Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My Recipe For Basic Socks!

I finally did it.....wrote up the "recipe" for basic socks.  These are a quick knit because they are made with worsted or aran weight yarn....and oh so warm!
 Here it is....any questions...just ask!




My Favorite Basic Sock Recipe

Size: This pattern fits a woman's size 9
Yarn:  Approx. 100 grams of worsted weight wool or wool blend
Needles: 1 set of US size 4 DPN (Double Pointed Needles)
Size: This pattern fits a woman's size 9
Abbreviations:
Sl 1 – slip one stitch
Psso – pass slipped stitch over
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
P2tog – purl 2 stitches together

Twisted Rib Pattern
Knit into the back of stitch, purl 1 – repeat for the round

Directions:
Cast on (CO) 48 stitches divided equally on three #4 DPN (12 - 24 - 12). Join in the
round.
Mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker. Work in twisted rib for 10 rounds

Divide for the Heel:
Put one half of the stitches (24), centered on the beginning of the round, on a single
needle. The easiest way to do this is to knit 24 stitches onto the needle. Divide the
remaining (24) stitches onto 2 DPN (12 - 12), these stitches will later become the instep.
Work the heel flap over the 24 stitches as follows: (If you wish to use a contrasting color
for the heel, switch to it here.)
Purl across the back of the heel flap, slipping the first stitch.
Turn.
Sl 1 K1 across.
Turn
Repeat these two rows until all 24 rows have been worked.
If you count the slipped stitches on each end there should be 12

Turning the Heel:

This makes the short rows that form a little "cup" for the heel.
Starting on the right side, knit halfway across the heel flap (12st + 2) = 14 st. Then,
Sl 1, K1 psso, K1.
Turn
Sl 1, P5, P2tog, P1.
Turn
Sl 1, knit across to the gap (where you turned), slip the first stitch before the gap, knit the
stitch on the other side, psso, K1.
Turn
Sl 1, P across to the gap, P2tog across the gap, P1.
Turn.
Continue in this manner until all the heel flap stitches have been used up.
By slipping the first stitch of each row on the heel flap you will have made a nice chain
edge, which should be easy to pick up. You should be able to pick up 12 stitches . if you
have more or less than 12 stitches it's alright. Before picking up any stitches divide the
heel stitches between 2 DPN's. Don't worry if you have an uneven number. Just divide
them as close to half as possible. (ex. 12 - 13) Place all the instep stitches on a single
DPN.

Working the Gussets:
Now you're ready to pick up the chain stitches. Beginning with the DPN to the left pick
up and knit each of the 12 stitches. Knit across the instep stitches. Then, pick and knit
the 12 stitches on the other side of the heel flap.
You will now begin rows of decreases on each side of the heel flap that will eventually
bring you back to the original number of stitches (48).
On the first needle, Knit to 3 sts from the end, K2tog, K1.
Knit across the instep stitches.
On needle 3, Sl 1, K1, psso. Knit to the end.
Knit the entire next round plain ( with no decreases.)
Repeat alternating a decrease round and a plain round until you have 48stitches once
again. Continue knitting until the foot of the sock measures about 7 inches.

Shape the Toe by Decreasing:

If you used a contrasting color on the heel, here is where you would switch for the toe.
On needle 1 Knit to 3 stitches from the end, K2tog, K1.
On instep needle, knit the first stitch, Sl 1, K1,psso, knit to 3 stitches from the end of the
instep needle, K2tog, K1.
On last needle, knit1, Sl 1, K1, psso, knit to end.
Next, knit a plain round (no decreases.)
Continue alternating a plain round and a decrease round until you have half the number
of stitches on each needle (12 - 6 - 6.) Then decrease every round until you have a total
of 12 stitches remaining (6 -3 - 3). Cut off the yarn leaving about 14 inches. With a yarn
needle thread the end of the yarn through all the remaining stitches and pull them tightly
together. Weave in all the ends. Voila! You have made a sock. Now repeat the
instructions to make its mate.

Happy Knitting!
Any mistakes in this “recipe” are entirely my own and I apologize in advance.
Pattern copyright 2008 Karin Messier Designs/athenaneedleworks

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Knitting Down the Stash and Other Fantasies

My yarn stash has become almost an embarrassment.  With over 500 skeins in my possession it's time to take action.  I have created a thread in one of my yarn groups to help me with my zealous endeaver to knit down my stash.

Here is how I am proceeding - choose a yarn then find a pattern for it.  I have some yarns in more or less a grab bag, so I will choose one and begin.

Wish me luck!

Purple Love's It - I am Happy

My friend Elaine received the healing shawl and she loves it!  I am so happy to have made her day.  She means the world to me and it was but a small token of my friendship.

Wishing her a speedy recovery!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Plugging away but still not at the finish line

Still working on the Doublish shawlwette.  ::sigh::  had to rip back 10 rows because of a mistake, but I'm back on track.  I so hope to finish over the weekend.

My friend Kathy sent me this today, and it's worth sharing since my life is in such upheaval right now:

“Sometimes this human stuff is slimy and pathetic…but better to feel it and talk about it and walk through it than to spend a lifetime being silently poisoned.” ~Anne Lamott

 Off to knit.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

I'm knitting so fast I might fall.....

I am working on a project for someone near and dear to me.  I hope I can finish this scarf/shawlette in a week or so.  My friend is having neck surgery and I want to present her with a soft, pretty scarf she can wear while she is healing.

So many projects, so little time.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

My first blog entry

I am currently working on my Flamingo Mitts.  I haven't done much color work, but this pattern and design is pretty straight forward.