I joined Monthly Dishcloth yahoo group. These are the two cloths for February. Dd#1 knit the Valentine Candy box cloth. The picture is of the reverse side but I like that side better. I did the striped one. Both are larger and bulkier than I like to use. Regardless I liked both patterns and they could be tweaked for the thinner cotton I prefer.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
MonthlyDishcloths for February
I joined Monthly Dishcloth yahoo group. These are the two cloths for February. Dd#1 knit the Valentine Candy box cloth. The picture is of the reverse side but I like that side better. I did the striped one. Both are larger and bulkier than I like to use. Regardless I liked both patterns and they could be tweaked for the thinner cotton I prefer.
Christmas knitting DONE!
In the previous blog entry I mentioned that these are Roza's Socks from Interweave Knit. I didn't mention that the pattern is written for knitting them cuff to toe. I did these from toe to cuff. I used the general method from Crazy Toes and Heels and just inserted the stitch pattern from the Roza's socks with some tweaking to fit the recipient. The fit is perfect.
Here are the notes (in blue) I put in my Ravelry entry. If you own the Crazy Toes and Heels book the notes will make sense. If you don't own it, I highly recommend the book for making socks that fit....any yarn, any needles.
I’m doing these toe up on 2 circs. Crazy Toe and Heel style.
Aloha cast on: 9 Inc to 35 sts. Even round. Increase round: 2 sts on each end of heel needle only. Stitches on instep: 35. On heel: 37. Total: 72. One more plain round then begin pattern st on instep.
Row 55 start gusset inc. At 15 sts start slip st heel. At 21 sts end. 4 plain rounds. (94 rows)
Heel to 11 sts.
Cuff: Row 35 add one st on knit rib #’s 2&5 (both needles) 76 sts. Row 55 add one st on knit rib #’s 3&4 (both needles) 80 sts.
Round 71: p 72: k 73: p
Increase 1 st in knit ribs 1&6 (both needles) using kf/b as increase. This is now plain 4X3 rib. 16 rows.
First sock done Feb 17th. Cast on #2 Feb 18th. Second sock done Feb 25th.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Christmas Knitting...still
Another pair of socks done. These are a Christmas (2007...yes, I know I'm late) present to my brother-in-law. They aren't much different than the pair for my dad (see two posts below) so I tried to take a picture to show the true color vs. showing the sock. I think this picture captured the color (dark charcoal) pretty well. These are off to be washed so they are ready when we see him next week.
This is my last pair of Christmas socks. They are for my mom. I'm using the Roza's sock pattern again from Interweave Knitter Spring 2007. I love this pattern. The purl stitches turn out so pretty. I've had to tweak the pattern a bit for fit. But once the math is/was done it should be a fairly quick knit.
The plan was to do a felted bag with yarn she already had in her stash. But the yarn didn't cooperate. So the back up plan was socks.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Dd#3 is purling!
Dd#3 has been knitting coaster size squares (garter st) for a several months on and off. She wasn't interested in learning how to purl.
Then I ordered Kids Learn to Knit by Lucinda Guy.
She found a cute little owl project in that book that she wanted to make. It required purling which she picked up in a flash. 2 stockinette squares later and some felt shapes cut and we've got Flapping Fred.

She now also knows how to cast on using the reverse loop method. She'll sometimes just grab yarn and needles and cast on over and over.
Polly Pocket also received a rug designed and knit by dd#3.
Happy Herbie is next in her queue.
Then I ordered Kids Learn to Knit by Lucinda Guy.
She found a cute little owl project in that book that she wanted to make. It required purling which she picked up in a flash. 2 stockinette squares later and some felt shapes cut and we've got Flapping Fred.
She now also knows how to cast on using the reverse loop method. She'll sometimes just grab yarn and needles and cast on over and over.
Polly Pocket also received a rug designed and knit by dd#3.
Happy Herbie is next in her queue.
3 pairs of socks done!
I finished the pair of Philosopher's House Socks (Nov/Jan sock class) for Cat Bordhi's sock book. They fit nicely over a pair of regular wool socks...so I've got extra warmth for these really really cold days. The yarn is Cascade 220...more leftovers from the Wonderful Wallaby sweaters. Needles: Size 4 dpns.

This purple pair is for dd#3.
Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote, Columbine
Needles: Size 0 circulars
Method: Toe up, Crazy Toe & Heel style
This charcoal pair is my dad's Christmas present. It looks really black in the photo but it is a dark charcoal in real life. These were toe up - Crazy Toe & Heel style on size 0 circs. The yarn is called Pace from Universal Yarns.
I've got my brother-in-law's socks...same color, same size as these....on the needles . One foot is to the heel and the other is almost halfway to the heel.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Knitting and Reading
There has been some talk on the KnitList about knitting while reading.
I use a nifty little book holder called The Book Gem if I'm reading a printed book while knitting.
If the book is on CD...then a CD player will do.
I've recently acquired a Sony MP3 player (dd#2's old one). Today Wendy (from the KnitList) shared a link for LibriVox. This site provides free audiobooks for works in the public domain. That looks like a great resource! I'll have to learn how to download the files....not today....I've already got a book on CD and several "real" books going at the moment.
Another fun way to get a daily dose of literature is Daily Lit. They email you a small portion of a book of your choice each day at the time of your choosing. You can also omit weekends if you like. Set your mouse to slowly scroll and grab your knitting.
NB....I don't always read while knitting. Sometimes the TV is going (I don't often get control of the remote) or I'm visiting with friends or knitting in public....or sometimes everything is quiet. That doesn't happen real often in this house.
I use a nifty little book holder called The Book Gem if I'm reading a printed book while knitting.
If the book is on CD...then a CD player will do.
I've recently acquired a Sony MP3 player (dd#2's old one). Today Wendy (from the KnitList) shared a link for LibriVox. This site provides free audiobooks for works in the public domain. That looks like a great resource! I'll have to learn how to download the files....not today....I've already got a book on CD and several "real" books going at the moment.
Another fun way to get a daily dose of literature is Daily Lit. They email you a small portion of a book of your choice each day at the time of your choosing. You can also omit weekends if you like. Set your mouse to slowly scroll and grab your knitting.
NB....I don't always read while knitting. Sometimes the TV is going (I don't often get control of the remote) or I'm visiting with friends or knitting in public....or sometimes everything is quiet. That doesn't happen real often in this house.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Philosopher's House Socks

This is the sock that we worked on in our sock class in November and December. December's class was snowed out so we met on the 8th of January for the final class.
We did the arch expansion to the heel turn in class. I finished the heel and cuff the next morning (way too early). It was knit in worsted weight yarn (Cascade 220...left over from my Wallaby). Fast knit. Although I'll use them more for slipper socks. They're a bit too thick for my regular shoes.
This pattern is from Cat Bordhi's newest sock book:
New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One on page 72.
I've got the toe started on its mate.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Christmas Crafting
Here are some crocheted soap bags. The pattern is from the Klutz Crochet Book. I did a twisted cord instead of a chain for the ties and also made them drawstring bags. It's about 3" wide and 5.5" high. Irish Spring or a bar of Dove fit just fine. The bag for the little one was filled with candy instead of soap.
My husband's work friends received Tribbles (scrubbies) knit by dd#1. This link doesn't seem to be working for me. Could just be my computer.
My sister got a storage case for her knitting needles.

The large plastic pockets are 3.5" x 6.75". The smaller plastic pockets that hold the needle labels are 2.5" x 1.75". I cut two pieces of coordinating fabric 30" x 28" and a piece of window screen 16.5" x 28" (to add stiffness to where the needles are stored). To fold: Flop the top down. Fold the left and right sides in toward each other 3 times and secure with ribbon and button. The button isn't really necessary but I liked it. I tie the half knot above the button and the loops of the bow below the button.
She also received the pink lacy round linen cloth (already pictured here). My mom also got one in a dark purple. I didn't take a picture of the purple one...hmmm. I also promised my mom that'd I'd knit her a bag with yarn she had been hoping would turn into a felted bag. Unfortunately the yarn didn't cooperate so she asked instead for a pair of socks in fingering weight yarn. She's got the first pair of socks I ever knit but they are in sport weight and don't fit in her shoes so well.
My dad and brother-in-law are also both getting a pair of socks. I had one toe of a sock started before Christmas for my dad. My b-i-l wants the same color as dad's...charcoal. One sock is about an inch from being complete. If it is a smidget too short for dad (and that is my only concern at the moment) it should fit my b-i-l just fine.
(This picture is from the 29th of December. The heel is done but with dental floss as a life line in case it didn't fit and I had to reknit the heel.)
My mother-in-law received the Truly Tasha Shawl...previous pictures here. We tried to get a picture on Christmas Eve of her wearing it (at least long enough to get a picture) but before I had it over her shoulders she had it off. Hope she comes to love the warmth it will provide her as she reads her books and/or surfs the webTV.
Friends at church and our next door neighbor received crocheted diagonal potholders, knit cloths, and tribbles.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Truly Tasha's Shawl
Christmas Stockings
I've been lured by all the pretty knit Christmas stocking patterns but this is the reason why I won't be knitting any for us....

I really like these. I like that they have the Luke account of the Jesus' birth on them. Mine is the first on the left (Luke 2: 4, 5, 6). Then dd#1 (vs 7). Dd#3 (vs 8). Dd#2 (vs 9). Daddy (vs 11).
I cross stitched these back in 1994, 1997, and 3 in 1998. I had dd#3's stocking done before she was born...all except the name. (There are names on them under the top border. I've airbrushed them out to protect the innocent.)
My sister did the sewing part of the project. That part made me too nervous.
Edited Jan 10th: Having not attended the award ceremony, I had no idea that I won a Golden Aardvark Award. I went to the list of awards to read the posts of friends who won and ended up finding this blog post of mine on the list of winners. Wow! Very unexpected! Thank you Aardvark Alley!
I really like these. I like that they have the Luke account of the Jesus' birth on them. Mine is the first on the left (Luke 2: 4, 5, 6). Then dd#1 (vs 7). Dd#3 (vs 8). Dd#2 (vs 9). Daddy (vs 11).
I cross stitched these back in 1994, 1997, and 3 in 1998. I had dd#3's stocking done before she was born...all except the name. (There are names on them under the top border. I've airbrushed them out to protect the innocent.)
My sister did the sewing part of the project. That part made me too nervous.
Edited Jan 10th: Having not attended the award ceremony, I had no idea that I won a Golden Aardvark Award. I went to the list of awards to read the posts of friends who won and ended up finding this blog post of mine on the list of winners. Wow! Very unexpected! Thank you Aardvark Alley!
Socks for dd#2
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Ready for some Cat Bordhi Mindbending

Attended the first class....got the New Pathways for Sock Knitters book....got my beaded markers done....then it snowed....second class postponed until January....which is good since December is always so busy.
Beaded markers made with things in my basement....DMC floss, jump rings, leftover beads.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Truly Tasha's Shawl
I was wanting to knit a Christmas present for someone to keep warm while she is surfing online or reading a book. I decided on the Truly Tasha's Shawl because it was a little heavier (although I didn't want it as dense...pattern recommended size 4/3.50mm needles), looked quick to knit, and I liked the lace edging (esp. turned to be a collar around the neck).
Next was the run to the yarn store (Dec 4th)...I wanted pink because the recipient looks very nice in pink. There was a pretty mauvy pink with brown that would have self striped but I decided on this brighter pink because I wanted a cheerier color to brighten the recipient's mood.
This is Cascade's Eco (478 yds/250 gms/8.75 oz). I used 10.5 (6.5mm) needles. I knit until it measured from tip to the top edge, allowing for the future border lace, the finished measurement...28". I maybe should have gone a bit more. The "across the top" measurement is a little smaller than 60" and the diagonal edge is the most off the mark. But I'm hoping that blocking will get those measurements more in the ballpark.

I made a second run to the yarn store on Dec 5th to pick up a second skein of yarn. I had knit about half of the first skein and it looked to me like it was going to be close. And this picture shows just how close it was. The little tail of yarn is all that is left of the first skein. I had about 6-7" left of the lace border to finish. And I finished off that little bit last night (Dec 9th)...right off my swift so I wouldn't have to wind the 478 yd skein. I probably have 468 yds left.
I neatly tied a few spots around the skein, retwisted and relabeled it...it's all set to take back to my yarn store like it's never been used. LOL...just teasing you, Michele! I've already got plans for it for next Christmas...a possible cabled fingerless mitts/scarf combo...unless it calls out to be something else in the meantime. Although I really should get a head start for next Christmas!
Oh yeah! You'd probably like to see the whole shawl finished? Well...I'm not ready for that yet. I'll be washing and blocking it first...then a finished picture. So stay tuned!
Next was the run to the yarn store (Dec 4th)...I wanted pink because the recipient looks very nice in pink. There was a pretty mauvy pink with brown that would have self striped but I decided on this brighter pink because I wanted a cheerier color to brighten the recipient's mood.
This is Cascade's Eco (478 yds/250 gms/8.75 oz). I used 10.5 (6.5mm) needles. I knit until it measured from tip to the top edge, allowing for the future border lace, the finished measurement...28". I maybe should have gone a bit more. The "across the top" measurement is a little smaller than 60" and the diagonal edge is the most off the mark. But I'm hoping that blocking will get those measurements more in the ballpark.

I made a second run to the yarn store on Dec 5th to pick up a second skein of yarn. I had knit about half of the first skein and it looked to me like it was going to be close. And this picture shows just how close it was. The little tail of yarn is all that is left of the first skein. I had about 6-7" left of the lace border to finish. And I finished off that little bit last night (Dec 9th)...right off my swift so I wouldn't have to wind the 478 yd skein. I probably have 468 yds left.
I neatly tied a few spots around the skein, retwisted and relabeled it...it's all set to take back to my yarn store like it's never been used. LOL...just teasing you, Michele! I've already got plans for it for next Christmas...a possible cabled fingerless mitts/scarf combo...unless it calls out to be something else in the meantime. Although I really should get a head start for next Christmas!
Oh yeah! You'd probably like to see the whole shawl finished? Well...I'm not ready for that yet. I'll be washing and blocking it first...then a finished picture. So stay tuned!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Knitted Lacy Round Dishcloth
This Knitted Lacy Round Dishcloth is a free pattern from Knitting Knonsense.
It is a fairly fast knit and looks beautiful.
I decided to use Euroflax Linen for this cloth so it wouldn't get too big. I knit this on size 3 needles. It's about 9 1/2" in diameter.
I did the kitchener stitch incorrectly. I used the reverse stockinette method on this cloth. But I've already made another cloth and used the garter stitch kitchener. (That link is a PDF download)
It really needed to be blocked. Here's a picture of it blocked on my 0000 needles:
Blogger wouldn't download that picture (having hiccups or something) so this picture is downloaded from flickr. You can see a larger picture if you click on this and then the "all sizes" link above the flickr picture.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Elfin Lace Scarf

This scarf has been finished for some time...the knitting anyway.
I finally blocked it yesterday! I used blocking wires for the first time. Wow! They worked great!
It is about 10 1/4" wide and about 5 feet long (or so).
The pattern (for the cloth) is here.
I made it the same width as the cloth just kept on knitting the length.
The cashmere is from Belisa Cashmere, Bundanoon, NSW, Australia. This was purchased at Stitches Midwest 2006. (I used size 5 needles.)
I decided not to add a border on the bottom/top edges. I like it as it is. I was also going to try to reverse the pattern so the hearts would go the same direction but I didn't do that either. So now it is hearts on one side and spades down the other. Just need some diamonds and clubs...
Scrumptious Shagged Slipper Socks
The girls have outgrown the felted slippers my dsis made for them. (Actually dd#1 wore her slippers so much that she's worn the bottom through...several times...she keeps needle felting over the holes.) So this time was my turn. They decided they want slippers like daddy.
This is a fast easy knit with two strands of Cascade 220 held together throughout. The shagging is easy peasy and makes a very soft cushion to walk on. I've got some inside of the slipper pictures here in case you don't know what shagging is...besides the slang meaning! :blush:
And speaking of slippers...I am sporting a very lovely purple pair of Fiber Trends Felted Clogs that my dsis so kindly knit for me. Thank you so much! They really keep my feet warm!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Another Tribble

Here's another Tribble I made with leftover purple Sugar'n Cream and some 1" strips of purple tulle held together.
The tulle isn't called for in the pattern but it does add some scrubbie-ness to it.
The first and last stitch is knit without the tulle. This kept the edge stitches from being too thick when gathering to close.
I also used separate lengths of yarn to pull the holes shut tightly. Then tied a knot and hid the ends inside.
Sugar'n Cream Stripes - Potholders

Thought I'd give the Sugar'n Cream Strips a try with the diagonally crocheted potholders. Yeah...looks nice I think!
I think I'll make them a set with the dishcloths a few blog entries below.
Monday, October 29, 2007
My Traveling Socks
These finally got finished! They've traveled there and back again.
I started with a pattern from More Sensational Socks but ended up starting over and doing just a generic rib. I think dd#1 will be wearing these the most.
This was Socks that Rock - lightweight yarn that I purchased at Stitches Midwest 2006.
The hanger sock blockers are new...bent them just today. Thought that'd work ok for taking pictures.
Now I've got to figure out what will be my next traveling sock project....hmmm...so many choices....
Baby Booties
Here's a picture of the finished booties. The pattern is here.
I think the pattern gets obscured with this yarn...although this yarn is VERY soft.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Sugar'n Cream Stripes
Two Color Hat

The Two-Color Hat is finished!
Here are my notes:
Make it like store bought hat...except do in the round.
(I used Yarn Harlot's "Knitting Rules" for basic directions.)
Oct 12th...did swatch. Andean Treasure is *so* soft!
Cast on green 112 sts. Size 2 needles.
1. 4 rows 2x2 rib green
2. 2 rows rib blue
3. 4 rows rib green
4. 6 rows rib blue
5. 3 rows rib green
Change to size 3 needles for stockinette sts in blue.
Knit until hat equals length of hand of hat wearer.
No swirl decrease...
1. Decrease round: K3, k2tog (around),
knit even 3 rounds.
2. Decrease round: k2, k2tog (around),
knit even 2 or 3 rounds.
3. Decrease round: k1, k2tog (around),
knit even 2 rounds.
4. Decrease round: k2tog (around),
knit even 1 or 2 rounds.
5. Repeat decrease round 4 until 6
stitches remain. Kitchener.
Finished Oct 21st.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Hats
This hat is in Andean Treasure (Knitpicks) and is super soft.
This next hat is for my cousin's friend who is having a baby in December. Free Pattern Here. This yarn is Sirdar Snuggly Bubbly. I was only able to get one skein of pink so I am also using white because she wanted a hat....a pair of baby mitts (one done)....
and a pair of baby booties (soon to be started).
I'd have to say that I'm not overly fond of this yarn even though it is super soft.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Jaywalkers done!
Amen!I had issues with this sock...too loose....too tight....way too much ripping back. One whole cuff, one whole foot and about 3" of the other foot.
But they are done and my dd loves them and I finished them in time for the game tonight. All I had left to do this morning was to Kitchener the toes shut...no big deal there.
I ended up doing a plain stockinette stitch foot. The toes are decreased on the pinky toe side. So they are left foot/right foot socks.
I used size 0's with 84 sts.
(Tried 1's but the socks were too big)
Zwerger Garn Opal Krokodil / Crocodile sock yarn.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Progress....or not!
The Eesti Trail Hiking socks got ripped back....
I had the heel completed. The decrease for the gusset stitches was wonky...so I searched online for pattern errata. Well....I found the errata but it was for the charted color work in the middle of the leg which, of course, was done. Bummer! So I ripped out the gusset, the heel and the color work.
As for the gusset....I never found an errata for that. But it's a mistake none the less. The pattern has you decrease 4 sts on the first round after picking up the sts along the heel flaps...and two sts on each side of the instep. The pattern says "dec 2 sts".
So when I reknit this I will decrease 4 sts on the first round...that helps with the holes that sometimes appear in those corners. But then on the other decrease rounds I will only decrease on the heel needles....not the instep needles also.
I cast on for the Jaywalkers Socks. They are for dd#1 and I'm hoping to finish them by next Friday. One cuff is done and the other is about 1.5 inches. Luckily she wants short cuffs. They are in the high school's colors (even though we homeschool). She's going to the Homecoming game and wants to dress in school colors.
I had the heel completed. The decrease for the gusset stitches was wonky...so I searched online for pattern errata. Well....I found the errata but it was for the charted color work in the middle of the leg which, of course, was done. Bummer! So I ripped out the gusset, the heel and the color work.
As for the gusset....I never found an errata for that. But it's a mistake none the less. The pattern has you decrease 4 sts on the first round after picking up the sts along the heel flaps...and two sts on each side of the instep. The pattern says "dec 2 sts".
So when I reknit this I will decrease 4 sts on the first round...that helps with the holes that sometimes appear in those corners. But then on the other decrease rounds I will only decrease on the heel needles....not the instep needles also.
I cast on for the Jaywalkers Socks. They are for dd#1 and I'm hoping to finish them by next Friday. One cuff is done and the other is about 1.5 inches. Luckily she wants short cuffs. They are in the high school's colors (even though we homeschool). She's going to the Homecoming game and wants to dress in school colors.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Stranded Diagonal Potholder
Here's the inside of the potholder....Isn't it purty!
Things I learned in this "little" experiment:
1. 42 stitches on each needle (2 circs - size 3) is not enough stitches. Finished size is 6.5" on the diagonal. Works nice to keep my arm of this nasty cold metal desk but for taking hot casserole dishes from the oven it would be useless.

2. Don't worry about the stockinette sts rolling. They will behave eventually.
I had done some garter rows to prevent the rolling. I don't like how that looks. If I had done more stripes of it in other places I wouldn't have minded. But this experiment was about doing color work not texture.

3. I chose to use the vertical straight lines in my colorwork to disguise the "jog". That worked for hiding the jog.....Except the lines don't line up...a jog may have been less noticeable. (I know there's a wrong stitch in there too...oh well...just a practice piece)
4. Next time try a smaller repeat.
5. Doing a stranded sweater with Cascade 220 (Wallaby leftovers) would be EXTREMELY warm!
NOTE: This post may not make sense on its own. Here's the previous "Potholder" post.
A Latin Riddle
Hey..... A Hobbit-type riddle in Latin!
Hic mortui vivunt, hic muti loquuntur.
Plus Laura Gibbs offers great encouragement for reading out loud....in Latin....but I'd include any language!
Hic mortui vivunt, hic muti loquuntur.
Plus Laura Gibbs offers great encouragement for reading out loud....in Latin....but I'd include any language!
Dd#1's Rag Rug

Here's the rug dd#1 is working on.
It's made of bed sheets ripped into 1" strips and then hand sewn together.
As you can see she's almost out of sheets....but we've still got a very large bag here yet to be ripped. It's a very dusty job so we do it outside! Today would be a beautiful day to get some done.
Our neighbor double crochets rugs like this. We tried.....but our hands (and heads) favor the knitting needles.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Tribble

I love Ravelry! You can find all sorts of neat patterns and ideas there!
Here's a pattern that uses up scraps of dishcloth yarn. It's also a scrubbie of sorts.
I added 6 strips of fine tulle (1" wide) to make it even scrubbier.
Note: Ravelry is still in its beta stage but won't be long and it will be open to the public. You can put your name on a waiting list (if you haven't yet...it doesn't take too long to get an invite).
Crocheted Pot Scrubber

I bought 1 yd of large holed tulle (from a fabric bolt). Cut in 2" strips...from fold to selvage edge. Tie 6 pieces together with square knots (leave tails 4 inches or so...the tails become the stuffing on the inside).
Pattern is here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf192070.tip.html
It is Dawn's post on August 31, 2007.
This feels real scratchy...like steel wool.
I don't think I'll be making too many of these. I really love the soft wool going through my fingers instead of scratchy tulle.
Roza's Socks
These are Roza's Socks, designed by Grumperina from the Interweave Knits Spring 2007 magazine.
Needles: Size 1 bamboo dpns
Yarn: Steinbach Wolle Aktiv Color 100 #7639
I added 6 sts (66 sts total) since I have size 8.5 feet.
Top cuff: 1 3/4" = 20 rounds
Whole cuff: 8" = 80 rounds
74 rounds from gusset to beg of toe shaping:
Round 74 on 4th needle knit first 2 sts together.
Arrange 31 sts on heel needles. 33 sts on instep needles.
Set up round: decrease 1 sts on each instep needle (#2 & #3).
Round 1: decrease on each needle (as per pattern).
Round 2: knit even
Decrease until 11 sts on heel (#4 & #1) and instep needles (#2 & #3). No even knitting round after this....do another decrease round to get 9 sts on heel and instep needles.
Do donkey ear trick.
Kitchener.
I had quite a bit of yarn left over. No worries about running out even though the cuff was fairly long.
I love how the brioche stitch looks in the ribbing.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Words and Where We Get Them
One of the Latin Proverbs that came up yesterday was:
Plures necat crapula quam gladius
In English: The hangover kills more than the sword.
Here's a blurb from that link in case you don't go there:
The Latin word crapula, like the words for so many of the finer things in life, is borrowed from Greek, "kraipale," meaning a headache, and in particular, a drunken headache. By extension, the word then comes to refer not just to the effects to drinking to excess, but to the drinking itself. Today's proverb could thus be translated as "Excessive drinking kills more than the sword does." But it sounds more fun to just say hangover!
And yes, if you are looking to improve your English vocabulary, "crapulous" is indeed an English word, along with a whole long list: crapulence, crapulency, crapulental, crapulosity, and crapulousness. Eegad, I love the Oxford English dictionary!
Do you ever feel "crappy"?
I say that all the time when I'm not feeling that great. I'll have to watch out....some may think I'm nursing a hangover! ; )
Plures necat crapula quam gladius
In English: The hangover kills more than the sword.
Here's a blurb from that link in case you don't go there:
The Latin word crapula, like the words for so many of the finer things in life, is borrowed from Greek, "kraipale," meaning a headache, and in particular, a drunken headache. By extension, the word then comes to refer not just to the effects to drinking to excess, but to the drinking itself. Today's proverb could thus be translated as "Excessive drinking kills more than the sword does." But it sounds more fun to just say hangover!
And yes, if you are looking to improve your English vocabulary, "crapulous" is indeed an English word, along with a whole long list: crapulence, crapulency, crapulental, crapulosity, and crapulousness. Eegad, I love the Oxford English dictionary!
Do you ever feel "crappy"?
I say that all the time when I'm not feeling that great. I'll have to watch out....some may think I'm nursing a hangover! ; )
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Basic Socks

These socks for dd#3 have been on the needles a long time. They were toe up Queen Kahuna style on #0 Addi Turbos.
The yarn is Kroy Sock Yarn....not my favorite.
I finished them on the way to American Players Theater yesterday. We went to see Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The weather cooperated beautifully this year....it's an outdoor stage. The costuming was beautiful and the actors incredible (as usual).
I read a few pages of the play the night before we left. But watching the performance and hearing the words spoken with inflections and emotions really makes a huge difference in comprehending Shakespeare. It will come to life now as I continue reading it.
The weather was cool...perfect for wool socks, wool sweaters and a clapotis on my lap. We were hoping the mosquitoes would be at a minimum and they were. I think I saw only one!
We swung past Cave of the Mounds on the return home. It had been a long, long time since I had been there. My kids and dh had never been there before. It was very wet in the cave but not as bad as the the record rain of August had made it. (It was the wettest August ever in Madison this year.) Part of the tour was inaccessible in August because of high water.
Diamond Rib Cloth
Here's another free charted pattern for you.This is Louet Euroflax Linen on size 2 needles (55 sts).
It took me awhile to get the pattern downloaded. I've been using Firefox because of Ravelry but I had to use Internet Explorer to get this on the net. Quirks...got a love 'em.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Crocheted Diagonal Potholders
I intentionally ignored this project in last night's post as that post was getting long enough as it was.
It is a single crocheted diagonal potholder. I used this pattern sort of (plus the advice of my mom...since she's made a hundred of these things). This starts with a chain 45. Then single crochet around and around for about 20 rows. Whip stitch together.
I made one on the way to NC and another on the way back while we listened to HP and the DH on CD. Audio books is the way to go on long trips. It really passes the time quite pleasantly.
Well....someone on one of my groups was asking about Christmas projects. So I googled for the link I provided above for this pattern and ended up stumbling upon a knit version of this potholder. The scales fell from my eyes and I started brainstorming.
I could do an aloha cast on ala Crazy Toes and Heels (like toe up socks). That would give me a little purl ridge down the middle. I may or may not like that ridge....depends.
I could also do Judy's Magic Cast-On and avoid that purl ridge. I've done a little sample of this before and it isn't very hard to do.
As I was looking at that knit version and imagining all the different stitch variations that could be done I started to think about the Fair Isle class I was going to yesterday morning. I could get a lot of practice doing Fair Isle colorwork on these potholders. I could make them in wool too...possibly even a bit bigger and then felt them.....
The only problem I can foresee is the whole jogging issue which really threw me a bit when I finished the Fair Isle portion of the sock pictured in the previous post. I started to think I read the charts wrong because the design looked off. Then I realized it was the starting point of the round. (For those of you who don't knit in the round...you are actually knitting in a spiral so where your end of the round meets the beginning of that same round you are one stitch higher.)
But most Fair Isle sweaters are knit in the round so there must be a way to overcome this jog issue....or it is just hidden in the side seam area (there really isn't a side seam)? I'll have to do a little investigating....or if you know, fill me in on the secret.
And Michele...those are two more cast on techniques to teach. I'll offer a third...Long Tail Cast on in Purl. I did it for three projects. It wasn't too bad once you got the hang of it. I don't remember it anymore...I'd have to study the pictures again with yarn and needles in my hands.
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