twistedloops

I’ve decided to take part in the Ravelympics this year.  My primary project is a pair of self-designed, knee-high colorwork socks.  They’re being entered in three events:  Nordic Colorwork Combined, Sock Hockey and Designer Original Dance. 

I’ve been swatching ideas for this pair of scoks for a few weeks now.  I had the chart for the main pattern and heel flap completed prior to the opening ceremonies, but hadn’t actually thought about the ribbing or how the decreases would work for the wider calf-area of the sock.   I managed to swatch through those issues on Friday night and Saturday morning, and am now progressing my way down the leg of the sock. 

I’m using the green (Lime) and purple (Mulberry) Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn that I got at Sock Summit.  Jim doesn’t really like the color combination, but for some reason I love the super bright contrast of the two colors together.  There’s no way this patterning will be lost in photographs.  Plus for those of you who know me, wearing super-bright socks with my primarily black wardrobe is a pretty common thing since I became a knitter.

I’m concerned with my overall pace.  At the rate I’m going, I don’t think I’ll finish both socks by the closing ceremonies.  Being sick for the last few days hasn’t helped my progress, but I’ve got to find a way to step it up.  I’m feeling a little better today, so perhaps I’ll spend the day sitting and kntting.  I’d love to be all the way to the heel flap before I head off to bed tonight.

Before the holidays, I decided that I needed a pair of fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm.  I knew that I wanted to use sock yarn to make them, and after a quick scan of the patterns in Ravelry, nothing drew my interest.

So, I sat down and worked out what I was looking for in a pattern, and then write my own.  It had to have enough details to be interesting to knit.  I wanted the gloves longer than wrist length so I could wear them comfortably with my three-quarter length sleeve jacket.  I decided to incorporate some simple two-stitch cables because I enjoy knitting them.  I ended up with a fitted pair of fingerless gloves.

I love the final gloves, and I wear them all the time.  I wear them when I’m cold inside the house.  I wear them when it’s damp and chilly outside.  I’m wearing them now while writing this blog post.

I can’t take credit for the naming of the pattern.  The twisted stitch cables ended up resembling a faux lacing on the gloves.  Jim used this detail as inspiration for the pattern name, CanCans.

Pattern: CanCans
Designer: Erica Lomax
Source: TwistedLoops

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts
Socks that Rock Lightweight
Color: Corvid
Needles: 2.5mm

Started: November 25, 2008
Completed: December 8, 2008

It’s currently only available as a Ravelry download.  It can be downloaded here.

I’ve been trying to work through some of my stash of yarns, and lately I’ve been making a lot of small projects out of my Peaches & Creme.  After finishing a few Christmas gifts, Jim commented that he’d like some new dishcloths.  They needed to be smaller in overall size, thicker than most of the ones we already had in the drawer, and have a texture suitable for scrubbing.

After a little experimentation, 7 Ridges was created.  It’s named for the seven ridges that exist in the cloth.  It’s nice and thick and works up very quickly because the yarn is held double throughout.

I made them in a few different colors.  In the photo below (from bottom left) I used 1 strand Daisy & 1 strand yellow, 2 strands white, and 2 strands yellow.

I decided to go ahead and write it up because the pattern was so easy.

7 Ridges

Gauge: 14 stitches to 4 inches in stockinette stitch with yarn held doubled
Suggested Needle Size: US8 (5 mm), or appropriate size to reach gauge
Yarn: 75 yards of Worsted Weight 100% Cotton
Finished Size: Approximately 7 inches x 7 inches

Ridges Pattern
Row 1 & 3: K3, (K3, P1) 4 times, K6
Row 2: K3, (P3, K1) 4 times, P3, K3
Row 4: Knit all stitches

With yarn held double, Cast on 25 stitches.

Rows 1 – 3: Knit
Rows 4 – 31: Work rows  1-4 of Ridges Pattern 7 times (28 rows total of Ridges Pattern).
Rows 32 – 35:  Repeat rows 1-3 of Ridges Pattern.
Rows 36 – 39: Knit

Bind off all stitches. Weave in ends.

Enjoy!