Category Archives: FOs

Knit: Bluey Hat

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FO: Bluey Hat

Bluey Hat
Pattern | Easy Peasy Newborn Sock Hat by Keri McKiernan
Yarn | My own handspun yarn in Blue Skies & Sunshine (dyed by JulieSpins)
Needles | 2.75mm DPNs

This was sort of a last minute project I did prior to the move to the new apartment and consequently, my delivery to a preterm Noah. I wanted a quick knit that could use up my handspun yarn since it was a waste to chuck aside those lovely blue-grey-emerald-royal blue colours that were more evident towards the tail end of the yarn. And quick it was – I finished it in under two days – on and off knitting, that is!

And was still left with some yarn…enough for another one hat or two premie hats.

As it turns out, after I delivered Noah, this hat was too big so I started on another one which was slightly smaller. Looking at both, I reckon they would serve him well for winter or when he eventually leaves the hospital.

If you’re looking for a simple, quick knit to do in front of the TV, this would be it! They make great gifts too! Okay, I’m off to finish a blanket for Noah while working on my review for prom dresses!

WIP: Bluey Hat

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WIP: Bluey Hat

Since I have some leftover yarn from the previous project and no access to my other needles – they are in the case heading to France via sea – I decided to dig around for a suitable project with whatever I had with me now and chanced upon this fingering-based or sock yarn project. It is a simple stockinette stitch hat with an i-cord top which I may omit; it’ll depend on my mood and how the overall hat would look prior to the i-cord top.

The only problem with this project is the very boring stockinette stitch. In this case, it’s just knit all the way as I’m working in round and with DPNs. Still, I can’t complain. I have at least another two to three projects in progress and they will last me till my stash and tools arrive.

On a completely different note, I found my weaving loom again! Just need to assemble it and off I go! KAKAKAKAKA! In the meantime, it’s knitting, assignments like gmc envoy custom floor mats and the big move!

Knit: Blue Skies & Sunshine

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FO: Blue Skies & Sunshine Handspun Socks

Blue Skies & Sunshine
Pattern | Peace Socks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn | My own handspun yarn in Blue Skies & Sunshine (dyed by JulieSpins)
Needles | 2.75mm and 2.25mm DPNs

This is my first handspun socks and I must say that it is also one heavily modified sock to boot. Because the pattern originally called for sport-weight yarn, I had to improvise and that resulted in a couple of changes throughout the sock itself:

  • Cast on 24 stitches using Judy’s Magic Cast on (12 each on two DPNs, then split to 6 stitches per needle)
  • k1, m1 both ends until stitch per needle is 10.
  • Then, knit for entire round 1 followed by k1, m1 both ends for round 2
  • Total stitches: 62
  • 3 k, lace panel, 3 k
  • Switch from k3togtbl to SSSk after first repeat + 1st two lines from 2nd repeat (if making socks from start, sub with SSSK)
  • Gusset stitch count (56 sts); heel stitch to start and end with 31 sts.
  • Used Russian bind-off after 5 repeats on the leg and 1×1 ribbing (2 cm).

Because the two balls used were of slightly different weights and tension, the resulting pair of socks don’t really match up. The right sock is thicker and slightly longer than the left…not to mention the feel was a little on the coarse side as the tension used when plying the yarn for that particular half was tighter than the other ball. Still, it’s not too bad for a first try, especially considering that I was rushing to complete Le Tour de Fleece and pack my wheel.

Also, I made an error when working the gusset and heel for the right sock, resulting in a heel that wasn’t exactly symmetrical. It isn’t exactly noticeable especially with the colour change happening just around that area – thankgoodness for that – but still, not very perfect socks. I must admit though, I like this gusset heel construction. Definitely no issues with holes unlike the short row wrap style.

Having said that, I wonder if I need to make the leg portion larger as I had some issues trying to get it over my heel – I never really had this problem with other socks I made. Perhaps it’s the fiber – the others were merino-nylon which had lots of stretch to it while this was just superwash merino. Or could it be the pattern itself (lack of cables means lack of stretch, etc)? Hm, must ask my sock guru friends and see what they have to say about it. Nil thinks it’s alright as over time and with use, it should stretch plus he feels that socks should be fitting.

Anyway, I have about a good amount of yarn left – mostly shades of blue – so am thinking of working on a quick newborn hat for Noah. I don’t have any needles or yarn on me at the moment apart from what is attached to my project so need to make do with them until we move proper to our new place (which has yet to be confirmed). Can’t wait to settle in even though I don’t look forward to the unpacking (it’s enough to act as appetite suppressants!)!

FO: Blue Skies & Sunshine Handspun Socks

Knit: Vineyard Cables

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The Hubby's birthday socks!

Vineyard Cables
Pattern | Boyfriend Socks by Alice Bell
Yarn | The Knittery 4 ply Sock: Merino in Vineyard
Needles | 2.75mm circular needles

One of the perils about knitting one sock at a time is that if you put one side in hibernation and you happened to make modifications to it without making a note, you tend to forget all about it. When I picked up the second side, I discovered just how bad the consequences can get. While it’s nothing drastic like one foot being shorter than the other, the slightly shorter leg portion resulted in me having to add more length to the cuff. This coupled together with the fact that I forgot how to do a short row heel AND not bother to check/refer to my usual reference meant that the second sock didn’t look all that great. No holes, thankfully.

Anyway, the sock was knitted toe up using the figure 8 cast on and I ended it with the EZ sewn bind off with a 1×1 rib for the cuff. I might go back to my old way of casting on for the toes – the figure 8 cast on was quite fiddly to work with and I didn’t appreciate having to redo the toe at least once for the second sock; too loose and all. It was also my first pair on two circular needles, which made it fun to knit on the train.

This pair got me all fired up to work on socks again, so much so that I decided to stock up on DPNs!!! And me, someone who suffers from SSS – Second Sock Syndrome! Bad idea. So looking at the issues I had with this, I might as well stock to doing two socks at a time on two circulars.

O’well, at least the hubby appreciates it…even though it’s two years late plus it beats getting him football gifts (he’s more of a rugby man!).

The Hubby's birthday socks!

Knit: Gemstone Annis

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Knit FO: Annis

Gemstone Annis
Pattern | Annis by Susanna IC
Yarn | Simple Scarves Handspun in Gemstone
Needles | 4.5mm & 7mm circular needles

I actually finished this a few months ago but never found the time to block and later, photograph it. Reviews on band saw blades, other knitting projects and what-nots are to blame! Heh.

The last time I worked on this colourway and fiber was nearly a year ago when trying to spin up some single ply laceweight yarn for the shop. The resulting yarn was lovely, squishy and springy; the colours were to die for as well – combination that would serve well for a shawl. But because I had too much yarn in stash, it went for sale in the store until early this year when I decided to pull it off the shelf and use it for myself.

The self-striping effect was really unintentional as over the months, I have forgotten how the colours blend from one to the another. I suppose the fact that the shawl was knitted from bottom up helped to maintain the colour repeats. It makes for a very pretty shawl.

In terms of construction, the cast-on is pretty daunting and with so many stitches on the needle, I made a couple mistakes and had to rip and knit again. Stitch markers are handy for projects like this and for a good reason as well. All in all, the moment you start on the stockinette section, things move fast. The only portion that took me a while was the edging with the nupps – not a problem though as long as you don’t pull on the nupps too hard. I quite like nupps, actually – most knitters hate them!

Can’t wait to find the right moment and weather to wear it, especially with my new shawl pin!

Knit FO: Annis

Knit: Dusky Cowl

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FO: Dusky Cowl

Dusky Cowl
Pattern | Destroyed Cowl by Martha Merzig
Yarn | My handdyed MCN Sock Yarn in Dusk colourway
Specs | Machine knitted on Bond USM, keyplate 1, double stranded

I usually use my Bond USM for knitting up sock blanks for the store but I was inspired by a fellow indie dyer’s work on the cowl. The pattern is just a simple rectangle flat stockinette piece which requires you to drop a couple of stitches in the beginning before heaming. The result in a knitwear that is quick to work up – on a machine (hand knitting this would be boring for me but great for those nights in front of the TV) and still functional while unique. Great for destashing too unless you like collecting yarn and displaying them like soccer trophies.

Colour-wise, I picked the dusky colourway that I did using a new technique which has shorter colour repeats and zero to minimal pooling. Because the Bond USM doesn’t handle fingering weight yarn very well – I found out the hard way when I knitted single strand and had to frog – I double stranded it but was amazed at how the colours turned out. There is still another skein available for sale at the store in case anyone is interested. *hints*

As a result, I’m making a couple more of the cowls in worsted weight for my brother and in fingering weight in one of my own handdyes as well – hopefully the recipients will like the overall look of the cowl, which you could wear as it is or loop around the neck twice for a “tighter” fit.

FO: Dusky Cowl

Knit: Meret I and II

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Knit FO: Meret I after blocking

Meret I and II
Pattern | Meret (Mystery Beret) by Woolly Wormhead
Yarn | Handpaintedyarn.com Colonia 140 in Zeus and Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Alpine Pearl
Needles | 4.5mm circular needles

I actually finished this a long time ago but never got around to taking pictures of it or blocking it so it sat in my FO bag for a few weeks. Then after blocking, I told myself that I should take pics but still, I didn’t get around to it until today. My excuse was that I had been waiting for the right day, right time but that’s just it – an excuse. Blame it on pregnancy hormones and just being lazy to catch up with my assignments on roadside assistance plans plus knitting. Heh.

Anyway, I cannot emphasize it enough – slouches need blocking in order to get its shape, otherwise you’d just end up with an ugly looking beanie wannabe. The pattern is easy to knit up and addictive not to mention simple to remember on those train trips to and fro work. I was pleasantly surprised at how the colourway for the Colonia 140 turned out (see above picture) – the hat came out with clean stripes and sections, and in contrast with my other yarn choice for the pattern (see picture below). Still, it makes for a fun knit and Mum even asked for a slouch – I just need to add an extra repeat for hers since she wants it slouchier.

This pattern goes quite well with semi-solid yarn but is particularly good for self-striping yarns like Noro, or colourways with long colour repeats. These two hats are the final adult ones that I’ll be knitting up and I’ve started work on the accompanying scarves. I still have a child hat-scarf to go but figure that I’d leave that for last since I’d like to get the scarves out of the way first. Am using my knitting machine for the adult scarves and it looks like I should finish them by mid-May.

I hope.

Knit FO: Meret II after blocking