Woolgathering

My First Socks: FO 3

Originally uploaded by demiurged

Here they are - my very first socks, all complete and on my feet. I’m pleased as Punch (though not quite ready to claim “That’s the way to do it!“)

The second sock is better constructed than the first but seems larger - so maybe I knit more loosely when more relaxed about a project. Or maybe I have odd-sized feet? I should check. As I plan to knit asymmetrical socks from now on, I might as well fully tailor my socks for perfect tootsie comfort.

This project has converted me totally to bamboo needles (never thought I’d say that!) and I love my set of Clovers. They improved even as I worked through this first pair and are mellowing nicely. I now have a full set of long straights courtesy of Mr L, and I think I’ll pull off the same trick with DPNs as soon as I can.

Second Sock Syndrome did not strike (as you can see) and, to be honest, I don’t expect it to. I’m a completion kind of person, although a butterfly as well. I am likely to have multiple projects, for interest, but not likely to leave a project unfinished for long. I mean… I’m not obsessive, but I do like the ends tied up.

What has surprised me most is how happy I am to be knitting again after something like 20 years off. I had completely forgotten how much I enjoy the process and the feeling of never being idle.

Worryingly, I am already at the stage where I resent time taken away from my knitting. When a walk was proposed this morning? My first thought: “Noooooo - I need to be casting on again!” Maybe knitters are like alcoholics - never cured. One whiff of the yarn and they are back where they left off… Only, this is a pastime that I genuinely cannot afford. Yes, Gill - OK - I’ll make handspun and knit that. It makes sense. I accept it. But it’s not instant gratification, is it? What alcoholic is going to wait for a drink until they’ve grown the barley and mashed it and fermented it and distilled it…

Next up: socks again, I think - as the silk for my Clapotis hasn’t arrived yet. I’m going to try the sock “recipe” from the Yarn Harlot that I read in my new book yesterday (all finished now), but use the assymetric anatomical toe pattern - and maybe add a cable in down the sides now that I have a set of short cable needles once more. Then again, I might do an all-over rib, or possibly a seed stitch. I’ll decide when I see how the Opal wants to knit up. I’m not sure but I think the yarn is the same as the one I just did, in a different shade. It’ll be a surprise, whatever it is.

A pair of toes

Originally uploaded by demiurged

Grafting done!

First sock on the right, second sock on the left - and an altogether better job of it, I’d say.

Ready to graft

Originally uploaded by demiurged

I found some useful things at Kettletoft Stores today, and came home ready to graft. You should have heard the squeal of delight when, as I looked for cable needles with which to gussy up my forthcoming production, I found a box marked “knitters needles”. I peeked inside. WOW! That shop sells absolutely everything

The grafting went much better (a) without a migraine (b) in daylight and (c) with a good needle designed for the job.

Second toe

Originally uploaded by demiurged

This is how sock #2 was after finishing it off in bed last night while “listening again” to Radcliffe & Maconie’s Crowded House show from earlier in the week.

EAST 29 June, 2007: Goodies, originally uploaded by Windows Three.

Our postie was having no truck with strikes today, evidently. He brought me my set of 15 pairs of bamboo needles (eBay bargain) and my “Knitting Rules” book (very funny).

and a use at last for all those whisky tubes. (Must find a longer one)

Spinning is coming along. I seem to find little time to sit down and do it - far too many irons in the fire, I think to get the skill properly under my belt.

I carded a heap of fleece last night and did a little spinning, safe in the knowledge that I had another 24 hours before Wednesday in which to improve. Wrong. But it went OK this morning and I was spinning away steadily, with only occasional breakages. My drive band came off once too, but I have no idea why. It’s never done that before.

I think that I am beginning to formulate some ideas about what it is that I want to do with the spinning. And it isn’t going to be fine yarn. I seem to have no spark in me when I think about a nice evenly spun and plyed DK, made into a sweater… (I’ll buy that yarn) but… but… when I think about my beginner stuff, and the way that excites me at the prospect of knitting a deeply textural wall hanging - well, even I have to listen to my subconscious!

Yes - I may not have much skill yet but I am already disappointed at how fine my thread is becoming. Let’s not claim it to be even, but this stuff - in comparison to my beginner stuff- is relative gossamer

So, where I think I may be wanting to go, is into “designer” yarns - spinning with threads, maybe, and exploring looser twists and bouclé etc. Colour will no doubt come into the equation at some point, too - so I shall have to learn about dying.

Of course, this kind of thing has to be learned after getting the basics right - and that means persevering with a fine and even twist. It’s the building blocks; get them right before extemporising - like any other skill. So, I must practise, practise, practise - until I can make a beautiful twist and then I must learn how to let go of that discipline, while retaining the skill.

It’s a tall order, I know - but I can see where I want to go. Really see it. It’s right in front of my eyes, that first skein of free-form, textural stuff. And it is gorgeous.

And what will I do with the gorgeous stuff? I’m not sure - but I think free-form knitting or sculptural stuff. Possibly lovely textured scarves or bags, but more likely cushion covers and wall-art.

Stop laughing! Yes - this is me, cack-handed lizzie - but if I don’t reach for the stars, I’ll never get anywhere close to the moon, will I?

I don’t know why, but I find this concept hilarious. My eyes are watering…

Waterstones.com: Hobbies and Games: Fleece Dog by Nobuko “SINCO” Nagakubo (2006)

Whoops. I did it again. I accidentally bought more stash.

I plan to make this

Lots of FO’s linked in on this page here

I think I’d better get my pay claim in. Sharpish.

(I really cannot believe that I did that)

My First Sock

Originally uploaded by demiurged

My First Sock.

I really enjoyed making this but I’m not certain that I want to make a second pair from this pattern and I am sure I can find something with a more refined shape to it, somewhere. If you can point me at a good free sock pattern on the ‘net, please do.

I’m not sure I did v well at all with the grafting. I probably should have left it until my migraine has lifted, but I am an impatient soul at the best of times…

I’m not convinced that I have enough yarn for the second sock. I may end up with a varicoloured toe… anyway, I intend to avoid second sock syndrome, at least this time around.
Casting on again later tonight.

The sock is making slow progress now, The foot is completed, and seems to fit perfectly without adjusting for length - I always thought that I had big feet so it’s nice to now know that they are but average

I managed to start the toe shaping but have only done one decrease so far. I managed to do far less knitting on the ferry yesterday than I had expected to and was far too shattered last night to do more than a couple of rows. I really want this done now and feel hampered in my efforts to complete the project.

Tomorrow is spinning day. I think that, because I have trouble with my wheel at Crudy, and also because I fancy cycling over - I shall leave my wheel at home and take either some carding or my knitting. I should do carding, really. But I want to do knitting and could maybe get help with my first grafting experience while I am at it. I’ll decide tomorrow.

I bought a “Really Useful” shoe box yesterday from Woollies. It looked just the perfect size for transporting a sock project and for keeping it safe from cats. You know what? It is just that!

I’ve just written a cheque for £55 - for a parcel of fleeces from Yorkshire Woollybacks in Leyburn. The Spinning Ladies of Sanday are combining purchasing power and saving money on the p&p.

We are to have:

• 1 Polworth X Jacob 6lb 
• 1 Shetland X Corriedale X Manx  9lb  
• 1 White Ryeland  4lb                
• 1 Coloured Ryeland 3lb                

That’s twenty-two pounds of fleece between us, not to mention the five whole fleeces that one of us is also getting. No - not me! really NOT me.  Maybe next year