I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can

Last week, I made my way through the smog to the Jitterbug Coffee Hop where we celebrated the anniversary of our Tuesday night Stitch ‘N Bitch group.  Like it has for several years, the celebration included a no-obligation swap.  This year, the theme was cowls.  If you brought a cowl, you went home with a different one.  I was the lucky recipient of this little green number contributed by Laurie.

It’s knit from Malabrigo worsted so it’s fabulously soft.  Although it clashes horribly with my winter coat, I’ve worn it every day since the swap.  Love it.

My cowl contribution landed in the hands of Eileen and, happily, it matched her coat perfectly. Seriously, can an off-white cowl not match a person’s coat?

The pattern for the cowl I made for Eileen is now available as a free download on Ravelry.  As I mention on the Ravelry project page, I had a hard time finding a pattern that was exactly what I had in mind for my cowl.  There are similar patterns available but the cables either crossed too closely or too far apart.  And the cables were either too sparse or too crowded.   As Goldilocks would say, “This one is neither too hot nor too cold. It’s just right.”

And the best part . . . I worked up three sets of instructions for three different weights of yarn.  So shop the stash and cast on!

These baby socks have a ribbed heel that keeps them on baby’s feet. The instructions are based on multiples of 8 so they are easy to remember. This is a revised version of a pattern I posted several years ago.

Yarn: 1 skein [50g; 175 yds] Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino [100% merino wool]
Needles: Set of double-pointed needles (dpns), US #2/2.75mm, or any size that will give you the correct gauge
Gauge: Approx. 7 sts = 1″ in stockinette stitch.
Size: Worked at the suggested gauge, the foot of the finished sock measures approx. 3.5 inches.

Instructions
Cuff: Loosely CO 32 sts. Divide sts onto 3 dpns. Join into the round without twisting the sts.
Rnds 1-32: K1, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end of rnd, ending with k1.
Note: If you do not want a turn-down cuff, work ribbing for 16 rnds instead of 32 rnds.

Heel Flap:
Place next 16 sts on waste yarn or 2 dpns. These are the instep sts; they begin and end with a knit stitch. Turn sock so wrong side is facing.
Row 1: Sl1, [k2, p2] 3 times, k2, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, [p2, k2] 3 times, p2, k1, turn.
Work Rows 1-2, eight times (16 heel flap rows).

Turn Heel:
Row 1: Sl1, p8, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2: Sl1, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3: Sl1, p4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4: Sl1, k5, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 5: Sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 6: Sl1, k7, ssk, k1, do not turn. (10 heel sts)

Foot:
Divide sts as follows:
Ndl #1: 5 heel sts
Ndl #2: 16 instep sts
Ndl #3: 5 heel sts

Beg. with Ndl #1, pick up and knit 8 sts along the side of the heel flap plus 1 st to close the gusset; work instep sts in est. rib pattern; with a spare dpn, pick up and knit 1 st to close the gusset and 8 sts along the second side of the heel flap; knit the 5 heel sts from Ndl #3.

Rnd 1:
Ndl #1: Knit until 3 sts remain, k2tog, k1.
Ndl #2: Work sts in est. rib pattern.
Ndl #3: K1, ssk, k the remaining sts.
Rnd 2:
Ndl #1: Knit all sts.
Ndl #2: Work sts in est. rib pattern.
Ndl #3: Knit all sts.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until 32 sts remain.
Repeat Rnd 2 only, 8 times.

Toe:
Rnds 1-3: Knit all sts.
Rnd 4: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd (8 sts decreased).
Rnds 5-7: Knit all sts.
Rnd 8: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of rnd.
Rnds 9 & 10: Knit all sts.
Rnd 11: *K2tog; repeat from * end of rnd.

8 sts remain. Break yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry ndl and run the ndl through the 8 remaining sts. Pull tight to close the toe. Weave in yarn ends.

©2009 Susan Pierce Lawrence
http://knittingasfastasican.com
This pattern is for your personal, non-commercial use only. You may not reproduce the pattern or any part of it for free distribution, sale, or any other purpose without my prior consent. Items made from these instructions may not be sold under any circumstances.

Several months ago I answered a call for submissions from Interweave Press. A few weeks later, I got an email from Lisa telling me my submission had been chosen for the Holiday Gifts issue. Fun!

The submission was for a small project, but the instructions were fairly complicated and I obsessed with getting them both clear and correct. I knitted and felted the samples and then, because the design incorporated a large bead, began the search for the perfect bead. Before I knew it, the mailing deadline was upon me and I still had no beads. A canvassing of the local beads shops turned up nothing.

Enter my lampworking friend.

I brought the finished pouches to her house one evening and by the next day she had made all the beads I needed. And, talk about a custom job, each was designed specifically to match each pouch.

Just perfect.

The magazine came out a few weeks ago and Interweave made them look lovely and whimsical.

Unfortunately, I don’t get to keep the samples. But my friend made me a few extra beads. I just need to find some time to knit up some more of the pouches.  Got any to spare?