Red Socks

No, not that sort of Red Socks. These are just red socks.

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Fixation Solid in color 3794 (aka red)
Yarn Supplier: Mind's Eye Yarns
Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm

These are just basic top down socks with a heel flap heel and a wedge toe. Due to sheer laziness I took the numbers from Thuja, but then just knit them in stockinette instead of seed stitch rib. While these may not be terribly exciting technique-wise, I was very happy to be knitting another pair of socks for this particularly recipient. (Wow was that really nearly 2 years ago? Sorry love, you were severely overdue for another pair!)

I had discovered the last time I knit socks from Cascade Fixation that the key for me is to use a much larger needle than seems reasonable. Due to the elastic and huge difference in linear density when this yarn is under tension, the final fabric just comes out a lot more reasonable and it is much nicer to knit that way.

I am not sure why, but I seem to be on a bit of a sock jag. You might want to be prepared for more sock-knitting (and knitting from sock-yarn) in the near future.

Happy Pi Day!

Happy Pi Day everyone!

Grey Stripey Socks

Salvbard has been very patient, but I recently realized that it had been ages since he got a pair of socks. He is a great sock-recipient though and wears them often, so I am always happy to knit him another pair. I love him so much, I don't even gripe much as his preference for boring colors. (Hey so they are a bit more fun and stripey, they are still grey right?)

MC Yarn: Regia Banner Color in 5455
Yarn Supplier: Carodan Farm Wool Shop
Toe & Heel Yarn: Jawoll Solid Superwash in 82.0124
Yarn Supplier: The Knitting Room (now closed)
Needles: US 2/2.75 mm and US 1/2.25 mm
Pattern: 72sts, top-down, modified german heel & wedge toe

I have to admit the man has some terribly shapely calves. Through a bit of trial and error, I have found that he generally likes the fit of a mostly ribbed sock, particularly if the top of the leg is done up a sized needle which accommodates his calf better. Here I used a US size 2 for the leg and then switched to a US size 1 for the foot. Given the relatively small diameter of his ankle compared to his calf though, I think next time I would only do the top few inches with the larger needle. Using a smaller needle for the bottom ribbing gives a firmer fabric that stands up a bit better (though his omnipresent boots keep these from slouching there during the day).

The heel is a variation on the German heel found in the Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush. I did it across just 36 stitches, instead of adding 4 stitches from the instep to either side. I have been curious to try different heel shapes for him, as he really likes the Black Man-Socks with the Dutch heel from the same source. Some may remember that he liked those socks so much I had to replace the toes due to wear a while ago.

Crocus Yarn

We aren't quite to crocus season yet, though I did notice that with the snow melted from my yard, the hyacinths and daffodils are just starting to poke up through the soil. Despite that, I am totally ready!


Having the spinning wheel in the living room has been fantastic. I broke out some fiber that I had received in the Somerville Yarn Swap. (And yes, I have been dipping a lot into the old stash recently.) Total between the four colors, I have 235 grams of superwash wool. The colors are a little more accurate in the above picture.

This is the first skein that I have plied so far from what I have. Given that I have found my singles have been tending more to the fine side, I went with something a little different and made a 3-ply. I wasn't sure if it would muddy the colors too much, but I have to say that at least pre-knit-up the yarn maintains that feeling of mixed crocus colors well. Neat!

Winter Tomato

Is there anything sadder than grocery store winter tomatoes? Particularly with the cold, dark days I have been thinking longingly of produce not yet in season.

I have also been fairly enamored with the idea of making knitted food toys for my nieces recently. I have no idea where this urge came from, but it is fairly pernicious. Adding to my daydreams of fresh produce, I finally got around to starting to make some toy food.

Pattern: tomato by Hansi Singh
Pattern Source: Amigurumi Knits
Yarn: Lion Brand Woolease in Rancho Red & Caron Simply Soft in Dk. Sage (both discontinued colors)
Needles: US 6/4.0 mm

I bought this book last year after falling in love with most of the contents (except the lantern fish, ugg!), but this is the first thing I have actually made from it. The construction is a bit different than I think I would design, but they are quite clear. I was so excited after having finished this that I immediately cast-on another project from this book.