08 October 2013

Current crochet WIP

Quick post-and-run this morning to show what I have been working on the past week or so: a new pair of crochet socks for hubby.  I am trying to hook these up pretty fast, so the previous pair can get a well-earned run through the wash.  Here is the first sock:
hubby's ribbed cuff sock
I was working on that sock last week up at his parents' house, and both his mother and grandmother were positively gushing over it.  They went at least a step or two beyond just admiring, especially when they felt the sock.  Sounds like I'll be making more ... eventually I'll be able to make socks for myself again.

So, hopefully I can finish up hubby's second sock today.  I'm already down the cuff and past the heel on #2, and about the middle of the round-and-round of the foot section.  Hubby has even been taking care of the cooking the past few days so I have more time to work on the socks.

03 October 2013

Coats and Clark Quick Fashions booklet from 1968

Gloria asked about this the other post in the comments, so here it is!  This is Coats & Clark's book #185, Quick Fashions.
back and front scan of #185, Quick Fashions
 The beauty of this booklet is that it uses sport and worsted weight yarns, and also uses knitting and crochet.  Most of the sport-weight patterns call for three skeins (six ounces, no yardage given) while there is a good number of two skein patterns for worsted weight yarn (8 ounces, no yardage given).

This makes life a bit interesting, as a lot of yarns are now sold in three to three-and-half ounce (100 grams) size.  At least, most of the yarns I use.  So it was with an extra skein of the Bernat Denimstyle yarn (found on Hobby Lobby's clearance shelf) that I did up this cute pattern the past week or so:

two skein lacy shell, knitted
three skein cabled cardigan
I've actually cast on and tried working the cable pattern of the back of this three skein cardigan, but Bamboo Ewe is not a good yarn for a first attempt at cabling.  Instead,  it is now making the pretty red hearts scarf I blogged earlier this week.  I'll probably try it out in some Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool for myself, as it needs a nice stretchy yarn as it looks like you're suppose to block it rather aggressively.

I have also cast on one of the sport weight patterns, but bamboo yarn on plastic needles just is not easy to knit.  I think it will hook up nicely, though ... that is on the to-do list.

So this is the old book I am gushing about currently.  I do have some more, which aren't yet in Ravelry's database (to be fixed as I get to them!).  Enjoy the scans, Gloria!

01 October 2013

Fun with two stitches

If this technique has a name other than "textured knitting" I have not come across it, but I really love it!  Using just knit and purl stitches with no other techniques, here are two patterned scarfs.
hearts design in Lipstick red

tumbling blocks/slanted squares in bulky alpaca blend
This reminds me a bit of filet crochet (open vs. filled block) which I've also recently tried my hook on and enjoy.  The stone-grey alpaca blend scarf is finished, and intended for Mom.  With three skeins off the clearance shelf, I got a scarf 9-1/2 inches wide by 56 inches long.

The hearts in red I am also doing in a clearance shelf yarn, three skeins of Bamboo Ewe which did not impress me when I tried to granny-square crochet it, and it definitely didn't impress me when I tried a small cable design ... but in just a solid-stitch k-p project, it becomes beautiful and perfect.  I am still on the first skein of this.