FO: Pomatomus SOCKS

Yes, that's right. I knit socks. Pomatomus socks, to be exact. I'd planned on knitting these for a long darned time, but kept putting it off for bigger projects, and the whole idea of "what's the point in spending all that time knitting socks when you can buy a pack for $5?" Learning we were going to Kansas (a very, very cold area, if you ask me), made me think that nice, warm, thick socks might be nice... and I did already have the yarn. Since we drove there, I had plenty of time to work on them, but I didn't manage to finish when I wanted, although I did finish them on the trip. They are the last FO of 2006.

I was originally going to knit them in some Knitpicks' Palette in a lavender color I got on a whim, for socks, but with no pattern in mind. I started on them in that yarn, decided I'd rather have oceany Pomatomus (-i?), so got some Cervinia Calzetteria in the color Capri. Very pretty, and very oceany. I love how this yarn knit up in this pattern.

I LOVED this pattern! I'm not sure whether I've ever actually said I'd knit a pattern again, but this one I WILL. It was fun, I love, love, love the "scales" and have thought to use them in other projects. The only downside is that, as written, the socks are too big around for my size 5 US feet. I should have foreseen this, but didn't think about it until I was pretty far into the first sock, hoped it would come out ok, and kept going. And it did come out ok. They make good, comfy lounging socks, but I doubt I could wear them under shoes, except maybe my cowboy boots. They will be good for very cold weather, in which I need to layer socks, if ever that occurs. Next time, I think I'll try size 1 needles.

So here are some pictures (probably more than post about a finished pair of socks really needs):






Dusty liked these and wanted a pair of socks (plain ones, not Pomatomus - too girly for him). This is a big thing, since he's never really wanted me to knit anything for him before. He asked for black or grey, so I got this:

It's a charcoal grey color, with some specks of white in it. And it feels very nice! I hope the two balls will be enough. Now I need to find a sock pattern for men, in fingering weight. Any recommendations?

I also found this vintage pattern:

Isn't it great? I see it in some kind of stretchy, satiny fabric... what do you suggest?

I've got to start making up some of these wonderful patterns I have. If only I had more time and space!

I also got the pattern for Eunny Jang's Anemoi mittens. I can't decide on a yarn or a color, though I am dying to make these. After Dusty's socks, I may start on these.

I know I'm not supposed to be starting on new projects, but I HAVE been putting a lot of time toward Gatsby Girl, and I think that counts for something. I'm getting close to finishing the front... but then there will be two sleeves to go. After that, it's back to the Sideways Spencer, and I'm going to dig out the Rebecca Apricot Jacket, since it will be warmer then, and a cotton jacket will be more suitable. But I've been dying to try fair isle... so the mittens will come soon!

One of my Christmas gifts was C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy. I'm currently reading the second, and I love it thus far. Yay! :-)

I also added Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge to my knitting library. Yay! I have very few knitting books, but I really want to get all of hers. I've thought all the ones I've seen were really interesting.

Finals week sucks!

I haven't had much time to knit this week, because of finals. BOO!

So, I've done a couple more rows on the Pomatomus socks, but I've still barely even begun.

I restarted Rambling Rose, and I am still not completely happy with the ribbing on it. I think it's better than before, but I'm not sure that I won't rip again. Once I get past the ribbing, I'll be ok. The ribbing sucks. No matter what tension, I haven't been getting even enough stitches. I hate ribbing!! It usually looks fine, but I think this small gauge is getting to me.

I also started a new summer tank from Craftster. I really like it, but I keep messing up on one of the lace charts, since there are two and a cable (the DNA cable), and keeping up with all of those rows is annoying. I need a row counter for each section, I think! I want to finish it soon... right now, it's my top priority.

Over break, I'm going to finish Dustin's hat, work on the DNA tank, and, of course, the Delphine sweater, and maybe on Rambling Rose a little. I'm also going to try my hand at sewing a dress!

I sewed a purse that I'll post soon. I had to find handles online and I'll have to attach them when they come in. I am definitely going to sew more purses. It was hard to get the hang of, but I am happy with the (almost) finished product, and it is really unique!

Rip-it, rip-it, rip-it

Wow, right now, all of my knitting projects suck. Ok, not really - but I am going to have to do a lot of ripping!

First, Rambling Rose. I knit about half of the ribbing for this, decided I was unhappy with it, because the stitches weren't even enough for my taste, and so I ripped out today. There IS something very satisfying in ripping out a project that has frustrated you. I hate 1x1 rib, but this cardigan will be worth it.

The (Desert) Sunrise Circle jacket is going to look beautiful in the yarn I chose, but my gauge is off, so I'll have to rip back. I don't understand how that happened; it was perfect when I swatched, and I even measured it when I started. But now I'm about two rows off, and it's an inch longer than it should be. I guess I loosened my gauge farther into the piece. I found out I should be knitting a front piece first, anyway, so it's ok.

So, instead of redoing either of the projects I've just mentioned, I started on the Apricot Jacket. The ribbing on it went rather smoothly, and even quickly, until I got to the chart. The directions are very poor in this pattern, and since I hadn't been able to get my edge stitches right, I just cut them out and did 2x2 ribbing, not realizing how it would screw with the chart. I'd read that others did this and still had their jackets come out ok, but I don't know how and now I can't find any of those blogs. So I MAY have to rip that, too... although I really, really hope not.

So I cast that aside, too, and started my first pair of socks, knitty's Pomatomus socks. And now I am in love! I'm not far into the chart at all, but so far, the pattern is very clear and instructive, I can understand the chart, and knitting in the round, I don't have to worry about remembering which way to knit the chart, which is often a problem for me.