Mitred Square Sock Yarn Blanket

The very beginning of my blanket

I finally jumped on the bandwagon of knitting a mitred square sock yarn blanket!  As this post is being written (Friday afternoon), I have my first square completed (see below)!

In my head, I had imagined these squares being much bigger than mine turned out, but that could be because any photos I've seen of these squares and blankets were close up with nothing to help determine the size.  I don't know if I'll continue with this size (I likely will) or if I'll go up a size or two with my needles to get bigger squares.  I suppose I could make a few larger ones to add in here and there.

First completed square

Offhand, I'm not totally sure what the needle size is that I'm using. It could be a 2.5 mm or 2.75 mm, which is what I was using for some socks some time back (no, I didn't get the sock finished and I am not sure what pattern I was using).

The yarn I used in the first square is Knit Picks Crayon.  I was able to look back on Ravelry to my projects and found the socks I had made with this yarn.  I have enough left over that I can get at least one, maybe two more squares from this yarn.

I likely won't be posting pictures of every single square I knit for this, but when I get several or start to sew them together into the blanket, I'll post pics that way.  Then you (and I) can see just how this blanket grows.

This should be a project that I can take with me and knit on the go when waiting at doctor's offices, and what not.  The only thing I need, now, is a pretty project bag to keep it in ;) !

Larch

The beginning of the Larch Scarflet

Almost two weeks ago I began knitting a scarflet called Larch.  The link to my project page with this pattern can be found here.

The pattern starts off with just knitting and a few yarn overs and then moves onto the lacy part.  I don't have much left to do of this section and soon I'll start the lace.

The yarn I'm using is Amitola by Louisa Harding.  It's the first time I've knit with this yarn, and so far I like it.  I am surprised with the colour change, though. I bought two balls of this because it was pink and purple and I thought that was what the whole thing would be.  However, there is also a reddish shade, brown and orange/rust.  They aren't normally colours I would gravitate toward, but are nice to knit with for autumn/fall.

Most recent photo of Larch. It's actually bigger now

As I mentioned below the picture to the right, the scarflet is bigger now than in the photo (I need to take another picture of it soon).  I am back to knitting the pink and purple section of the yarn again.  I'm curious to see what the final product looks like with all the colours knit together.  I don't think I would think to put all of these colours together, but it must be fine since this yarn was dyed with them.

So far, I am enjoying the Larch pattern. It's a mindless knit (at this point) that I can work on in front of the TV.  I've glanced at the lace chart a bit and right now I don't know if it's something I'd be able to do in front of the TV.  We'll see, though.

Other than Larch, I don't have any other knitting on the go - yet.  I've been thinking about starting some socks (whether they are toddler/kid sized or something for me I don't know just yet) as I've come across some of my sock yarn and I've been seeing lots of gorgeous socks and sock yarns on Instagram, and it's got me in the sock knitting mood!

I'll keep you updated on Larch, and whether or not I start some socks.  Until then, happy knitting!

Two New Spindles

New drop spindle

Not long ago I ordered a drop spindle.  I had a student one (I think it's Ashford. I don't have it beside me at the moment, though) that I got when I first learned to spin.  I wanted another spindle so that I could spin two rovings to ply together.

Drop spindle with sample fibre

I came across the Green Forest Fibers Etsy site and they had this gorgeous spindle for sale (I don't see any more listed on their site, but maybe if you wanted one and contacted them they could make it for you).  I loved the way it looked - smooth, polished, pretty green stone whorl. Simply gorgeous!

I placed my order, and then waited and waited. I contacted the company but didn't receive any reply.  I waited a few more days and contacted them again.  Still nothing.  I began to wonder if I wasn't going to receive my order.  Then, I heard from them. They had been through an unfortunate circumstance beyond their control.  My order was shipped the next day, and I received it about a week later.  The owner felt bad about the situation and included four sample rovings (one brown, two cream, one purple) for me.  In the second picture, above, I am spinning the brown fibre.  I'm not sure what it is, but the white hairs may be angora rabbit.

I LOVE this spindle! I am spinning the finest yarn I've spun to date, which is something I had wanted to do. When using the student spindle I have, my spinning was getting better, but it wasn't this fine.

Spindle from KS Inspirations

During the time I was waiting to hear back from Green Forest Fibers, and thinking I might no get my order, I placed another order for a different drop spindle from KS Inspirations (another Etsy shop).  This spindle is also awesome!

This spindle also allows me to spin a fine yarn, but might not be quite as fine as the one above.  That might also be because of the type of fibre I'm using as well, but I don't know for sure.


Anyway, this spindle has a purple jasper whorl and an oak shaft. It spins well, though I find when the spin is slowing down it begins to wobble (the other one does this a little as well).  I don't know if that is normal or if I'm not doing something right. However, the wobble doesn't affect the spinning.

Both of these Etsy shops shipped their product in a timely manner.  I would definitely order from these shops again!