Sunday, July 16, 2017

Year of Projects Update #3 - Pride goeth....



Thank you to all who left comments on my last post. I appreciate your kind words and responses. Last night we went down to our favourite spot to watch the sunset and I know our guy was there with us in spirit.



I did finish (finally) the SlipStichSpiral socks. When you knit socks on 2 mm needles they do seem to take f.o.r.e.v.e.r.



A dear friend and I are knitting the same pattern from my Op-Art book. It is called Alhambra and it is a fairisle pattern.

The cuff starts with a provisional cast-on using a crochet chain. I proudly announced to the room that I knew how to do this and merrily made a crochet chain and then cast-on to the chain.

I knit my 12 rounds and then folded over the cuff to join with the provisional cast-on to make a hemmed cuff.

Well?

I clearly hadn't cast on properly because the chain didn't unravel smoothly and I had to clip each chain in order to free the stitch. I did persevere but it took much too long. For the second sock I will cast on being more careful about which part of the crochet chain I pick up.

I did get seven rounds into the fairisle, but it is not an easy pattern to do while listening to family chatting so I put it aside.



I started another square of my Ione and was pleased to get to row 20 before bed. I will finish it sometime today. I am finding each square easier then the one before although I did have to tink back one and a half rows to fix an errant colour change.



I also made a page on this blog with my list of projects for this year's YOP so you can check that out and I will update it when I finish projects and/or add projects to the list.

If you want to follow other yoppers check out the Ravelry group here.



21 comments:

  1. I like the warm colours on that square, and the socks are gorgeous. Can't wait to see more of your Fair Isle socks.

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    1. yes there are four colourways for this blanket but the tangerine and ambrosia is my favourite one.

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  2. Well done on the completed pair of socks and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the fairisle in your Alhambra. Crochet provisional cast ons are tricky like that aren't they and the next time you could do the same thing and it would be fine. Looking forward to seeing more of those fantastic squares!

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    1. I will have to be alone to knit the fairisle - every single row is different - ack!

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  3. Your socks turned out great. I am admiring the fair isle. Another skill I have never tried. Lovely sunset too.

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  4. I can't even knit regular when people are talking to me! You are way over my head but it is nice to see things to strive for and Fairisle is one of them. I love those socks....both pair! I hope your grief is easing a bit. I'm sorry I did not read your post from last week...somehow I missed it.

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    1. Grief comes and goes - as it does - but we are all doing ok.

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  5. I'm running out of ways to say how clever you are.

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  6. Mary-Anne, your projects always look so interesting and unique. I look forward to seeing more of the Alhambra sock. I know it will be wonderful.

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  7. I really like the Slip Stitch Spiral socks... if I finish my list early I may need to add that pattern!

    I struggle with the crochet provisional cast on. I've done the same and had to snip out the cast on stitch by stitch. I use this provisional cast on now: http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/ltpcaston.pdf

    Alhambra is a gorgeous pattern. I have the book, but haven't knit those yet. Can't wait to see yours as you progress. I knit stranded socks inside out to keep my floats looser, and I usually have to go up a pattern size and a needle size too.

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    1. Yes, I am making the large size but I am wondering if they will be too small - I will take your idea and knit them inside out.

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  8. Socks sound very complicated so I do admire you and knitting on 2mm needles? Yikes!

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    1. Socks look more complicated then they are - but yes 2mm socks do go on for ever and ever it seems!

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  9. Hi Mary-Anne! :) The socks look great!!! I love the colours of your square too. I'm glad you got out to see Nature in its beauty, I LOVE sunrises and sunsets...they are so peaceful and it's so nice that you felt your friend there with you. :) My beliefs are not traditional, but I do believe that we live on somehow in spirit. I'm sure your friend's spirit was right there, enjoying the view with you!

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  10. I don't get on with provisional cast on's. I will do much to avoid them! I love your socks and the square. And I too, knit colourwork socks inside out.

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    1. haha. Ya, I don't like them either, but sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do!

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  11. Oh well! We live and learn, trial and error and all that. I find it hard to concentrate on some technical skills when there are people chatting around me too so tend to keep those tasks for when I am on my own without distractions. You are still doing better than me - I have no experience with provisional cast-ons whatsoever! I admire people like you who have the courage and determination to try new things and persist when they want to learn something. :-)

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I look forward to reading the comments. It makes me feel like I am not just posting into the void.