I’ve been thinking about old-time stocking caps for a couple of years, the kind that people are shown as wearing to bed in old illustrations, such as for A Christmas Carol, and finally decided to develop one myself. I started with an i-cord, then began increasing once every second row. I had four balls of Dale of Norway yarn that I picked up when a LYS closed down. The yarn turned out to be perfect for this project,  as it gave a very smooth finish.

From Knitting projects

For the stripes, I had a vague idea of using the Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical progression where you add the previous number to the current item in the series (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 …) but as the result of several incidents of severe distraction, I end up with something closer to random stripe widths. I did better on the ribbing section for the brim. I still need to add some golden jinglebells to the end of the cap, for the full silly experience. Hoping to give this as a present for Yule this year.

I’m trying to get myself back into writing. I’ve been keeping up pretty well with my knitting, but have been so busy at work that when I’m at home I usually feel too tired to write much of anything. However… I’ve discovered that I miss posting here, so after a seven-month break, here I go again.

First up, the third of my colorful caps, this one knitted in size “baby.” I knitted it on July 4th, finishing by weaving in the ends of the strands on Sunday the 5th. I found out on Monday the 6th that the baby I made it for was also born on the 4th! So the color selection turned out to be perfect.

From Knitting projects

I used the basic pattern from the book Knit Hats! by Deb and Lynda Gemmell, modifying it to use letters I mocked up using spreadsheet software. I particularly like how the top of the hat turned out. I’m hoping for a photo of the baby wearing the cap, but since he is the nephew of a co-worker, I hold out little hope of getting one.

From Knitting projects

Want the book?
Knit Hats!: 15 Cool Patterns to Keep You Warm

I finished Sandy’s tam in plenty of time to deliver it to her. She seemed very pleased by it, running off several times to try it on in front of a mirror. She says that she never wears hats, but plans to wear this one.  That makes me happy.

From Knitting

Sandy is our neighbor back in the North Quabbin area of Massachusetts.

From Knitting

She has been a tremendous help to us… giving us a place to stay last spring and this fall. I don’t think she realizes how incredibly grateful we are. I’m going to make a scarf for her that matches the tam.

From Knitting

I probably will try making her a pair of mittens, too, though fingerless gloves might be more practical… she takes care of disabled kids and is constantly putting them into the car, so she needs her dexterity.

From Knitting

Sandy, if you ever read this, let me just say again THANK YOU for everything you’ve done for us. You are the BEST.

From Knitting

I’m pleased to say that I am edging ever closer to producing an actual, real, wearable, recognizable pair of socks. I will go further and say that this is not an example of Zeno’s Dichotomy… and I have proof of my progress! I recently finished a pair of socks made from some Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. The recipient of these socks has informed me that they can’t be comfortably walked in, since the yarn is so thick it causes pain… so I quickly reassured her that they were intended solely (ahem) to be worn in bed.

Some of the yarn we "tasted"

I was pleased to get to the November Charlotte Knitting Guild meeting, particularly as I’d missed the October meeting.  Guild meetings are my main chance to connect with knitters in person (almost said IRL, which is just sad ).

Universal Yarn sent rep Jean Lux to introduce some of their newest yarns. I was very interested in the cotton; it was smooth, easy to knit, and very soft. I heard several people comment that it didn’t feel anything like cotton yarn. I will be buying some of this as soon as it comes out in 2009. I’ll have to check with some of the other Guild members to get the name of this yarn; I failed to keep my notes from the event! Sorry… but I’ll update as soon as I can.

Poems Sock at the top...

Myr was particularly interested in the Poems sock yarn, which is un-plied and gives every indication that it would be a lot of fun to knit with. She was so taken by the stuff that I know we’ll be investing in some as soon as the $$ situation gets a little better.

During the meeting we learned some details about the Guild’s first knitting retreat, coming up in February. I’d love to go, but for some reason the property tax payment comes first. One of the reasons I’d like to go to the retreat is that Charlene Schurch of Sensational Knitted Socks fame will be there. Well… perhaps there will still be an opening when if I (ever) have the money!

Thank You, Krystal!

A dual-purpose post. The Lesser Purpose is to update you on the progress of the second Frog Princess mitt. As you will see, I’m a good way along the arm. I’m not stressing about the pace of work this time, and since it is the most interesting thing I have on needles at the moment, I’m making fair progress.

The Greater Purpose is to thank Krystal (Krystalclear2006 on Rav) for her awesome gift of stitch markers. These are the first fancy markers I’ve ever owned, and they are great. I really see them and my error rate dropped dramatically after I started using them on this project. So without additional commentary, here they are.

Stitch Markers!	.
..	...
....	Click the images to embiggen!

Trying to understand "draft"

I don’t have any finished objects “on film” right now, but I can show a couple of things. In early November I helped represent the Charlotte Knitting Guild at the “Charity Convergence” event organized by The Yarn Shop in Pineville, North Carolina. Myr and I got to the event a little ahead of when I was scheduled to start my ’shift’ on the Guild table so that I could take the introductory spinning class sponsored by the shop.

We got there toward the end of the lesson, but the instructor was kind enough to take some time with me. I learned a couple of things… 1) the important skill seems to be drafting, not spinning the spindle, which is easy to do… and 2) it is difficult to look intelligent when your jaw is hanging open. Now I just need to practice my wool carding and get the spindle going. Just the thing to fill the empty hours that burden my life.

I did walk away with a fragment of actual yarn… or wool twine, if you want to be more accurate.

I had a good time at the Convergence. I knitted a good portion of the “giant” socks I was working on (yes, the pair is done… photos soon) hung out with a couple of the nice folks from the Guild, and had a rather good lunch. I’m not sure I helped the Guild or the Convergence much, but if it is true that “showing up” is important, then I can say I definitely did that!

Myr brought her bobbin lace and had a steady stream of people stopping to watch her make lace. One of my favorite moments was when a woman watched for a while, then went and grabbed a friend and dragged her over to Myr’s table. She waved one hand at Myr and said commandingly “do some!”

When we finally left the event we stopped at The Yarn Shop and I picked up some most excellent wool to make into a drop-stitch pattern scarf for a friend from work. The scarf is done, but I’ve not yet woven in the ends …and it desperately needs washing and blocking before going in front of a camera!

I will get back on the computer this weekend and post some new material. My legions of fans… (you know who you are, TG76) will have noticed that it has been almost more than two months since I last posted. It is not a coincidence that my last post was just before starting my new job at the bank. I’ve been climbing the learning curve there ever since. 

I have been knitting, though! And I’ll have some progress photos to share.

My first washcloth. I decided to do something with a lace pattern to give me more practice with increases, yarn-overs, and et cetra. I was pleased with how it came out. Made for Myr with (naturally) orange cotton yarn.

Elven Leaves Washcloth

A week or so after the lace class trip we hosted the Golden Bobbins Lace Guild at our domicile. The talented Michele C. taught us the basics of toe-up socks using fairly large needles and fairly heavy yarn. I was pleased to have another chance to learn Judy’s Magic Cast-on and Michele showed us the short-row heel. Now I just have to try this on an actual, wearable sock! Here are a couple of snapshots.

My first sock!

Tiny Class Sock