Snapper Knits (& quilts & beads & ...)

One more baby quilt....

2011-04-05T19:36:00.004-04:00

I have a bunch of nieces and nephews, many of whom are at that stage of life where babies seem to appear. Of course they need quilts. Who doesn't? The latest is for Margaret....

She is getting a Kitty-Cat quilt. I don't always use patterns, but I was having a hard time deciding what to make for her. I came across this one going through stuff on my shelf, and I thought it would do fine.

I used pastels -- also something I don't usually do. More often, I opt for bright colors. But this quilt wanted to be soft and sweet.

Margaret has an older brother. Big brothers need presents, too. I like to give books, and wanted something that went along with the cat theme. I found the perfect one this weekend at Barnes and Noble...Kitten's First Full Moon. The kitten reminded me so much of my nephew!

It'll get done sometime!

2011-03-21T19:02:00.006-04:00

Deadlines are hard sometimes -- I wanted to do a quilt for my brother's 50th birthday. At least I finished it in the same month, so I suppose it's not all that bad....

I like to make quilts with variable size blocks. They're fun to do for special occasions. And it's not as hard as it may look -- sort of like fitting a puzzle together. I make the blocks in multiples of 3 inches -- 3X3, 6X6, 9X9, 3X18 6X12, etc. I get most of what I want and lay it all out on the floor, and fill in with odds and ends as I need to. I like the way this one came out -- I hope my brother does too!

There can't ever be enough fingerless mitts....

2011-02-25T21:28:00.007-05:00

When the muse strikes, you gotta go with it. I was inspired by a stitch pattern found in a new book I just purchased: The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques by Margaret Radcliffe. I need to stop buying pattern books since I have enough books and magazines sitting around to keepme busy for 10 years. But this is a reference book, so I rationalized -- and so it came home with me.

I also had most of two balls of Wool Bam Boo left over from other projects, one in pink and one in blue. And of course I had to get some more yarn to go with them, because they certainly wouldn't look good together....

I really like color work -- Fair Isle or stranded knitting is so pretty, but it drives my crazy switching back and forth. I just have to practice more, but haven't been inspired to do so. Mosaic patterns are fun -- you're only using one strand of yarn at a time, so it's not as fiddly as Fair Isle. These work up very quickly in DK weight yarn.

You can find Gilly Bean available as a free Ravelry download:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gilly-bean

One and Two ...

2011-02-09T14:57:00.007-05:00

It feels great to finish knitting something. You get to the last bind off, weave in your ends and TA-DA! Finis! The end. Ooops, I forgot. Sometimes knitting one something isn't enough. Sometimes you need two somethings -- two mitts, two socks.... before you know it, you have SECOND SOCK (or mitt) SYNDROME!

It seems like I was beginning to have a collection of one of things. I decided I had to start finishing stuff before casting on any more pair projects! I made a pair of Scrollwork Socks by Veronique Avery. These were in the latest issue of the St. Denis booklet, and my boss at Stitches with Style in Newark DE needed some shop samples. This was a great pattern -- I used Aslan Trends Santa Fe, which I fell in love with. It was more of a sport weight yarn, and the socks seemed to fly right off the needles....

There's only one sock in the photo because the other one is at the shop. I completed the first one and gave it to my boss right away, but it took a bit to get around to the second one. There really are two socks in existence now, I promise. I also recently published a new mitt pattern, Fluffy Knitter Mitts, which is available for free on Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fluffy-knitter-mitt

I was so excited to have a new design, I never finished the second mitt. SO I finished that one last night, too! Go me!

I still have only one of the Fingerless Glove Fanatics Mystery Mitt done, but I have to think about the picot hem. Not sure if I want to frog it and replace it with a boring straight edge or not....

And to celebrate getting two pairs of things done, I cast on this morning for a not-pair project -- Two Tone Tawashi. Stitches with Style is doing a "Washcloth Club" KAL with a new pattern selected every month. I liked this month's pattern, but the sample -- made with worsted weight -- seemed a bit on the small side. I found some Jeanee Chunky in the sale bin and used that. You can see the size is nice!

And I finished up my design for the Novemeber Designer KAL in the FGF: SOCK group on Ravelry. And I did make TWO so I have a pair. But I can't show you --- it's a SEKRIT!

HOW TO MAKE A KINDLE CASE

2011-01-26T11:47:00.016-05:00

Thanks to prodding from Sonny Boy ("Mom, could you make a case for my Kindle?") and after three failed prototypes (what's the matter with me, it's really not that hard) I have come up with a nice case for a Kindle that does not cost $35 +. Can't help it, I'm cheap.

This is an envelope style that you can slip your Kindle into. I made two sizes, one for the Kindle alone (which Sonny Boy has) and one that would fit mine, which has a skin and is just a wee bit larger. I used two quilted layers to provide a little more cushioning, so that it will be protected if you throw it in a purse or briefcase. It will not stand up to a nuclear attack, but in that case, your Kindle will be the least of your worries.

Materials:

10" X 16 " of outer fabric, lining, and 2 pieces of batting

5" piece of velcro to coordinate with outer fabric

Procedure:

1. Quilt outer fabric to one piece of batting. Quilt the lining fabric to the other piece of batting. I use a random stipple, but you could do whatever floats your boat.

2. For the Kindle without the skin, trim outer fabric to 9" X 15". Trim lining a hair smaller -- like 8-7/8" X 14-7/8". This will help the lining to turn under better, so it doesn't peek out to the right side.

3. For the Kindle with a skin, trim the outer quilted fabric to 9.5" X 15.5", and the quilted lining to 9-3/8" X 15-3/8".

4. If you trim the batting away from the corners on all pieces, it will make nicer corners, since there won't be so much bulk. I just separate the batting from the fabric, and remove stitches if necessary. I then just cut off a little corner triangle a little past where you will turn the corner when stitching.

5. With right sides together, stitch all the way around using a 1/4" seam. And yes, of course you must leave an opening to turn right sides out. I placed this on one of the short sides.

6. Turn right sides out and PRESS PRESS PRESS. Then stitch all the way around close to the edge. Be careful over the opening, and make sure your edges are turned under even and nice and you won't need to do any hand sewing.

7. Position the soft loop side of the velcro on the lining top flap, something like 1/2" from the edge and centered. Stitch it to the flap.

8. The hook side of the velcro will go on the outer side. Fold your pocket about 5" up and slip your kindle in to see where the best placement will be. Be careful with any pinning since your Kindle is inside and you don't want to scratch it. Stitch.

9. With the pocket folded up 5" and right sides out, stitch the pocket through all layers. Do some extra back and forth stitching at the top since this will be stressed the most. You probably don't want to have to mend this. There are other things to do besides mending if you can help it.

Huzzah! You're done. Throw your kindle into your bag. Or go read an e-book.

It's a Mystery....

2010-02-05T22:51:00.003-05:00

So the knitters who hang out in the Ravelry Forum "Fingerless Glove Fanatics" decided they wanted to do a Mystery Mitt KAL. Having nothing else better to do (or nothing else I wanted to do), I came up with a design. Mitts are small, and it was challenging to come up with a design that could be broken into parts.

I had first wanted to something playing around with slip stitches and different colored yarn, but fell in love with a couple of ace stitch patterns in one of my books. So, part 1 could be the cuff of the mitt....

I also really liked the look of a picot hem instead of ribbing for a change. I used some Knit Picks Stroll I had in my stash. It's a nice start, I think! I'll post a picture of the next pat next Friday.

Bead It!

2010-01-22T21:51:00.002-05:00

Cabochons are my favorite type of jewelry project to work with. I think the embellishment with seed beads really appeals to me -- the embroidery-like stitches satisfies the fiber person in me. The technique is not as difficult as it looks. I think the hard part is deciding what colors of beads to use to complement the cabochon.

I had worked on this piece several months ago, and ended up putting it away. It seemed like I couldn't find just the the right combo to suit me. I pulled it out again last week, when my beady buddies came over to play, and got inspired. Here's my finished piece...

Scarves are better than shawls...

2010-01-02T10:47:00.002-05:00

Shawls are so pretty! I am in awe of some of the beautiful lacy ones that my Ravelry friends have knitted. I made one, and it drove me nuts. It came out fine, but I got so bored in the middle, I despaired of ever finishing it. And I've never worn it!

A scarf is much more practical for me. It's quicker to knit, and I will wear a scarf. My friend Erin showed me the shop sample of Multnomah when we were knitting at our LYS, and I really liked it. One skein of sock yarn? I could do that!

Here is a close up of the lace border.

It's a very quick knit compared to my other shawl. And it's great to be able to use just one skein of sock yarn. And I have actually worn it!

A Manly Quilt

2009-12-12T12:54:00.009-05:00

Every year for Christmas, I'm stumped with what to get for my husband. He's a dear man, and I love him very much, but he's almost impossible to buy for. He always ends up returning what I buy. One year, I got him the EXACT saw he wanted, and he STILL took it back!

We each have flannel lap quilts -- they are nice to snuggle up with when watching TV. He's often commented on his quilt, wishing it was long enough to go over his head when he's napping. Since his current quilt is showing signs of wear, I decided to make him a new one....

The block is a simple Monkey Wrench block, done in scrappy many colored fabrics, from the book Hooked on Triangles: 19 Quilts for Foundation Piecing by Kristin Bergljot Johannessen and Turid Margaret Uren.

Bonnie Belle Mitts

2009-11-22T12:53:00.006-05:00

I have a new pattern! Bonnie Belle is available for free download on Ravelry. It uses sport weight yarn, which makes for a quick knit. I do like fingering weight yarn, -- the finished mitts feel so nice! But occasionally, you need to crank out something quickly and these fit the bill.

I designed them for my friend, Bonnie. Her birthday was coming up, and I had no idea what to get her. I'd given mitts to some of my other friends for their birthdays, so I thought that would be a good plan. I had some nice yarn that I dyed -- Surino from Wool 2 Dye 4, kettle dyed in one of Bonnie's favorite colors. I tried a few different patterns, but nothing was working, and I had to frog a couple of times. Phooey!

I was about to give up, but then saw a stitch pattern that I thought would work. Open Twisted Rib from Super Stitches Knitting by Karen Hemingway looked like a strong possibility. It looks like a cable stitch, only it's not, which makes the knitting speed along.

It came out better that I expected. There's always a gap from imagination to reality -- sometimes things work, and sometimes they don't. This time it did.

No-Fail Slip-Stitch Heel for Toe-up Socks

2009-07-22T19:39:00.005-04:00

I love knitting toe-up socks! Top down is fine, too, but I think toe-up is my favorite. I like being able to knit to the end of a 50 gram skein, and not worry if I'm going to run out of yarn. Invariably, I seem to need to make adjustments to the heel -- my heels need a little more room than patterns seem to allow for....

It made me crazy having to figure out how to adjust the pattern to fit my heels. Every time I would knit a pair of socks, I'd have to do it all over again. It would be just a little bit different than the last time. There should be a formula somewhere to make the calculations easier. After a fruitless search, I decided it would take less time if I did it myself....

So, here's my no-fail formula for constructing a slip-stitch heel on toe-up socks...

So far, you've knit the foot, and done the gusset increases. You've also completed the short rows for the shaping on the bottom of the sole. I usually do magic loop, so I'm only working with needle 1 (instep stitches) and needle #2 (sole + gusset stitches), and this discussion will be discussed from that point of view. If you use DPNs, you would have the instep stitches on needles 1 & 2, and the sole/gusset stitches on needles 3 & 4. You will have a certain number of stitches on needle 2, and will need to reduce these stitches down to the number on needle #1 when you beging the leg portion of the sock.

So, the given values you'll need for the formula are:

The number of stitches initially on needle #2, call this A
the number of stitches you want to end up with, call this number B

The instructions for the slip stitch heel read as follows:

Row 1: Knit C stitches, ssk, turn.

Row 2: Slip 1, Purl D stitches, P2tog, turn.

Row 3: (Sl1, K1) E times, ssk, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 until all stitches have been worked.

You need to calculate the values of C, D and E, using the values of A and B which you know:

C = [(A+B)/2] - 1
D = B - 2
E = (B-1)/2

Let me give you an example. We can look at the Slip Stitch Heel Basic Sock from Wendy Johnson's book Socks From the Toe Up. After the gusset increases and the short rows to set up turning the heel, you will have 63 stitches on needle #2. So A = 63. You need to reduce this number down to 33 stitches. So B = 33. We can calculate the other values we need for the heel flap using the formulas above.

C= [(63 + 33)/2] -1 = [96/2] -1 = 48-1 = 47
D = 33 - 2 = 31
E = (33 - 1)/2 = 32/2 = 16

Plug these values back into the instructions, and you'll get:

Row 1: Knit 47 stitches, ssk, turn.

Row 2: Slip 1, Purl 31 stitches, P2tog, turn.

Row 3: (Sl1, K1) 16 times, ssk, turn.

And that's exactly how Wendy Johnson wrote the instructions in her book!

Graduation Quilts

2009-05-31T16:25:00.016-04:00

If we are lucky, our lives are touched by special young people, and we take great joy in their accomplishments and achievements. There are also special landmarks in their lives -- one such being graduation from high school. It's the end of childhood, and the almost-beginning of their adulthood. Since I am a quilter, it's inevitable that I choose to commemorate these occasions with a quilt.

This year marks the end of my youngest daughter's high school experience. So of course she gets a quilt! Then there are two very good friends of hers that I love dearly -- they each need a quilt, too. And a very special young lady who lives across the street deserves one as well. And huzzah! I did it! Four quilts all ready for their recipients! Well, almost.....

The first one was for Becca. The color choice was extremely easy. Purple. Period. I came across a pattern for a flower design -- perfect for a scrappy purple quilt. Considering the fact that her family runs a greenhouse, this was a no brainer!

It was more of a challenge picking one for Chrissy. Chrissy is a bit of a tomboy, and is an artist and a science-brain, which is quite an interesting combination. I consulted my daughter Betsy (Chrissy is her friend, after all!) and we decided Blue was the color of choice. Betsy helped me pick out some fabric for the border, and we decided to keep it blue and white, also scrappy. I used a pattern from the book by Karla Alexander, ''New Cuts for New Quilts''. Her ''Stack the Deck'' method is a really fun technique to use, and makes an interesting scrap quilt. Here's Chrissy's quilt:

Elizabeth, the girl across the street was the third quilt, mainly because I couldn't settle on a pattern. I've know her since she was three years old! I had some pretty blue batik in a butterfly print, and opted for a simple star design...

And last, but certainly not least, my daughter Betsy's quilt! I asked her what color she wanted, and she chose a scrappy quilt, too. I asked her to pick the background color, and she chose a mustard-gold. I found the most perfect fabric -- it was a print that looked like a map. Just right for someone leaving home for college in the fall! I had help with this quilt -- it's a tradition in my quilt group to help each other when our kids graduate from high school. So everybody made some blocks and I put it all together. I just love the way it came out, and I hope she likes it, too.

Another New Pattern? That-a-Way...

2009-02-17T13:59:00.003-05:00

Well, maybe not exactly -- I had the pattern done in November. I had made it to submit to Cherry Tree Hill Yarn's design contest. Sadly it didn't win, but it's good for my fellow Ravelers, since the pattern is now up on Ravelry. I got two pair knitted from one skein of Dream in Color Smooshy, with a bunch to spare.

I'm calling them That-a-Way Mitts since the lace pattern is called "Arrow Lace". Appropriate, I thought! I used 2.50 mm needles for one pair, and 2.75 for the second. The first was a little snug for my hands, but fit my daughter's nicely. Since she absconded with them, I was down a pair, and dang it! I really liked the color of the yarn! So the 2.75 mm needle pair fit me perfectly.

The pattern hasn't been test knit, but I did knit up the second pair and had a chance to review it. So if you find any more mistakes, let me know!

New Pattern!

2009-01-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

I've finally had time to work up one of the designs that have been bouncing around in my head. I was inspired by the Cable & Moss Stitch pattern form Charlene Schurch's Sensational Socks, and worked this up into a pair of fingerless gloves. I used some Claudia's Handpainted fingering weight yarn that I got for X-mas. The colorway is called Tea Cup -- a pretty white with bits of blue.

I'm trying to decide on a name. I was going to call them Blue Willow Mitts, but there is a pattern of that name already on Ravelry. My Ravelry friends have suggested quite a few, here are the ones I like best:

Willow Dream
Willow Wear
Wedgewood Mitts
Cuppa Tea

I Have to decide in a few days -- the testers are wrapping things up, and the pattern will be ready to be posted in a day or so!

On and Off

2008-12-19T07:32:00.002-05:00

A few years ago, I thought that there was only one way to cast on for my knit project, and one way to cast off. Then I started knitting socks, and found that my usual methods often left the piece too tight to get on my foot! AUUGGHH! What to do, what to do?

My favorite way to cast on is still the long tail cast on, BUT! I hold my two needle tips together and then go to town. I do Magic Loop with one circular needle, so this is easy to do. You will often see recommendations to go up a needle size, but whenever I do this, it's still too tight for me. The two tips together works like a charm, plus you don't need another sized needle! I do this on fingerless gloves as well, and have been doing it for my sweaters too. I am a tight knitter, and it works for me.

My favorite bind-off is Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind off. Wow! It comes out nice and stretchy, but firm at the same time. Does that make sense? Try it and see. I recently finished Janine Cras' Quatrefoil Shrug, and did a picot bind-off on that. That is also very stretchy and pretty -- sort of lacy and feminine. Very nice!

New Mitt Pattern....

2008-11-18T20:29:00.003-05:00

I got inspired by Cherry Tree Hill Yarn's call for submissions. They wanted designs that used their Supersocke Select. What nice yarn! I had never used Cherry Tree Hill yarn before. Pretty! and it feels sooo nice!

You can see a picture of my mitt here: http://cherryyarn.typepad.com/

They're going to have blog readers vote on the designs they choose. I'm excited to see how my pattern does! It will be fun if it gets picked. It would be fine to get my mitts back, too. I like 'em! (and I won't have to make a second pair for my daughter....)

Cafe au Lait!

2008-10-28T18:28:00.001-04:00

Cafe au Lait Mitts
by Paula McKeever

Wear these mitts on a cool day, with fingers free to hold that warm cup of coffee or tea.

Materials:
1 ball Sublime Cashmere Silk Merino DK (127 yds), or other DK yarn
Size 4 needles, DPNs or circulars for Magic Loop
2 stitch markers
waste yarn or stitch holder

Gauge: 25 sts = 4 inches

Crosshatch Lace Pattern:
Row 1: * K3, K2tog, YO, K1, rep from *
Row 2: * K2, K2tog, YO, K2, rep from *
Row 3: * K1, K2tog, YO, K3, rep from *
Row 4: * K2tog, YO, K4, rep from *
Row 5: * K1, YO, ssk, K3, rep from *
Row 6: * K2, YO, ssk, K2, rep from *
Row 7: * K3, YO, ssk, K1, rep from *
Row 8: * K4, YO, ssk, rep from *

Cast on 42 stitches loosely and join in the round. Divide stitches in groups of 6 on your needles – for Magic Loop this will be 18 sts on the front needle, and 24 on the back needle. Work K1 P1 ribbing for 16 rounds. Change to Crosshatch Lace stitch and work Rows 1-7 of pattern. In row 8, work 6 pattern sts, PM, M1, PM, continue in pattern to end of round.

Thumb Gusset: Next round (Row 1 of pattern): Work 6 pattern sts, place marker, M1, K1, M1, place marker, continue in pattern to end of round.

Increase 2 sts between markers every third round as follows: work in pattern to marker, Slip Marker, M1, K up to Marker, M1, Slip Marker, continue to end of round. You will do the increases on the following rows of the pattern: Row 1, 4, 7, 2, 5, 8, 3, and 6. On all other rounds, knit all stitches between markers.

Work increases until you have 17 sts between markers. Work 2 more rows, finishing with Row 8. Next row: work 6 sts in pattern, place 17 sts between markers on waste yarn, continue in pattern. Do two more complete pattern repeats (16 rounds). Work P1 K1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Bind off with sewn bind-off or other stretchy bind off.

Thumb: Place 17 sts from waste yarn onto circular needle, or DPNs. Pick up and knit 3 sts from top of gusset, then continue knitting around the 17 gusset sts. Work 4 rounds total, then switch to K1 P1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Bind off loosely, or use Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind-off or other stretchy bind off.

Make second mitt the same as the first.

Abbreviations:
st - stitch
K – Knit
P - Purl
K2tog – Knit two stitches together
ssk – Slip stitch, slip 2nd stitch, slip back on left needle and knit together
PM – Place marker
DPN – double pointed needle

Crosshatch Lace Pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch

for personal use only, copyrighted by Paula McKeever 2008

DPN Modifications

2008-10-20T10:53:00.000-04:00

The DPN roll will also fit 8" needles. I goofed when I made one for Stringcat -- I misread her post and made one for 6" needles instead of 8" needles. But the longer ones fit okay, too. I really do want it to be a bit longer, so the flap folds over better, but there was at least 3" of flap, so it should work fine.

I made a roll for Ibby, too. She didn't want as many slots in her roll, so I cut the fabric at 15" instead of 19". This gave me 12 slots for DPNs.

We're sewing DPN rolls!

2008-10-19T11:17:00.000-04:00

Sinclairchili on Ravelry wanted a DPN roll .... here's my version!

And here are my instructions, so you can do one, too. Or two, too. Or whatever. This roll will fit either 6" or 7" DPNs. I'm going to do one for 8"-ers, but I'll do it in another post since I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Materials:

Main fabric -- cut 17" X 19"

Lining -- cut 7.5" X 19"

Fusible interfacing -- cut 7.25" X 18.5"

Pocket fabric -- cut 9" X 19"

Ties -- Cut two pieces 1.5" X 16 " OR use grosgrain ribbon

Notes:

RST = Right sides of fabric together

WST = Wrong sides of fabric together

All seam allowances are 1/2 inch.

Instructions:

1. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of lining fabric.

2. Sew lining to main fabric at the top seam, RST

3. Make ties -- take pieces and fold 1/4 inch or so on one short end, WST. Press in half, WST, along length of tie. Open it up, and then press the raw ends into the center. Fold in half lenthwise and press. Top stitch long open end together, and back up the other side just for symmetry's sake. I like to be symmetrical. It makes me happy. (no picture, you'll have to figure this one out on your own)

4. Fold pocket in half WST lengthwise and press -- measures 4.5" X 19". Pin pocket to bottom of lining, raw edges together. Baste if you're meticulous. Or not, if you're lazy like me.

5. Pin pocket/ lining raw edge to bottom of main fabric, RST.

6. Pin ties along one side, raw edges sticking out and the ties hanging inside. Make sure you pin it on the lining just above the end of the pocket. If you pin it between the pocket and the lining, you've screwed up and will have to frog it. I speak from experience.

7.. Sew around three open sides, leaving an opening to turn. Go over tie a few more times for strength.

8. Press well, then topstitch all around, close to the edge. You can aslo topstitch a second time, a little away fron the edge stitching if you wish. I did it on three sides, not along the bottom, since I didn't want to take depth away from the pocket.

9. Stitch pocket separations. Starting fron the left, I did five 3/4" pockets, 6 1" pockets, and four 1.25" pockets. The last one is a little smaller, but oh well, it's fine. I don't care.

I'll post measurements for a roll for 8" needles later, when I get around to it.

SSK Shortcut!

2008-10-06T19:14:00.000-04:00

See Snapper knit. See Snapper knit fast! Fast Snapper! K1, P1, K2tog! Fast, fast, fast! SSK -- goes -- so -- slow......

So, I wondered if there was anything I could do to speed up doing SSKs. I like doing K2togs -- you just knit them together with one motion. Easy peasy. But with SSKs you have to stop and slip one stitch, slip the second stitch, put them back on the left needle, then knit them together. That's 4 separate movements for one stitch. There had to be an easier way to do this with less steps and thus be speedier!

I looked at the stitches on the left needle. I was working in the round, so all my stitches were knit. The problem was that they were slanted in the wrong direction on the needle, which you correct by slipping them off the needle and re-orienting them so you can knit them together and get that left slanting decrease. Was there a way to get them positioned correctly without having to slip them back and forth?

YES! Huzzah! The secrect lies in how you knit the stitch in the row before. I looked at how I actually wrapped the yarn around the right needle as I did the knit stitch. If I just wrapped the yarn around in the OPPOSITE direction, the resulting stitches are facing the right way so that in the NEXT row all I have to do is the K part of the SSK. I have already done the SS part!

It also works if you are knitting back and forth. You would be purling the stitches in the row before. To set them up for an SSK, just wrap the yarn in the opposite direction. Then, again, all you'll have to do is knit the two stitches together as you would the K part of the SSK.

Does this make any sense at all? All I know is it works for me. And I can knit faster!

Half empty or half full?

2008-09-02T17:46:00.000-04:00

I finished my Half-Olympic Prism socks on Sunday. They're called half-olympic, since I started them during the Ravelympics, and still had one sock to go and only one day to do it in. If I had a maid, cook and gardener, I might have managed it, but oh well!

They are looking pretty good, I must say.

I used Knit Picks Essentials, 2.75 mm needles. they feel great and fit me! YAY! A pair of socks I don't have to give away 'cause they're too small!

I'm quite glad for the new group on Ravelry, One Day for UFOs. I need to work on my Woodland shawl, which I'm a little bored with. I did a bunch last Thursday, and it made me feel so virtuous. I'm finishing up the second mitt of Echoes of Eden --- check out the pattern on http://www.ganiggle.com/. It's one of the prettiest mitt patterns I've seen. Ganiggle's other patterns are nice, too. Here's my mitt:

Dye-licious

2008-08-25T14:55:00.000-04:00

More about dyeing! Have you seen the sock blanks from Knit Picks? I don't know if there are any other suppliers out there, but i use the ones from Knit Picks. A sock blank is 100 grams of sock yarn, held two strands together, then machine knitted into a long rectangle. The object is to apply dye to the blank, then knit two socks at once from it.

WARNING! This is VERY addictive! While I was doing my first. I was already planning what else I could do with the second! (which means another knit picks order...)I used Sky Blue, Pink, Purple and yellow. I mixed my own green, since the only green I had was Spruce, and it was a little too dark. Here's how it came out:

If you go to http://www.knitpicks.com/, there is a great tutorial, with lots of sample sock blanks, and how they look knitted up into socks. The technique is the same as I described in my last post, only you're applying color to a knitted rectangle instead of a skein. This is SO much fun!

Dying to Dye

2008-08-24T21:32:00.000-04:00

I've been having so much fun with Ravelry, and doing TONS of knitting. It seems I have more to say about my stuff, so I decided to join the blogosphere. I was PM-ing a fellow raveler with info about dyeing, and decided this would be a good place to post it, too!

Dyeing is one of the most fun things to do, ever. You really can't make mistakes. If you don't like the way things turn out, you can always overdye your skein. It's all good. And very addictive.I use Jacquard acid dyes, but there are others out there that work as well. I like to hand paint my skeins, that way I can control where the color goes. I can use more colors than Kettle dyeing, although that works well, too. Here's my procedure for hand painting:

1. Soak skeins for at least 1/2 hour, in water with a few drops of synthrapol. I've read that other people have used Dawn.

2. Cover counter with large drop cloths, old shower curtain, etc. Lay out long sections of Plastic wrap to wrap painted skeins in.

3. Prepare dye solutions. I use large plastic cups, or squeeze bottles. I'm not that accurate, but it doesn't matter unless you are really fanatical about reproducing your results. I use about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of dye powder, and put it in the cup with a tiny bit of water to dissolve. After the powder is pretty much dissolved, I'll add a bit more water, maybe 1/4 of a cup or so, then add maybe 2-3 oz. of Vinegar.

4. Take the skeins out of the soak bath, and gently wring out as much water as you can. Lay the skein on top of the cling wrap you have prepared.

5. Go ahead and apply the dye. Flip the skein over occasionally to make sure the dye gets to all parts of the section you are doing. You can use squirt bottle, or sponge brushes, but I have found plastic spoons to work well, too. I will occasionally blot extra liquid up with an old towel if I need to.

6. When you have the dye applied to your satisfaction, wrap it up well in the cling wrap. I lay plastic wrap on top of the skein, too to make sure that the different colors don't bleed where I don't want them. I also put the wraps into individual plastic bags for further security.

7. You now will steam your wraps. I have a wire rack that fits in the bottom of my dyepot. I'll put a few inches of water in the bottom, then lay my bundles on top of the rack. Bring the water to a boil, cover the pot, and steam for 45 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure your water doesn't boil away!

8. COOL THE BUNDLES BEFORE YOU OPEN THEM! I'll take them out of the dyepot (carefully) and lay them outside until they're cool to the touch. Then you can wash with a bit of synthrapol, and then rinse, making sure you don't shock the yarn by extreme changes in water temperatures. Hang to dry.

9. Make sure that all your equipment is for dyeing only, and never use dye equipment for food prep. (duh!) Some people use a microwave to steam their rolls, which takes less time, but I don't want to use my kitchen microwave, so I haven't tried this. Some people also use crock pots, but again make sure they're not used for food prep if you do this.