Mr. Pitt’s Socks
2008 @ 9:14 pm
After a few people approached me on Ravelry, I decided to write up a pattern for the socks I knit my dad for Christmas. They are just so darned straight forward! The pattern is now available here in pdf version and html (click the PATTERNS link above).
On an episode of my father’s favorite show, Seinfeld, Elaine spends an exorbitant amount of time searching for the perfect socks for her picky boss, Mr. Pitt. My father has deemed these simple socks the solution to “Mr. Pitt’s paradox”. They are sized to fit a typical adult man.
My Le Slouch… or MJ’s Mushmouth hat
2008 @ 8:59 am
Not the best photo, I admit, but you get the idea, right?
Maia loves to put on hats and scarves… and shoes and pants. She tells us that she is going out, but never where. I smell trouble in the teenage years…
I finished this hat at least a month ago and haven’t posted it due to lack of photo evidence. Le Slouch (pdf) bit a few Spiders and I joined right in… I had been searching for a hat pattern to go with my super long Malabrigo farrow rib scarf (note: I did not use this scarf pattern, just the stitch pattern). It was a perfect choice! I love that and it keeps me warm without screwing with my hair too much. I altered it to fit my rib and gauge, but I can’t remember how now. Oops. Oh wait... apparently, I wrote a note about this in Ravelry, “I got a gauge of 5 st/in on sz 7 needles and cast on enough to get the 17” brim the hat calls for. After that, I followed the pattern as written and switched to a sz 8 needle.” Nice move, past self. There were no major hiccups when decreasing, as I recall.
top secret sock
2008 @ 4:14 pm
I’m addicted.
secret knitting exposed
2007 @ 11:41 am
My dad’s socks were a hit! I think he especially liked the reinforced nature of the heel. The two socks were constructed differently and one definitely fits better. I’ll be re-knitting the toe of one socks to make it the same (larger) size as the first sock. The shortness of the second sock was not intentional. At crunch time I decided to forgo use of a tape measure. Not a good idea!
The socks also differed in their heel construction. I used a heel flap for both, but left more stitches “in the middle” when I turned heel #2 (I knit across 2/3rds of the flap stitches, turned, knit across 1/3 of total stitches, turned). The first socks left only 7 stitches for the back of the heel, rather than the 13 created by the fraction method. You can see where the sock bunches around my dad’s ankle on the left… that is surely a result of the looser heel. As he says it doesn’t bother him, I’m not going to rip back that far. But, I will always choose a smaller heel cup from this point forward!
My only other Christmas present was a scarf for my brother-in-law, requested kinda late. So, he got a nearly finished Multi Directional Diagonal Scarf. I did him the courtesy of weaving in the ends before presentation. i would guess I’m 3/4 of the way through…
He declared it was exactly what he was wanted, yay! I find this kind of amusing since what he requested was a “black and white scarf just like Jason’s“. We knitters know, it is nothing like Jason’s 
Its made from Misti Alpaca Chunky. I can’t wear the stuff, but I sure do love the way it feels!
I hope everyone is having a restful year-end!
PS-please send all your bubble wrap to our house. MJ is out of her mind over this stuff. New toys? Mildly amusing. Packing material? Fascinating.
Baby Mittens
2007 @ 4:15 pm
I’ve started to notice that some of my incoming links (a nice little list provided by Wordpress) are coming from folks who have used my Baby Mitten Pattern. Maybe three people? I was so surprised and pleased!
Today I took a look at Ravelry–I almost fell off my chair to see that 23 people have used the pattern and several more have it queued. I’m so excited! I’m tickled that my little necessity pattern (it’s so simple i feel bad even calling it that) has helped out other knitters. Many as simply using it as a guideline, which is what I intended all along. If you are on Ravelry, you can check out the projects here.
Thanks everyone!
Also, today happens to be the day that the Spiders Single Sock Swap kicks off. Thanks to a little robot named Elfster, we Spiders were able to organize our own little single sock swap. This will be the very first exchange (not including holiday gifts) and I, for one, am very excited!
Christmas takeover and the deal of the Century.
2007 @ 12:24 pm
The truth is that I am kicking ass and taking names on holiday shopping. I am far far far behind on holiday MAKING though. I have no game plan whatsoever. Unless you count that I will just ditch the gifts altogether! I consider them mostly add-on, bonus type presents anyway…
I’m taking a small risk here and blogging about one of my gifties–something for my dad. Dad stop reading. I have no idea if my dad actually reads this. I started these in October, giving myself plenty of time to finish them by the first deadline–his birthday on Dec 5. That came and went with only one sock complete. Now I am half-way down the leg of the second and hoping I finish!
I’m using Koigu for the very first time. Wow. You guys weren’t kidding. The color is fantastic, the yarn is easy to knit with. What’s not to love? Well, this is taking 3 skeins. Don’t love that. I’m using size 1 needles with 80 stitches cast on. I did a 2×2 rib cuff and then switched over to 3×1. Its a regular old heel flap and toe. Basic sock for a basic guy.
My other Christmas knitting involves Misti Alpaca, but I can say no more. Oh wait, I am knitting one more gift-mittens and a hat for my awesome babysitters son! Who is also awesome 
I’ll am using this hand spun–you may remember that I received it a while back as a gift from my friend Heather, the spinning machine. It’s not quite as neon as this…
Finally, i present the deal of the Century. Get your butt over to your local Costco–they are GIVING sewing scissors away! This is my Christmas present to myself:
A full set of Gingher sewing scissors. Considering I recently spent about $40 on just one of these scissors (pinking shears), $98 for the box is and undeniable steal. I felt like I was stealing. Turns out, someone has it up on Ebay for even less. Darn it. Hey, the auction closes in 13 hrs… get over there people.
Twisted Tree Pullover
2007 @ 8:59 am
A few weeks ago I cast on for the Twisted Tree Pullover by Sarah over at Blue Garter. I had to tink back, as you may recall, at the very beginning, but have been moving happily along since then. Strategically placed markers are doing wonders! I believe I’m on number five of eight repeats for the body (pic taken at earlier date).
I’m loving the pattern so far! I’m using Knitpicks Swish for this project and I’ll let you know how it holds up Border accent color is Clematis Heather and main body is Squirrel Heather.
in which MJ take up knitting and is given a gift
2007 @ 10:06 am
My sister (yes, she has a new blog!) knit this up for MJ and today I finished it off by sewing on a nice button. The pattern is Little Ruff from One Skein Wonders, modified to mini-ness (Ravelry link).
It was easier to take a still shot than to get MJ in action this morning. I’m hoping for some nice outdoor shots this afternoon!
The button, which coordinates perfectly, was found at Sticks and Strings in Scarsdale, NY.
We had a lot of fun bumming around the house this weekend. MJ’s yarn interest has definitely increased. She’ll be knitting in no time!
Brooks Farm Seed Stitch Scarf
2007 @ 1:24 pm
I’ve been remiss in taking photos of my finished work so when Mr. Sassy ran out of the house last night, I made him pause for some pics. This is a simple seed stitch scarf I made for him out of my leftover Brooks Farm Duet. The colors are (still) gorgeous and Mr. Sassy loves the scarf so far . I was sad to miss the BFY booth at Rhinebeck this yea, but since even now I have leftovers from ‘05, perhaps it’s for the best!
Yarn: Brooks Farm Duet, no given colorway
Needles: Size 8
Pattern: simple seed stitch. Can’t remember how many I cast on. maybe 80? This made a wide scarf.
Comments: I’m really hoping the fibers don’t tickle him like they do me!
a long lost post
2007 @ 1:14 pm
Hey there… thanks for sticking it out. The family and I have been traveling like mad since the beginning of October. We arrived home for good at 5:30 last evening and I rode off at 6 to teach at Brooklyn General. It was a great class and got me back in the swing of real life rather gently.
Now down to blog business. I’ve got some random FO’s from the summer (to be posted later, it’s still too hot here for pics!) and I’ve started a new sweater for MJ, Miss Sarah’s Twisted Tree Pullover:
I’ve got the requisite amount of Knitpicks Swish in Squirrel Heather and am using size 6 and 8 needles. To my knowledge, I’m the only one making this sweater so far. I sufficiently f*cked up the first two rows (after the rolled hem) to the point that I had to rip back last night. I think I may add some pattern notes to my dear friend for the next release The pattern is written beautifully… so beautifully that I got downright confused.
I’m patiently (as in I call the store everyday to ask about it) waiting for the yarn I thought I ordered for myself before vacation to start my Tangled Yoke cardigan. I am starting to feel this project is doomed. More about that soon. If I ever get that yarn. I’m working on a birthday gift too, although I can’t really talk about that either. Wow, this is turning into a really great post, huh?
On to happy news about things I HAVE received! Before I get to my FO’s, I’ve been remiss in publicly thanking my lovely Spiders for showering me with thoughtful gifts for my birthday back in August…
In one package, a Heere Be Dragone (ravelry link) kit from Aurora Alpacas–this promises to be the knitting project of my lifetime. And when I am done, it will be hung above my bed instead of being smooshed up in my coat. I don’t want to steal a photo of one, so please check that link. It’s knitting insanity. There are upwards of 10 charts–yikes.
In a second package, two very useful books!
Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Workshop and Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor. The first is sure to help me in my teaching (and knitting) and the second fills the need for toddler patterns.
Last, but not least, are you a lover of handspun? My friend Mary just opened up an etsy shop. Check out her fab fibers here.
