Sssshhh

Around these here parts, if you are bold enuf to mention  (sssh) The Sun (sssh) then somehow "it" knows and often disappears from sheer spite.

But tis gorgeous this early am.  Clear skies and bright sun are the visible barometers of a pleasant morning, the kind of morning for a walk.

Still, though, tis also cool so I am spending early quiet time working on the Paravel Wrap from Tricksy Knitter.  It has an asymmetric look, with long columns of wonderful nubby ribbing.

Reading from left to right --
Edge border which also appears on the 'other edge.'
Then the chevron lace, an 8 row repeat.
Body of the wrap begins with columns of ribbing
and morphs into stockinette with nubby rectangles.

I'm using Heritage by Cascade, their wonderful washable sock yarn, with a bit of nylon.  Needles are US#6.  Details -- 

Columns of ribbing 5x3

The border on the 'other edge.'

This combination is, with each row, confirming itself as the perfect Match Dot Com as described in a previous post.

• Love those wooden Brittany birch needles;
• Yarn is soft and the combo of US#6 and sock yarn has a wonderful drape;
• Colors are neutral without being boring; they have light and variety;
• The pattern is intricate and interesting but not painful to work; there are plenty of rest rows.

And now, (sshh) The Sun (sssh) is calling my name.  Morning walk with prayers on the iPod.  Definitely the right combination.

Match dot com

I don't think there's a site -- yet -- that promises to match you with the best pattern / yarn combination for the item you wanna knit.  Maybe there's an app waiting to be released?

Matching site or not, we knitters 'just know' when we've got it right.

I've had this wonderful Heritage Cascade Superwash sock yarn for several months.  Original intent was to make a lovely neutral cardi, inspired by some of the classics of the 40's.  Then I found a pullover from Textured Stitches.  I think I made at least 5 swatches, cast on about 200 stitches, knit or ribbed a few rows -- and ultimately set them aside, every one.

Now I think I've got it!  (with apologies to Professor Henry Higgins?)

The Paravel Wrap from Tricksy Knitter.  It's just grand and surprise!  It calls for fingering weight yarn (I've got plenty of that!) and size US#6 needles, straight or circular.  The designer gives the how-to for making the shawl wider and longer.  Ssssshhh -- I didn't even swatch this one.

I've  only finished one border repeat (8 rows, repeated 12 times), but it's working up quite nicely.

This one's knit across the wrap, so there is a manageable number of stitches.  I added multiples of 8 so I'd have a nice wide wrap.  Each edge has a scalloped border and then one long side has the v-shape border you can see in the link picture.  In between is a rib section on each end and a basket-weave type pattern for body of the wrap.

On the iPad using GoodReader.  I'm marking rows and
counting repeats with bright green highlights.

This one's a match -- wrap and yarn will be perfect together.  Check out Tricksy Knitter and sign up for the blog.  You may just find one half of your own pattern / yarn match there.

General announcement of note to no one but knitters -- I cleaned my house.  You know, with a dust rag, and a vacuum cleaner, and glass cleaner.  This process also included mopping the kitchen wood veneer floor (great look, terribly high-maintenance.)  If you knit or do any sort of craft that is more fun than cleaning you'll 'get it' that this is a momentous announcement.

But the BIG announcement of the day is the Match dot Com that resulted in a pattern / yarn combination that will be absolutely wonderful.  I can hardly wait to wear it.

Heel Back Border

That title sounds a bit like dance steps, maybe for square dancing?  Each noun refers not to the next step in the waltz nor to the end-up-here spot on the dancing diagram.

Instead, these words are a way for me to quickly update you on the three major items in my knitting bag.  (Note I said "major" which means -- no surprise, huh! -- I have a few more in the beginning stages, thinking-about-them stage, the matching-pattern-and-yarn stage.)

The Harry Potter Sox.  Both heels are done.  Finishing the gusset on sock 2 and making my way down the foot on sock one.  I really enjoy working the socks individually on dpn's, but with two sets of needles I can keep up with myself on sock 2.  Great motivator.  The yarn is Heritage Superwash by Cascade and I love, love, love this yarn.

The Luna Cardigan from Cascade Yarns.  The designer, Vera Sanon, deserves a special mention.  She has a note about shaping with lace patterns that really helped me to create neck and armholes while keeping the lace on track.  You know how sometimes it takes just the right combination of words to hit the neuron in your brain?  Well, this one worked for me.  Many thanks to Vera.  She's got lots of designs on Ravelry, so check her out there.  I am using Cascade Sierra for this cardigan, though Cascade Luna is what the designer used.

Working my way up the left front.  Back is all finished.
I've used every stitch holder I have, including a set of
the sloppy cord Kollage needles.  Stitches on holders
are waiting for 3-needle bind-off at shoulder, and then neck
ribbing, all after blocking, of course.

The Bernat Mystery Afghan KAL uses a wonderfully soft acrylic, Waverly by Bernat.  Square by square I'm making my way.  Sewing and knitting and weaving in ends.  I pick up the border when I want something that shows quick progress.  It's a 14 row repeat and not difficult.  But still, it seems the box has more yarn left than has been knitted.  Sometimes I think the yarn skeins conspire when I am not watching, creating more skeins and more tangles.  I try to remember the glass is always half full.

The green strip is the border (right edge) and the bit of
light blue triangle will become another square.  The little ball
of pink is all that's left of that wonderful color.

You're thinking:  "That crazy lady could finish at least one of these projects if she'd just stick with it.  But NO she has to float from one to the other, doing a few rows here and then a few rows there."

Yup, and for good reason.  The dark yarn in the sox is too dark to work at the end of the day, even with a good Ott light.  The lace pattern requires 150% attention which I don't always have.  The afghan has some simple stitches and patterns that are often very relaxing.

So I drift back and forth, like someone learning a new dance.

Heel Back Border

Repeat

Spring Virus

I've got a bad case of sock-itis this Spring. I am almost certain there is no cure.  Pesky viruses seem to be immune to anything we try, including chicken soup.  I'm well enough to knit, thank goodness, so the virus will undoubtedly continue unabated.  You don't hear me complaining, do you?

Every virus attacks at some time with a wizard spell from Harry Potter, eh?

These for grandson.  Yellow House Yarns in Puyullup, WA , USA
helped me find the right burgundy.  Both are from
Heritage by Cascade, Merino Superwash.
Yummy.  Needles are US1

Then there's the mondo yarn and mondo needle socks for wearing around the house.  Would keep my feet warm but gave them to daughter, though grandson is the one who wore them home.

Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky with their slipper sox pattern.
Pattern called for US13 but I stepped down to US11
to 'get gauge.'

These using Paton's Kroy, probably a discontinued shade, since this is from stash.  Frogged these when I thought I might be able to avoid the virus.

Started here, with plain pattern, and US2 but decided
to frog it.

Here's where I am today with the Kroy socks, using a pattern from Favorite Socks -- 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave.  This one is Retro Rib Socks by Evelyn A. Clark.

I've switched from Magic Loop for sox, to don's and on the advice
of Yellow House Yarn owner Megan, have purchased two
sets of the sizes I use.

Here's the two of them as I work my way down the leg of each to arrive at the heel flap.  Sometimes the virus attacks with a double dose.

Lots of sticks!

And finally, a close-up of the wonderful rib pattern, which shows even in the variegated self-striping -- and it's funner (yikes, bad grammar!) to work, imo.

Nice ribbing.  The single knit column is Ktbl every other row.

As you can see I have a serious case of this particular virus, so I reckon the only cure is a) starting yet another pair of sox (using stash which keeps the guilts away and the dollars in the pocket) and b) staying inside with plenty of liquids while I knit.

Let me know if you have other suggested 'cures.'

Meanwhile, I'll be sure to get plenty of rest while I'm knitting.