Selbu

I’ve been wanting to try some colorwork so I decided that this hat might make a good first project. I picked some leftover sock yarn that I thought both looked decent together and also had enough yardage. It wasn’t until I started working on the hat that I realized that the colors are John Deere colors. Oh well, the hat is mostly for practice. Perhaps if it turns out okay then I’ll donate it somewhere.

August 20: The colorwork had been really slow going. I was trying out different ways of holding the yarn (even getting some continental knitting going) but nothing was really comfortable. I was at the point where I just decided to pick up each color as I needed it, which was extremely time consuming to drop the yarn, pick up the other, knit a stitch, drop the yarn, pick up the other, knit two stitches, etc.

I got one of the Knitting Yarn Guides. It’s a very small piece of plastic, but what a difference it makes! It’s a lifesaver!! I think I knit 9 rows last night faster than I had knit the rest of the hat up to that point (11 rows plus the ribbing). The yarn guide keeps my yarn untangled, I can easily grab the color I need without having to drop anything. And the tension stays almost just right.

In fact, it helped so much, that I flew through the knitting of the rest of the hat and it’s now finished! I’m quite happy with how the colorwork came out. Now, the shape of the hat is another story. It’s not quite as flopsy as it probably should be, but that’s okay.

Pattern: Selbu Modern by Kate Gagnon Osborn
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy (Happy Forest) and MadelineTosh Sock (Chamomile)

More Toe Up Socks

July 9: I enjoyed working the short row toe on the practice socks for my class, so I decided to jump in and start another pair of toe-up socks in a fingering weight yarn. I should have gone down a needle size as the fabric feels a bit loose, but I’m going to continue with these right now and see how they look after I finish the foot.

July 11: Finished the foot and heel and started working on the leg.

July 24: Finished the first sock and the toe of the second sock.

July 30: Finished the foot, heel, and just got started on the ribbing on the leg.

August 9: Finished second sock!

Yarn: numma numma toasty in Blackberry Jam
Pattern: Basic toe up sock provided by the class instructor

New Niece Cardigan

August 3: I was a little confused about the pattern at first until I realized that the top part is knit sideways rather than from top to bottom. Once I figured that out, the pattern makes a lot more sense!

August 4: Finished the top section. Now I need to pick up stitches for the lace skirt part.

August 8: Finished! I want to get a snap for the closure and also do a little blocking, but I’ve posted some pictures for now.

Pattern: Vintage Rocks Baby by Dianna Smith
Yarn: Have You Any Wool Simplicity Sock in Printemps