Category: Knitting

A Bit o’ Green

St. Patrick’s Day is soon to be upon us.  Regardless as to the history – good or bad – surrounding St. Patrick himself, here in the U.S. there is a tradition of wearing green on that day (orange will get you a pinch!), and sporting shamrocks.  Coming from the usual motley American ethnic mish-mash, nonetheless I can say that my maiden name is, according to one source, the 12th most common name in Ireland today.  So, to celebrate, I present you with Shamrock Socks, started in a fit today, stimulated by cold weather, and cold feet.  In the front of the fire, these are being designed . . .

Will these be done in time?  Who knows!  But as I listen to my current spy novel (Hornet Flight by Ken Follett), these socks are evolving.  I have two skeins of a sage green, and one of a creamy color, pulled from my stash – a total of 390 yds or so.  Not enough in either one color to make a sock, and so the Shamrock Socks were born.

Josh’s Cardigan, ii

I have gotten past the pocket insertion, and continue the tedious task of stockinette until I am ready to begin the armholes.  Here is the pattern thus far:

Gauge: 4 sts / inch on US size 9 needles – sorta!

Cast on: Using stretchy cast on, cast on 144 stitches onto US size 7 needles.  K1, p1, k1, p1, k1, pm, *p2, k2* until last 7 sts on needle, end p2, pm, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.

Repeat these rows, knitting and purling back and forth as the stitches present themselves, until ribbing reaches 2.75 – 3 inches in length.  End ready to begin right side row.

Body: Follow first five stitches.  K2, M1, k6; continue to second marker.  There should be an increase of 20 stitches.  End with last five stitches as presented on needles.

Pockets: Continue until ____ from bottom – time to begin the pockets!

This is what has since occurred since the first entry of Josh’s Cardigan – note the changes in sts cast on:

Changes in cast-on: Using stretchy cast-on, cast on 146 sts.  K1, p1, k1, p1, k1, pm, *p2, k2* until last 7 sts on needle, end p2, pm, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.

Increase as above.  Total:  166 sts.

Place markers to indicate the sides so that you have the following markers:  5 sts (button band), pm, 39 sts (front), pm, 78 sts (back), pm, 39 sts (other front), pm, 5 sts:  total of 4 st markers.

Pockets: Continue until 6.5 inches from bottom of the cardigan.  End ready to begin a knit row.  Follow button band sts.  K12, drop main color.  Using contrasting yarn to mark pocket, k15.  Extend a long strand of original yarn about 6 inches, k12 to marker.  K along back to next marker.  K12, drop main color.  Using contrasting yarn to mark pocket, k15.  As before, extend long strand of yarn, k12, follow button band pattern.

And now, continue to follow pattern stitches as required until you reach desired length to underarm:  _____ inches.

. . . to be continued!

Marsan Watch Cap

This is, by far, a favorite pattern of mine.  Designed by StacyJoy Elkin, you can find it here.  It is not a typical watch cap pattern, but has an interesting construction, as well as a long evolutionary history – StacyJoy has modified and improved it over the years.  I’ve made it a number of times, and the recipients have really enjoyed getting it, wearing it, and having it forever.  The knit-in-back construction seems to make it particularly strong – certainly, the stitch doesn’t get lost after numerous washings.  So, if you need a hat for a special guy (or gal, I wear one, too!), this is one worth doing more than once!

Josh’s Cardigan, i

This cold is still hanging around, and I have no energy.  Perfect time to listen to audiobooks and work on Josh’s sweater!

The design process is in place.  This will be an incredibly dull sweater, at least at this point.  It could change, but I rather doubt it.  The yarn is just not one which lends itself to texture, even cables.  Color patterns would be fine – I have a lot of natural colored fleeces which I have had spun up.  Varied colors, however, are not an option for this sweater!

Here is what I have done so far:

Gauge: 4 sts / inch on US size 9 needles – sorta!

Cast on: Using stretchy cast on, cast on 144 stitches onto US size 7 needles.  K1, p1, k1, p1, k1, pm, *p2, k2* until last 7 sts on needle, end p2, pm, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.

Repeat these rows, knitting and purling back and forth as the stitches present themselves, until ribbing reaches 2.75 – 3 inches in length.  End ready to begin right side row.

Body: Follow first five stitches.  K2, M1, k6; continue to second marker.  There should be an increase of 20 stitches.  End with last five stitches as presented on needles.

Pockets: Continue until ____ from bottom – time to begin the pockets!

This sweater will have pockets – but the question is – where?  at what level will I make the slashes?  How many inches up, how many inches into the sweater from side seam area???  I think a 4 inch square pocket would not be unreasonable, maybe even 5 inches wide.  They will be slash pockets with knit-in linings.  Everything about this sweater will be minimal sewing, as well as a crocheted edging for the buttonholes.