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

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.

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!!

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

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 - 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)

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