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!


Comments

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easy DIY: Beaded Vintage Snowflake Ornament Kits from Solid Oak Inc.

I was really excited to step outside of my comfort zone and try something new as part of my "Christmas in July" theme this month. The kind folks at Solid Oak Inc offered me a chance to review one of their Nostalgic Christmas beaded crystal ornament kits I couldn't resist. My tree is already full of ornaments I've inherited or been gifted from other family members and friends,  so these pretty crystal beaded ornaments will fit right in I think! I was super impressed with  this compact little kit , which includes everything needed to create three gorgeous vintage-style ornaments - just add a pair of round nose pliers (I found mine on Amazon for less than ten bucks).  The instructions had some fabulous tips for newbies like me; for example, it recommended sorting the beads and laying them out in order on a towel or beading mat to prevent them from rolling away. That may seem obvious, but I was totally ready to start beading on my kitchen table without a

What If I Didn't Add Heels?

Last weekend, I finished the first sock with my Waterlilies yarn , and just for yuks, I tried it on even though it was basically just a tube sock. Much to my surprise, it fit really well, even without a heel. Who knew? So, that got me thinking: what if I just didn't add the heels?  I never thought a tube sock would actually fit nicely, but I genuinely like the fit, so...why spend time to add the heels? As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.... Let's say I decide not to add heels once the second sock is done - there will still be placeholder yarn for the afterthought heels, as you can see above, so should I leave it in and just weave in the ends? Or should I remove it, put the live stitches back on needles and at least graft them together using more of the Waterlilies yarn? I plan on mulling all of this over as I knit the second sock, and I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think would look best (or if you think this whole "n

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