Angelarae Knits

Cowgirl

My 'Cowgirl's' are done!  These look really nice, I'm pleased with them.  Thanks to all of you who replied to my bind-off question.  Excellent suggestions, all.   I looked at the sewn bind-off tutorials and there seems to be more than one way to do it.  So, I tried Grumperina's fancy-schmancy bind-off and that was the easiest to do, so I went with that one.  You can see it a little better in this picture...

Can you see how neat the stitches are at the top of the cuff?  You can find this very simple, yet very lovely bind-off, here.  So basically, here are the logistics:  I knit this sock, toe up, using this pattern for the toe, continued the foot using measurements for a size 61/2, based on the charts in 'Sensational Knitted Socks.'  Then, I used this short row heel (truly hole-less!)  and the cuff from Cowgirl Slipper Socks.

Also, I liked working with this yarn.  It is KnitPicks Essential Multi in the Tuscany colorway.  I knit them two at a time on two circular needles, size 2.  I think Mom will like them. They will be part of her Mother's Day present.

All Sock Wizards, Please Help

Hello, oh guru's of sock construction. (Dave, Monica, Ann, Polly, or anyone else who knows about knitting socks toe-up) I need some advice.  I am knitting a short cuff sock for a gift.  I am knitting them toe-up.  The construction of the leg portion of this sock ends in a rolled edge...all stockinette.  Since I have never knit toe up socks, but know that the bind-off is crucial to the correct fitting of the socks, I would like to know what bind-off would be best to use for this rolled edge, toe-up sock.   There are several possibilities available, I know.  The cuff will be similar to these Cowgirl socks from Interweave.  Tutorial links would also be much appreciated.  As I hate posting without pictures, here's one from my garden.  Thanks in advance:)

N.C. State Socks

A finished object, (whoo-hoo!) Dad's N.C. State socks.   My Dad is a N.C. State grad and a huge fan.  When I found this yarn, Jitterbug in color 'Tapis,' I grabbed it up with the intent of making these for Dad.  Red sock yarn can be hard to find. 

Jitterbug is thick, beautiful yarn, but a little short on yardage (only 318 yds), so in order to make them fit my Dad's size 11 - ish feet, I had to knit the cuffs, heels, and toes in black.  I used Dale Of Norway Baby Ull for these sections.   Also, I knit these two-at-a-time on two circulars.  It is my first time using this technique.  It worked great, even though the heel section was a little difficult to work out.  I ended up using a heel-flap-and-gusset-type heel.  Next time, I'll use a tutorial, rather than trying to work this out on my own.   I want to use the Jitterbug yarn again too as it is so thick and sturdy and the colors are so  gorgeous.  I'll just use it for a smaller pair of feet.  Like, say, mine, for example;->

Knitting Only

So, it's been a while since I posted here.  I've had a few changes occurring in my life and I have been rather busy with a new job since the beginning of March.  The pay is much better, with a few more hours and compensation for gas, and we all know how important that is.  I have two projects I have been working on since the end of February and, oh, forever.  I am speaking respectively of The Orkney Pi and my Dad's red socks.  First, the Pi shawl:

This is the horseshoe lace portion of the shawl in section 1.

This is a shot of a tree in the 2nd section of this shawl.

Section 4 will be posted March 21.  One of the participating knitters is finished through section three and hers is 7 feet across!  We'll have to see about mine.  I'll have a better idea once I start section three.  I am knitting on size 5 24" circulars, so I can't stretch it out to get an idea of how big it is.   The beauty of this shawl, is that I can stop knitting when it is as big as I want it.  Since I am 5'3" tall, I think 7 feet would be too big. 

Next, Dad's socks:

This picture looks really yellow.  The jitterbug yarn I am using for these is really much nicer than the color I got here.  As you can see, the feet just aren't long enough yet for Dad's size 11 feet.  Will keep knitting.  Knitting two socks at the same time is much slower.  Just so you know.

Sock Bottoms

So, my mom and I have pretty much determined that putting anything sticky on the bottom of her socks is not going to work because she also wants to wear them with her shoes and they will feel too wonky on her feet when she is wearing shoes.  So, I think what she needs is a pair of felted clogs/slippers.  I can easily apply a no-slip bottom to these and she can wear her beloved socks with the slippers if she so desires.    That being said, there are a couple options I have.  I have the Fiber Trends Clogs pattern for children.  Since she wears a 6 1/2, I think I could probably get away with knitting the kids large for her and they would fit.  However, these have to be knit with the yarn double.  I was unclear if I could substitute a bulky yarn, so, I could still try it, but the unknown and cost of 2 skeins of LP Bulky makes this fall a little lower on my list. Too many unknowns.  Thankfully, I found this pattern, Fuzzy Feet...a winner, I think.   Basically, you knit a honkin' big sock and felt the crap out of it.  When it is finished it looks very much like a clog.   An advantage of this pattern is that it uses one skien of Lamb's Pride Worsted (one of my favorite yarns) and that it should knit up fairly quickly on size 10 1/2 needles.  So, I'm going with that one.  I found a lovely color for Mom, Pistachio, for $6.95.  If I can find the other two of my size 10 1/2 double points(don't ask), I won't have to spend anymore for them.  You'll have to wait to see pictures.  My light box is out of order.

Toe Up

So, today I finally figured out how to knit two socks at the same time on two circular needles.  I am so excited, as I have wanted to learn this technique for a while now.  I used this free pattern/tutorial.  It was the only one I saw that mad sense to me in the reading, so I cast-on, and, voila!

My first pair of toe up socks.  Whoo-hoo!  You may recognize the yarn from my failed attempts at knitting these.  It is Knit Picks Bare Tweed.  I like it.  I am glad I have found a pattern I can knit with it and be happy with.   Now I just need a good repeatable pattern for the instep and the leg...something that will not be difficult to memorize...maybe a twisted rib?  baby cables? any suggestions?

Exciting News

First, my blogging machine is back, and functioning!  Finally!  It took 3 returns via Fed Ex to receive this baby back in working condition.  Glad to have it.  (Yes, that's a pack of chocolate covered mint Oreos...what of it?)

I had to download all my favorite free-ware and set things up in Thunderbird for the Knit Notes newsletter, but I think I have everything covered now.  The third issue should already be in subscribers' email boxes.  Let me know if anyone is missing theirs.

Next, my son, Sam, has a film coming out December 25th 2007.  It is called 'The Great Debaters and features Denzel Washington (also directing) and Forrest Whitaker.  Sam is playing one of the Oklahoma City Debaters.  We are all so excited for Sam, and very proud!

Knit-wise, for now, nothing really all that earth shaking.  I am working on a classic wool scarf (more later) and a pair of white tweed socks.  I'll pass along the pics as soon as I have them.   

Re: the white tweed...I did attempt to knit Maia's Scherherazade's Slippers .  They are her Mystery Sock project for all us suckers out there who think we can knit...myself being the chief offendee.  (Hey, I never said there weren't people who could actually  knit)  Here is what the sock is supposed to look like so far:   (This is from Pat's blog-her lovely knitting)

And this is my weak attempt:

I don't think that those side cables on my sock look like actual cables at all.  They look more like a mock cable, and that's being generous.   Clearly, this little pattern kicked my arse and I was, obviously, over confident to attempt it, despite Maia's warning that this is really an intermediate to advanced knitter project.   Oh well, you live, you learn.  The yarn is pretty, though, right?  I told you it was white tweed.

Plan B

Okay.  So, no one has Regia Colors #1937. No. One.   So...I'm going with plan B.  A pair of socks in another yarn that my Mom wanted socks in.  Here you go.

Yarn: Artful Yarns 'Candy' Color/Spearmint
Needles: Size 8 Clover Bamboo
Pattern: My own. (that is a short row heel - score!)

This yarn is super stretchy and worsted.  So, I only needed to cast on 36 sts.  It's going pretty fast, so I should be able to finish these by Mother's Day.  Also, notice...there are 2 balls of yarn.