After botching the first pair of Ravenclaw socks for Nikolai I had to make him a pair that actually fits.
So there you have it. Basic cuff-down sock on 50 sts. I stopped messing about with short-row heels and went back to the tried and true heel flap for these.
The stripe on the leg is the leftovers from his Halloween socks, and the one pink toe is where I ran out of yarn. These things happen, especially when knitting 3 pairs of socks from 100 gms of wool! A big thank you to Libby for the Ravenclaw yarn, I never imagined we all 3 would get socks from one ball!
And that brings us to the other FO. I couldn’t resist giving you a teaser while it was blocking, it’s too lovely not to share. So, without further ado I give you, the Kiri Shawl:
The Kiri Shawl by Polly Outhwaite of All Tangled Up.
Started: October 26th, 2007 Finished: November 15th, 2007
Yarn is Knitpicks Wool of the Andes colorway Amber Heather. 5 skeins / 250 grams / 550 yds.
Needles: US sz. 10 / 6 mm 32″ circular needle but going back and forth.
Finished Size: 77 inches wingtip to wingtip, and about 38 inches from neck to point. Huge.
The time it took me to finish this project is completely different than the actual knitting time. I started this as a distraction from Fishtrap, and couldn’t order more yarn until Fishtrap was done. If you subtract all the time I spent dillydallying to finish Fishtrap and all the time waiting for my order to arrive, the knitting was completed over about 4 days.
Despite purling back very row I found this to be a very soothing and addicting project. When I had the yarn, this was the only thing I wanted to knit. The loose gauge, the lovely pattern, and the thick-ish wool all added up to the perfect relaxing TV-watching project.
Does this make me a lace knitter? I can’t decide. I loved how fast this knit up using worsted weight wool, but I think it could be maddenly slow with lace weight yarn and teensy needles. I just don’t know.
I wore this yesterday to Nikolai’s preschool and got lots of nice comments on it, even all bundled around my neck under a jacket. Either I have low-self esteem or I’m narcissistic, but hearing knitwear compliments from non-knitters is about one the best things out there.
What’s your favorite thing about being a knitter?
The shawl is just gorgeous! You’re making me want to knit one.
The shawl is great! I know what you mean about worsted wool for lace — it goes fast! I still haven’t knit lace with proper lace weight, but it doesn’t matter to me, I’m actually wearing my woolly shawl often!
So, my favorite thing about being a knitter? Hard question! I love that it is a way to be creative while producing something useful (most of the time). And like you said, it’s great to get compliments, too!
Beautiful shawl – I love it in worsted!
That shawl is pretty! I wonder how difficult the pattern is. Would it be appropriate for a first-time lace knitter?
Favorite thing about being a knitter? Everything! I love the yarn, the process, the finished objects, all of it! But the best thing for me is seeing all the people I love warmed by the hand knits I’ve made. It’s like my love for them made outwardly visible in yarn–a colorful, fiber-y aura that says “A knitter Loves me”.
The shawl is lovely! I don’t really like to knit shawls, but that one looks warm.
As for one of my favorite things about being a knitter, is hearing a ‘muggle’ say ‘You knit that?’ with major incredulity in their voice.
Yes folks, hand made things CAN look nice!
I love that the sameness of returning to a knitting project can keep me sane in the craziness of life. For that right now I love my vest knit in 4×1 rib. I love that I’m always learning something new. That vest has a steek…I’m getting close to that and I’m so excited. A sweater that I’m looking at next has brioche stitch in 2 colors…and I haven’t tried that yet. I feel like there’s endless things to learn.
Hello my dear Peggy. As usual, another work of art. And my favorite part of knitting? I don’t know because I never finish anythiing. Still haven’t finished the second sleeve for my mom’s sweater. Ta ta, off to another book. Dotty
Gorgeous – I’m really loving it in the larger yarn – great color, too!
The shawl is gorgeous; I love the way it looks in worsted weight – very warm and snuggly. And a beautiful warm color, too. Laceweight shawls look so delicate that I never think I would wear them!
What do I love about knitting … hmmm … so many things. I think when I am knitting is one of the few times I am not worrying about what “else” I should be doing … I’m actually almost in the moment! But the “you made that!” moments are awesome too.
great shawl. i think real lace is impressive but i really don’t know what to use it for. i did a bit though and have this dream of qiviut.
what i like about being a knitter is the forever ongoing creative mind you get. i see patterns everywhere and that is fun. and i like meeting friends and family wearing something i knit for them. and i do very much appreciate the contact with other knitters on my blog (not so many but great knitters) and on ravelry. i really understand what globalization is all about.
3 pairs of socks from 100g? That is amazing!!! The shawl is gorgeous. I love it. I don’t think relishing in compliments on our art is a lack of self esteem or narcissistic. But hey, I’ve been trying to figure out if I’m a psychotic narcissist. Gosh, what is my favorite thing about being a knitter? There are lots of things, I love the items that are produced but probably more than that I love the process. Holding the yarn and needles in my hands knowing this art has been practiced for hundreds of years and then seeing the item as it is formed.