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Tuesday, March 03, 2020

Finishing Streak

For a while there I felt like I was in a bit of a rut with my projects, but now the stars are all starting to align and things are starting to come off my needles! For starters, I finished my handspun socks:


Pattern: Louisette Socks by Ruth Brasch
Yarn: Handspun Fibernymph Dye Works Cheviot in Beach Wedding
Needles: 40 in. US 0 (2.0 mm) Knitter's Pride SmartStix, magic loop
Started/Completed: February 7/February 27
Mods: did my own toe and subbed a Fish Lips Kiss Heel for the heel in the pattern

These were a fun knit and, once I had the pattern memorized, a fast project as well. I definitely picked up speed on the second sock once I knew what I was doing. I can still see the mistake in the first sock (it's the one on the left in the photo, and the mistake is right at the bend of the ankle), but I don't think it's very obvious to anyone else, so it's staying in. I'm very pleased with how the yarn striped, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the Cheviot holds up in socks.

This is the first thing I'd knit with these needles, and while they weren't too bad to use, I'm not terribly impressed with them. The cable was rather a bother at times, as it would curl up on me and get in the way, and the inch markings along the cable itself were rubbing off as I worked. The markings on the needle tips, though, were definitely helpful to have (and I actually remembered to use them by the time I got to the second sock!), and the tips are good and pointy. I don't think they'll replace my favorite Addi Sock Rockets for socks, but they are a much more reasonably priced alternative.

If everything goes according to plan this evening, by the time I go to bed, I'll have another project off the needles, and it's a big one -- my Darkwater.


All that's left is that little bit of sleeve, maybe 4 inches or so. I've already put Rainbow on notice that we're having a girls' evening (the Mister has a work dinner), so that means a quick dinner so that I can get to knitting and she can get to reading a library book. If I can get in a solid two hours of knitting, I should be golden.

I'm also making noticeable progress on my Brackthaw mittens, which are now my main focus during my lunch breaks. Yesterday I finished up the thumb gusset of the first mitten, and now I'm flying up the rest of the hand.

Yes, it's dark and rainy again today. Why do you ask?


I had neglected to put my tapestry needles back into my project bag, so I made do with what I had on hand to put the thumb stitches on hold: I used the string from the tag from the Quince & Co. Finch I'm using as my waste yarn and got the stitches onto it by using it as my working yarn and pulling through each stitch I used. Was it the most efficient way to get the job done? Probably not, but it worked just fine -- and I felt rather smart as an added bonus, which is always a good thing.

9 comments:

  1. Those are lovely finished socks and an almost finished Darkwater. Necessity is the mother of invention and it's always nice to feel clever. Happy knitting tonight!

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  2. Congratulations, it looks amazing!! The socks are fantastic - I haven't knit a FLK heel yet, but heard only good things about it! really love the yarn/pattern combo, it looks even more 3D when done.

    The colours of your Darkwater look so good on you (to be honest, I came over from ravelry to see if you blogged about it)!! It's all coming together so well, and it definitely compliments your complexion! And woot for the mittens, they look great (I love Fair Isle and I don't do it often enough).

    If I may ask - what books does Rainbow like to read? My 11 year-old niece isn't very fond of books, and I tried to give her a German Fantasy series that got good critis, but it might not make her catch the reading bug. ;)

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    1. I highly recommend the FLK heel pattern -- even if the heel doesn't fit you well, it's well worth it for the short row method it uses.

      Rainbow reads a lot of different things, but the book she's reading now is the third in a series called the Vanderbeekers about a large family in New York City. Graphic novels are also very popular with her and her friends, and I think those are a very good way to hook reluctant readers.

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    2. okay, that sounds really interesting, I'll check it out! I'll have a look at comics and graphic novels, too - she loves Escape Games and Escape rooms, maybe a crime novel would be fun for her ...

      So far, I have to say that I love the "classic" heel that comes with the heel flap, but I'm also fine with the afterthought heel. Tomato heel is also cool, but that was a bit too much work for my taste. I'll put it on my list of things to check out though, thanks!!

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  3. I am of the mindset that it is almost always dark and dreary here! Sigh. Great knitting! I love your sweater and those mittens! Wow!

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  4. Your handspun yarn knitted up beautifully! I love those socks!

    Your other two projects are gorgeous as well -- yay for progress!!

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  5. Look at that Darkwater's PERFECT FIT! Well done!

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  6. Beautiful projects, as always, Sarah! And I love your "make-do" fix for the thumb stitches. (Knitters are so resourceful!) :-)

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  7. Beautiful finished projects. The mittens in green and white are quite striking.

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