Warm Hands

I finished a pair of child's mittens today. These will go on the mitten tree at the church, along with other items I have made throughout the year. These are also my October entry for the Knittin' Mittens KAL.


They are just a basic pair of mittens with the cuff knit an inch longer (3 inches) than called for so that they will stay up a little higher under coat sleeves (hopefully). I used Patons Classic Wool Merino in the Regency colourway, and 4.5mm dpns. They were a fast knit as it is only children's size 2-4. I did one up on the weekend, and finised the second one this afternoon. I couldn't do anything until I finished it...you know what it's like being knitting obsessed!

I have roughly half of a 3 /2 oz (100g) skein left, maybe a little more - I can't tell. So, I am thinking I might surf for basic children's hat patterns and see what the average yarnage requirement calls for. If I think I have enough, then I'll make a matching hat to go with the mittens; if not, then I'll just make another pair of mittens in the same size.

My priority right now, however, is to get cracking on the gifts for my two friends for Christmas. We're doing an exchange among the three of us, and the only "catch" is that it has to be something home made.

The Knittin' Mittens KAL is still open for those intersted
See the post below for the latest baby socks and a cute little ducky hat

Oh Baby!

I've realized that October is slipping away and I have been trying to get some socks done up for Octoberfest, some mittens for Knittin' Mittens, as well as starting a couple of Christmas gives for a couple of my friends.

Over to the right you will see, although it is a terrible picture, a cute little ducky hat and ducky socks. I found the pattern on the net I think it was at www.p2designs.com, but I'm not entirely sure - that is the only link I see, and it is written in with a note about making the items for charity.

I used Bernat Softee Baby in white and yellow, and it was a pretty easy pattern. Unfortunately I made the beak a little too big I think, and when it's laying down flat, so is the beak and it looks like a seagull or bald eagle...

I made the set for my cousin who is having a baby a week before Christmas. Her baby shower was last night, so I had to get the hat finished up (just had to sew the eyes on and the loops on the top for a tuft of hair - that was annoying because I wasn't sure how to do it).

The little white socks to the left were ones I also made for my cousin for the shower. I made them up yesterday afternoon and they look like they will fit the baby when he/she is a little older. That's ok though. It is also made out of the Bernat Baby Soft - I know, it's not wool, but really a baby isn't going to be walking on them so I figured acrylic socks would suffice. Besides, it's soft yarn so that's a plus.

I also included one of the pair of socks I made last month...the Blueberry Waffles baby socks I made. Guess I had a little theme going with that gift LOL. I also got her some baby wipes and a lion picture frame...the lion looks like a little pull toy, but it's not a toy, and you put the picture in the belly part of it. It's really cute.

Everyone loved the socks, and thought the ducky hat and ducky socks were sooooo cute! I am also making her something else, but its not near completion yet and I probably won't get it to her until around Christmas.

And, just for proof, I've included closeups of the socks for proof that they were made like socks with heel flaps and turning for the heels. Unfortunately, the pictures aren't the best.

Anyway, these will have to count both for Socktoberfest, and the Sock a Month 2 KAL.

My next projects are going to be getting a pair of mittens done for October's count toward the Knittin' Mittens KAL (which is still open if anyone still wants to join - just follow the link above). I will also have to start working on my Christmas gifts as well so they'll get done in time for Christmas. Otherwise my friends won't let me hear the end of it I'm sure...Ok Kristina and Franky, stop rolling your eyes...sheesh!

Socktoberfest

As many, many, many, many knitters are aware the month of October brings us to Socktoberfest over at Lolly's blog. October is all about socks - but then what month isn't...

She posed some questions last week regarding sock knitting history, and I am only getting around to posting my answers now. Yeah, I'm a day late and a dollar short I know...LOL!

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class? I started making socks in January of this year (2006). I had been wanting to learn to knit socks for awhile now, but was scared to - they looked so hard! I bought some sock yarn and used the pattern on the wrapper. I also used a couple of online sources for the whole kitchener stitch experience.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
These are my first socks, over to the right. I love the colours, especially the purple. They've held up not too shabbily, though to be honest I've only worn them a couple of times. You see, the first one of the pair was knit inside out! Yeah, common mistake I was told. Anyway, when I turned it right side out and put it on (the tutorial I was using said to continue knitting it inside out and then turn when finished), the seems showed - enough so that it was extremely noticeable (even though inside out the seems would have been fine). Also, somehow on the heel flap, at the beginning, I messed up and it ended up with the first row purled. However, I have worn them in sneakers a couple of times and if I showed them to anyone, I made sure to show them the one that was fine - the second of the pair).

What would you have done differently? Well, I would not knit a sock inside out and expect it to look fine. It doesn't. I would have also used a smaller needle (these were done on the 3.0mm stated in the pattern).

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed? Well, I have only used Patons Kroy, which I liked; Bernat Sox, which was also nice to work with; and Knit Picks Memories (to be honest, I only have one sock completed with that so far), which I also like.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method? I have never crocheted socks. I don't think I would like to either, because I like to knit them, and I also like the look of the knitted sock. I use DPNs, but would like to try the two socks on two circulars as I have a DVD for it and would like to try that sometime soon. I've never tried the Magic Loop method.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?) I have never done a short row heel, but I do enjoy making the heel flap. Some time I might have to try the short rows though.

How many pairs have you made? Since I learned this past January, I have made 11 1/2 pairs of socks - not all for me either.