Sunday, March 26, 2006

How I ran away to join the Cirque du Socks ...


So there I was, knitting socks like a maniac, surfing blogland for sock ideas and reaching out to fellow sock maniacs when I stumbled across a Knit Along starting on the first day of spring and ending on the last day of April. There is only one rule,(which isn't really a rule; more like a suggestion; or gentle guidance...) anyway, the idea is to try a technique you haven't tried before. Well, I could get with that really easy, since I've only been knitting socks for a short time. I decided to try the toe-up method and toddled over to sign up. You can still sign up too: Go here for the fun
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Oh, did I mention there are prizes? Yep, and I donated one ... a copy of Lucy Neatby's sock book called "Cool Socks Warm Feet".
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What? You want photo proof of my progress? Well, sure, here ya go. As you can see, I knit socks on two circular needles. I learned the toe up cast on from Cat Bordhi's book pictured here; 'cept I cheated a bit. I just used her Moebius cast on but with the second sock needle as the cable to cast on to, rather than one really long needle. (If you've ever done a Moebius cast on the preceding sentence will make sense to you; otherwise, please just shake your head and carry on).









Things progressed rather nicely on this sock. I used OPAL cotton yarn and US size 0 needles. The pattern is a lacy mock cable and is incredibly easy to memorize. I first found the pattern here, and a second version, called Fruit Loops was found here. I've decided to call mine Lifesavers, cuz thats what it reminds me of - those clear lifesavers we used to eat as kids.





I knit and I knit and I knit until suddenly I was finished with the first sock - and it fits beautifully!

And now I have some gratuitous cuteness for you - a photo of Dorey's daughter having a wee nap. She has not yet been named.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

I'm all about socks now ...


So I learned to knit socks using the 2 circular method on New Years Eve, 2005. This photo shows part of my output so far. Sharp eyed readers will notice that the heels have worn through on one pair. That is the first pair I ever made (yay me!) but I used 100% wool - no nylon. Learned my lesson, now I use sock yarn or will knit heels with nylon carry along thread.

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The socks below are done in Trekking XXL, one of the 100 series colours. The pattern is broken rib. I simply love them.




Tomorrow I'll post about the Cirque du Sock knitalong. For now, I leave you with a photo of Dorey's daughter:

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Dorey and baby (... what absence?)

Let's just pretend that 7 month absence from blogland never happened shall we?
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Without further ado, I give you .... Dorey and her daughter, born Feb 21, 2006. This pic shows Baby at age 5 days.
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