GLOVES, SOCKS AND UFOs

YARN ACQUISITION AND GLOVES 

The latest purchase of cool looking yarn was from Haute Knit; fingering weight in colorway Spicy Amethyst.  Such a pretty hank and when caked up it lost a little of its charm, but the gloves I'm making are super fun! 

Haute Knit sock yarn

Spicy Amethyst

The pattern is my go-to pattern from the Winter 2003 Interweave Knits issue called Progressive Gloves by Pam Allen.  In this case I used size 2 Knitters Pride Karbonz circular needles.  The thumb gusset has 21 stitches with a cast on of 52 with a 1x1 rib. 

SOCKS 

These finished socks are handspun wool from Earth Guild which I bought on a vacation several years ago.  I threw in some angelina for sparkle and they are spun more like sport weight than sock weight even though it's 2 ply. 

Finished handspun socks

Round Toe

 I finished with my first ever round toe (woo hoo) and an afterthought heel with Kitchener stitch close using the 'no ears' method.  I really like this way of closing off those last few stitches as it rounds out the finish.

SPINNING

I've spent some time lately watching and hanging out with my Jenkins' Turkish spindles.  There's a forum online about using the spindles to try out wool from various sheep breeds.  

Kuchulu and Romedale

The folks are making knitted squares from each breed and they share the spinning as they go.  I have bought/been gifted some wool including CVM, Targhee and Corriedale.  All have very different characteristics in the roving or carded stage, but the spun yarn singles seems to be consistent.  I am also trying to challenge myself to do at least 15 minutes a day.  I prefer to ply on my wheels, either the Louet Victoria or the Kromski Symphony.  My spindles are a Kuchulu (fav!) and two Ageans, all from Jenkins Yarntools.  

  PERSONAL

In 2020 we had planned to go with our church to Israel but that trip was cancelled and we opted to use our money to go out west here in the United States.  In preparation for the trip I lost weight and really upped my game on the treadmill.  Little by little the pounds have crept back on so I'm trying my best to count calories and keep those cute clothes I bought last year (they are getting snug). I had used Noom and they worked so well, I'm incorporating the lessons I learned to get back into shape. And just to keep things interesting, in order to avoid the news, I've jumped on the UFO craze.  I really enjoyed Skywalker Ranch on Discovery Plus and there are lots of other shows like that to keep you away from the news for weeks!! 

Earth, sky and figs

    I finished spinning and plying the Earth & Sky batt I purchased recently online. It was so pretty in the ad but there were bits of light brown wool that felt so different from the rest of the batt; it felt like changing from silk sheets to burlap bags.  I love the color though - periwinkle, navy and green.  They represent the main elements and I can't wait to do a test swatch to see how it knits up! (Approximately 4 oz worsted )

    The skein was soaked and dried and one day, as the temps here are in the 90's.  I hung it out to dry this morning before we left for our Saturday errands (Target & Lowes) and when we came back it was dry! Very squishy by the way and it feels softer and fuller now. 

    Our 2 errands were to get a baby gift for my niece's shower next weekend, and to look for a generator.  We often lose power here on the Gulf Coast of the US due to hurricanes in the late summer and early fall.  Last year we broke all records and this year we've only had one so far.  I'm praying for a light season. 

    The fig pictured here is the first one from the two plants I put out a couple of years ago.  They are doing really well and have lots of leaves during the warm months.  Winter time saw them lose all the leaves but I knew we were good.  The little trees did not disappoint!  This dollop of sweetness shows me they will be good for snacking next year. 
 

INTARSIA! EUREEKA!

    So I finally learned the intarsia in the round technique!  This was one of my New Year's resolutions.  I have not mastered it, but hopefully I have a better understanding of the method.  This is the type of knitting used in argyle socks.  I found some support videos online and discovered a book I already had called, "The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques".  They go at it from another angle but the process is the same.  Intarsia is worked flat, so to do this in the round you have to find a method of attaching the sides as you go "in the round".  

    I saw a documentary recently about a cruise ship that was so big it was made in two pieces, front and back, and then welded together.  Sounds impossible, doesn't it?  But it worked.  And knitting intarsia in the round also works. Voila! 

Bending over backwards

 It seems like I've finally found a pain management system for my back pain.  I am using a Salonpas lidocaine patch most every day.  Other folks opt for surgery or physical therapy but my quick and dirty answer is always the same; and it only costs about a dollar a day. I order them in bulk through the mail so I never have to go without. 

Now, on to other news.  I frogged a little black cardigan I'd made last year; I made it before losing a few pounds and it never did fit right after that.  The new pullover sweater fits like a glove and gave me the confidence to start more sweater knitting. 

 I am also planning to make some argyle socks this year.  I got a Craftsy subscription and started the Intarsia class.  It feels like conquering this technique will be the ultimate mountain climb for me, knitting wise.  Its something people did all the time back in the 40s and during the second World War.  I know I can do this!! 

Our little town here in the country has been busy lately - we have a full fledged coffee shop!  They are always coming up with new drinks and fresh sandwiches.  The meet all the politically correct requirements, but I usually just like a regular espresso drink with cream.  Plain and old fashioned.  

Reading is always enjoyable and old paperbacks are so fun.  They are cheap and readily accessible, available online or even at thrift and antique shops.  What a great escape reading can be.  What's your goal for the new year? 

I am packing today for a visit to my sister in Florida.  The weather promises to be warmer than here and sunny. Perfect for sightseeing and fun drinks on the go! 

I got a blending board for Christmas.  It is harder than you think, and if you're a spinner, you will know that finesse is always important.  Making a rolag is one thing, but getting it off the dowels is quite another!  If you aren't good with your roll up tension, it can be like pulling gum out of hair.  You really don't want to cut the rolag off the dowel!

One last knitting project I'm working on is a scarf for my DIL. She gave me a description of what she'd like, but I don't really have enough yarn so I'm making due with that I have on hand. That requires some finagling and adjusting of the stitch count, pattern and gauge.  It may get frogged and made with some lovely treat from my local yarn store.  We'll see.