Filed under: fo's
Pattern: Phineas
Materials: 2 hanks of Nature’s Palette in Dark Teal and US 1 dpns
Notes: How adorable are these socks? They were worth all the extra trouble. If you recall, the first sock came out wonky due to my miscalculations. Not only was the heel misplaced, but it was also fairly loose, which is completely my own fault for using size 1 needles when the pattern calls for zeroes. (The only size 0 needles I have are rosewood, and they’re very… bendy. I’ve already snapped one, and I’d like to keep the other 4 in working order, thankyouverymuch! Although, if I never use them, are they really in “working” order? /ramble) So I modified the pattern a bit by doing a 16 stitch diamond instead of 18, which worked out perfectly. When I ended the second diamond repeat on the foot, it was the exact length it needed to be to start the heel. Then when I ended the second repeat on the leg, it was the perfect length to begin the ribbing. Sadly, I bound off a bit too tightly, but I sort of did that on purpose. I have fat legs, so even with 1×1 ribbing, the cuff is a bit… not right. At least with the tight bind off, they’ll stay up better. My Jaywalkers are so loose, I have to put elastic in the cuff. Anyway, my point is: I love these socks! Thank you so much for the pattern, Rosemary!
So I’ve been working on these socks for the last couple of weeks, and I knit all the time at one of my jobs. (I work at an elementary school with the after school program. Yes, I’m totally teaching them to knit. Hehe.) My kids (and coworkers) are always asking what I’m making, who I’m making them for, is it hard, and on and on and on. I don’t mind. I could go on about knitting all day. Anyway, I was thisclose to being done today, so I told them I’d wear them to work tomorrow. The thing is, I don’t want to ruin them by putting them in my sneakers! Handmade socks are a great excuse to buy new shoes. :p
Next up, I’m going to be working with the SandnesGarn Tove in color 9380 that I picked up a while ago. Since it’s self-striping, I’ll probably just do a plain stockinette sock, unless I find a pattern that works well with self-striping. Any recommendations?
Filed under: sp10
1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I’m madly in love with Lorna’s Laces. I love wool in general, but LL makes me super happy. I can’t stand acrylic. I’m not a yarn snob (too poor for that), but just the way it feels…. ew.
2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Most of my needles are in an old vase, and I keep some of them in a drawer.
3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I’ve been crocheting for about 17 years. My nana taught me when I was 6, and I just never stopped. I’d consider myself intermediate. I make simple things, because I prefer it that way. As for knitting, I taught myself using books and the internet. I’m probably an intermediate beginner. I’ve done the usual scarves and hats, and I’ve recently been branching out into socks and lace. I still have a lot to learn!
4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Indeed, I do. Can you tell I like socks? And baby knits? Hehe.
5. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Pomegranates, peaches, the ocean.
6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
I’m a fat kid. Of course I have a sweet tooth! I love those little peach rings. And kinder eggs are my unattainable dream candy. I haven’t had one since I moved to the US, and I miss them so. 
7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I don’t really do anything else. I tried spinning once with a drop spindle, but the yarn came out really funky and it made my back hurt. Maybe I’ll try it again someday. I dabbled in silk screening (simple process using an embroidery hoop), and I plan to make my own t-shirts with random movie quotes on them.
8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I listen to a lot of different types of music. My favorite bands/singers are: Josh Groban, The All American Rejects, Boys Like Girls, Anberlin, Fall Out Boy, MAE, Panic! at the Disco, Eisley, Ted Leo and the Pharmacist, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer, Regina Spektor, Mates of State, RX Bandits, Nerf Herder. I use my computer to listen to music, so yes, it plays MP3s.
9. What’s your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can’t stand?
My favorite color is blue, but I’ve been leaning toward green a lot lately, like sagey greens. I like all colors as long as it’s the right shade. Bright orange=ew, but a deep, rich orange would be lovely.
10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live with a roommate, her teenage daughter and her 2 year old granddaughter. We have no pets…. well, unless you count the two-year-old. :p
11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
It gets pretty chilly in the late night/early morning time out here in the desert. I wear hats and scarves, and I’d probably wear mittens too, I just never got around to making them.
12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I love knitting socks. They’re so small, I can easily work on them on the bus, and they’re one of those projects you can work on whenever you have time, no worries about finishing them before it’s too warm to wear them. You always need socks! I also love knitting baby stuff. I have 2 little nieces, and I’m waiting for the day when I’m not too poor to knit them cute little sweaters or blankies.
13. What are you knitting right now?
I’m currently working on Phineas. I also have a purse for my Soulmate in the works, as well as Column of Leaves around here somewhere. I’ve been sick (and poor) lately, so I haven’t been in the knitting mood.
14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Indeed, I do.
15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I prefer circulars (or dpn’s) in bamboo. Aluminum is too slick, plastic is too light.
16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
Not yet.
17. How old is your oldest UFO?
My oldest crochet UFO is about a year and a half old. My oldest knitting UFO is about 4 months old.
18. What is your favorite holiday?
Purim, especially the “eat, drink, and be merry” part. 
19. Is there anything that you collect?
I collect “The Source” by James A. Michener. It just seems to find me. I also collect dreidels and other Judaica.
20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I’m dying to knit the Central Park Hoodie, but I can’t afford even the pattern at this point. I don’t have any magazine subscriptions at the moment, but I will, oh yes, I will.
21. Are there any new techniques you\’d like to learn?
I want to learn to knit socks on two circulars. I also want to try my hand at thrumming, but I don’t know anyone who lives in a cold enough climate.
22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I am. Size 8 US.
23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
5/22
I finished the first Phineas in only 3 days, and I have to say, I absolutely love toe-up socks! It went so much faster than cuff down. I think it’s because you start off with something more interesting instead of miles of stockinette before you get to the fun bits. The pattern was easy, and it turned out really great, except…. the heel is too loose. I started the short rows probably 1/4 of an inch too late, so the heel is all saggy. The way I see it, I have two options. First, I can make a second sock exactly like the first and gift the socks to someone with slightly larger feet than me. The downside to that is that I love this yarn, and this pattern is exactly what I had in mind for it the instant I saw it. My other option is to make the second sock the right size and frog this one and reknit the whole thing. The flaw in that plan is that I want them to be done NOW so I can wear them all the time, so maybe I should just try to get my feet to grow another 1/2 an inch or so. What to do, what to do…
My SP9 spoilee sent me a message thanking me for the package I sent and explained why she had contacted our hostess about me being a bad pal. Apparently, she thought the exchange ended on the 15th instead of the 30th. I’m glad it was all a misunderstanding, but I’m still choosing not to tell her who I am. I just hope that she has a better experience and more patience next time.
Something odd happened the other day. I got an email from someone from a publishing company who saw the cabled hat I knit for my niece from the Zoe Mellor book and asked if I’d help a fellow knitter with a problem she was having. Sure, that’s what knitters do! I’ve been trying to explain it to her via email, but it’s just working. Either I’m misunderstanding what her problem is or she’s made a mistake in the pattern. I think what I have to do is work the pattern to the point where she’s having the trouble and then try to walk her through step by step over the phone or something, but I truly don’t have the time right now. I’ll probably end up doing it anyway. I can’t leave a fellow knitter hanging, now can I?
Filed under: fo's
I pushed on through and finished my Jaywalkers! I love, love, LOVE this pattern and will definitely be knitting it again soon. I had some issues, though. First, I did the larger size. Bad idea. My feet aren’t as fat as I thought they were. The socks are a tad too loose, especially the ribbing. It might as well not even be there. It looks weird and bunchy. Also, I should have made the cuffs shorter instead of the recommended 6 inches. My calves start to balloon at about 5 inches. This is yet another reason why I need to learn toe-up. I didn’t like the heel either. The sl1k1 is more durable than just plain knit, but it’s not as nice-looking. I made a huge mistake on the second sock. I didn’t have the pattern with me when it came time to do the heel gusset, and I didn’t decrease enough. I have about 10 extra stitches on each row, which comes out to about 500 total, which explains why this sock never seemed to end! So the next time I knit this pattern, I’m doing the smaller size with a smaller cuff and knit heel, and I’m paying attention to the decreases! All in all, I’m okay with how it turned out. The flubs are completely my fault, and that frustrates me, but this is my first pair of actual socks (not counting the SP socks, because they were worsted weight), so of course I love them!
Next, I’ll be casting on for Phineas using Nature’s Palette in Dark Teal. And this time, I’m carrying the pattern with me everywhere!
