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.

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.

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.

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...