Well, I have a whopping TWO finished objects to share today. First up, the third Fla-Vor-Ice Cozy, which I will keep for my very own self.
(Click the photo to see a close-up of the stitch pattern.)
- Yarn: Patons Stretch Socks, Plum (left over from my SOS 08 Summer Socks)
- Needles: US 2.5 Addi Turbo, 40″ (magic looped, again)
- Started 8/7/08, finished 8/8/08
- Pattern Notes: Cast on 30 stitches with a provisional cast-on (started in center). Worked in K3 x P2 ribbing with this weird cablish-crossover thing every 7th row (I was trying to cable without a cable needle without having the instructions in front of me and did it wrong — but it still looks pretty cool and I’m sure it’s some sort of stitch someone already invented but I just don’t know the name of it… WHEW take a breath). After binding off one end, I picked up the stitches from the provisional cast-on and removed the waste yarn (a pain in the butt, must read up on easier provisional cast-ons!) and did the whole thing over again to the other end.
- Ravelry Project Page: Lynnio’s Fla-Vor-Ice Cozy for Me (login required)
This one turned out to be the longest of the three — in inches as well as length of knitting time (like I said, that provisional cast-on was a pain when picking the stitches back up). Let’s see, I didn’t keep track of the total time, but I was picking up the provisional CO stitches near the beginning of What Not To Wear (around 9 PM) knitted through that, switched the channel to HGTV, kept on knitting through several shows and was finally binding off at 1 AM. That was just for HALF of the project… so figure double the time to do the whole thing. Yeah, way too fiddly and complicated for what it is, but I was experimenting and I like the finished product so I’m OK with it.
And the second (and third) of the FOs: a pair of socks! This is my third pair for Summer of Socks.
(click photo to see it larger)
Lifestyle Socks – Started 7/16/08, finished 8/8/08
- Pattern: Wendy Knits Toe-Up Slip-Stitch Heel Socks (second smallest size)
- Yarn: Zitron Lifestyle, colorway 1861 (blue/brown/cream/olive self-striping, 2 balls)
- Needles: Addi Turbo US 1.5, 40″ magic looping 2 at a time
- Ravelry Project Page: Lynnio’s Lifestyle Socks (login required)
Because I used a slightly larger needle than the pattern recommended (plus the yarn is on the heavier side of fingering weight), and the foot is stockinette stitch, these turned out to be too loose. So instead of continuing with stockinette stitch on the leg, I switched to 3×3 ribbing. I’m glad I did, otherwise they wouldn’t stay up at all! As it is, you can see the bagginess in the photos. If I were to make these again with the same size needle and similar yarn, I’d make the smallest size.
When I started these, I was hoping to find a spot in the yarn where the striping pattern matched up, so both socks could be striped exactly the same — but I couldn’t find that spot within 10 yards of either end, so I decided they would be fraternal twins. Well, I finally found a spot where they matched up. The toe of one sock matches up with the other sock starting at a spot about halfway up the foot, an inch or so before the gusset increases start. But y’know, it really doesn’t bother me that the stripes don’t match up.
Next up: instead of starting yet another pair of socks as I had originally planned, I’m going to (finally) finish up my Baby Fern-Rib Anklets (the Anklets for Meeeee!). Ravelry friend Bridget (Technoknitter) is test-knitting them for me, and my LYS buddy, Sandie, has already finished test-knitting a pair. Plus, I still need to get started on some handwoven placemats I’ve promised as a raffle prize for a Relay For Life fundraiser on September 13th.
