more knitting

Well, I felt like getting the rest of the knitting out and chronicled here. I want to post to a sock knitting group and I need some evidence! This was my first pair a couple months ago. I got interested when I read Wendy Knits and she talked about superwash wool. Washable wool socks with nylon for wearability? Wow, I had to try that! Years ago I knitted some socks and they got holes in the heels so fast that I gave up. And these are her famous generic toe-up pattern that was pretty easy to do. Once I worked through it, that is. And they don't exactly match because I panicked and started the second sock before I wanted to. I was afraid of running out of yarn and really, I wouldn't have. oh well. I wore them and they are marvelous! Opal yarn. (note - I got those pesky holes in the gusset, but will do that better next time!)


This second pair is another Wendy pattern, the toe-up Feather and Fan in Opal yarn. I trusted the pattern even though it looked too big for me, and sure enough, the first sock is too big. I made the second one anyway, but am still deciding whether to re-knit just one sock or unravel both and start completely over. I'm not really attached to these and I could probably find something I like better out of this yarn. I think I would like this yarn better if the heels, cuffs and toes were solid black.


This pair is a Chevron Lace pattern from knittingonthenet, done out of Lorna's Laces. Nice and lightweight and I'm wondering how they'll wear.


I love how these turned out. I had gotten a lone ball of sale superwash sock yarn and paired it with some solid color yarn to stretch it into a pair of socks. I was amazed that the nondescript looking striping yarn worked up so pretty. I simply can't tell by looking at self-striping yarn how it's gonna turn out! The pattern is Karen's Lace Socks from needlesandwool.


After a few pairs of socks I wanted something even more mindless to do and that began the "cotton dishcloth phase". Sugar & Cream cotton yarn is cheap and I can even get it at the grocery, so I made tons of these cloths. I have gifted most away, but these are a couple I still have.


Then I started trying to use up the Sugar & Cream - I don't think it can be done. I also decided that the cotton cloths are relatively heavy and don't need to be so big. I made them into smaller rectangles like these and I like them a lot. That way you can use them a time or two and throw them in the wash. As long as you have someone knitting you a supply, of course! I do love these!


I wondered if you could make a face cloth that would be nice and this was my attempt with a skein of Bernat Cool Crochet, 70% cotton, 30% nylon. It has a bit of sheen and I thought it would be a treat to leave out for a guest to use. Or a nice gift in a basket with some handmade soap. (I have a friend who makes wonderful soap!)


And this is the latest ~ a baby hat and mitts and mittens for another co-worker. It will be new baby Giovanni's first winter, so I made him a hat with flaps and thumbless mitts. The hat seems stretchy, so thinking it will still fit him next year, I made him some big boy mittens, too. The yarn is Caron Simply Soft Tweed, acrylic and rayon for easy care.


And now what will I start on next? I'm itching to start socks, but I promised my sister another dog sweater for her Yorkie. I forgot to photograph him in the one I gave him a couple weeks ago, so stay tuned for that. He is one little designer dog in that thing! Now let me see.....