the top of the foot to count the necessary rows until it was time for the toe decreases.  That was cool and I liked it because while I do enjoy math, counting rows drives me right up the wall!





See, when you finish the gusset decreases, according to the pattern, you still have 16 rows of sock foot to knit.  So arbitrarily decided that I didn’t want to count those 16 rows and that I would let the stitches do it for me.  Just purl the Xs in the graph above.  Each motif is 8 stitches wide and 7 stitches tall and there are two rounds between them.  So when the second diamond was finished, the toe decreases started.  Neat, eh?

I also did a scarf, as much to stop the wool from haunting me as any other reason.

This is just half double crochet worked over 11 stitches - chunky yarn and an enormous hook, took maybe an hour to do.  Nothing special :) But I had this yarn and intended to use it for last year’s Dulaan bag.  I’ve been dodging it because I hate working at that scale.  I find it uncomfortable for my hands and fingers and I absolutely cannot get into the rhythm of things.  It is as bad for crocheting as it is for knitting, but crocheting is much, much faster.  I just couldn’t let that wool languish in my work bag for another year when someone might get some good use out of it.

And, I have been working on the shawl and making good progress.  I am enjoying this project enormously and still can’t quite believe my eyes when the fabric blossoms into the pattern I hoped it would.  It’s quite a feeling!

It is currently 46” wide and about 20” from top to bottom and I’m up to 160 stitches.  My poor needle can take maybe one more pattern increase before I’ll have to get another, longer circular.  I’ll probably do that next week sometime.  Oh yeah, and more stitch markers too!  I’ve been using them between every pattern repeat - not something I usually do but it’s saved my bum a couple of times already, so I’m glad I decided to go that way :)

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1. what nice little socks- i can imagine sweet little people all wanting the rosey-lavender socks- i do like the dot pattern and think it breaks up the plain stockinette in an interesting way- (can you hear me saying the ‘lemming, lemming’ thing already?)
   
   i am just not a fan of the larger sized hooks and needles and feel like i am knitting or crocheting with telephone poles when i use them- they *do* make quick work though, don’t they?

   the red shawl is getting nicer and nicer- since i seem to be making rapid progression backwards lately i am amazed by your forward progress- i think you should be able to locate a 40” circ that ought to carry you on through- with lots of stitch markers of the pretty dangly variety you will ‘jingle’ as you work-

   stay happy-

   Posted by  on  03/08  at  01:34 PM
   Location : where it feels like 'almost' summer...



2. It seems Colleen was right: dot stitch is very pretty in socks. I like your diamond pattern too.  I did dot stitch in a cotton recently, and it worked well.

   I agree with you and Barb: knitting chunky is weird. I only do it for Scandinavian sweaters now.
   amaryllis

   Posted by  on  03/08  at  02:54 PM
   Location : on the brink ....



3. Sweet socks and scarf. I disagree—the scarf IS something special! It’s so danged cute, and it’s going to be well appreciated.

   Posted by  on  03/08  at  04:51 PM
   Location :



4. Barb - Yes, I think a 40” needle will do the trick though I’m not sure I won’t get a longer one if it’s available :) You know, just in case!

   Posted by Robbyn  on  03/08  at  05:22 PM
   Location : Blowin' in the wind...



5. Amaryllis - I suppose I’d get used to it if I did it often enough, but I don’t think there’s much chance of that :) I generally prefer needles no larger than size 7.

   Posted by Robbyn  on  03/08  at  05:26 PM
   Location : Blowin' in the wind...



6. Norma - I accept your correction.  Just because it doesn’t seem special to me doesn’t mean it won’t be very special to someone else.  Thank you :)

   Posted by Robbyn  on  03/08  at  05:27 PM
   Location : Blowin' in the wind...



7. Okay Robbyn: consider that the challenge has been issued. The socks are so sweet I am actually considering making a pair, although I have never knit a sock in my life. I have read through Marguerite’s pattern, your usual, and am baffled by her reference to “two” circs. Can you do these socks on dpns? Sets of four or five? Does waste yarn or a stitch holder help? I’d love to have the advantage of your experience. I am quite comfortable with dpns, having used them from a young age; I don’t quite see how a toddler sock will work on a 24” circ, as Marguerite specifies.

   It’s fat fluffy snow here today, very pretty.
   amaryllis

   Posted by  on  03/09  at  12:26 PM
   Location : on the brink ....



8. Amaryllis - Yes, they can be done on DPNs, that’s how I always do them.  Marguerite prefers to do socks on two circular needles with half the stitches on each.  I have tried that and prefer DPNs.  Tune in tomorrow :)

   Posted by Robbyn  on  03/09  at  12:39 PM
   Location : Blowin' in the wind...

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