Avoiding Second Sock Syndrome
Or in this case second sock, and second mitten syndrome.
I generally don’t knit socks anymore. There was a period of a year or two where I only wore hand knit socks, and consequently I knit a lot of socks, but not anymore. However as part of stash dash (still need to post that latest shawl) I had a ball of sock yarn hanging around that I decided to knit up. It wasn’t quite right for a lacy scarf, which was my first idea, so I figured I’d give socks one more go.
Unfortunately I decided to knit these socks while on vacation, and the only set of DPNs with me were the ones I was using for the No-Longer-Springy Mitts. So I very quickly finished up the first mitten and slipped it onto an extra circular I had laying around, promptly cast on the first sock, and then I remembered why I don’t knit socks anymore.
I think they’re boring.
Now, this is mostly because of my own sock wearing preferences, and because I didn’t want to knit socks I wouldn’t wear. Personally I wear two types of socks, either black or white ankle socks, or crazy knee highs, not much in between. Needless to say, these socks I cast on during vacation were not knee highs, they were basically-black ankle socks with a two inch ribbed cuff (which I think is almost too tall).
Anyway, I powered through most of these socks while on vacation because they made great knitting while reading knitting, but then vacation was over and I didn’t touch them again. Until the other night.
Remember when I used the needles from the mittens to knit the socks? It turns out that I don’t have another set of DPNs in that same size, and the other night I really wanted to knit on the mittens. Mostly, because it’s really easy to see progress on them after an hour or two of work, and everything else I’m working on is lace, and a shawl, and not easy to see an hour or two of progress on.
So I reluctantly pulled the sock out of it’s bag, stuck it on my foot, realized it was slightly too wide for me, decided they would be a Christmas present, and that it was time to start the toe. In less than an hour I was done with the toe, had slipped the sock onto the circular also holding the first mitten, and was happily working away on the cuff of the second mitten.
Until about an inch into the colorwork of the mitten, when I realized I had written down nothing about how I knit the first sock, and if I want the two to match enough to give as a gift, I should really knit that second sock before I forget all the numbers. And with that realization, I’ve been knitting like a maniac on that second mitten, hampered only by the fact that the two shawls on the needles both have deadlines.
So now I have one mostly done sock, one mostly done mitten, one half done mitten, and a sense of urgency, which seems to be kicking second sock (mitten) syndrome in the butt.
(yes the big black blob, is really a sock)
Parterre Garden
July 12, 2012 update: “Parterre Garden” was originally part of The Sanguine Gryphon’s Summer 2011 pattern collection, and is now available directly from the designer (me!).
The pattern is now available for purchase as a download for $8.00, either on Ravelry, or directly through the blog … buy now
An old English parterre garden painted on string instead of canvas. Its overflowing beds of flowers and its twining, twisted paths depicted with lace and cables, rather than oils or pastels. A knit garden where skinny little cabled paths meander through, between and around beds stuffed full of lacy flowers. While two stick straight carriage lanes split one garden into three.
This shawl is worked in one piece, beginning at the back of the neck and worked down to the hem. The paired increases are used to create three quarters of a square, allowing the shawl to sit neatly upon your shoulders. Just before the bind-off, an eyelet row is worked, to ensure that a thorough blocking is possible.
The pattern calls for two m1 stitches in a row. To accomplish this, lift the bar between the stitches and knit. Repeat. It works best if both m1 stitches are worked in the same manner and careful attention is payed to maintaining an even tension.
Yarn: The Sanguine Gryphon ‘Mithril’, 4 oz/750 yds, 100% merino wool, 2 skeins, shown in Madonna of the Lilies (Spring/Summer 2011 colourway)
Note: The sample shown was knit alternating skeins every other row.
Needles: US 3/3.25mm 40”/101 cm circular, or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st, washed and blocked
Notions: Stitch Markers (4), Tapestry Needle, Spare DPN or Cable Needle
Finished Measurements: 27.5”/ 70 cm down center back 49”/ 125 cm along each side of hem
Skills Used: cable cast on, knitting and purling, 2 stitch cables, k2tog, k3tog, k2togtbl, k3togtbl, 2 m1s in a row, sk2p, slipping stitches, ssk, yo, decrease bind off, weaving in ends, blocking lace
Both charts and written stitch directions are included.
(and because I’m not a fan of two pattern release posts in a row, please accept my promise of pictures, of at least one FO, and some handspun yarn this weekend, as an apology.)
Beginnings
One of my favorite things about finishing things up, knitting, shows, books, etc, is getting to start something new, and for the first time in a couple of months I’m finishing up projects without having another to immediately fill the void. But of course every void must be filled and so I’ve been casting on a whole host of knitting projects.
The fact that I’ve joined TheKnitGirllls stash dash is also helping rationalize the casting on spree, because after 4 shawls in 3 months (3 secret deadline shawls, plus Mrs. Peacock, between March, April, and May), I had basically nothing on the needles.
But lets start with projects you’ve already seen, shall we.
First up, the top down stocking cap has grown by about 2 hours worth of knitting (or about 10 inches), and is beginning to outgrow the DPNs it’s on.
The formerly Springy, now Somewhat Argyle Mitts, have been ripped out, redesigned, and recast on (even the cuff).
Of course I couldn’t go without a shawl (or two) on the needles.
This is tentatively being called Mirror World, and is out of Madelinetosh lace, colorway curiosity, on US size 2s, and is also a crescent shaped shawl.
Then, because Mirror World is a very “pay attention to me” pattern, I cast on a sideways shawl, currently without a name, knit out of some old handspun, on US size 9s. Since these pictures were taken I’ve added 3 or so more repeats.
And because why not. A skinny little scarf of 1×1 rib over 20 sts, on US 8 needles, out of half of a left over ball of Schoppel Wolle Zauberball in their rainbow colorway.
I also picked up spinning again when my LYS started carrying some fiber. I now have half a pound of a green merino/silk blend, that I’m spindle spinning. So far I’m getting a lace weight-ish single, that I’ll two ply.
But wait there’s more.
In an earlier post I talked about having a skein of Madelinetosh on hold at my LYS. Well. I bought it.
I haven’t cast it on yet, so I’m counting that as a win.
But I have the pattern and yarn ready and waiting.
I also stumble onto a pattern for a mini alien (pattern here), and about 20 minutes later the knitting was done.
Who knows how long it will take me to get around to finishing this little guy. But maybe next time he’ll have a couple friends and the beginnings of a mini alien army?
