Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Happy Feet

Portable. Functional. Beautiful. I'm talking socks!



The yarn: Koigu KPM, premium merino wool, hand dyed. Knit on 2.5 mm addi dp needles, the fabric is nice and sturdy. It's my first time using it for socks (this is what I used it for last time), and I know I will many more times in the future.



The pattern: my standard fave from Cat Bordhi, Coriolis. I used 64 sts as mid-circumference, but I think next time I will try 60 sts since I think they are wee bit loose on my foot. I added a couple of stitches to the coriolis band for a bit of width, here are my modifications:

On the first sock, I placed marker A 4 sts before end of instep. Round 1: knit until 2 sts before A, k2tog, sl m, k2, kfb, k to end. Round 2,3: knit to 2 sts past A, kfb, k to end.

On the second sock, place marker B 4 sts after start of instep. Round 1 1: knit to 4 sts before B, kfb, k3, sl m, ssk, k to end. Round 2,3: knit to 4 sts before B, kfb, k to end.




This time I thought I would stop at anklet length to add a little variety to my sock selection. Which means I only went about one-quarter into the second skein.....think I will use the leftovers as a heel and toe with some dark grey Koigu for the body of another sock. Waste not!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Block of the Month

One of my favourite yearly projects is a good old-fashioned block of the month from the Cloth Shop. It usually starts in the fall months, where one or two blocks per month are made available, and carries on til spring. A finishing kit in June makes the whole thing come together. I love piecing the quilt slowly, and having a little surprise each month to look forward to. Each monthly package has the pattern and fabrics, and I get to do all the cutting and sewing. This time the pattern is foundation pieced, a method I don't use too often, but am glad to have an opportunity to keep my skills up.

Here's what I have so far. Are these the cheeriest quilt blocks you've ever seen?



(btw, the windows and doors on the houses are supposed to look askew)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Random Wednesday

The piecing has begun for my Lone Star....



This past weekend I found Dream in Colour's Classy in "Grey Tabby" meowing at me at the store! I have this lined up for Jenna Wilson's Rogue Hooded Pullover. This semi solid colour is the exact colour of a kitty cat, it had me purring when I left the store. Can't wait to start.



And as if I don't have enough to do, I thought I would start a sock. A toe is born (in Koigu)...