While shopping in Colorado last week, I found some books that I needed. The first is Carol Sulcoski’s new book “Knitting Socks With Handpainted Yarns“. Have you seen it? She does such a wonderful job of explaining how to avoid pooling/striping when working with handpainted yarns, including how to determine what your skein is likely to do, depending on the lengths of the color runs. GREAT info for all of us who love handpainted yarns. There are also 21 sock patterns by designers like Nancy Bush, Charlene Schurch, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Chrissy Gardiner, and more. Definitely a great investment. I also bought a book called “Beautiful Sheep” by Kathryn Dun. Beautiful photographs of more breeds of sheep than you ever knew about, plus all of the statistics about each breed. I think I need to frame some of the photos and hang them up here at Loopy Central.
In addition to shopping, there was also some knitting time. (14 hours driving out + 14 hours driving home + a few afternoons of being “snowed-in-so-we’re-watching-movies” = time to knit). I finished up 3 socks that were halfway done, and I’m happy with all three. The first is Dye Dreams in their new Dream Sox line. This is one of my favorite semi-solids to work with. Not only do Mona and Stephanie do wonderful dye-work, but the base yarn is terrific. It’s a superwash merino/nylon blend, which makes for a very durable sock. (And you’ll love how soft and squishable this yarn is.) I used a pattern from one of Charlene Schurch’s books and the pattern really pops out. I have tucked away several more colors of this yarn for future socks.
The next sock I finished is my first ever Jaywalker. (Note – that link takes you to a page with a Ravelry link, or a link to email Grumperina directly for a copy of her pattern.) I thought the self-striping pattern would look fun in this pattern, and I really like how it turned out. This is a brand new indie-line for us, which comes from Canada. We’ll have Sweet Paprika’s line up next week in both this Vivace self-striping fingering weight, and in their lovely Minuet worsted weight (along with some great patterns from them as well.) Self-striping hand-dyed yarn is hard to find, as it’s such a time-consuming process. I’m so happy to have found these gals and their company. When we unpacked these boxes, I will admit to taking a few more colors of these, too. sigh.
The last sock I knit up is out of Cascade Fixation. I had not knit with Fixation before (I just had a lot of you clamoring for it) and I’m glad I took the time to knit with it. This is such a comfortable sock to wear, and I like all of the color choices. Fixation is 98.3% Cotton and 1.7% Nylon. It as some stretch to it and is billed as having “100 yds, 180 yds. stretched”. I wondered how far that would go. I have seen people talk about the Vog On pattern from Knitty.com, so I thought this would be a nice little anklet sock to use with Fixation. (And they give directions for both cuff down and toe up in that pattern.) I knit it toe up and substituted my preferred short-row heel. I could’ve stopped at anklet length, but then I wondered just how far up I could knit. Some of you have asked “How long are you supposed to make the cuff?” Of course it’s totally a matter of preference, but I prefer to make my cuffs about as long as the foot, when folded in half. This little $5.50 skein totally measured up. I was able to do my size 11 sock with my regular cuff length and even had a little yarn left over. (Note to self: flatten out that picot edge when washing and blocking it.) If you’re looking for a warmer weather yarn to use for socks for the spring and summer, give the Cascade Fixation a try. At $11.00 for a pair of socks, it’s a great deal. (People also use this yarn for knitting up bikinis, but that is SO not on my list…..)
My Noro Sweater is coming along great. (I’m making the Chevron Cardigan out of Knitting Noro. Good basic designs, and I’ve already picked out a second one that I want to make from this same book.) I have the body finished and now just need to knit the two sleeves. I realize that “just two sleeves” is still a significant amount of knitting to be done (not to mention the sewing up of all of the pieces), but it makes me feel like I’m closer to the end if I can say “just two sleeves”. It didn’t help that I had to do some frogging (once for pattern errata, and someday I’ll get used to looking that up FIRST), once for knitter-error, and once to change the colors that were coming out. FPS. I’ll bet I could’ve had one of those sleeves done, if not for the frogging. I’ll keep working on it and will look forward to showing it to you soon.
For those of you who have been waiting for us to get The Knit Kit in, it arrived this morning! I put it up and even though we ordered several dozen, it may very well sell out quickly. If you click on the link and find that they’re gone, I’m happy to save one for you out of the next batch. Just email us if you want to pre-order for the next time (we’ll have more in in about 2 weeks.) These are such great little kits.
So what have all of you been knitting for the past two weeks? Fill me in!
Sheri whohasnewREDLoopysweatshirtstosharewithyounextweek
Socks , socks and more socks. I’m making a pair for my husband each month this year! It my be April fool’s day but I’m not joking!
I’ve been knitting up a ton of baby things for the population explostion that seems to be happening among my friends.
I picked up that book (Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarns) too! The discussion on color value was really fascinating and I can definitely see how it will help in matching up patterns and yarns in the future.
I started up a pair of the haring bone socks (featured in the book) with Handmaiden Casbah (in Flirt) and they are so beautiful! Not quite as quick as some other patterns I’ve worked, but definitely worth the effort. And I think I’ve got several friends at knit night who are going to be hunting down that book now too 😉
I started a sock with the beautiful ShuBuiKnits Sock that I picked up while visiting The Loopy Ewe in February. Haven’t gotten far yet but I can already tell I LOVE this yarn.
Hi Sheri, I’m knitting on my March STR kit, trying to hurry and finish before my next Loopy sock kit comes out. Also knitting on 3 scarves and a Log Cabin blanket.
I’ve pretty much been solidly knitting on a Pie Man cabled sweater for my daughter. I’m nearing the end of the front, and hope to wrap it up soon. Your socks look great!
I’ve been going back and forth between my Rockin’ Sock Club March kit sock and my Norah Gaughan Flower Child top.
Since you mentioned books – I’ve always wondered why Loopy doesn’t sell books…
Hi Sheri. I am so happy you had a great time in Colorado. The snowmobiling looks like a lot of fun. Were you back for Dave Murray’s “snowflakes as big as hamsters” forecast or were you still enjoying the snow? I’m glad you left the white stuff in Colorado, I’m wearing flip flops and don’t want to pull the Uggs back out.
Your socks look amazing. I’m trying to be good until the Fling and am failing at it. Before leaving for spring break I started, ripped out, started again, dropped a stitch while flying and it was lost, started again while in FL and ripped out on the plane due to lost stitch(grrrr), switched needle sizes and started again, forgot to decrease # of stitches and ripped out and have finally started again my toe up monkey’s in Tempted Secret Garden. drama, drama, drama. I’ve decided that these socks will not be making another trip to FL. They’re grounded!
Love, the knit kit….sign me up…email enroute.
I’m working on Embossed Leaves socks (Pac-apeds), Lace Ribbon scarf (Koigu), and a knitting group project of “Wrap Me Up”, though I’m a very bad group member, because we’re only supposed to have completed up to block 6 (as of last night) and I’m on block 11. I. Just. Can’t. Stop. It’s kind of mindless knitting. (I’m using Noro Kureyon.)
I’ve also decided on Ishbel for the too nice for my feet Casbah from the Sock Club package. Gorgeous yarn! I have some Smooshy that has that great Sock Club pattern’s name on it.
ummm….did you say RED Loopy sweatshirts?? MUST. HAVE.
Last 2 weeks, I finished my clapotis and a prayer throw. Still OTN are my St Louis socks and my daily sweater–both of which you’lll probably see at Fling. I’m currently working on pencil pouches for Spring Fling challenge.
My very first 2 pairs of socks were made with Fixation. I like this yarn. I live in warmer climate so they’re good for this area. Also elasticized cotton is good for “fit.”
PS–I don’t know why you think I’d need a book about knitting with handpainted yarn 😉
I’ve been knitting, then ripping stuff out when I find I don’t like it, or the yarn doesn’t work with the pattern, or I make the same error three times (FPS!). Right now, I have a Butternut on the needles, but it’s slow going b/c I’m trying to knit it at work, away from my cats, and I’ve been busy busy busy lately. A red Loopy sweatshirt sounds like something I might need, hope there are a few left by the time Spring Fling rolls around.
Hoodies or regular? I have been busy finishing up some stuff that has been making me crazy and am starting a new sock when the last chosen unfinished is finished. It is to be a present. Hopefully, by the weekend.
In the last 2 weeks I finished up a pair of spiralusious mitts for a surprise gift for a friend. A scarf & hat for charity – for soldiers and sailors. OTN are my Monkey socks – sadly I didn’t quite get them done in time for the SF March KAL. Oh well-I’ll have them to wear at SF. I’ve also got Anne Hanson’s Brambler OTN.
Red sweatshirts AWESOME! Crew neck or hoodie? I hope crew. Hopefully you will have some sweatshirts and the Knit Kits when we shop at Spring Fling.
Three projects OTN: Wendy’s generic toe-up sock pattern which is a marvel as I just love trying on my sock as I knit it, first sock of a pair for my toddler who can’t wait til they are finished (MY sock, hurry Mommy!), and a baby blanket that must be finished soon as my friend’s baby is due in six short weeks.
Socks. I have a pattern suggestion for Fixation. The Broadripple pattern from Knitty works well and fits a wide variety of foot and ankle widths.
I have knit two hats finished a scarf and I am trying to find my sock knitting mojo since it seems have gone on vacation somewhere warmer. I have been spinning quite a bit though. Hard to believe but I don’t have a pair of socks for me on the needles at all.
Finishing the first of my sock club from March socks—love it, love it, love it! Second will definitely be done by the weekend, as cold weather still comes and goes in Iowa. Also been working on a log cabin afghan for a nephew’s wedding in July—first time I”ll have a present finished well BEFORE the event happens! Its my mindless tv project, as is all garter stitch.
I’ve been on a finishing spree again…so far am done with a cable pair of socks (my own design) out of Shibui, and an old Loopy Sock Club pair in fall colors. Almost done with another pair of stockinette plain vanillas for my husband, from Regia “Galaxy” that I found for cheapo on a clearance G-O-O-B sale at a LYS. And then just because it’s spring, I thought I’d better finish my Noro Silk Garden stripe scarf or soon I won’t be able to stand working on it! And then, just because of my ADD…I cast on a pair out of Claudia “jungle” green…a great spring color…and am working up a design for a leaf pattern. The leaves and color really have me psyched for Spring!! And when that is all over, I must get back to Caricia so I can (hopefully) have it done in time for the Fling. Whew!!!
Glad you had a wonderful time in CO! I’ve got Luxor socks from Anne Hanson (Knitspot) using Fortissima Colori and a pair of rib socks using Creatively Dyed, a sweater (my first, very slow sweater), and a shawl out of Plymouth’s Happy Feet. I’ve just finished my first hat – High Peaks Hat from Knitspot out of Malabrigo worsted. Beautiful!! Mittens are next. I’ve been reading Knitspot’s blog starting with 2006. Now I want to cast on all of her shawls and wraps!
Over spring break I worked on and afghan I keep at home that was supposed to be done for college (we’ll we if I get it done before finishing college!!). Now that I’m back at school I’ve been working on a pair of socks for my Mom and a cardigan for me. Not that that’s all that I have on the needles, by any means. It’s just what I’ve been working on recently.
I’m working on my second Pi Shawl using Trekking 172… from my Favorite YS… The Loopy Ewe!!
Red Loopy Sweatshirts!? I will have to check in to see them…
Glad you had a nice vacation… I just wish I could spend 14 hours straight knitting… the drive sounds like heaven… forget the vacation… I’ll just take the drive… LOL
Glad you are back safe and sound!
Red…did you say RED sweatshirts???!!! Woo-hoo…new attire for Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival!!
I have been knitting socks of course from Classic Elite’s Summer Sox which is a wonderful combo of cotton/merino/nylon. Love how the colors are striping. This is great on the hands and the needles just seem to fly round and round.
My big new project is Elizabeth Zimmerman’s “Concentric Circle” shawl which I am knitting from Noro’s sock yarn. Absolutely gorgeous!! I am going to the 800+ stitches to it is large like I prefer. Haven’t decided on the edging yet but I want a simple garter stitch of some sort.
Glad you had a wonderful and safe trip.
What, no April Fool’s jokes?? OK, I’ll start. I’m going to crash the Spring Fling “-)
Hi Sheri, I’m halfway through the second sock named [Cairdeas](pattern), a beautiful Yarnissima pattern.
I’m trying to figure out this URI feature so my apoligies in advance if this comment is all messed up.
Finished the PICC line cover for my guild’s charity this month. Now to finish the mushroom rattle for a baby, lots of other baby things, a crocheted memory pillow for TAPS, and get my friend’s Clapotis done!
Finishing up a second sock in Numma Numma Toasty and working on a couple of scarves. And trying not to cast on anything new until at least one of those is done! Thanks for the book review, Sheri; I’ve been thinking about getting that one!
Well, I was attempting to work on only my sock club socks this week until they were done, but in a fit of frustration (not with the socks) I cast on for a shrug last night. I also have another pair of socks, a scarf and a sweater I’m trying to finish.
I got the Handpainted Sock book for Christmas and have already used one of patterns with a yarn that was pooling unattractively in the first pattern I tried. Lots of good ideas for getting the results you want out of all those beautiful yarns.
what size needle did you use for your fixation vog on?
and this week – Easter Shawl 🙂
I bought that sheep book for dh for Christmas, it’s really neat, isn’t it! (altho we noticed they labeled a couple of females as males- or vice versa, ha)
That handpainted yarn book is definitely on my list to buy.
Socks in a Nancy Bush/vintage pattern using Casbah. I nearly knit the first sock too tight, so am adding a couple of stitches to the pattern for the second sock. This is huge for me — I never knit “off-pattern” (nor do I cook “off-recipe”) so figuring out where to add stitches to a cable pattern and how many to add is stretching my brain.
I finally finished the scarf out of the Cascade Heritage Handpaints (finished, means I am waiting to weave in ends and block) and I am working on a pair of gloves and a pair of socks. The socks are pretty wild for simple socks, because the handpaint is just color crazy all over!
Thanks for the pattern info on your socks. I liked the Vog On sock so much I started a pair yesterday with the Araucania that I purchased from TLE a while back. Love, love the colors! Have a good weekend.