one pomatomus

and then there was one ...
so, after seemingly endless amounts of knitting, ripping and reknitting, i have finally worked out the lace pattern and finished the first sock. i ended up using adding 12 stitches above the heel and switching to 2.75mm needles after 6.5 repeats to accommodate my calf.
i think i have reverse second sock syndrome ... i was so excited about knitting the second sock that i immediately cast on and have picked it up at absolutely every opportunity. you see, the hard work's done, i've figured out the whole knitting toe-up thing, memorised the lace pattern, know how i'm altering the pattern, am not having to rip and reknit large portions. consequently, it's knitting up really quickly - i've already done the toe and heel and am partway into the ankle. i can't wait to finish it.

and here's a detail of the lace pattern...

ankle socks

i finished the ankle socks a while ago, but life got in the way of me posting both the details and the photos, so here goes. i used the pattern for alison's ankle socks, fingering weight black merino wool from spotlight and 2.25mm needles. priscilla gibson-roberts' tutorial on short rows and my virtual sanity's tutorial on the kitchener stitch were absolutely invaluable. i screwed up the kitchener stitch a little bit on the second sock, and as a result, there is a teeny tiny hole, but as a first pair of socks (and my first attempt using double pointed needles), i am oh so happy and the socks are oh so comfortable.


view the progress of my ankle socks here

another day and still no photos

i finished the ankle socks and the kyoto sweater yesterday. all that is left to do is block and photograph. i'm wearing the socks and they are oh so comfortable ... i stuffed up the kitchener stitch a little on the second sock, so there is a tiny hole, but as a first pair, they are great. my reason for not having photographed (or blocked) the finished garments, or done anything else for that matter, is that i immediately cast on for the pomatomus socks. i'm using theherocomplex's modified pattern, a toe-up version, and have further modified the pattern to use 60 rather than 72 stitches. i used knitting at knoon's provisional casting tutorial for the cast on and have modified the chart for the foot. it's my first time using a chart, which has provided a seemingly endless source of knitting, ripping and reknitting, but i have finally finished the first round of the chart and have put my knitting away for the time being.

alas it is dark, so no photos ... maybe tomorrow

magic loop

i cast on for the sash of my kyoto sweater some days ago, only to discover that my circular needle was too long. after struggling along for a few rows (quite a few rows if the truth be told) i went in search of a solution to my dilemma. i subsequently discovered the magic loop technique, a technique i'd previously heard of, but had no idea how to do. thus, i've completed my sash and am currently knitting the lower portion of the sweater.

musings

i've started the sash of the kyoto sweater.
the jo sharp classic dk wool in black is, i believe, a nice touch.
i've modified the sash and now i've got even more stocking stitch to knit.
i'm desperate to cast on for the second ankle sock and keep promising myself that i will, once i finish 'this little bit'. my hesitation in starting the second sock stems from the knowledge that once that sock is finished, i can cast on for either the pomatomus socks in a lovely shade of fire engine red or a pair of black stockings. not to mention the felted camera case and felted mp3 player case that are sitting impatiently in queue and the felted slippers that will make my feet oh so warm. so, to circumvent the possibility of having even more projects in progress, i'll just leave them in the queue and keep knitting the sweater.
so little time, so much to knit.

state of things

the second sleeve is finished, and the top part of the garment is mostly sewn up.
i've started, ripped and started the trim again so many times i'm taking a break from it... 15 rows of 185 stitches shouldn't be this hard.
today, i bought two balls of jo sharp classic DK wool in black from woolbaa for the sash and am looking forward to casting on for it once the top section has been sewn together. i'm most pleased with the way that the restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine' is knitting up.

aubergine sleeve

still working on the second sleeve
about 5 inches to go

aubegine kyoto - progress

i'm knitting the second sleeve and have stitched up the front panels, back panel and first sleeve. i made a deal with myself that i can't cast on for the second ankle sock until i'm up to the obi/sash for this sweater. why do i make such stupid deals with myself? probably so i actually finish stuff occasionally.

stocking stitch

miles and miles of stocking stitch punctuated by brief stretches of double seed stitch. i suspect i'm not going to have enough of the restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine', so i'm considering delving into my stash and knitting the obi with maybe black mohair. but hey, i've got miles and miles of stocking stitch to knit before i need to make a decision.

current projects

i've finished the back panel and the front panels of the aubergine kyoto and i'm working on the first sleeve (it's knitting up nicely and is almost finished).


i've finished the first sock, but i'm waiting until i've got a bit more of the aubergine kyoto out of the way before i cast on for the second one. the kitchener seam is completely invisible and the sock is really comfy.

first sock

i have finished my first sock.
only one left to do.
alison's ankle socks is a fabulous little pattern,
as too is my virtual sanity's tutorial on the kitchener stitch.

slipper yarn

300 grams of moda vera sorbet wound into two centrepull balls.
100% merino wool destined to be felted slippers

ankle socks

my first attempt to knit on double pointed needles and my first attempt to knit socks. i'm using alison's ankle socks pattern, fingerweight black wool from spotlight and 2.25mm needles.

merlot jacket

and here's the photo in colour.

view progress of merlot jacket

merlot jacket

i'm not sure what's happened to the colour in this photo... it's seemed to have drained out somewhere between photoshop and here. i kinda like the effect though.
so, the merlot jacket is finished, and i love it.

view progress of merlot jacket

aubergine kyoto

the 'charred aubergine' is knitting up nicely.
it's difficult to see in the photo, but there are irregular, random stripes of black and interesting gradients of colour coming through. i'm most happy with the results of my first dyeing attempt!!

new project

casting on is always exciting.
i've picked the project for my restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine'.
i'll be making a modified version of karen stockton's sweater, kyoto.
it's going to be grand

finishing merlot jacket

the merlot jacket is almost finished. it's been blocked and i'm waiting for it to dry so that i can sew the buttons on. this is by far the most ambitious garment i have made. it's also been really nice to knit with new jo sharp yarn (yummy yummy yummy) rather than salvaged yarn for a change.
thanks to sandi marshall on about.com for her instructions on how to do whip stitch. thanks to studio knits for their instructions on how to sew ends in. thanks also to techknitting for her instructions on how to block. these techniques have allowed me to finish the garment in a very professional manner.

restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine'

six balls of restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine'
hand dyed from recycled 100% australian wool

weight: dk
yardage: 201m / 220 yards
unit weight: 100g / 3.53 ounces
gauge: 22.5st and 30 rows = 10cm / 4 inches
stocking stitch using 4mm (USA 6) (UK8) needles

care instructions: hand wash (40 degrees max); wash separately with minimum of handling; do not bleach; dry clean - any normal dry clean solvent; warm iron

joining yarn invisibly

thanks to morcatknits for her tutorial on how to do 'spit-splicing', although i have to admit, i used water instead of spit. it worked a treat.

to do list

• merlot jacket:
• stitch up the right sleeve and side.
• finish knitting the collar.
• attach collar.
• sew in ends.
• block garment.
  
• attach buttons.
• photograph garment.
  
  
• restitched - salvaged 'charred aubergine':
• finish winding the last third of the yarn into centre-pull balls.
• weigh balls.
  
• photograph.
  
• find project for yarn.

dyeing yarn

my first yarn dyeing attempt has yielded 600 grams of salvaged 100% wool yarn, the finished colour is a deep, rich aubergine with black flecks. i've called it restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine' and i have included in the photo above a swatch of the original colour. i think the finished result is gorgeous.


a close up of three balls of restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine'.

salvaging yarn

i purchased a secondhand 100% wool sweater the other day for A$10.25. it was a large size with lots of cables, which means lots of yarn. unraveled it has yielded 600 grams of a weird purple-plum coloured wool. certainly not my colour, so i've embarked on my first attempt to dye yarn. it's in the pot and i'm hoping for a deep black-purple-red.

merlot jacket

the merlot jacket is almost finished. the buttonholes were a success, my first buttonholes ever. i followed this tutorial and am very pleased with the results. all i need to do now is stitch up the garment, sew on the buttons and knit the collar to measure. i've cast on for the collar and am planning to stitch the jacket up after i've gotten some sleep.

i'll just knit a couple more rows before i go to bed...

merlot jacket - buttonholes

four out of five buttonholes finished, which means i've almost completed the right panel (for the second time) and then all i need to do is block, stitch it all together and knit (and attach) the collar.

buttons

buttonmania, a fabulous button shop in the nicholas building, melbourne, made these gorgeous buttons for me from japanese cotton. they match the colour of the merlot jacket perfectly.
the jacket is coming along, i'm knitting up the left front panel, the back and sleeves are finished, although i'm in a bind with the front right panel because it is supposed to have buttonholes. i do have options, but i'll figure out precisely what i'm going to do when i've finished knitting the left panel.

random acts of kindness

i was on the tram the other day
knitting, as you do,
i met a lovely old woman
who's knitting days had passed
she gifted me her knitting needles, complete with box,
and a copy of lincoln knitting book no.727
it made me feel blessed to be in this world

merlot jacket - update

the right sleeve is finished.
and i've found fabric for the buttons.

merlot jacket - right sleeve

i started the right sleeve last night.
the back and right front panel are finished.
it's progressing along nicely.

fingerless gloves

pattern courtesy of schrodinger knits
although mine are much shorter
rare essentials misty in jade
keeps hands warm and fingers free to knit or type
they were well used last winter
and are sure to be this winter too

scarf

my first knitting project
knitted in march 2007
big needles
basic knit stitch
yarn purchased at lincraft
two strands
one variegated (patons mohair rich loopy)
one just green (cleckheaton studio mohair)

today

i have finished the back panel of the wrap jacket.
and have cast on for the right front panel.
i will post photos when i get the chance.

merlot jacket

i'm getting close to finishing the back panel.

merlot jacket

i've just started shaping the bodice on the back piece.
i wonder if i want buttons.
maybe fabric covered....

merlot jacket

yummy yummy jo sharp silkwood aran in merlot.
the beginning of the back panel.
i'm knitting on 4.5mm needles
and photos of what the garment will (hopefully) look like, courtesy of jo sharp knit issue 3

shawl (or cat blanket)

knitted midway through the first half of 2007.
a simple pattern - cast on three and increase one stitch and the beginning and end of each row.
wool was purchased at wool baa and knitted up with huge needles (15mm or 17mm).
two strands... montage collection mohair hand dyed by jan gilray in aubergine and another yarn (mohair i think) that i can't remember - it's red shot with variegated colour.

i am currently in negotiations with fable, otherwise known as 'she who is second only to god, ' regarding the ownership of this item. she maintains that this is her blanket, whilst i maintain that it is my shawl.
i suspect that ultimately she will win.
she loves mohair.

swatch

swatch with jo sharp silkwood aran in merlot using 4mm needles
it's for my wrap jacket.
4mm is a little small so i'll be using 4.5mm needles
it's time to cast on....

current project

the very beginning of my jo sharp wrap jacket.
using jo sharp silkroad aran in merlot.
am knitting the swatch to figure out my gauge.
such beautiful yarn to knit with.

green and purple singlet

the singlet is finished
pattern courtesy of purlyq
a gorgeous pattern from 1943
the 'vest' of a vest and pantie set
i followed it in spirit rather than to the letter
i used 3.25mm needles
and 4 and a bit balls of Twilleys 'Freedom Spirit' in Zest