Let the Heels Begin!

March 15th, 2007

It’s amazing how fun knitting just the heel of a sock can be. I was up a bit late one night and just had to start the project. I guess writing that post about it did me a bit of good after all. This is just a blabby sort of post, I’ll make a full sort of write up post with modelled pictures later.

I started with the methods I am most familiar with, and have one more known sock heel to knit. You can see the two I’ve already done (heel flap, and short row), and yes they do fit on my foot! I have some really thin black nylon socks that I think I’ll use to photograph them, and it looks really funny. You’ll notice that the short row method really takes up so little of the foot, it’s just a sliver in comparison to the other one.

One thing I didn’t expect, but I’m getting a chance to practice the characteristics of different cast-ons and bind-offs. I’ve found a pretty good stretchy bind-off (although will probably try others I see), but the cast-on I’ve been using isn’t quite so stretchy. I knew I’d learn a lot about sock heel construction doing this, but I didn’t think it would help with the other stuff.

You may notice that I didn’t do any ribbing on the start of the first sock, and realized that I should probably begin and end each with a 1×1 rib. The curling isn’t too bad on the foot, but I don’t want anything to distract from the heel construction.

The next heel will be the Anti Short-Row Short-Row Heel.

Oh! and I almost forgot. Cheap acrylic yarns really do have a place in the knitting world. I will admitt to being somewhat of a yarn snob, but I’m glad I had this shiny bright stuff to do this project. It’s not the most enjoyable material in the world to knit, but it doesn’t make me cringe like some people.

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Sock Heel Compendium

March 13th, 2007

I may be jinxing myself by stating my intentions to do this project, but I’m hoping that talking about it will motivate me to start. A while back when I was looking for a heel to do with the toe-up socks I found this page. It’s basically a bunch of pictures showing a few different types of heels, but it only shows the heels. It doesn’t show the way the heel works on the foot, and in relation to the stitches before and after it. They aren’t in the round. So, I had this inspiration to create a whole bunch of samples in a similar manner, except I would be knitting them like I would for a real sock – except for the foot…and the toe…and the cuff.

What’s the point? Well, it would give me some experience in a bunch of different heel styles, and presumably I would have a better idea of which ones I prefer. I could also find a better toe-up heel. Also, I would take photos and put them online as a handy reference for others. I have a whole bunch of acryllic yarn that I don’t mind using on heel after heel after heel after…well you get the point.

So, perhaps instead of trying to start a new sock (I’ve been eyeing some new handspun I’ve done – pictures forthcoming), I should work on some of these heels.

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Spring 2007: Over a Year of Knitting

March 7th, 2007

I’m ready for a change. It’s time for a fresh new start, and spring seems like the best time to do it. I’ve been knitting for a little bit over a year now, and in that time I’ve knit many things. I’ve learned sock-knitting, lace, small cables, pattern creation, and a bunch bunch more. So far the stuff I’ve knit has been in the accessory category, and is usually something small. The largest items I’ve really ever knitted are two shawls, which are really just flat shapes with strategically placed increases.

I’ve never been lacking a desire to knit more complicated items – specifically sweaters – but the other things just came first. My desire to design a small purse, or knit more socks, or knit a headband, or create winter wear outweighed the desire to knit garments. There was also the prohibiting cost of sweaters; it’s easier to buy yarn in small increments over time than one lump bunch.

For the past few days, probably because I haven’t had any exciting new knitting projects, I’ve been feeling the urge to knit a sweater or vest more strongly. The unveiling of Knitty’s Spring 2007 confirms it, what with patterns such as this, and this, and this. Such great tops this issue!

Perhaps I’ll start with a vest for Corey. He’s been asking for one for a while, and that seems like a simple place to start.

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The Yarn Museum

March 5th, 2007

I had forgotten how much I really enjoy spinning. I didn’t forget that I like it, but I had forgotten what motivates me to actually do it. Perhaps I’m one of those off and on spinners. I have yet to attempt choosing a day of the week to spin, so I get at least some spinning every week.

Either way, I spun tonight. I even spun late tonight as I knew it’d be hard to go to bed early. I’m really enjoying this fiber too. It’s a very neppy but soft silk/wool blend, and by blend I mean it has multiple types of silk and wool. I don’t feel like getting up to look at the sheet to list them, but you get the point I think. The reason I’m enjoying spinning this, even though it has all the uneven bits, is that I don’t stress getting it even. I try to keep a relatively even width, but it varies a bit from that. I think this yarn will be best plied, and knit a bit loosely to show of all the unevenness and character. I’m not sure what that will be yet though.

If you’ve read anything on spinning, you’ve probably read or heard that having a well made spindle really makes a difference. I never disputed the fact, but never really worried too much about it. The first spindle I bought did the job well enough, and I was happy with the end product. Boy was I missing out. Since I’ve been spinning with the two new ones I bought with Christmas money, I’ve been noticing an incredible difference. It just spins, and spins, and spins for so much longer! Plus, no more wobbling! If you’re new to spinning, or would like to try, get-a-good-spindle.

Ohhh, and check out this site: The Yarn Museum. It’s a really cool site to browse through in general, but you can see some of my handspun on the Handspun FOrward gallery, way way at the bottom. I love going through occasionally to see all the creative work people have been doing with their spinning. There’s some really unique stuff there!

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I Like Cables; Cables Like Me

March 2nd, 2007

The feelings I have toward cables is such a contrast to my frustrations with the log cabin knitting. I still plan to do some more with the log cabins, but I’ve veered a bit from that direction to doing my first “real” cables. I say real, as what I did to create the Purse-Pouch was just well placed twisted stitches. Plus, I didn’t actually design the stitch pattern for that one.

OK, so it’s been done before, and it’s not original, but I did work up the design for it from scratch. I love celtic knots and spent a lot of my teenaged years obsessing over them and drawing them. I still have a fondness for the intertwined intricate strands, and this is probably why I find myself drawn to knitting cables. This piece is just a simple strip of knitting that will be a belt, with a three-stranded braid done in cables. Unfortunately the picture doesn’t really do justice to the stitches, as the angle I was holding the piece relative to the camera makes it look a bit skewed and uneven.

I actually started this and got further than what you see here, but ripped it out to start again. The edges weren’t as crisp as I wanted them to be, and I knew how to fix it so I just had to! I keep admiring those single knit stitches on each side, surrounded by purl stitches, making a round piece of knitting look flat (indeed it is round). I decided that having the belt double thickness would lend some sturdiness to it. Also, it’s much easier doing the cable-work in one direction all on right side rows. The back is just plain ole reverse stockinette.

I think I want to make some more, already!

P.S. Thank you for the comments on the Clapotis!

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Clapotis – Done

March 1st, 2007

Blocking a Clapotis is just very satisfying. It’s like breathing a sigh of relief, and I keep looking at those stretched out stitches nice and flat and open. I’m sure that knitting lace would be just right for me, as I can imagine the amazing feeling it would evoke to block a clump of thin yarn into its beautiful shape. I can’t wait until it dries so that I can hold it up and look at it nice and flat, rather than springing together in as it did before blocking.

I am so glad to be done this project. Certainly not because I didn’t enjoy knitting it. If you’re looking for a  new project to start, you should really consider the Clapotis over at Knitty.com. I know it’s been a big fad all over the internet knitting community, and if you’re one of those people that avoids fads at all costs, you should reconsider for this pattern. It’s incredibly easy, yet really fun to knit. Once you get into the rythm you probably won’t even need the pattern for most of it. I found myself looking forward every time to the next dropped stitch. Then again, I’m easily pleased so a dropped stitch is excitement at my place. Now I can finally send this two-month-late Christmas gift. I hope she likes it!

I want one for myself!

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