I cast on for my Big Island Wrapper last night, using Elliebelly Big Blue, a bulky weight Blue Faced Leicester yarn.
Once started, it was almost impossible to put it down. I can’t wait to come to the end of the Andalusian stitch pattern in this first section, because then I get to try Brioche for the first time. I can’t wait!
I’m so happy to be finished with my – now my daughter’s – Zigzagular Socks. The pattern is well-written and easy to follow and the shaping is lovely. They blocked out perfectly.
The color is much more accurate in this second photo. And you can see the zig and the zag. This is the perfect pattern for a highly variegated yarn and it shows them off to perfection.
I’m looking forward to closing up the toes and finishing Zigzagular!
Although I don’t think I’m ready to play in Sock Madness, there is something wonderful about knitting socks. They are fun and soothing and it’s impossible to feel anything less than accomplished when you watch a sock grow off of five tiny needles. If you haven’t, you should try sock knitting!
Sent from my iPhone
Wishing you a happy day, no matter how you're spending it. Knitting is such a big part of the fabric of my family, along with cooking, time spent together talking and laughing, and adventuring, that no Mother's Day would be complete without at least a little bit of time devoted to the yarn obsession. Here is the view from my morning. I hope your day is similarly perfect.
Much love,
Joyce
I’m always grateful for those rare occasions where my husband and I have meetings that overlap, especially when that means he drives. Because, knitting time.
This is the heel flap for my second Zigzagular sock, and it’s perfect for today as I can knit this part with my eyes closed.
I’m still recovering from Saturday’s yoga injury. Fortunately, I only managed a round or two while in the ER waiting room, as the big whack to the head I got didn’t do much to fine tune my knitting skills (you note that I did add a counter on my needles just for the flap so I can make sure the number of rows match sock #1).
Last year I put some test knitting in motion, to see how different base yarns and colorways worked across a variety of patterns. Since I started the project, over sixty items have been knit using different Elliebelly yarns. And I've met some really wonderful knitters in the process! I'm using the project to compile the information necessary to create advice for knitters on patterns that deliver and the right yarns to knit them with. Although I'm saving the real photos for a big unveiling in the future, I couldn't resist sharing just a couple of projects with you today, to celebrate the arrival of my new mannequin.
The project on the left is The Elder Tree Shawl, knit in Elliebelly's worsted weight Naiad Organic Merino. I had no idea a worsted weight shawl could be so handy and have been in love with this project from the minute it showed up. On the right is Isabell Kraemer's Lemmy K. Shawl, knit in Elliebelly's Cloud Soft DK MCN (Merino/Cashmere/Nylon). DK is a lighter weight yarn than the worsted and makes for a nice shawl as well. Cloud Soft is a new yarn that I've been dyeing in both an Aran and a DK, and the combination of cashmere and merino into an airy yarn is really delightful. Neither of these shawls are the ethereal, spider web-like lace that knitters often associate with shawls. They are substantial and warm, whether wrapped over your shoulders for an early morning cup of coffee outdoors or for an evening out. Having them on hand has made me wonder why I haven't always kept a basket with neatly folded, brightly colored shawls in this weight range on hand for guests, for children who like to wrap themselves in comfort while reading, and for chilly afternoons. I'm a convert!
I'm looking forward to sharing all of the details with you when the project is ready. It's obviously a considerable amount of work, but when I think back to the days when I first picked up my needles as an adult after a long time away from knitting, I remember how difficult it was to figure out weights of yarn and whether I could make substitutions. Hopefully, all of this work will turn into a great body of information and advice for people trying to get the most out of their knitting.
After a busy, fun week where work kept me from knitting more than a round or two, I was looking forward to a weekend of self-indulgent knitting. Unfortunately, a freak accident in yoga yesterday connected my left eye with my instructor's foot. I'm spending a fun morning in the eye clinic, with both eyes dilated, which leads me to wonder, is knitting cables without a cable needle on teeny-tiny dpns a good idea when you can't see? Answer to that one coming soon!