WIP Status
We won’t be discussing the second pink cable-rib sock today. SSS has set in bad. Since it is the last project with my old way of tensioning the yarn, and I think I have figured out a new way that will work for me, finishing this sock in the old way (a must really) is driving me nuts. I’ve given myself to the end of May to finish it–I’m half way through the heel flap. Yes, it’s that bad.
Anyhoo, moving on, there is a new sock in the works, featuring the new knitting! The pattern is the Oak Ribbed Sock from Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.
Left: Regia Cotton in Surf Colors (wool/cotton/polyamid), 63 st sock leg on 3 mm (US 2.5) needles. Right: Sockotta (wool/cotton/polyamide), 56 st sock leg on 2.75 mm (US 2) needles. Both socks: Oak Ribbed Pattern.
Add seven stitches, go up a needle size, and get a slightly smaller sock. My new way of tensioning is a little tighter, and the resulting fabric is much better. It pays to study the basic knitting technique pictures in how-to-knit books. Who would have thought!? Moving right along…
A scarf for M! Pinnacle Chevron pattern from Barbara Walker #1, p26.
I have nearly 4 skeins of Berocco Ultra Alpaca in dark green left from my Aran Pocket Shawl (which needs a FO post!), and I decided that an excellent way to practice knitting in the new way was a knit and purl patterned scarf for M. He is quite partial to dark green, and the Pinnacle Chevron is reversible, so perfect for a scarf. As Barbara Walker points out, this fabric can be left unblocked and the ribs will look like mock cables (photo above), or it can be blocked to open the ribs, emphasizing the chevrons:
These are the projects that are working. I need to take the start of my fuschia fulled tote to my LYS because I think I need larger needles and I want to discuss this with the owner. I also have some Jo Sharp yarn that I may start knitting into a log cabin pillow top to felt. My aunt made M and I a “half log cabin” quilt for a wedding gift 8 years ago, and the yarn I have would compliment it well, and as I have a lot of the lightest color, and several darker colors in smaller amounts, the half log cabin might be just the ticket. But you’ll have to come back to see…
Brenda- That’s a good idea- set yourself a time limit for the SSS- it may just work.
You’ve been very busy, and we’d love to see the finished Aran Shawl.
Ooh, I like the chevron-iness of the scarf. Also, who is going to argue with a reversible scarf in a color so pleasant as green? No one!
Congrats on switching over to a new tensioning. That’s hard work– I had to do that when I first started knitting 🙂
It’s interesting the difference in the two ways of “finishing” the scarf. Which one do you prefer?
That’s a lovely scarf! Looks like it will turn out nicely, either blocked or unblocked. Also, that means that after some wear it won’t need blocking again right away, should you choose the block-it option.
So what’s the difference in your tensioning? English vs. Continental, or something more complicated than that? I tried Norwegian Purling, and while I admittedly need more practice on it before I’ve really “got” it, I found that my tension was looser that way. And I didn’t like the looseness, so we’ll see if I improve with practice.
I’m with you on the tensioning stuff. I recently taught myself a different way to purl and it makes a big difference. Love the new socks. How is the Regia cotton to work with? The scarf is really interesting too. Are you going to block it or not?
That’s a great scarf! Have you considered submitting it to the Barbara Walker Project? Has that stitch already been done there?
http://thewalkertreasury.wordpress.com/
Brenda- You’re it! You’ve been tagged for a meme- check my blog.
Did I miss where you described your old and new way of tensioning? I’m intrigued!
I love the stitch pattern in M’s scarf! I may have to give that a try sometime. My current “patchwork” scarf is not reversible, which is annoying. The socks look lovely, but I’m partial to blues so I may be biased. I plan to read some knitting technique books over the summer, so I’m glad to hear it’s worth it.