Friday, January 19, 2007

It's all about balance.

As some things get larger,

Icarus in progress

Other things get smaller.

Mariah

And as some things begin (Eric's is obsessed. Oh and hey, look! We're family!),

Other things end.

My socks!

Pattern: Feather and fan socks, made up as I went.
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, dye lot long lost, 2 hanks
Needles: 2.00 mm Addi DPNs

This was actually the last FO for 2006. Unfortunately my internet connection was down so I couldn't post it. Boo.

This was also the first patterned pair of socks that I didn't follow a written pattern for. I started with a picot cast-on, went into feather and fan, slip stitch heel, and the rest is a blur. This pair of socks taught me that I really need to take careful notes when I don't have a pattern written down. That's because these two socks are ever so slightly different. Poop. I couldn't figure out what I had done on the first one so the feather and fan is off by one row on the foot of the sock. So much for being able to read my knitting.

I have to say that I love the feather and fan though. They stay up so well! It's like magic. No more baggy socks. But I don't know that I'll make another pair too soon. That lace drove me batty near the end. The boredom!

Eric's socks

Pattern: Plain stockinette, again made up as I went.
Yarn: Schoeller & Stahl Fortissima Colori Socka Color, 2 balls, col# 9098
Needles: 2.00 mm Addi DPNs

Fist FO for 2007! These were actually completed about a week ago, but the poor internet connection has meant that I haven't been able to show them to anyone. These are for Eric. He's pleased. I think he likes it when I make him things. He's sentimental. And he's a great knitted gift recipient. He knows how much work goes into the things that I make and he values it accordingly. The last pair of socks that I made him used to be (I think) handwashed and air dried. I told him to throw it in the washer and drier. I wouldn't have made him handwash socks. So now he throws them into the washer, but still air dries them.

And I learned my lesson from the last pair of socks. I started myself a little knitting notebook and I wrote down what I did. This is momentous. I have never had a notebook. Mostly because I tend to follow patterns and don't see that much of a point. If I change something, I'll write it on the pattern. But apparently when I'm winging it, I make mistakes. This will hopefully take care of that problem in the future.

Aside: In case you haven't heard, Stefaneener has gone mad. She's incredible. I couldn't do it.

5 comments:

Stefaneener said...

You make up socks! You whip out gorgeous items! You study! You spin! And I'm nuts? Oh, no.

Those are great f&f socks and the notebook is a fine idea.

Jennus Interruptus said...

You say the lace on a pair of socks drove you crazy? How do you knit shawls, silly girl?

Glad to see the connection's up. Now finish the cabley sweatery thingy so I can gape!

Anonymous said...

Feather & fan is one of my favorite lace patterns. It looks so complex, but is really so simple. Hopefully whatever caused you to rip back Mariah is resolved.

Jennus Interruptus said...

Hey, did I sound like a jerk in my previous post? I meant it to sound like "how do you knit shawls, silly girl? *poke, nudge*" and not: "how do you knit shawls, silly girl? *tsk tsk*.

For the record and all.

:-)

Stefaneener said...

Thank you for visiting and leaving amusing comments! You know, it's not the medical bills -- we happen to have terrific insurance -- it's the SHOES. Tons of shoes. They outgrow them like a hobby.

And that little bit about always, always having (in my case) four direct portals to my heart where I can be hurt like no other way. Good thing they're cute!