the Akamai Knitter

Yesterday I pulled out the Shaped Triangle Shawl out of the depths of my knitting basket. I had already done quite a bit of the edging so I knew that I could complete the 29th repeat that would land me in the midpoint of the shawl.

As I was completing the 29th repeat I couldn’t help but notice that the midpoint of the shawl and the midpoint of shawl’s edging pattern would leave me about 3 or 4 rows off. Meaning the midpoint of the shawl and the midpoint of the edging would not match. When I referred back to the directions with my friend Jenny, the pattern literally says

“If you don’t come out just right, fudge! It won’t be noticeable!”

And I said, “They want me to what?!” But Jenny patiently explained to me that all I need to do is complete an edging pattern row without eating up a shawl body stitch with a k2tog until I reach the midpoint, then do the exact same thing on the other side.

Confused? I was too, but it’s a little like short rows. I can do short rows. And if you look at the chart it’s a lot easier to understand then when I try to explain it in words.

Basically when you complete an edging row you knit one stitch of the body of the shawl with a stitch from the edging. This is how you knit the edging on and bind off the shawl at the same time. Still confused? I tried my best. Honest.

Once I started it was much easier then I thought it would be and taking notes helped a lot. Now I just have to get through 29 repeats of the rest of the pattern, then I can unearth the Hidcote Garden Shawl. Just 29 repeats. Ha!

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Working on the Pirate Hat is rather hard on my hands, so to alleviate the pain I decided to start another pair of socks. After hearing such people as Grumperina and Kristi extol the virtues of Lorna’s Lace I was eager to see for myself whether or not this yarn could truly live up to all the hype. So I searched through my stash and found some Lorna’s Lace Shepherd Sock yarn in the colour Black Purl and started knitting. Once started I couldn’t stop. Could not stop knitting the Monkey!

I have to say that I thought I knew a good sock yarn. I thought I knew what knitting with a luscious yarn was all about. All of that went out the window as I have only now realized that this is what truly good yarn is all about.

Somehow this yarn manages to be soft yet extremely crisp and wiry. Even though I’m using nice and pointy Knitpicks circulars there is no splitting of the yarn that occasionally to happen with me when I knit. This yarn is also very round, which is not something I’ve really come across before. It’s something that I think I could happily live with and submerge myself in for the rest of my days.

The only thing I’m rather ambivalent about is the way the colours are knitting up. There are dark splotches of black that seem to interrupt the general flow of the sock. I think I might have been spoiled with the way the Fearless Fibers’ Deepest Forest knitted up, because I keep comparing the way those colours seemed to flow off the needles into a beautiful fabric to the way this fabric is turning out. I don’t think it’s the pattern, which is the fabulous Monkey by the ever talented Cookie.

Let me tell you I’m really in love with this pattern too. I was able to memorize it after a couple of repeats and it just rains off the needles like a symphony. (Okay, bad metaphor but you get the picture.) I’m already thinking of using this pattern for the next pair of socks, which might also be in another Lorna’s Lace colourway. That’s if I can get over the fact that I don’t like the colourway I have, which is Watercolor.

I would buy more yarn, but I’m trying to make a dent in my stash before I make anymore dents in my checking account. I’m not a believer in diets really, but I do believe in making use of what you have to some extent. I figure if I use up X amount of yarn, then I will be perfectly justified in buying another X amount of yarn.

In the meantime, I’ll be debating within the confines of my own head the choice of getting more Lorna’s Lace or trying the ever popular Socks That Rock. I’m pretty sure that I’ll end up with rockin’ feet one way or the other.

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You might remember these mittens that I made for my friend’s son. Well, I finally cast on for the matching hat last week Thursday.

So far the knitting is going well, but working on a 16″ circular tends to wear on my hands, so I try not to knit on the hat for long periods of time. It’s hard to stop once I get going though. Seeing the skulls appear row by row is almost magical. I’m hoping I can finish it in time for Joe to wear it this season, but I’m not counting on it. I’m not exactly well known for getting to the Post Office on time.

The yarn I’m using is Knitpicks Telemark and it is crisp and lovely to work with. The 16″ circular I’m using is an Inox Express Circular and it has a nice point that does not split the yarn. The pattern for the hat is from Hello Yarn and can be found here.

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…a pair of green socks!

Pattern: Here There Be Dragons

Yarn: Deepest Forest by Fearless Fibers

Needles: size 0US 24″ Knitpicks Classic Circulars

Started: December 23, 2006

Finished: January 22, 2007

No modifications were needed as this was a beautifully written pattern. The yarn was incredible to work with and there was more then enough as well. I could have probably made knee socks with the yardage I had, which is an incredible value for the price I paid. I am incredibly happy with these socks and so are my feet.

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Today I finished my first green sock!

The pattern is Here Be Dragons from The Keyboard Biologist and I started them on December 23, 2006. I’ve been working on them sporadically between projects and now I hope to devote all my time to them.

I love the way the patterning goes all the way to the toes.

There’s just something about finishing the first sock of pair that gives me a zing of energy. It makes me anxious to start on the next sock and get both babies on my feet.

It might be rather slow going on size 0’s though.

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