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AuburnChick Knits Through the Pain

Posted on June 21, 2009 by auburnchick

As you may remember, my latest project has been the Leyburn Socks (free pattern found here).

I had been eager to use the Rio de la Plata I bought the weekend of Mother’s Day…

I thought the project was going to be easy and zoomed right through the first foot until I turned the heel and had to make increases.

Oh boy.  I got confused and had to finangle my way through the rest of it as I just couldn’t figure out how to make round 5 work after the increases.  And this was coming off of working a short row heel, which you know I love (the italics indicate sarcasm).  And, this was on top of the provisional cast on and short row toes (more sarcasm)!

Needless to say, I was not exactly thrilled to cast on the second one, but cast on I did as I tend to be a very monogomous knitter.

I worked and worked…and thought and thought as I had to tink a few times.

I finally figured out that I was over-thinking the fifth row.

People…how many times have you heard the phrase, “Trust the pattern.”

I had already googled for errata and could not find any.  I checked the comments on the pattern in Ravelry, and everyone bragged about how easy it was.

So yes, I felt kind of stupid when everything clicked two nights ago.

Ready to book my way through to the end, I encountered a small problem…

How much more stupid could I be.  While trying to snip a wad of sticky stuff from Pele’s fur, he got scared, moved, and the scissors sliced two of my fingers.

As the Mr. gently applied bandages, I cried out, “Now I won’t be able to finish my socks!”

He looked at me incredulously and said, “Maybe you shouldn’t be knitting right now.”

Poosha, you unknowing man.

Not knit?!  Surely you jest!

I sat myself down, bemoaned my woes to my online buddies, and then picked up the needles…determined to push on through the pain.

And that’s just what I did!

It was slow-going, but I finally managed to bind off the last sock today.

Woo Hoo!

Rooster acquiesced to my request that he play photographer.  He did a fine job!

First of all, though, let me say that this was one skein of yarn that I wound into two separate balls.  My original intent had been to knit them two-at-a-time.  I wound up doing them separately using Magic Loop.  But, when I finished, I realized that they look like they were made from different colors!!  It’s very strange and not at all pleasing to me.

Oh well.  I’ll still wear them.  One thing’s for sure…nobody else will have a pair like them!

Quickie stats:  I began this project on June 6 and completed it today, June 21.  I used 80g of yarn on size 1 1/2 needles.  I completed 11 pattern repeats from the heel up.

And now, more pictures to show off my hard work…

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

A Week Without the Kids

Posted on June 8, 2009 by auburnchick

I’m in a bit of a fog today.

It could be due to the fact that I just saw the kids off at the church…bright and early this morning.  They are headed to camp and won’t return until Sunday evening.  Because they are “leaders,” they had the privilege leaving two days early for a side trip to a lake.  They worked hard last week and deserve it.

Watching them pack during the last couple of days made me a little sad.  More so because I know that next summer, Chicky will be packing for a trip that will last for much longer than a week.

Ahhh, but the look of eagerness in their eyes far overshadowed my sadness.  They were almost bouncing in their seats as we drove the short distance to the church.

I delayed leaving them but finally asked each of them for one last hug.  Chicky grudgingly obliged.

And then I left, looking back to see Rooster’s big bag of Funyuns sitting by the curb, waiting to accompany him to his seat on the bus.  The Funyuns are a tradition.  I always buy a bag of snack-bagged Funyuns for his trips so that he can share with the others.  Everyone has come to expect them.

Still, my heart was a wee bit heavy.  I don’t know why, but even though the kids are older now, and they’ve been away from home several times, I still feel sad when they aren’t near.  It’s not a control issue, although Chicky thinks it is.

Nope.  There’s simply a contentment when your loved ones are under the same roof.

When I got home, the Mr. was still asleep.  I played around on the computer for a bit and decided to go back to bed as well.  Might as well make the most of the quiet!

Now I’m up again and trying to decide what to do with myself.

I don’t know what I’m going to do this week, but you can be sure that I will be knitting.  Look at my latest project, started a couple of evenings ago…

Leyburn Socks

Leyburn Socks

I’m using this yarn…purchased recently…

Rio de la Plata

Rio de la Plata

My goal:  to finish this pair before they come home.

Lofty?

Perhaps.

I’ve also going to work in the yard, watering my flowers faithfully.  I wonder how much taller my sunflowers will be when the kids get home.  They, like the kids, seem to grow a little every day.  Here’s their progress so far:

It should be a good week…for all of us.

I will be praying that God will use this time to draw us all nearer to Him.  I know that I am often guilty of focusing on the tangible things in my life…people and material items…rather than keeping God at the center of my attention.

Edited to add:  Today’s Revive Our Hearts program dealt with just this issue!  Here’s the link for the website.  Or, click the link below to download the audio version (you’ll be hooked after listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss):

Revive Our Hearts: God Comes First

I am praying that the kids will grow in their desire to have a deep fellowship with God.  When they eventually leave home for the last time, He is the one possession I want them to carry with them throughout the lives, whereever they may venture off to.

Filed under: children, Christian, Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Belle Epoque Socks

Posted on June 5, 2009 by auburnchick

Several months ago, I was gifted this yarn by a knitter of the West Coast Oddball Blankets…

Regia Silk - Color #2

Regia Silk - Color #2

Oh yeah…it’s as soft as its name implies.  I fondled it a bit and then added it to my stash.  A couple of weeks ago, I wanted to start a new project, and the yarn literally jumped out of my basket imploring, “Pick me, pick me.”

Gee, twist my arm, why don’t you.

For some time now, I’ve been wanting to tackle two-at-a-time socks.  It must have been a year ago when I made a pair from this book, but I struggled the entire way:

The socks got finished, but the journey had been difficult.  Completing the gussets had, in particular, given me fits.   So, I put the book on my shelf and completed many other projects.  Somewhere along the way, I made several hats and socks using Magic Loop.  Magic Loop is the method by which the above book’s patterns are based, only you’re completing two socks on the one needle.

I decided to give it another go, nervously selecting the Belle Epoque Socks from the book.

Now, maybe you’re a more advanced knitter than myself, so my next advice might not come as a surprise to you.  I’ve learned that it is a good idea to check Ravelry for comments by others who may have encountered difficulties with the pattern.  I found the Two-At-A-Time forum here, and I eagerly searched through all of the threads pertaining to my pattern.

I also searched for pattern errata.  Sure enough, I found this site, which contains corrections.  Lo and behold, the original editions contained mistakes in the gusset instructions!  I had not been going crazy on my own!  I’d had help!

Woo Hoo!  I wasn’t crazy!

My kids would beg to differ with the above statement.

Anyhow, if you own this book, go to the publisher’s site (same link as above) and download the pattern errata.  Print it and stick it inside your book.  If you have a problem downloading it, send an email to the contact provided on the publisher’s site.  I did that, and a representative replied within 12 hours.  She even sent me the corrections as a PDF because my computer was not cooperating with me.  There are a few patterns that have corrected charts, so make sure you get those as well.

Doing your homework BEFORE starting projects saves loads of heartache later on.

Armed with all of this information, I began the project on May 25.  I decided to use size 1 1/2 needles and cast on for the medium size.

Starting the socks was a nightmare.  I did as the book suggests and placed each skein in its own separate baggie.  This helped keep the yarn in check, but I had a dickens of a time sliding the cords back and forth.  I also marked each sock with a different colored stitch marker (green was Sock A, and orange was Sock B).

Add to that, the picot edge, which just about threw me over the edge of knitting sanity.

However, I persevered, messed up the picot on half of the first sock before the instructions clicked, and I worked the rest of the edging properly.

Once I finished the edging, I proceeded at a rather fast clip.  The pattern was pretty easy after a few repeats, and I started sailing through the project.

I worked eight pattern repeats on the leg and then “customized” the repeat on the instep…opposite of the heel.  Ok.  I messed it up…got my row count wrong and squashed the cable, but it’s the both on both socks, so at least they match!  I only knit 26 heel flap rows instead of the 36 recommended by the pattern.  I could tell the yarn was stretchy, and I know that recommended heel flap sizes are always too long for my legs.

The instructions can look intimidating…a factor that had led me to delay working socks using this method.  And I’ll admit that when I began working the heels and gusset decreases, I had to tink back a couple of times.  I like putting puzzles together and trying to figure out how things work, so this type of project is right up my alley.

I learned, though, not to over-think the instructions.  You work them for one sock, and then you work them for the other.  Trust the instructions (most of the time).   It’s like doing yoga.  You don’t think you’re going to be able to put your body in a certain position, and you want to shoot darts through the instructor (or pattern’s author).  But then, without even realizing it, you’ve turned yourself into a pretzel, and you’re better for it.

After turning the heel, I worked six more repeats and then completed the toes as instructed.  I’m probably the only person who loves the Kitchener Stitch…breezing through it in record time.

And the end result?  Take a look for yourself…courtesy of Chicky’s wonderful photographing abilities (even while she complained the entire time)…

Belle Epoque Socks

Belle Epoque Socks

To say I’m pleased with these would be an understatement.  I’m absolutely delighted.

Sure, I probably could have gone down to a size small since the yarn stretched more than I anticipated.  However, the socks are a good fit without being overly stretched, and they are warm as all get-out.  The yarn was a DREAM to work with…not splitty at all and smooth as could be.

I only used 80 grams, so it wasn’t quite two full skeins.

Another project done…on to that Mexican Rainbow Shawl!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

Another Pair of Socks in the Works

Posted on March 18, 2009 by auburnchick

I’m having the hardest time today, and I’m not sure if it’s due to my not feeling well or to this beautiful yarn:

Maui Yarns - Surfer Boy Blue

Maui Yarns - Surfer Boy Blue

It’s 100% Superwash Merino Wool.  One of the gals who knits for the West Coast Oddball group sent it to me a few months ago…as a gift.  You can find it for sale on this site.

It’s lovely, let me tell you.  Hence my dilemma.

What pattern to knit it up into.

I’ve learned, from the ten or eleven pairs of socks I’ve knit, that pairing colors and patterns is essential to showing off all of your hard work.  I’ve often bound off a project and been disappointed when the lace was hidden by a dark shade.

Ravelry has a large database of projects…a black hole I got lost in this afternoon on my quest for THE perfect pattern.

I think I’ve decided to make Duckies.  You know I don’t like to do plain stuff.  These remind me a bit of the pair I just finished, but I like the extra bit of lace involved with the cable-look.  I only hope the dark blue doesn’t hide the pattern.

I guess if I don’t like it after a few repeats, I can always frog.

Ugh…

A dreadful thought…

Oh well…off to do a very small gauge swatch.  Then on to the fun!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Pippi Longstockings!

Posted on March 16, 2009 by auburnchick

Here is a picture of my latest finished project:

I’m calling them my Pippi Longstocking Socks because they remind me of the old, old, old show’s main character.  She always wore the craziest socks.

The pattern is actually called Stornoway Socks.  The free pattern can be found here.

My friend, Rabbitrescuer, wanted to learn how to knit socks, so I offered to do a Knit-a-Long with her.  I let her pick out the pattern.  She picked a GREAT one too!

This pattern is written for Magic Loop.  It has a short-row heel.  You probably remember my victory over that battle in this post.

The yarn is Fiesta Baby Boom.  The colorway is Tutti Frutti.  The yarn is fabulous!  It’s soft and moved easily through my hands.  I used 100 grams (3.6 oz.).  The skeins have 2 oz each, so it was roughly 1.75 skeins of yarn.  Thank goodness I had bought two!

One of the main reasons why my friend selected this pattern was because it was written for worsted weight yarn.  This threw me for a loop because the yarn’s gauge is 6 1/2 stitches per inch with size 4 needle.  Let me tell you…my gauge was wayyyyy off for the pattern.  I really hate gauge.

Ugh.  I hate messing with numbers.  My brain struggled mightily with this dilemma.  I finally decided to use larger needles and make the smaller size sock.  Winging it.  Brave, eh?

One of my favorite things about this pattern is the cable that runs up one side of each sock.  Yes, there’s a left and right sock.  So, you have a different cable for each one.

Here’s where I learned a big lesson:  Never think you’re bigger than your britches.  I figured I’m so good that I could do the cable without a cable needle…and so I proceeded to work sock #1.  When I got to sock #2, I paused with the different cable, actually thinking my way through it.  And I made an interesting discovery…my cable on the first sock was backwards.  It was supposed to be running to the outside of the leg.  There was no way I was going to frog it, so I did the reverse cable on the other leg.  It’s not like it was an intricate pattern, and non-knitters would never notice.  Actually, I don’t think most knitters would either.

My pattern modifications (other than the unintended cable switch) were to knit the socks almost to my knees, thus adding five more pattern repeats that involved increases on the back of the leg, and adding 10 rounds of 2×2 ribbing for the cuff.  The pattern is easy to memorize, so it literally flew off my needles.  Had I not had to do the napkin rings for the church retreat, I could easily have had these done in two weeks (factoring in my work schedule, of course).  I had so much yarn that I figured it would be a shame end the socks calf-high.  Oh, and I worked the double rib invisible bind-off, my favorite, from the Fall 2008 Interweave Knits issue.  I’ve mentioned it before.

My only complaint is with the way the colors changed near the top.  I think it’s because of the increases I had to do for the calf (written into the pattern).  Perhaps adding more stitches threw off the color pattern and led to a looser and thus darker appearance?  Who knows.  You can tell, from looking at the heel in one of the photos, how much darker the stripes are there as well.

Whatever.

I love the socks.  I feel young and carefree when I’m wearing them.  They are extra warm, and they are the best fitting pair of socks I have ever made.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Doing Battle

Posted on March 2, 2009 by auburnchick

I fought a mini-war yesterday.

It was a two-day battle that left me a bit bruised and very frustrated.

Oh sure, my strategy was sound.

But, time and time again, I was forced to retreat and reassess the situation.

I performed many reconnaissance trips to learn more about the enemy.

And still, it continued to evade me, nearly causing me to give up in despair.

I went to bed discouraged but determined to begin the battle anew with the dawn of another day.

And battle we did.

The enemy did not know that I had pieced together a better plan.

And then I gave it the one-two punch, holding my breath until I could safely declare victory.

The result?  Well, I had to take more than one picture because I was so proud of myself…

Yeah, yeah, I can hear you.  What’s the big deal?  It’s a sock.

People…

I

Made

Short Row Heels

Without

Holes!

I used the instructions from this page and then the instructions from this page, double wrapped the stitch after the step in the second link where you knit or purl together the wraps with their original stitches, and then…

NO HOLES!

Mission Accomplished!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 6 Comments »

Another Pair of Socks Complete!

Posted on February 11, 2009 by auburnchick

Yay!  Another finished project!  And it only took me a month and a week to complete.  Ha, ha, ha!

These are my Hawaiian Leis Socks.  The pattern is from the Knitting Pattern a Day Calendar 2008.  You can find a Ravelry link here.

First, the pictures, compliments of Soccer Chick, who grumbled at having to, once again, lay on her belly on the floor to get the perfect angle (insert evil laugh here)…

Hawaiian Leis Socks

Hawaiian Leis Socks

Here’s a close-up…

The yarn is Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport, and the colorway is Georgetown.

This was a super-easy pattern, and it went quickly when I settled down to work on it. It only took me awhile because of various other life obligations. Too bad I can’t be a full-time knitter!

I knit these using two circs (size 1 1/2) – my favorite method.

I completed ten pattern repeats for the legs and ten more for the feet (everything from the heel down).  Take a close look at the heel.  It’s the Eye of Partridge…a nice alternative to the slip stitch heel.  You can find directions on how to make this heel by going to this site.

I adjusted the decreasing on the toes – a first for me that I think worked out nicely since my feet are certainly not narrow.  I alternated decreases w/ss until I reached 32 total stitches (16 on each needle). Then I completed two more decrease rounds without the even rounds in between to get me to a total of 24 stitches (12 on each needle). I kitchenered off. Voila! No more pointy toes!

Onward to the next project.  I’ve already got my yarn out and will cast on tomorrow!  Be on the lookout.  This one should be a quickie!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Knotty or Knice Socks

Posted on January 4, 2009 by auburnchick

Woo Hoo!  These socks are FINALLY off the needles!

First, the pictures, and then the info…

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

The pattern is called Knotty or Knice Socks from the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits.

I cast these on 9/28/08 and bound them off yesterday (1/3/09).  The main reason why it took me so long to complete them is because I put them down many times to work on other projects.  Yes, I am a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal, but I had obligations…Guy Friend’s Beanie, charity blankets, stockings for the soldiers…

Plus, the yarn was so thin that I had to use a cable needle.  Argh!  Once I got the hang of the way the cables worked, I flew through the pattern repeats.

The yarn is Trekking Pro Natura, colorway #1545.  I used size 1 (2.50mm) needles.  I knit these using two circular needles…my favorite method.  I worked five pattern repeats on the foot and five more on the leg.

If I were to change anything, I would have left more stitches across the toes.  I do not have pointy toes, and these definitely go to a point.  This is the neat thing about making your own socks is that you can customize them to fit your own feet perfect.

Ok…a note about the yarn.

I’ve gotta say that when I started working with it, I found it splitty.  The needles kept poking through the center of the strands, making it difficult to cable.  However, I got used to it and eventually didn’t have a problem.  I also found the yarn a bit rough.  The yarn is 75% wool and 25% bamboo.  After putting them on for the pictures, I have decided that they are going to be warm.  I’m sure they’ll soften up with a few washes.

Another thing I’ve decided is that I want sock blockers.  Sister, if you’re reading this, make a note of it for my birthday.  These are the ones I want (click on the link to go to the Etsy store to purchase):

Oh, and I just had to comment about the pictures of the socks.  Soccer Chick took them for me.  That’s her room.  We’ve taken a couple of pictures against the green wall before.  There’s just something about the green that makes for good knitting pictures!  She was so funny too!  She had to lie down on her stomach to take the pictures.  Every time she took one, she got up to show me.  Of course, something was wrong with each picture…the sock was wrinkled, my foot wasn’t positioned correctly…you name it, we did it wrong.  She was fuming by the end, claiming she was not a photographer.  She still managed to get some GREAT shots, eh?

Ok…I’ve just cast on for my next pair of socks.  I’ll post some pictures of the progress another day.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

A Beautiful Day for Knitting

Posted on October 4, 2008 by auburnchick

Behold, my latest project…

Knotty or Knice Socks

Knotty or Knice Socks

The yarn I’m using is this:

Trekking Pro Natura

Trekking Pro Natura

It’s actually much darker than the picture above.  For some reason, I can’t seem to photograph purple stuff very well.

Here are more photos I took today in my attempt to get a more accurate color rendering:

You can find the pattern in the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits.  Here’s the picture of the completed pair in the magazine:

I hope mine turn out as nicely!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

A Busy Week

Posted on June 26, 2008 by auburnchick

Whew! What a busy week!! I am so glad that tomorrow is Friday!

I work at a law firm. Part of our business is real estate, and today we attended an condo auction. I sat, for eight hours, in one room, keeping a watchful eye on the computers. Fortunately, the room had a great view. I was able to watch the approach of a storm…common for this time of year in Florida.

I got nervous when I saw several bolts of lightning, and I quickly unplugged all of the machines so we wouldn’t get zapped.

The storm passed, and the sun came out.

Oh to be rich and have a boat…

After a few hours of severe computer problems, everything straightened out, and the rest of the day progressed smoothly. I finally left for home about 5:30 — a long day since I’m usually home by 2:00.

Despite the crazy week, I have been doing some knitting, although not too much.

On Sunday, I finished my portion of the Forest Greens Baby Blanket. I used Baby Bee Sweet Delight Baby, which I found at Hobby Lobby. The yarn is unbelievably soft. It’s a DK weight. I had a little problem with yarn puke, though. Oh well, it all worked out.

Here’s a close-up of my portion. The stitch is called Farrow Rib. I really like it. It was simple and looks nice on both sides. It’s probably one of my favorite stitches that I’ve used on these blankets.

I made the Summertime Spa Cloth, from the Creative Knitting, July 2008, issue as a gift for the next knitter on the blanket.

I used Sugar ‘n Cream. The color is Potpourri Ombre.

I really like this pattern. It’s pretty easy, although a chart would have been better. As you can tell, my blocking skills need work.

Next, I finished the Black Sheep Booga Bag that I’ve been working on for a friend. I used Noro Kureyon #149. I bought the yarn during my Vegas trip. I think this is one of my favorite colorways…very natural and soothing.

After felting it, I let it dry for a couple of days.

Just when I thought I was almost done, I realized that it wasn’t sitting up properly, so I threw it back in the machine again and let it shrink a little more. The extra effort was worth it. Here’s the finished product. I can’t wait to give it to my friend.

I’ve also managed to start the Froot Loop socks. I’m using Fiesta Baby Boom yarn. If I had to describe this yarn in one word, it would be “squooshy.” The colors are fantastic! It’s a dream to knit with.

Here’s the progress so far.

Oh, and a shout-out to Littlest Chicklet. Look at what he brought me the other day…

He and Mr. AuburnChick went grocery shopping on Sunday. When he passed the flower section, he asked if he get them for me…”For Mama’s graduation.”

::::sigh:::

I really love that boy. How nice to come home after a long couple of days and spy those flowers, which are still alive (yes, I remembered to water them). They are a reminder that no matter how busy I get, I always come home to my family.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

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