another pair for charity

I'll be posting all three pairs together. Destination Bend Oregon for the homeless in their community.

Check out my Ravelry page

Charity Two

These made for a woman.



Both pairs are being sent to a charity in Bend Oregon that is calling for hats and socks that can be distributed to the homeless.

Oregon is freezing cold ... much colder than it EVER gets here in Wellington.... and maybe 100% wool will be welcome.

Charity Socks

The challenge was not to start a new (whole) skein and create socks that folk would be happy to wear.

These are made for a man. My husband has been eyeing them up but concedes that he doesn't need a new pair just at present.

Ron's Socks

See my Ravelry page for details.

These were made with yarn from favourite yarn supplier



The detail on the panel is a modified version of Flame Wave pattern by Barbara Walker

Kelsey's Socks

Kelsey and her partner Jake will visit us over the Christmas season. She is a niece of one of our friends so we've not actually met her.

Yarn on impulse from a shop in Auckland.... Must overcome the fear of running out of yarn!...

Alpaca/Wool/10% Nylon

Should be cosy!

Sarah's Socks

These were made from yarn from my favourite yarn supplier

They are 80/20 wool/nylon which means they will wear a bit better than pure wool. Yarn is Lorna's laces Solemate.

I'm very happy with myself for making size adjustments and creating charts so I could make them toe-up.

Barbara's Socks

I finished these Labour Weekend and since we were camping with our friends and Barbara liked them and they fit her.... they're her "new mother" gift - this is my excuse even tho her baby's not due for awhile.

The details of the pattern etc can be found here On my Ravelry page

Mosaic Socks

I wasn't going to keep these, but gift them but because they fit me perfectly and I love them ....

PLUS ... two pairs of my hand knitted sock that I'm currently wearing are on their last legs so these are my newest to make their way into my panniers!

See
Mosaic Socks for full info on yarn and pattern

Formal Dress Socks

Marco found himself attending his mum's burial in brightly colored socks so I agreed to make some dark socks.
See my my Ravelry page  for details.
I am NEVER going to make black socks again... I think my eyes are just not good enough ...

Charlotte's Socks

Yarn from my favourite yarn supplier. A very soft yarn 70% merino and 30% silk so they might wear quite well.

See my Ravelry page for details of yarn from Shibui Knits.

I usually make socks that are functional rather than challenging and quite like multicoloured yarn but I had fun making these from a pattern.

I thought the pink/yellow combo might mean that they might not find a good home but today Charlotte says she is a keen pink/orange/yellow person so they're for her.

Man Socks

I bought this from a different supplier Bob and Nancy's who were offering free shipping. Alas, they closed that option so my next buy will be from my favourite supplier.

These socks will fit a man - but they're too big for Marco..

PS
They have a good home with Foster (29 Sep 2013)

Marika's Socks

I purchased this yarn from another yarn supplier in the USA. It's Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 and the colour is Puffin.

The pooling and striping when it has been knitted up makes the socks quite unusual. I hope the recipient will find them funky.

See my Ravelry page for full details

Socks for me!

I love 100% wool socks but I wear them out pretty quick. I darn each sock only once and I only have a maximum of three pairs on the go.

These are pretty and I love 'em and looking forward to wearing them.

Check out the link to my Ravelry page for details of the pattern and yarn

Sockdown September Socks 2013

These were a great pattern to make although I'd make an adjustment of a extra wrap on the knit stitches that become slip stitches... Check out the starflower patternpattern


Great yarn from my favourite supplier. A gorgeous yarn too

I'm going to make another pair with two separate colours of yarn.

Socks for Alice

These were made-to-measure and I adjusted the circumference above the ankle to accommodate the measurement given.

The yarn was beautiful to work with and the colour lived up to the pic
I purchased the yarn


Check out my Ravelry page for info and more pics

Socks for Alice

This work in progress uses a Fleegle Heel. I've used the Half Linen Stitch on toes and heel.

Only had to re-do the heel on one of them.... Grrr...Hopefully on their way to the end game of the cast off.

My Camp Loopy Project Three

Each Camp Loopy Project has required more yarn.  This one had to be 800 yards.

I quite like the entrelac blanket but If I ever make it again...highly unlikely... I would prefer it larger and that would be the challenge for me.

So it's back to socks!

Horseshoe

This pair have a Fleegle heel too but it seems very wide compared to the previous ones. maybe something to do with the use of the Half Linen Stitch in the heel.





Anyway, they are a prototype for the next pair of socks I'm making for a new pal living in the Eastern States of USA.

Mmmmarco's Socks

I made these for His Lordship and I got out of my comfort zone and made a different heel. Its a Fleegle Heel for toe up socks.



I've become a more active member on the Ravelry forums and that's where a fellow member posted her socks with this heel.

I like it a lot and will make it again and see if I can make use of the harder wearing half linen stitch.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Onto another pair

Update on the "half linen stitch"

I have continued to "improve" on this. I'm a lazy knitter... Just socks and if I can find an easier softer way I will.

These days for my toe up with flap and generally rib or stocking stitch type socks, I use the half linen stitch just on the sole of the heel (and toe of course) and use the next size needle up just for these stitches worked in this style.

There is no need to work extra rows but it does mean you need to use markers so you know where to make the increases for the gusset if you are making the heel flap type of heel.

You can also make the heel flap itself in the half linen stitch style if you want...sometimes I do.

The important thing is that it works with an UNEVEN number of stitches.

Round 1: K1 [K1, Sl1p wyif] until two sole stitches remain, K2.
Round 2 and 4: K all sole stitches.
Round 3: [K1 Sl1 wyif] until one sole stitch remains, K 1

wyif - with yarn in front


Abbreviations and their meaning can be found in this glossary

This was sock patternwhere I first met the linen stitch

Stripes

These were made as part of a group project by Ravelry Stripes

I made them for one of the elderly neighbours here in Waimate and I purchased the yarn from the yarn/craft shop here in town. It's a "baby" wool although there is a couple of dark colors too.

The yarn is 100% pure merino wool made in New Zealand. The brand is I Love Knitting based in Wanaka. I couldn't find any further info on the web!!! So clearly not everything is available on the Internet.

Socks for Miss Margie

This is the second pair whilst waiting to hear the requirements for Project Three I have completed...


Yarn from my favourite online shop

This yarn wears well because it has 20% silk content with the remainder being 80% super wash wool. The skein is 65gms and 227 metres so it's great for larger socks.

Socks for Tia

Another yarn shop in Timaru ... usual difficulty for me in that I'm unable to walk past without going in...

I can't find any links to this yarn but the details are as follows
Naturally Hand Knit Yarns 4 ply machine washable
Classic Prints Shade 892 Dye Lot 2708-17
100% pure NZ wool 50g balls

I purchased the the yarn from
Demco Wool and Sewing Centre
7 Church Street
Timaru

It was a good yarn in that there was hardly any pooling of colour. I made a side panel based on this but I used only six stitches rather than seven.

I think seven looks better.

Camp Loopy 2013 Project Two

Out of my sock zone for this one!

This beautiful yarn from my usual supplier.

Being 50% wool and 50% wool it has knitted up into a soft, light and warm scarf. A bit of "pooling" of colour but I have never worried about such minor "flaws".


It was boring as hell to make - all garter stitch and confirmed why I enjoy socks, panels, turn heels, make toes gives a lot of changes.

Purchased The pattern.

Note Mr Bear is having a rare public outing and he's trying to be anonymous!

Ursala

Just for me!

Yarn from Loopy. This yarn is 85% wool and 15% silk and is soft but quite hard wearing.

The pattern is free and I altered the heel and toe making them in my half linen stitch that I've described in an earlier posting.




My camera takes pathetic pictures sometimes and the colour portrayed in the pic is very washed out like this! - The actual colour Aqua Foam is brighter.

Ursala

Lookin' for Adventure!

I love this fibre from Loopy.


It doesn't split, nice twist, knits up smoothly ...
The colour is called Galapagos and they've been commissioned by an adventure motorcyclist who's skill and daring are inspirational ... 🙀

She managed to lose one sock of her previous handknitted pair whilst on a motorcycle tour on Sth America. She visited The Galapagos hence the choice of yarn.

The side panel over 7 sts (in the round of course!)


Row 1: S 1, K5, Sl 1.p
Row 2: Hold the first stitch in front of work, k2, knit the held stitch, K1, hold the next 2 sts at back of work, K the next st, knit the 2 sts held at the back.
Rows 3 and 4: Knit.
Row 5: K2, Sl 1, K1, Sl 1, K2.
Row 6: Hold 2 stitches at back of work, knit the next stitch, K 1, hold the next stitch at front, K2, then knit the held stitch .
Row 7 and 8: Knit.

If you can't follow the instructions please contact me and I'll try to help.. But in the meantime the picture of the detail might be helpful.

Bright Stripe

My mother-in-law's partner says he likes bright socks - the last pair I made for him were striped ming blue and lime green ... That was ages ago and I think I've improved my 'stripe management'. So they're large hopefully they'll fit!

Yarn is from my usual supplier and is from their own brand and the colours are Ginger and Purple... looks fabulous!

I used the Gull Stitch from Barbara Walker... am I being obsessive?... probably...

Camp Loopy 2013 Project One

I had to use a yarn I had not used before. This is the yarn.

It produced a nice fleck but the yarn didn't have a good "twist" so it had a tendency to split... Another yarn to drive me crazy.

I've sent them off to a new home already..

Timaru Treat

This fun yarn was purchased in Timaru from 100% NZ wool.

The side panels are based on Barbara Walker Gull Stitch.

I don't particularly like the way the colors have "pooled" particularly in the instep area.

however as an opportunist yarn shopper I couldn't pass it up ... Lots of fun ... Just a good home needed now.




Ursala

Another Pair

The yarn from my favourite supplier

I've been working on improving the Linen Stitch for the heel as well as the toe and the pattern was based on the Dragon Stitch - see previous blog postings.

Great yarn and great result!

They are off to their recipient who lives in the mountains so I hope they will work hard in keeping tootsies warm in the coming months.



Ursala

Travelling projects

I knitted 25 pairs of socks since arriving in Australia. This included one pair I started before leaving Melb but I finished here in NZ.

...I guess you could say it is addictive...but right now I only have one pair that are looking for a home... So people love to receive them!

Ursala

The Latest!

I sent this picture to the recipient for these socks and her comment was that the cat (Babe) looks like he's doing a quality control inspection!

This yarn is from Loopy of course.
The yarn is called Socktopus and the colour is Queenie. It is out of stock now as the yarn is terrific and the colours that were stocked were splendid. There are only a few colours left.
I used This free pattern fromKnitty.
They were to fit a small foot so I used smaller needles. let's hope they're not too small!
Ursala

Green Frog Socks

I can't think of a better name as they have pretty bright lime flecks making them look like a rather pretty frog you might find in the Amazon jungle.

From my favorite yarn supplier

A bouncy 100% super wash wool from Dragon Fiber.

I've used this yarn before and I'm rather fond of it - I'm also rather fond of dragons (being one myself at times)😺.

Pattern was a freebie from Knitty

I guess a "home" will turn up.




Ursala

A spontaneous purchase!

This yarn is 100% merino Australian yarn, soft to work with and still quite strong.

The cuff down proved to be "stressful" as I only had just enough to finish!!!

However they're a nice fit ... Just toooo snug for M but ok for me...



...more will be revealed...

Ursala


-

On on to the next pair!

I purchased this yarn from Morris & Sonswhilst roaming around the city in Melbourne. It's a really good yarn shop with good quality yarns and lots of variety.

The yarn is one of their own line called Empire which is a 4ply 100% Australian Merino super wash. The colour is a variegated and called Acadia.

It's lovely to knit - soft to the touch!

I'm stepping up to the challenge of cuff down socks and have used a crocheted chain as a temporary cast on.

I prefer the toe up as it is easier to make them the right length in the foot without the risk of running out of yarn before finishing the cuff.

Hence "the challenge" of getting it right!

Pink Dragon Skin!

Oh my what a oxymoron! Flamingo pink dragon skin.

I made them for myself. I love the yellow ones I made so much that I've made these bright pink ones so I could return the bumblebee socks to Marco.

I started from toe with a half linen stitch and then for the pattern I adapted Barbara Walker's Dragon Skin Pattern to this chart and used 18 stitches (total 72 sts) by reducing two stitches between the two "M" to one stitch.


Made from this yarn from my my favorite supplier

No home for these!

Made with lovely wool and silk socks with this yarn from my favourite supplier

I went for the easy option and made toe up with a little panel down the sides.

They are ladies' medium size and looking for a good home!




Ursala

... Knitted in trauma

This is what my husband said when I handed them to him as his latest pair.

Very aptly named. I'm negotiating with my sisters as co-executors trying to discuss a process for dealing withy mum's estate and I'm trying to act rationally and the responses I get seem far from rational

Hard yakka!


Ursala

Dragonfly Fiber Socks

I've not tried this yarn before and I'm very pleased with it... no splitting.

These socks are for a friend who is getting married. The colour is called Wedding Bouquet ... very fitting methinks.

The little side panel is made of 7 sts and 18 rows as follows:

Note: Left Twist (LT) as follows: skip 1 st and knit second st in back loop, then slip the skipped st purlwise onto the needle, then slip the knit st also.

Row 1: LT, K5
Row 2 and all alternate rows are knit
Row: 3: K1, LT, k4
Row: 5: K2, LT, K3
Row 7: LT, K1, LT, K2
Row 9: K1, LT, K1, LT, K1
Row 11: k2, LT, K1, LT
Row 13: K3, LT, K2
Row 15: K4, LT, K1
Row 17: K5, LT

Another pair are up and running!

More purple socks

Why is purple such a hard colour for the phone camera to manage. Nearly always comes out too blue as in the pic.... It's a really great purple in the wool!

As always from my favourite supplier and this wool and silk yarn.
Made for one of our off road motorcycling dare devil friends!
Pattern for side panels of 11 sts
Row 1: K1tbl, P1, K 7, P1, K1tbl
Row 2: K1tbl, P1, K1, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1, P1, K1tbl
Row 3: same as Row 1
Row 4: K1tbl, P1, K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SSK, P1, K1tbl
Rows 5 and 6 same as Row 1
NOTE the panel could be reduced by eliminating the K1tbl or/and altering the number of purl stitches.

Socks for a flying girlfriend

Theusual fab supplier but I can no longer see this specific one on their site. It's this yarn and the colour is Sonoma. Beautiful when knitted up.

The panel is called Fractured Lattice from Barbara Walker.

The panel is made up of eight knit stitches and I used one purl stitch on each side of the panel. Total 12 stitches.




Fractured Lattice adapted for panel in sock

Row 1 and all alt rows - Knit
Row 2 - LT, k2, LT, RT
Row 4 - K1, LT, K2, RT, K1
Row 6 - RT, LT, RT, K2
Row 8 - K3, LT, K3

RT K2 tog leave on needle; insert R from front between two sts and knit first st again.

LT with RH needle from behind L, skip 1st and knit into back of 2nd st; then insert RH needle into backs of both sts (k2togtbl).

As a "reward" for first time mother

My niece is having her first baby ( being induced in Labour Day - 11th March) so I made her these

For motorcycling and flying

Finished sitting in the park next to the Walwa post office and posted straight off to the recipient.

I used a solid yarn from my favorite yarn supplyand created the side panel based on a Twill Stripe from a Barbara Walker design.

The number of knit stitches in the panel can vary from four to eight stitches. The number of rows will change of course.

I used a panel of eight knit stitches with a purl stitch on each side.(10 sts)

Alternate rows are P1, K8, P1

Tw2. Skipping the first stitch but leave on needle, Ktbl of 2nd stitch and then K into front of the first stitch, slip both stitches off the left needle.




Row 1: P1, Tw 2 K6, P1
Row 3: P1, K1, Tw2, K5, P1
Row 4: P1, K2, Tw2, K4, P1
Row 5: P1, K3, Tw2, k3, P1
Row 7: P1, Tw2, K2 Tw2, K2, P1
Row 9: P1, K1, Tw2, K2, Tw2, K1, P1
Row 11: P1, k2, Tw2, K2, Tw2, P1
Row 13: P1, k3, Tw2, K3, P1
Repeat rows 7-14 inclusive until desired length.

Singing praises...

My favourite supplier is Loopy Ewe. They're now based in Colorado and had the timing been right I would definitely have gone to visit them in Fort Collins.

They're helpful when I have queries and being a grey nomad they happily send my yarn anywhere in the world and there has never been a problem or missed parcel. My delivery addresses probably now total about 10-15!!

I've recently tried these square needles which are shipped free worldwide from Bob and Nancy's Services they also have yarn and Addi Needles too.

Ursala

Daffodil Yellow

I have found good homes for the purple and green socks and the red ones too... So it looks like these toe ups will stay with me. I'm delighted.... The yellow is actually brighter.

The dragon skin pattern is based on an 18 stitch panel rather than 25 stitch as described by Barbara Walker. See my blog post February 2012. Note that I reduced the two knit stitches each side to one knit stitch, making the panel 18 stitches.

I also used my half linen stitch on the toe.... I keep meaning to make the heels similarly but keep forgetting.

The yarn is quite fine and fabulous to knit and is quite soft when knitted up.




Ursala
19 January 2013

Oak Flats in a heat wave. Today is expected to go over the 40°C

The yarn when worked is a bit "splotchy" but it certainly ain't boring!

The panel has worked out very nicely with this two colour yarn

The panel is something I invented myself ...although with knitting I guess it's already been done in some form...it has much in common with Barbara Walker's Gull Wing Stitch.
The panel - On this occasion uses two purl stitches on each side of the six knit stitches that make the panel. It will work with minimum four knit stitches and one purl on each side...it's flexible...whatever works for you and the number of stitches you need for your socks.
Row 1
P2, Skip first stitch and Ktbl (knit into the back of the stitch) leaving the stitch on the RH needle; then slip RH needle into the front loop of the skipped stitch purl wise and slip it and the knit stitch off. So now the slipped stitch is AFTER the ktbl; K4, P2.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
P2, K6, P2.
Row 3
P2, K1, skip next stitch (leave it on the needle) and Ktbl (knit into the back of the stitch) leaving the stitch on the RH needle; then slip RH needle into the front loop of the skipped stitch purl wise and slip it and the knit stitch off. So now the slipped stitch is AFTER the ktbl; K3, P2.
Row 5
P2, K2, skip next stitch (leave it on the needle) and Ktbl (knit into the back of the next stitch) leaving the stitch on the RH needle; then slip RH needle into the front loop of the skipped stitch purl wise and slip it and the knit stitch off. So now the slipped stitch is AFTER the ktbl; K2, P2.
Row 7
P2, K3, Skip next stitch (leave it on the needle) and Ktbl (knit into the back of the next stitch) leaving the stitch on the RH needle; then slip RH needle into the front loop of the skipped stitch purl wise and slip it and the knit stitch off. So now the slipped stitch is AFTER the ktbl; K1, P2.
Row 9
P2, K4, Skip next stitch (leave it on the needle) and Ktbl (knit into the back of the next stitch) leaving the stitch on the RH needle; then slip RH needle into the front loop of the skipped stitch purl wise and slip it and the knit stitch off. So now the slipped stitch is AFTER the ktbl; P2.
These 10 rows make up the pattern.

Now they're looking for a suitable loving home!