First Sock Design

So I finally finished the socks I designed in the Sock Innovation class that I took with Cookie A. I loved the class and had a lot of fun creating these. The yarn I used is Hazel Knits Artisan sock in Laguna.

I'm finishing the second sock and writing up the pattern. Once the pattern has been test knit I will make it available here and on Ravelry. Anyone have any suggestions for pattern names?

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

February Lady Sweater

I finally finished my February Lady Sweater. I love this pattern. I wasn't sure it was going to be very flattering but I was wrong. The fit is great. Of all the sweaters I have knit for myself I think this is my favorite.

Pattern: February Lady Sweater

(Ravelry link)
Source: http://www.flintknits.com/blog
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Kettle Dyed
Color: Jay Kettle (7 skeins)
Size: smallest
Needles: US Size 8
Modifications:

Decreased the 9 underarm stitches because I did not want my sleeves to be wide.

• SSK, K5, K2tog
• SSK, K3, K2tog
• SSK, K1, K2tog
• Slip 2 knitwise, K1, PSSO.
• One stitch will be left. On row 1 of the gull lace pattern knit the remaining stitch together with the last K1 of the pattern repeat.
• Bound off sleeves on a purl row using size 8 needles. Binding off on a purl row creates a nice finished edge.

I got these buttons from as cute as a button. I think they are perfect. They look black but they are actually a navy blue.

If you use the Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Kettle Dyed be very careful when you block your sweater. I always block my sweaters by washing them on delicate and then laying flat to dry. My machine doesn't agitate so I am usually okay. I have never had any problems in the past. Unfortunately there are a few spots on the back of the sweater where the lace pattern is not as pronounced because it was starting to felt.

I've had a lot of time to knit this weekend because we've had more crazy weather/snow. I finished my first News Day Sock and am almost half way through the second. I love this pattern. It is pretty easy but difficult enough to keep my interest.

I'm already thinking about the next sock pattern I want to knit. I decided on the Cozy Cable Socks. I purchased some Dream in Color Smooshy in Vino Veritas and Happy Forest. I'm not sure which color I'm going to use. Too hard to decide.

Vino Veritas

Happy Forest

I'll leave you with a picture that I took at sunrise this morning. As soon as I woke up I ran for my camera to capture this beautiful sky.

Shalom Cardigan

I have been doing a lot of knitting because we were snowed in last week. We got about 10 inches of snow over the weekend. Last night it was -10 degrees and we have about a foot of snow on the ground now. I just need a snow suit so I can go outside and make snow angels like I did when I was a kid. To be able to play outside making igloos all day. That was the life.

The snow gave me an excuse to stay in with a hot cup of tea and my knitting. I finished my Shalom Cardigan and my February Lady Sweater. It has been really hard to photograph both sweaters and get an accurate picture of the yarn color. I'm also close to finishing my New Years Day sock. I can't wait to cast on for the second sock. The cable pattern was a lot of fun to knit.

So here are the details of my finished Shalom Cardigan. I love how it came out. It's definitely warm and cozy and perfect for this crazy weather.

Pattern: Shalom Cardigan
(Ravelry link)
Source: http://involvingthesenses.blogspot.com/
Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky
Color: Paris Nights (5.75 hanks)
Size: 32
Needles: US Size 10 1/2
Modifications:

• Cast on using long-tail cast on.
• Cast on counts as first row.
• Completed 3 buttonholes on rows 6, 20 & 34.
• Row 45: K28 (front), place next 33 stitches (sleeve) on scrap yarn, cast on 5, knit 47 (back), place next 33 stitches (sleeve) on scrap yarn, cast on 5, knit 28 (front).
• Row 46: K5, P26, place marker, P51, place marker, P26, K5.
• Row 55: Knit until 2 stitches before marker, SSK, slip marker, K2tog, repeat once, knit to end of row.
• Repeated row 55 four times as directed in pattern.
• Row 83: Knit until 1 stitch before marker, M1L, K1, slip marker, K1, M1R, repeat once, knit to end of row.
• Completed row 83 twice.
• Knit row 97 and then moved on to garter stitch bottom band. My row gauge was slightly off and I didn’t want the sweater to be too long.
• Knit 8 rows of garter stitch & bound off on row 9.
• Sleeves - placed sleeve stitches on needles, picked up 4 stitches under arm, placed marker (for future decreases) picked up 4 more stitches under arm.
• Sleeve - Knit 4 rounds. - Complete one decrease row. SSK, knit to two stitches before marker K2tog. - Decreased every 6 rows (5 times). - Decreased every 5 rows (4 times). - Completed 8 garter stitch rows. - Bound off on row 9 (purl row). Sleeve measured 17 inches from end of yoke to end of cuff.

This is a great pattern and very easy to modify. It's also a really quick knit. I would definitely recommend this pattern if you're on the fence about it.

I'll leave you will a little eye candy. This is Sophie's Toes sock yarn. I purchased it on etsy here.