Knitter in the Kitchen

Yarn: Yarntini Self-Striping Sock yarn, 1 skein
Pattern: My generic 56 stitch top-down sock with 30-row slip stitch heel
Needles: US #1 + #2 / 32 inch circular

I’ve been lagging in posting about my knitting FOs these past few months, mostly because I’ve been thinking about whether I really want to continue blogging. When I started back in 2005, I had two reasons for blogging: to connect with a great knitting community, and to document my knitting. Well, things have changed a lot in five years. It seems to me that knitters don’t interact as much on blogs anymore, but are much more connected on Ravelry/Facebook/Twitter/Flickr. And with Ravelry, I already have a place to document and share my projects, so what purpose does the blog serve? I’m in this in-between place where I don’t see the point anymore, but I’m also not quite ready to let go yet. What are your thoughts on knitblogging?

Since I’ve decided to stay here for now, I figured I would do a series of posts to catch up on talking about my projects. I started writing about these socks on September 10, but didn’t get around to taking the photo until November 4! I’ve worn them a couple of times already and I love them. Madelinetosh sock yarn feels really comfy and sturdy, and brown and blue are one of my favorite color combos.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock Yarn, Robin’s Nest, 1 skein
Pattern: My generic 56 stitch top-down sock with 30-row slip stitch heel
Needles: US #1 / 32 inch

Life has been a bit stressful lately, so I’ve been sticking with “comfort knitting.” Working with my favorite sock yarn is always a treat.

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Sock Yarn, Walk in the Woods, 2 skeins
Pattern: My generic 52 stitch top-down sock with 30-row slip stitch heel
Needles: US #2 / 32 inch for ribbing; US #1 / 32 inch for all other parts

Yarn: Yarntini Pumpkin Spice, 1 skein
Pattern: My generic 56 stitch top-down sock with slip stitch heel
Needles: US #2 / 32 inch for ribbing; US #1 / 32 inch for all other parts

Thank you for all of your input about my Chevron Scarf! I really appreciated the feedback. I think I do like the color combination, but after comtemplating it so much I feel like I still need a little more space from the scarf. So I will leave it on the needles and go back to it down the road.

This week, I worked on finishing two more gifts for my sister.

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, Peacock, 1 skein
Pattern: My generic 56 stitch top-down sock with short-row heel
Needles: US #1 / 32″ Addi Turbo for Magic Loop

Inspired by Ruth, I also knit up a pair of mittens.

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay, Color 117, less than 1 skein
Pattern: Tweedy Mittens
Needles: US #8 / 40″ Addi Turbos for Magic Loop

Me modeling the mittens…they are a little big

Originally, I started this pattern using grey Plymouth Encore and red Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran for striped mittens. After knitting up the first one, I was completely unmotivated to continue. My stripes weren’t as neat as I wanted them to be, even though I used the jogless jog technique. So I ripped the entire mitten and didn’t know if I would try another. Then, I happened to come across a photo of a beautiful mitten knitted up in single color of Malabrigo Worsted, and I immediately thought of the one lone skein of purply Manos that had been in my stash for ages. I was so happy that it worked for the mittens! I really like the “homespun” look for this pattern. I see myself knitting more mittens, and perhaps even adjusting the pattern to make handwarmers.