And yet more FOs: my first socks
The no-Kitchener socks. I learned a lot from this pair, more from error than trial: that knitting from the toe up is a great idea to prevent shorting yourself in the cuff, as I did with these, and that — however much I may love it in the ball — I don’t really like this kind of variegated sock yarn knitted up. Space-dyed only for me from now on, I think.
Yet another early FO: Rowan man’s sweater
Originally uploaded by The Ravelled Sleeve.
The aforementioned Rowan sweater in Jo Sharp Silk Road DK tweed, bearing the unmistakeable signs of having been stuffed in a drawer. Still feels great, despite much wear and ill treatment. Always remember to swatch, people.
A previously FO: Charlotte’s Web shawl
The (deservedly) ubiquitous and wonderful Charlotte’s Web pattern, courtesy of Koigu, knitted in (what else?) Koigu PPPM. The photo really undersells the brilliant and vibrant shades of green, but it was taken on a rather gloomily grey day. As I mentioned in a previous post, this was knitted for my mom during the last few weeks of her life. It was a great, if very bittersweet, pleasure to make it for her, and to see her wear it. As I was knitting it, the vivid greens and shots of other bright colours reminded me of her lush and beautiful garden, and seemed like an assertion of life in the face of death; and now that she’s gone, they remind me of her vividness, and her pleasure in colour.
Meilenweit socks completed!
… and they fit perfectly — on my feet! I’ve been promising them to B. for the past year, and now they’re too small for him. Back to the beginning…
FOs (August 2006)
1. Charlotte’s Web shawl in Koigu (completed May 2006). Assorted green colourways. This was a Mother’s Day present for my mom, who was–although we didn’t know it then–in the final stages of a very rapidly progressing cancer and mostly confined to bed. She was delighted with the shawl, and wore it often during the last three weeks of her life. RIP, J.
2. Socks for my son, made from an orphan ball of Regia Silk bought on sale at my lys. Fun to make — and would have been more so if I could kitchener. As it was, I finished them with a three needle bindoff I like to think of as “Can’t kitchener, won’t kitchener”. They look great on him, I think, and they’re fabulously warm and soft.
3. The ubiquitous Clapotis, in Silk Garden 35. I got a little rush of blood to the head and kept going through 10 balls of Silk Garden, rather than the usual 7 or so. Consequently, my finished Clapotis, once blocked, was a scary 8 foot long monster: not so good as a stole, which is what I originally wanted it for, but a good midwinter scarf for a cold climate. Somewhat to my surprise, I love the colourway — not colours I’d usually pick at all.
4. Socks for me, in a blueberry variegated Regia. I liked the wool better in the ball, I think, where it mysteriously looked darker.
5. An unidentified Rowan sweater for my husband, in Jo Sharp Silk Road DK Tweed (colour Magnolia). An object lesson in the necessity of swatching (which I tend to be lax about), since I had to make up several pattern repeats to add length, and it was still barely long enough. The yarn (bought as a closeout for an incredibly good price) is beautiful, and the sweater is getting plenty of wear.
