Welcome Summer!

  It seems the sun has forgotten the rendez-vous, but at least, I have ice cream!

Knitter's Ice Cream

 

 

Happy first day of Summer!

Juin/June: Embossed Leaves

I made these socks for Mother's Day. I know (and you know too now!) how much my mum loves loves loves lace, and particularly lacy socks, so here they are, just for her. I knitted them as fast as possible (they were blocked and dry only a few hours before I left from my house!). Green is not her favorite color, but this yarn and this pattern were made to meet and she seemed to be please when I offered them to her last saturday.

Pattern: Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt for "Favorite Socks" by Interweave Press.

Yarn: Handmaiden, Casbah (Peridot) 0.74 skein, bought at Le Comptoir, Paris.

Needles: Addi Turbo 2.5 mm, 80 cm

About the Pattern: I actually bought the "Favorite Socks" book for this pattern but knitted the Retro Rib Socks five times before actually casting on for these!  The chart is very easy to memorize and to work. It's a bit tight around the leg though, and if I have to knit this again, I will probably use 2.75mm needles. The star shaped toe was new to me. It's kind of odd to finish a sock without the grafting step, but it was fun anyway. I may use it again for other socks.

About the Yarn: This yarn is amazing! It's perfectly round and makes very very even stitches, it is also very soft (10% Cashmere)! That reminds me how much I love Trail Socks from the same company as well. I need to buy more from them!

Mods: I did my usual long tail cast-on and a slipped stitch heel. Apart from that, I followed the pattern.

So here they are: Happy (late!) Mother's Day!

Mai/May: Gentleman's Fancy Sock

I wonder why it took me so long to take pictures of those. They are finished for nearly a month now but I guess the warmer weather made me forget about them....

Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Sock by Nancy Bush in Knitting Vintage Socks.

Yarn: Garnstudio Drops, Fabel (Gray 200) bought at  l'Atelier de la Création.

Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars, 2.5mm, 80cm.

About the Pattern: It's the third time I knit this pattern. It's unbelievable how I enjoy this! It's so easy and mindless but still not boring. Totally unisex and perfect as a gift because it's so stretchy, it should fit anyone. Simply CO 4 more or 4 stitches less to fit you or your recipent. It's my new favorite pattern to test a sock yarn. As my ribbing skills are still hazardeous, this pattern will show any irregularities in the yarn. Oh, and I simply love this vintage look meaning "handknit socks" to me!

About the Yarn: For less than 5 euros for a pair of socks (exactly 2.40 euros the ball) I needed to try this yarn! (Maybe my new favorite yarn was hiding behind the price!) I can't say it's soft or makes an even tension, but I guess it depends of the dye. My undied skeins are much more softer than gray. So, I will probably give it another try!

Mods: CO 64, and as for the previous Gentleman's Socks, I omitted the shaping and the 2 plain rounds between the rib sections. The first two times were accidental, but I actually prefer this pattern that way, so it has nothing more to do with the original... Let's say it's still Nancy Bush's Gentleman's Fancy Socks as I believed I was knitting it the first two times! : p

Cladonia Shawl

I wanted to knit this shawl ever since it's release.... the stripes, the picot edging...I loved everything from it!

Pattern: Cladonia by Kirsten Kapur. Ravelry project page.

Yarn: Holst Garn, Coast (Aconite & Silver Gray) 31 grams & 44 grams.

Needles: Addi Turbo Circular, 3.5 mm & 4 mm

About the Pattern: Very nicely written. My only regret is that no sizing option is proposed (I had to figure it out myself) I enjoyed this a lot, and am already thinking of the next color combo! I highly recommend this pattern! And also, be sure you don't pull the yarn too tight when changing color on the edging. You will need stretchy edging for blocking.

About the Yarn: Coast is probably my new favorite yarn. It's very soft (compared to other Holst Garn Yarns), has an amazing color card, is cheap and has a wonderful drape. Be careful though, as it can break easily. (Fortunately, the felted join works vheaven with it, even if it's half cotton)

Look at this fabulous drape!

Mods: Quite a lot! This shawl is originaly meant to be a rather small shawl. I wanted a bigger shawl and had chosen a lighter yarn than indicated by the pattern. I increased until 42 sts between each marker, and did quite a lot of maths so that I could knit 20 lace repeats. I switched to bigger needles after the stripes for the lace part. Also, I chose to do a simple picot edging.


Size: 156 cm x 57 cm (blocked)

This shawl was at first meant to be for myself, but I think it will go to someone else who needs comfort now. I still have enough of both colorway to make another one for myself. I guess it's just good like that! :)
EDIT: It appears that these colors are not the best choice for her at the moment. Apparently a hat would be more suitable in her situation. We will choose a pattern and yarn combo together. :)

Stripes & Pins

While knitting the green socks as fast as I can.... What's on my blocking tiles?

More pics very soon!

Have a lovely knitting day!

Sunday Knitting

It's Mother's Day today here in France. I can't be with my mum until next sunday but I'm knitting for her. She likes lacy socks. Hope these will be finished soon!

Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt

Happy Sunday to you all!