Greyhounds and Knitting

FO: Opal New Years Day Socks

2007-11-01T21:07:00.001-07:00

Opal New Years Day Socks
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Yarn: Opal Hagebutte / Rosehip
Pattern: Dipsy Doodle's New Years Day Socks
Needles: Addi Circs size 1
Mods: Short Row "Sherman" heel

I've had this yarn in my stash forever. I don't think I would have ever used it because it looks so muddled. Thanks to Ravelry where you can look up what other people did with a particular yarn, I saw some monkeys that looked pretty good so I decided to try this pattern. I like it alot. It looks good and is a fast easily memorized knit.

I started these:

The Pattern is from More Sensational Knitted Socks and is called Crosshatch Lace. The yarn is Black Bunny Merino/Tencel. It's very soft and pretty. I am really interested to see how it will wear.

GreyhoundKnitter now on Ravelry!

2007-10-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

I'm on Ravlery so if you are too check me out. I'm GreyhoundKnitter. Ravlery has been talked about so much on all the knitting blogs and lists and with the waiting lists making it seems so exclusive I thought it would be a lot of hype. This is not the case. I'm so impressed with this site. By waiting and adding more users slowly they have managed to iron out what must have been lots of bugs. I have had no problems, it is well organized and easy to use. I love to know what other knitters did with a particular yarn or pattern and this makes it so much easier than googling and going though all the blogs.

Finished Miss May socks

2007-10-03T13:31:00.001-07:00

Yarn: Wollmeise Miss May
Needles: addi size 1
pattern: Two at once. Stitch pattern used from Knitty's Coupling. I used the Sherman Heel and a picot bind off.

I was using the left over yarn from a friend's completed pair and it looked like a lot left so I wanted to see if I could get a pair of short socks out of it. I did, and I really like them. They have really long ankle ribbing because I thought I had less than I did but it just kept going so I kept knitting. All the way up to the picot bind off and I still had a bit left! I love the color and these are very comfortable socks.

I think this is my favorite yarn. Wollmeise has an on-line store which I probably shouldn't even mention because the more people who buy it the less for me! Megan and I tried to make an order the evening the store went online and already many of the colors were gone. We still got some good ones though so watch for those in the future!

Started Wollmeise Leftovers Socks

2007-09-15T21:39:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Coupling from Knitty
Yarn: Wollmeise
Needles: addi turbo size 1

This is the left over yarn from a pair of socks my friend Megan (who is responsible for me knowing how to knit as well as my sock yarn addiction) made. We swapped the leftovers from our completed wollmeise so it's like a bonus pair of socks! I chose this pattern because it is lace intensive and should use less yarn. Obviously toe up/two at once so I can go as far as I can with the yarn. It seems like I'm not going though too much but it takes so long to get anywhere with two at once. I keep knitting them because I'm compelled to see how far this leftover yarn will go.

I can't seem to get a pic that shows the stitch patern well.

Tiffany and Yardley

2007-09-15T17:09:00.001-07:00

Pretty sisters, Tiffany (front) and Yardley (back). Tiffany lives in California and was up for a lure trial. She did really well. Yardley finished her Field Championship!

Finished: wollmeise charade socks

2007-09-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Charade
Yarn: wollmeise
Color: Raku-Regenbogen
Needles: Addi 2.5 mm turbos (I went down to 2 mm in the ankle for a couple inches)
mods: carried pattern down heel

These may be my favorite socks! Really pleased with yarn and pattern. It is a really easy to memorize pattern and will add interest to variegated or striped yarns. I'm sure I will knit it again. They really say Fall to me, look tweedy.

Monarch "Fake Argyle" Finished

2007-08-30T19:06:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Fake Argyle
Yarn: Monarch (can't remember what color!)
Needles: Inox 2.5 mm 1st sock and knitpicks 2.5 for 2nd

I love the bright color of these! I'm glad to be done but it was so hot I didn't feel like putting them on to take the pictures. Anyway, this yarn is very nice to work with. I have some really pretty in the shades of teal I have been waiting to use for the right pattern.

About the pattern, I basically took the stitch pattern and applied it to my own favorite cast on, heel, etc. which is what the author advices. She also asks that anyone using this pattern not use it to try to take over the world. Damn! My diabolical plans must be put on hold. I really wanted to do something other than ribbing for the top and we all know my toe up picots don't stand up - not that picot was what i would have gone with anyway, but just sayin'. It just seems like there should be some better options for sock tops.

Here I tried a kind of chevron idea that I adapted from something on a Nancy Bush sock pattern. Alas, I finally just decided to go with ribbing for the tops after spending way to much time trying to make something look good.

Love the knitpics circs. Great tip and join. Ordered some in size zero and the More Sensational Knitted Socks book which I'm really looking forward to getting.

A last look at these, noting the beauty of the Sherman Heel, oh and my first time doing the EZ Sewn Bind Off and it worked great! I'd been intimidated by the "sewn" part.

Now to cast on the 2nd of the Wollmeise Charade Socks.

Fennec

2007-08-24T18:03:00.001-07:00

Fennec

Not a greyhound OR knitting! It's our 10 month old whippet!

Charade sock in Wollmeise

2007-08-21T17:39:00.001-07:00

Charade sock in Wollmeise
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Pattern: Charade
Yarn: Wollmiese, Raku-regenborgen
Needles: Addi size 1s (mostly!)
mods: I carried the pattern into the heel flap.

1 sock done!

I love this sock pattern and color. I'm really pleased with how they fit and look. It is a fun and easy stitch pattern to memorize.

Big Sock Knitting Update

2007-08-15T18:03:00.001-07:00

"Fake Argyle" Sock

Pattern: Fake Argyle
Yarn: Monarch (not sure about the color)
Needles: Inox 2.5 mm

Note the beauty of the Sherman Heel!

This has been one of my more successful sock starts. Lately I have had a really hard time deciding what sock pattern I want to knit with what yarn.

I've really wanted to knit with the new Wollmeise but I haven't been able to pick out what pattern to use. After several starts in different patterns, I feel pretty good about this start of a Charade Sock (pdf).

The pattern shows off the colors pretty well. Looks very fall! I started with addi turbo 2.5 mm and went to 2 mm after a couple inches.

I also started an Embossed Leaves Sock:

The yarn is STR and I think the color is called Falcon's Eye. I love the sage green and cream but wasn't quite expecting it to stripe this strongly. I used addi 2 mm because I like a fitted sock but I think I'd go up to 2.5 mm. The leaf pattern is really engaging so I don't think I'll mind ripping back.

And finally, I didn't get a modeled shot of my Black Bunny Fibers Knitty's Falling Leaves Socks so here you go:

I love these socks!

Finished STR Waterlillies

2007-08-05T20:32:00.001-07:00

Finished STR Waterlillies

I never really did get the picot cast offs to stand up! The swelling on left ankle was down enough to fit the sock on over it. I liked knitting these socks. I used the knitty magic cast on, the sherman heel, and knitty's picot cast off. I couldn't even tell you the stitch count because I was trying them on as I went and kind of adjusting. I think they will stay up just fine. I should keep some plain ones on the needles, I knit these in both the Harry Potter and the Simpsons movies.

I guess this makes a whopping two socks completed for the Summer of Socks KAL!

Wollmiese Sock Yarn

2007-07-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Wollmiese Sock Yarn
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

colors: Türkis & Karneol (top)
and Raku Regenbogan (bottom).
My picture does not do this yarn any kind of justice so just search Flickr for Wollmiese and you will see many beautiful pictures of this yarn.
I have been searching for a pattern that will go with the T&K yarn. Because it has such a strong stripe to it I'm not sure what I want to do. Not my photo but this is the color. I could do some simple ribbing I guess but kind of want do do something more. Suggestions?
Maybe I'll do the "RR" pair first because I feel like with the multi-color I'm more open to doing something more lacey.

Falling Leaves: Black Bunny Sock yarn

2007-07-30T17:58:00.001-07:00

Falling Leaves: Black Bunny Sock yarn
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Knitty's Falling Leaves
Addi size 0 needles
Yarn: Black Bunny Fiber
changes: Sherman Heel

Sorry about the not so great photo. I sprained my ankle and so I can't even put on the left sock to model.

I really liked this yarn. It was actually one that was just beautiful in the skein, maybe more so than knit up. This is my second pair with this pattern and I'm sure it won't be my last. I'll try to post another picture of a sock on a foot.

Revised: STR Picot Top Sock

2007-07-18T18:55:00.001-07:00

STR Picot Top Sock
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Here is the revised Picot top with a few rows of moss stitch to keep it from rolling. It is much better and I think it looks nice too. Thanks for the ideas from the members of Socknitters List!

problems with picot edge

2007-07-17T20:29:00.001-07:00

STR toe up with attempted picot bind off, unfortuanatly it folds down. I wanted to have just a plain stockinette sock with a picot edge. I found some instructions for a picot bind off from Knitty. I really don't want to put ribbing on the top to stop the fold because I think it won't look very good. I did recieve a suggestion for moss stitch at the top which I think I'm going to try.

Regia Jaywalkers

2007-06-09T14:11:00.001-07:00

Regia Jaywalkers

The '70s called and they want their socks back!

Yarn: regia (not sure what color)
Pattern: Jawalker
Needles: 2 Inox 2.5 mm circs
Modification: Sherman Heel

I got this yarn as a gift from Cindi when she went to Germany. I used these socks as car knitting or knitting where I needed to be able to pick them up and put them down in the middle of a row where needed. In otherwords, easy knitting! They fit perfectly, have been through the wash, have softened up, and I think will wear well. The Inox needles are okay, the point is really sharp but the join isn't as smooth as the addi turbos. I think the join is an issue for a tight knitter but not as much for a looser one. I don't find them unusuable or anything.

My 3rd completed pair of Jaywalkers!

And what I really like about these socks?
They are almost a perfect match!

Tofutsies tidal wave socks finished!

2007-05-21T16:26:00.001-07:00

tofutsies tidal wave socks

pattern: Tidal Wave (pdh)
yarn: Tofutsies
Color: 723 Put Your Foot Down
needles: addi turbo 2.0 mm
Changes: used a short row (sherman) heel

I probably should have gone with the pattern on these and done a heel flap/turned heel but I've been on a sherman heel kick and decided to put it on these. They fit fine but the short row heel pulls down the ankle so they ended up a little shorter then they would have been. This may be just fine really though since these are summer socks and don't really need to be very tall.

Now, a word about the yarn. In short, I love it. It is light weight, creates a cushy tight fabric, and has a pretty sheen to it. I've only worn and washed once but seems to be wearing fine. No breaks or knots in the skein. I also had plenty left. Maybe enough for some baby socks or hat. You can see from the photo on the right that I got different striping on the feet. I think I had a few stitches more that I picked up after the heel on the sock on the left.

I will definitely be getting more tofutsies.

STR Sock Candy Dragon Socks Finished

2007-05-21T16:00:00.001-07:00

STR Sock Candy

Dragon pattern
yarn: Socks That Rock Sock Candy (cotton)
color: Hurricane
needles: addi turbo 2.5 mm

These socks took me a long time to finish. I kept setting them aside. I've been looking for a yarn that would be cooler to wear, something lighter than wool. I'm not sure that these really fit the bill. Although they are nearly all cotton (there is something like 4% elastic) they make a thick sock. My feet were quite toasty in them! The cotton is nice to knit with and they seem to keep their shape well. It will be interesting to see how they wear.

The other interesting thing I learned in these is that there is a heel option so much better for short rows then the "wrapped" heel (shown on the left). On the right is the Sherman Heel, look no holes!!! This is quite easy to do and looks much better then the wrapped variant.

trekking xxl socks

2007-04-28T18:34:00.001-07:00

These were a really fast knit. They were my first pair of trekking socks and won't be my last. At under $14 they are soft and colorful. I used color 100. I used the stitch pattern from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks "Gentleman's Sock" but that's all I used from the pattern. The needles I used were addi turbo circs size 0 (2mm). I used a short row heel variant from a pattern for Easy Sock (similar to the Sherman Heel). What is great is that there are no holes as compared to the short rows done with the wrap type short rows. I found it through the great resource Lauri B's Toes and Heels. The only thing I would have done differently is make the cuff longer, it seemed plenty long enough but with the shorter heel pulling down the cuff, it was shorter than I planned. If it bothers me a lot I could undo the cast on and add on a repeat.

Happy 2nd Birthday Yardzilla

2007-04-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my greyhound Yardley (ZD Fidelis Wild Blue Yardley). It is so hard to believe that she is 2 years old already. It seems like just yesterday she was just a pup. I couldn't be prouder or more pleased with how she has 'grown up" (she still has plenty of puppy in her). She is shown here looking pretty in the new collar from her Aunt Megan of Vals Pajamas (where you too can get pretty collars!). I tried so hard to get some good shots of her today but she just wouldn't cooperate. Every time I bent to take pictures she would come toward me wagging her tail "whacha doing?" sabotaging every shot. That's my girl.

STR Monkey Completed

2007-04-05T20:40:00.001-07:00

STR Monkey knit socks
Originally uploaded by fidelisgreyhounds.

Yarn: STR Prove it All Night (light weight)
Needles: Addi circs size 0 (2mm)
Pattern: Monkey Socks from knitty.com

No idea how long it took me to complete these, I worked on these kind of on and off. I liked the pattern, it was easy to memorize. The only change I made was I used a smaller needle than was called for in the pattern and the fit is great. I've had this yarn in my statch waiting for the right pattern and I'm glad I did, just in time for spring! LOL.

New Yarns!

2007-02-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Handspun yarn! My favorite barber pole! This was spun by my friend Megan using Crown Mountain yarn. I love it but I'm thinking it is a little too soft and fragile and of course it is very special so I'm trying to think of something equally special to do with it. Ideas?

Cindi picked out this Sock Candy yarn for me at the Medrona Fiber Arts Fair. I've been really anxious to try this cotton yarn from the makers of my beloved STR.
I haven't decided what sock pattern to use. Ideas? Anyone use this yet? Tips?

I love the colors. Really bright and saturated.

Oh, and Zephyr wouldn't move so I could take the pictures. So the dog leg is to show scale! :)

Started STR Monkey Socks

2007-02-02T18:06:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Monkey
Needles: two Addi Circs size 0 (2mm)
Yarn: STR Prove it All Night

It is a pretty easy pattern and I love the color of this yarn.

Collinette Jitterbug Socks Finished!

2007-02-02T17:30:00.000-08:00

I saw this yarn in a LYS and fell in love with the color.

Later I realized that the amount of yarn 267 meters (292 yards) was less than what would come in two skeins of koigu (350 yards).

So with some concern as to the amount of yarn I decided to do a toe up and a lace pattern in order to maximize the amount of yarn.

This is pretty much my favorite formula for toe up socks:

I used the easy and great looking Knitty Magic Cast On

Then I select a stitch pattern. For these I used Child's First Sock stitch pattern from the Nancy Bush Knitting Vintage Socks. I used just the stitch pattern which is meant to be toe up but didn't really have a strong direction to it and it worked fine as a toe up.

For the gusset and heel I use the Generic Pattern for Your Putting me On Socks. From there I just went up the cuff till I had no more yarn.

Needles: I used Addi circs size 0 (2mm) for the toes and heels. This seemed a soft yarn even though it is tightly twisted. I wanted to do the whole sock with the size 0 but given my concern about the amount of yarn I went up to Addi size 1s for the foot and cuff. This stitch pattern is really stretchy so these socks aren't as tight fitting as I normally like but they are so soft and the color is pretty and overall nice to knit with this yarn. It will be interesting to see how they wear. The yarn went pretty far. If I get some of this yarn again I'll try a plain pair of toe ups and see how far it goes.

Lots of Finished Scarfs

2006-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

I have been very busy doing Holiday gift knitting even though I haven't been blogging. We had a huge wind storm in Western Washington two weeks ago that knocked out power too many people. I was lucky and just lost cable for a week.

This is the "Falling Water Lace" Scarf. I did this in some really pretty and soft cashmere. I can't find the label right now to identify the yarn. This was a fun and easy yarn pattern to knit

Noro silk garden multidirectional scarf. I started this for a christmas gift for '05 and finished it and am keeping it for my self.

This is a simple one skein scarf made from Rowan Tapastry, a soy and wool mix. I love the yarn and the colors. The stitch pattern is one row and is same front and back from Yarn Harlot. It's simple but I love it.

This scarf was done with Nashua Wooly Stripes in Ocean. I used three skiens and went every other row from two differently balls and with the third I used the two different ends. It made a kind of neat graduated stripe effect. It's a nice soft self striping wool. I used the same Yarn Harlot one row stitch pattern as above.

And yet another! I really like the look and feel of this and it's just a Michael's yarn "Rumor". Yes, yet another Yarn Harlot one row scarf!

And last but not least, my Herringbone Rib Scarf! I started this quite a while ago but due to my sock obsession let it sit. It needs blocking, I'll get a better picture after. I don't know if I"ll be able to give this one away. It's very soft. The yarn is Manos and the color reminds me of crushed roses.