I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can

Lu guessed that the design European Tour Set from the book, It’s In the Bag, was in my knitting bag and she was correct!  Lu wins a copy of the book.  Thanks to everyone who played along.  If time is on my side this week, I have a little project to share that I made using the weaving technique I blogged about.  But no finished photos yet, unfortunately.

I’d like to send out sincere thanks to everyone who purchased my patterns on November 19th.  I transferred a grand total of $259.64 to the Red Scarf Fund on the morning of the 20th.  Awesome!

Don’t forget that in addition to cash, the Red Scarf Project needs hand-knit scarves.  Norma just put out an “urgent” call and I intend to answer it with at least one more scarf.  Although I rarely knit for charity when store-bought items will serve the same purpose, the Red Scarf Project really is different.  The scarves are not so much for warmth as they are a means to communicate a message of encouragement to the recipients.

I know time is at a premium during the holiday season but please consider knitting up a red scarf and sending it to OFA.  My son is a sophomore in college and I just boxed up a care package that I’ll send to him during finals week.  I know how much he loves receiving these packages and I can visualize the eye rolls when he unpacks the silly items I included with the food.  College is stressful and difficult.  A few hours of your time can really make a difference to a college student with no family support.  All the details are here on the OFA website.

In addition to the Pieces of Eight baby socks, I started and finished another project this weekend.

Pattern: Easy Möbius Cowl
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lanaloft Bulky
Needle: 46″ Addi Lace circular, size 8mm
Mods: The only modification was to work a 2-stitch I-cord bind off instead of the bind off suggested in the pattern.
Ravelry Project Page: Linky

This was my first moebius and I know it won’t be my last. The construction is fascinating. I already have ideas for lace moebius cowls swirling around in my head.

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.