I finished the second sock. Yarn is from Dingo Dye Works (Desert Rose). It fits well, but I am not sure I would do a heel like this again (just because I am a creature of habit).
Sock with Integrated Heel
I am always up for a new way of knitting top-down socks (not such a keen fan of toe up). Anyway, this one doesn’t have a heel flap (or at least one where you knit backwards and forwards). This is what the designer (
Ailbíona McLochlainn) says
The Integrated Heel looks and fits similarly to a traditional heel flap and gusset. The difference is in the process. Like the traditional sock heel, the Integrated Heel features a heel flap, a gusset, and a turned heel. Unlike the traditional sock heel, the Integrated Heel is worked almost entirely in the round. This eliminates the need to work the heel flap back-and-forth flat, and to later pick up stitches along its edges.
The resulting benefits include: a gusset with more give (since you aren’t picking up stitches along a finished edge); fewer interruptions to workflow (which, in turn, speeds up the knitting process considerably); and excellent fit, with ample opportunity for heel-depth customisation.
I bought the pattern and used the ideas rather than the specific pattern to knit my sock. I liked it. I need to wear it a bit before deciding if it is my new go to heel type (and I still have a second sock to knit).
The yarn is from Dingo Dye Works – in the Desert Rose colourway. It’s beautiful and feels fabulous, so soft.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting, Yarn Stash
My Lady’s Quaker
I just have to finish the motif on the bottom right corner and then I am on to the alphabets – one upper case and one lower case.
Working on it in hand means I do actually work on it, but I don’t think my stitches are as well-formed.
The pattern is from Jardin Prive. As I have two more of her designs in my stash, I am quite keen to get this one finished (and I have been working on it for a year!).
Filed under Cross Stitch
Hansel Hap
This is my latest project (I am still working on my Braid Hills Cardigan and a pair of socks).
It is from the Shetland Hap Shawl class at Craftsy. It is a nice squishy garter stitch. I am using a 4ply patons baby dreamtime merino – machine washable and it comes in lots of shades.
I am currently working on the inner triangle section – I love how the yarn overs at the start have a lace-like effect (we are going to pick up along these edges).
Filed under Knitting
Field of Flowers Project Bag
I made myself a new project bag – for my Hansel shawl.
The embroidery is from Urban Threads. I made embroideries for the front and back, then quilted each piece and then made a lined zipper bag.
I might have made it slightly too small – you can see it’s packed, but if it doesn’t work for this project it will work for other projects (maybe a cross stitch project)
Filed under Embroidery, Knitting, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
My Lady’s Quaker
I have become quite monogamous on this cross stitch.
The motif in the upper-right corner created a lot of difficulty for me. I think I stitched it three times before I could get the outer border to join correctly. The blue marking lines helped enormously. I have put more in to make the last few motifs easier and then it is on to the alphabets.
I’m back to stitching in hand and it just seems to work a bit better for me. I don’t think my stitches are better (in fact I think my tension is probably a bit off), but I am far more likely to pick it up and work on it.
I got a bit carried away with buying new charts last year and now I feel a bit anxious about the amount of unstitched charts I have.
Filed under Cross Stitch
A Finish
I made these socks for a friend. It is my take on the Wildflowers and Honeycomb socks. I used the stitch pattern for the cuff, leg stitches and heel flap, but worked out my own numbers based on my gauge and did a wedge toe.
The yarn is Fiddlesticks socks bamboo (a mix of merina, bamboo and nylon).
They turned out well and they fit.
Filed under Knitting, Sock Knitting
This Thing of Paper – Karie Westerman
I have had this book since it was published and the fact that it has taken this no long to read is no indication of its quality more a sign of my book piling.
This is from Karie’s website
This Thing of Paper is a knitting book that urges you to make stuff. Karie Westermann was inspired by her lifelong fascination with books and how all her favourite volumes all fit just so in her hands (much like her favourite pair of knitting needles!). Eleven knitting patterns explore the connections between books and knitting, while the accompanying essays take you from medieval monasteries to contemporary libraries.
What does it mean to be a maker? What do handmade things mean to us? Who do we become as we read and knit? All these questions and many more are discussed in a knitting book quite unlike others.
The book comes complete with the patterns written in Karie’s signature style, lush photography shot on location, and bespoke graphic design.
This is a fabulous book if you are interested in knitting, books, and the history of books. The essays are interesting and thought provoking and don’t take long to read. You could dip in and out of this book – just read an essay now and then. I read it from start to finish in a couple of sittings.
I am keen to have a go at a Hap shawl and thought I might attempt the Woodcut Shawl – although I am going to start with a simpler one first. I am doing the Shetland Hap Shawl class at Craftsy.
Filed under Book Review, Knitting
2018 – A Review
I didn’t think I achieved that much last year, but when I look back it wasn’t too bad.
I finished 5 pairs of socks – my nighthawk ones are my favourite, three project bags (I think this is a sign I have too many projects), my Hap for Harriet and my Live Simply cross stitch (which I did as part of a Craftsy course).
This year I would like to finish
- Braid Hills Cardigan
- Socks (I have a lot of sock yarn)
- Another project bag using this design
- Finally finish A’s quilt
- And the baby clothes quilt
- Sock yarn blanket
- My Lady’s Quaker cross stitch
- Cinnamon Stars cross stitch – I have this kitted but not started.
Filed under miscellaneous
Project Bag – Pi
The Pi embroidery is a design I bought from Urban Threads a while ago (maybe a year) with plans to make a project bag. Originally I planned black on white, but then I saw this embroidery and thought white on black was very effective (I have this design too – already stitched out).
I just made a simple lined draw string bag – Martha Stewart has a great video tutorial.
It is the perfect size for a sock project.
Filed under Knitting, Machine Embroidery, Sewing, Sock Knitting