Thoughts on Thursday – Sock Knitting

I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before (I could check, but why go down that rabbit hole?), I LOVE the idea of knitting socks, but can’t stand to knit socks. To be fair, I haven’t had much luck with sock knitting. I get weird, loose tension when using sock yarn (only for socks, shawls are okay….). BUT. I still LOVE the idea of knitting socks, so I just keep trying different things.

I decided to use 2 strands of sock yarn held together on this pair of socks.

I did basically the same thing for these socks, except, I decided to do stripes. Since I knit socks two at a time, I had 4 skeins of yarn going (what a MESS!).

This Spring, after I completed the Knitting on 2 Circulars class (mentioned in this post), Julie from Simply Notable offered a Video Sock Class, I decided to sign up for the class, because, HEY! I need some sock knitting help!

We were going to be knitting socks in worsted weight yarn. Top-down. ONE at a time. On 2 (size 4) circular needles. I’ve always knit socks (or anything that comes in pairs, sleeves, mitts, etc.) two at a time. Why? In a word……Second Sock Syndrome (okay…..three words… )!!! It was going to be alright, I could do this for the sake of learning!

Here’s what I learned…..

• Casting on over 2 needles makes a nice, stretchy edge!
• Reading the instructions helps…..that way you do the correct rib, instead of the k1 p1 rib I did.
• Even with worsted weight yarn and size 4 needles, my tension is still “sloppy”.
• I cannot do the Kirchner stitch without instructions.
• I still prefer two at a time.
• I also think I might prefer toe-up.
• After-thought heels are my favorite.

Here’s how I adapted for my second pair….

• Bought 2 new size 2.5 ChiaoGoo needles (just so you know, ChiaoGoo are my new favorite!)
• Cast-on for toe-up
• Did the correct k2 p2 rib
• Since casting on over 2 needles worked so good, I decided to try binding off over 2 needles would be good. Yeah, I’m still struggling with that. Here’s a peak at that process…..
• 
• If I ever get the bind off done, I plan on doing the After thought heel again.

As you can see, it won’t be long before I join the ranks of the Sock Knitters….. What knitting challenge are you overcoming?

Happy Knitting!

Lori

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What I’ve Been Up To….

It’s been awhile since I posted (March, I think….). Life got a little busy. When I say busy, I mean, beyond the “normal” amount of busy that usually hits in the Spring for me (Spring is ALWAYS busy for those who work in the garden center business.). But, this year Mr. Muddling and I decided to start an online business too. We’d been talking about it for a long time, and decided to just do it! (If you want to check out our website, Cowboy Comfort,llc).

Between setting up the business AND sewing/making all the products, my knitting was basically non-existent (although, my sewing machine sure got a workout!)! We got most of the products made and onto the website by June (although there ALWAYS seems like there’s more to do on the website…..), and I was able to start a pair of socks. I’ve been knitting on them ALL summer! I’m FINALLY starting the bind-off!!!

Yesterday, I drug out the Drop Stitch Shawl I had started (back in March…..).It had been in time-out for several months, because it needed a lifeline put in so it could be frogged back (somehow, I had dropped a stitch …..not one of the intentional dropped stitches either…..). It took me awhile, but it’s back on the needles and now I’m back to making progress on it! YAY!

How’s your summer knitting been going?

Happy Knitting!

Lori

Drop Stitch Shawl KAL

Happy Spring!!! See the white background? Yes! That’s snow! It’s going to go away soon now though, because Spring is here!

Well, I promised a Spring Shawl KAL, so, be sure to join either the Facebook or Ravelry groups. Oh! and before I forget, also pick up a copy of your pattern (free during the KAL).

I hope you’ll join me for this fun little knit!

Happy Knitting!

Lori

 

Finishing Up Friday – A Lacy Shawl

I’m FINALLY starting the bind-off for the Lacy Shawl for the Spring KAL (oh! How much more muddled my life has been getting…..). It’s a Picot Bind-off. It’s a BEAUTIFUL bind-off! It does take awhile, but it is SO worth it!

I hope you’ll join me in knitting this lovely shawl! If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can join either the Facebook or Ravelry groups (or both, if you want to….), so you’ll be ready on Wednesday, March 20th when I release the pattern for the KAL. You’ve got a few days to finish up your current WIPs (or find a place to stash them, you know, until you can finish them later!).

Happy Knitting!

Lori

 

Why I Didn’t Get Another Stitch Pattern Knitted This Week.

Well…..it happened again. Just like last week (this post), I didn’t get a Stitch Pattern block started (I might be a bad KAL host….). BUT. I did get knitting done! The above photo is the mug cozy I knit while participating in Simply Notable’s Knitting in the Round on 2 Circulars Challenge. This project was the perfect little break I needed from the 3 HUGE projects I have in the works currently. Plus, I picked up some knitting/finishing tips along the way (win. win.).

I made one tiny mistake. The photo above shows the self-striping yarn I had chosen to knit the cozy out of. Isn’t it beautiful? The only problem was, the color change repeats were so large, I ended up with a GRAY mug cozy. What to do? I’ve always wanted to play around with embroidery on knitting. That plain, gray mug cozy made the perfect place to start! I may need to add embroidery more often!

How are your projects coming along?

Happy knitting!

Lori

Stitch Pattern Saturday – Block Challenge #7

 

I guess it was bound to happen at some point….life got REALLY busy for me this week and I didn’t get a Stitch Pattern Block started (actually, I didn’t even get my last week’s Mosaic Tiles block finished….it was really almost impossible to get any knitting in at all!  😦  ). Don’t worry though, I have a cop-out, solution….A Block Challenge! Let’s make this one Gambler’s choice! Knit a block of your choice of Stitch Pattern. OR. Knit an extra block of your favorite Stitch Pattern I’ve posted so far (you can find the Stitch Patterns listed here.). I’ll try to do better next week, but, I have to forewarn you, next week doesn’t look any better…. 😦

Happy Knitting (Do some for me, will ya?!?!)!

Lori

 

Stitch Pattern Sunday – Challenge #6

 

Since we talked about Mosaic Knitting yesterday (this post), I felt it only natural to make the challenge block any Stitch Pattern that uses Slipped Stitches. Whether it’s a single color, two color, texture, let’s see what we can do with slipped stitches! Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Happy Knitting!

Lori