Moving Right Along and On Schedule

I'm on schedule with some of my knitting gifts and have actually finished my projects early. Now, I can sit and relax and continue knitting my CPH and another VBB (vintage bubble bag).

I have to show you a multi-colored bowl I knitted using Plymouth Galway for the main color (heathered blue) and Noro Kureyon (#40) for the contrast colors:



So this floppy looking bowl...




...became this beautifully felted bowl



I ended up using all of the yarn I started with: 4 skeins of Galway (2-brown & 2-blue) and 1-1/2 skeins of Kureyon. This is a wonderful example of using up every bit of wool yarn.




I also finished another pair of Cozy House Socks for a gift. I used a lighter worsted weight yarn in Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Denim Twist color. I wanted to use a machine washable yarn for this gift. This lighter yarn made the socks smaller or snug, which is the fit/size I was after. The recipient of this gift wears a shoe size smaller than mine. Here's the 8" length sock (I really like how this yarn color knitted up):




New Upcoming Project:

I've been checking out slouchy berets/hats on Ravelry. I plan on knitting my first slouchy hat sometime in December.

Cozy House Socks - Completed

Wow! I'm really impressed with these socks. Can you believe I said that??? Still, I'm not a sock knitter. Don't get me wrong. There are just so many other things to knit and try out. Could I tackle another sock pattern? Sure! Now that I understand the structure of a hand knitted sock. ;)

I have to CO for another new small project that I'm anxious to start. Let me leave you with this post.


My first pair of socks! Wow...I could get used to taking these modeled pictures without wearing any makeup



Name of Pattern:
Cozy House Socks

Designed by:
Sue Dial for One Skein Wonders (book)

Pattern/Garment Description:
These cozy socks knit up fast and are an easy introduction to sock knitting. Pick a bulky worsted yarn and get busy. You can probably finish a pair this weekend.

I finished a pair within a weekend.

Size(s):
One size fits all

Yarns Used:
Bernat DenimStyle (70% Acrylic/30% Cotton) - 196 yards/skein - 18 sts/4 inches with #8 (label info)

This yarn has been in my stash for a few years. I used one skein and had a few yards left. What a wonderful way to use up this yarn.

Gauge:
18 sts/4 inches in St st with #7 needles

I had close gauge with #7s. I have to make a comment here. I've been noticing I don't get gauge with the yarns I purchase from Michael's (e.g. Lion Brand and Bernat and Patons). This is when I go by their yarn labels for the recommended needle size. I normally have to go down a needle size from what's suggested on the label.

On the other hand, when I do a swatch for the more expensive yarns from my LYS, I can actually get true gauge based on their yarn label recommendations (e.g. Debbie Bliss, Blue Sky Alpaca, Plymouth, Malabrigo, Berroco, Brown Sheep, Cascade, Noro, Sirdar, etc).

Interesting, huh?

Knitting Tools Used:
- Circular needles: 24 inch in size 7 for knitting the ribbing flat
- DPNs: size 7 for knitting the heel flap, shaping/turning the heel (short rows), heel gussets, foot, toe, and kitchener technique
- Bent tip tapestry needle (seaming ribbed cuff and weaving in ends)

Techniques I used:
- Knitting in the round with DPNs
- Short rows
- Picking up stitches around the heel
- Kitchener stitch for closing the toe area
- K2tog & SSK
- Seaming (the cuff)





Changes I Made to the Pattern:
No changes were made to the pattern. I recommend following the pattern verbatim.

What I Like About this Pattern:
It's a great pattern. Well written. Easy to knit sock pattern. My first pair!

This One Skein Wonder book is one of my favorites. When I got to the Kitchener stitch, the book referenced the glossary in the back to see how this stitch is worked.

What I Dislike About this Pattern:
Nothing to dislike

My Pattern Rating (Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Hard):
I rate this pattern as Easy/Intermediate. An Advanced Beginner with a lot of knitting experience could easily tackle this project.


Conclusion/Additional Comments:

I started out on circulars, knitting the ribbed cuff flat. Then I changed to 2 DPNs to knit the heel flap (flat & short rows). Once I started to pickup and knit the heel gussets, I added two more needles to the mix. Personally, I think this was a great way to introduce DPNs into this project and get a lot of practice. This knitting process is based on the pattern instructions. That's why I recommend you follow them and get the same wonderful results I received.


The ribbed cuff that needs to be sewn together


It took me awhile to get used to knitting with 4 DPNs. By the time I completed the first sock, I felt quite comfortable with the 4 needles. I plan on making a pair for hubby and of course, will have to make some pattern adjustments to accommodate his foot size.

This has become one of my TNT patterns for cozy socks to wear around the house. It was a quick and easy knit. My first sock took about 5 hours to knit. The second sock took about 3-1/2 hours to knit. Yes, I got into a knitting sock tempo.

One Completed, One More to Knit

Okay, one more post about my socks with pics and I must get back to my knitting. I managed to finish one and I estimate it took me about 5 hours (an hour here and there) from casting on to seaming the back of the ribbed cuff. Now, the second one is going much faster. Here is one sock completed:



I had a chance to learn a new technique...the Kitchener stitch. I used this to finish off the toe end. It really makes a nice finish:






This cool project has given me lots of opportunities to learn new techniques. An invigorating project!

I should finish the second matching sock by tomorrow morning and have a review within the next day or two.

A Cozy Sock in the Makings

I had some time this morning to cast on for one of my small projects from my "to do/to learn list". My first sock. I must have done two swatches to get gauge. Then I CO and just started knitting like crazy. Now, I've mentioned before that I'm not a sock person. I don't get the "I need to make one of these" feelings/urges when I see hand knitted socks. BUT, I have to say this one caught my eye.



So, I'm knitting up a pair for me. A trial pair, I call it. I have a funny feeling I will end up wearing these a lot and DH will end up with a pair as well.

I can now scratch off my list: teaching myself to knit in the round with DPNs and for knitting my first sock (still a work in progress).



Not bad, huh?