Skip to main content

WIP Wednesday

Even though this week has been busy with work and preparation for VK Live! this weekend, I've still been finding time to knit (is anyone surprised?). I've made considerable progress on my Malabrigo baby blanket. Of course, since it's just an endlessly-repeating pattern, it's not super interesting to see progress shots...unless there is a cute kitty in said photo, right?

I also started a project that has been in my queue for a while now, Marly Bird's Gradient Serendipity Shawl. I'm using the Himalayan Trail I bought from Bijou Basin Ranch at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival back in September, rather than the Lhasa Wilderness used in the pattern. I love the other projects I've made with Lhasa Wilderness - Narwhal Mittens and the Union Long Beanie - but wanted to try something new. Plus, I love the natural brown color, and it's soooo soft.

It's knitting up quite nicely; the cast-on is the hardest part (336 stitches!). Once you work through the first few rows with an easy lace pattern, you switch to garter stitch and work back and forth in short rows. Easy peasy and fun to knit!

Over the weekend, I performed some major sock surgery as part of my Darn-A-Thon efforts. I originally knit these socks for Tyler in 2008; I suppose it's no surprise that, four years later, they're in need of a few repairs. These socks really took a beating - not only were there rather sizable holes in both heels, the toes also had holes and threadbare holes-in-the-making. Rather than repair or reinforce each spot individually, I decided I should just cut off the toes and knit completely new ones, which I am now in the process of doing with some Brown Sheep Wildfoote from my stash. Tyler's favorite socks should be back in the game sometime soon!


Labels:

Comments

  1. cleancupOctober 24, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    I still find cutting knit fabric an intimidating prospect. Were they top down or toe up? And does that even matter if you're cutting, picking up, and knitting new?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handmade by StefanieOctober 24, 2012 at 9:08 PM

      They were top down, so it was fairly easy to pick up stitches and get knitting again. So far (knock on wood), I haven't had to repair any of the toe-up socks I've knit, so I'm not entirely sure how easy it would be to pick up stitches going the other way. It actually never occurred to me til just now - excellent question!

      Delete
  2. EmilyOctober 24, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    oooh, I'll definitely check out that shawl pattern! I'm totally obsessed with mostly garter shawls now! Looks fab!

    ReplyDelete
  3. bookworm-MaryOctober 24, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    I am super impressed with your sock surgery! OMG, I would be so scared to just cut the toes off my socks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MichelleOctober 24, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Three cheers for VKL Chicago! I hope that it's a huge success, so that they decide to come back again and again! I made myself choose between it and Stitches this year; It better live-up to expectations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Handmade by StefanieOctober 24, 2012 at 9:09 PM

      Agreed! I did make it out to Stitches, but I decided that if VK Live comes back to Chicago, I'll just go to that, rather than hoofing it out to Schaumburg. Fingers crossed!

      Delete
  5. LeahOctober 25, 2012 at 4:37 PM

    That's dedication - good luck with the sock repairs!

    ReplyDelete
  6. FujiyamamamaOctober 30, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    I love seeing your sock repairs!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Overdyeing A Finished Knit

Even after just a few years of knitting or crocheting, you're bound to have some finished projects lying around that never get worn or used. After 10+ years of crafting, I have more than just "some" or "a few"....and with my ongoing quest to declutter my house this year, I've become obsessed with going through these forlorn projects and making some Big Decisions. Sometimes, they are perfectly fine and just need a new and loving home. Other projects may have not turned out quite right: there might have been some mistakes in the knitting that I thought I could live with, or the yarn was gorgeous but not well-matched to the pattern, or my  taste has drastically changed since I finished making the project...in any case, why on earth did I keep knitting?! Who knows, but I don't feel good about gifting anything that falls into this category to someone else. These projects have been relegated to the "frog pile" (or should I say, frog pond?), to b...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Finished Sweater, With Cat Hair

After losing Tilly and Robin within a year of each other, I sure didn't think I'd be finding cat hair in my knitting any time soon. But the universe had other ideas. Over the winter, a white feral cat adopted us. I'd noticed her when we moved into our apartment last summer - I would see her hiding in the bushes or sunning herself in the grass when she thought no one was looking. I assumed she was someone's cat until I realized how skittish she was around humans, plus she had a tipped ear, which is a universal sign that a feral/stray cat has been spayed. Neighbors confirmed that she was a feral kitty (descended from several generations of feral cats, in fact), and that she has survived on her wits and whatever food various residents put out for her.  We had some bitterly cold days over the winter, and I just felt so sorry for this poor kitty! I started offering her treats and slowly gained her trust. She didn't even want to come inside our apartment at first, much le...
Post a Comment
Read more

Australian Superfine Merino Yarn Review & Giveaway

After more than ten years of knitting, I can still have new experiences - even with well-covered territory such as merino yarn! This recent merino experience actually took me by surprise: I've spun with it, I've dyed it, I've knit with it, and I've even crocheted with it...I was pretty sure I knew all there was to know about merino! Turns out, there are four different classifications of merino fiber, sorted by micron count range . At the bottom of the spectrum is Strong Merino , which ranges from 26-22.9 microns; above that is Fine Merino , which ranges from 20.1-23 microns; next up is Extra Fine Merino, which ranges from 20-15.6 microns; and at the very top of the heap is Superfine Merino Wool , with a micron range of 18.5-15.6. If you're into numbers and wondering how these four classes stack up against other fibers you may be familiar with, here are a few for comparison's sake: BFL (Blue-Faced Leicester) has a micron range of 24-28, Cashmere goat down ...
68 comments
Read more