Done!

I finished my pair of the socks that Zonda and I are working on for the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair. Which means I've finally knit up one of the skeins of Wollmeise yarn that I've been hording in my stash. The Wollmeise knit up very nice and I'm looking forward to using more. I had almost enough yarn left over for another complete pair of socks. I could certainly knit a pair of footies with what was left over - or even a pair on knee-highs with the whole skein. But I don't really wear long socks.

This pair of socks is really pretty basic, but I did use a short row toe for the first time. I really like the process. It seemed to make the whole toe knit up a lot faster. Maybe it was because I didn't have to fiddle around with casting onto more than one needle.

The only problem I had with the short row toe was the provisional cast-on. Well, it wasn't really a problem with the cast on because I didn't use a provisional cast-on because I don't know how.

Instead of trying to learn one, I just did a simple cast on and knit several rows with a different yarn in the same weight. I figured it really wouldn't be too difficult to get the other yarn out when it was time to unzip the provisional cast-on .

It turned out to be just a little more of a hassle than I thought. I cut the first couple rows of the waste yarn. Then I tried to unravel the remaining rows.

It took a little more time to get those rows out - but once I did get the frogging started I was able to get the stitches on the second needle and begin knitting the foot of my sock. I really liked being able to cast on enough stitches for half the sock onto one needle. It saved all the fiddling I normally have to do to keep the stitches on the needles in the beginning.

Using short rows for the toes created a very nice seamless edge. I liked that too. I plan on using the short row toe more often. I just have to learn a true provisional cast-on.

Project Info

Yarn: Wollmeise Rhabarber
color: Rhabarber - skein 160 - 86 grams used
Needles: addi TURBO Lace - US# 1 (2.5 mm)
Stitch Pattern: garter rib
Notes: toe-up using a short row toe and short row heel; knit using two circular needles toe-up on two circular needles, 64 stitches per round; 74 grams yarn leftover

A Well Deserved Thank you and Something a Bit Unusual

I'm in Austin on a trip for work this week, but need to give a big Thank You to Zonda! She sent me a nice little rak that arrived last week. She sent me some leftover sock yarn so I can make another square for the Leftovers Afghan I'm making. I believe this yarn is some leftover Socks that Rock in a Christmas color. She also sent a handy tape measure, some cool stitch markers, and a sample of a wool wash I've never tried. Thank you so much!

I brought the yarn with me on the trip, but so far I haven't any knitting time except on the plane on the way out to Austin. I'm working on the matching socks that Zonda and I have planned for the upcoming wool festival.

My seat mate on the plane found the whole sock knitting thing rather interesting and got a small introductory lesson on sock construction. He claimed he found it interesting - it was fun to talk about it anyway.

I'm busy at work here in Austin, but I can't complain too much because my primary role is conference photographer. The company I work for won't pay for a real photographer and since I have a camera I got volunteered.

I don't mind really at all though. It is much better than sitting behind a registration desk for days or doing website demos for attendees. I get to wonder around a little bit too.

This photo is of some interesting flowers that the hotel has in a vase in the middle of the lobby. They are some of the wildest flowers I've ever seen. I have no idea what they are called or where they grow. They remind me of something out of a Dr. Seuss boo though.

Well my break is over for now, I'll see if I can get any more interesting photos to share later.

Fiber Fridays - Color Explosion

Yarn Details
Brand: Blue Moon Fiber Arts
Yarn Name: Socks That Rock - medium weight
Color: Chapman Springs
Fiber Content: 100% superwash merino wool
Skein Weight: 5.5 ounces
Yardage: 380 yards
Online: Website