Sunday, March 12, 2017

Yopping Update 37- more socks



Nature abhors a vacuum, and empty needles demand cast ons.


I did finish quadrant two of my cloud drift christening blanket, and have started quadrant three, but as I said last week I was itching to cast on some new projects because having only one wip just wouldn't do.

I found the perfect pattern for the remaining 22gms of qiviut I had in my stash. I don't usually buy patterns because there are so many free ones on Ravelry, but I realized that I have no problem buying a coffee for five bucks, so I treated myself to this Arctic Qiviut pattern. It is a simple 8 row lace repeat, and it starts on 3.75mm needles, then moves to 4mm and ends with 6mm.

I haven't blocked it yet, but have worn it twice. It feels like a kitten wrapped around my neck. Now I have to go buy a white blouse to wear it with. (any excuse to shop, right?)



I had 28gms of homespun and decided to make yet another pair of Cat Bordhi's Tibetan socks. These practically knit themselves. I started Thursday and finished them last night before bed. Ta-Da! (The colour section is my homespun).



I have a similar amount of a light blue homespun, and this Alpaquita Royal blue is perfect for these house/yoga/camping/anytime socks so I am casting on another pair today. This pattern requires you knit with two strands of fingering and using the alpaca as one of the strands means that over time they felt a little and therefore wear like iron. I still have the first pair I ever knit, I wear them all the time, and nary a hole.

I bought another Lucy Hague pattern - Iona. I don't have the yarn for it, but the method to produce these celtic forms intrigued me. Fibres West is next weekend so I will go looking for the perfect yarn for this pattern and for the Seattle Cowl pattern that I also am wanting to cast-on but I don't have the right yarn in my stash.

Speaking of my stash - it is really getting very small as except for some hemp I bought last October, and the yarn I bought in London last August I have been knitting strictly from my stash.

Oh, and I won a prize on Ravelry for my stashdown efforts - 2mm nine inch ChiaoGoo Red Line needles. As soon as they arrive I will cast on another pair of socks - pattern tba.

Speaking of needles (this post is becoming very stream of consciousness) I bought a nine inch Knitter's Pride Dreamz circular in January and was not happy with the way it caught the wool at the join. I contacted Knitter's Pride and they told me to return to the store where I purchased it and they would happily replace it. I was very pleased with their customer service and the service of my LYS.

I also did some knitting on a gift - but I can't reveal anymore here just yet because - it is a gift.

Okay, I think that is my news. We did have two more days of snow last week, but it looks like the forecast is rain, rain and more rain all the coming week. I actually have crocuses up in my front yard - so yay - Spring is springing.

Happy Yopping, Happy week, and if you want to follow along with other Yoppers you can find them here.


12 comments:

  1. I love the quote that starts off your post. And I oohed in envy at you having the pleasure of owning and working with qiviut! That is something I need to treat myself to one year at STITCHES West.

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    1. I bought it in Alaska 3 summers ago. I had broken my arm on that trip and decided I needed something to cheer myself up. It was a fantastic purchase!

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  2. Wow, that Arctic Qiviut cowl is scrumptious. Who wouldn't want a soft kitten around their neck (we'll, I'm sure there's someone out there who's allergic to kittens, but what a description!) It sounds wonderful. Your description of the Tibetan socks - knitting in alpaca and it felting with time - is interesting. And fun. It sounds very fun to make a project like that.

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    1. So fun that I have already knit one sock of the next pair. I can't stop I tell you!

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  3. You sound in your element now that you have more knitting projects on the go! I am always amazed by how much you achieve. :-)

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    1. Ya it seems I am not happy without a few things on the go....gives me more options.

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  4. What colorful projects this week! You are so prolific in your knitting. I love the qiviut and yes, a new blouse to go with it! The slippers look so cozy and handspun....lovely!
    How fun to start new projects and go on a yarn hunt! Enjoy!

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    1. Yes can't wait for the fibre convention next weekend.

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  5. You are such a prolific knitter! I'm also making a blanket. I've done the centre and now I'm on the first quadrant but it is a very slow process for me. I haven't knitted anything so complicated in a while and I discovered the hard way that trying to combine knitting it with watching TV is not a good idea! lol

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    1. oh yes, I hear you. I always have a mindless knit for tv watching - lace and tv just don't mix.

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  6. Oh you have some lovely projects there. I look forward to seeing the yarn you get for Iona, that is gorgeous - I do love Lucy Hague patterns.

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    1. Yes, she is becoming one of my favourites for sure. I hope I get some inspiration for the yarn at Fibres West this weekend.

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