Self Striping Yarn is Supposed to Be Easy

I finished the first sock in my current pair. I had to rewind the ball upon reaching a knot to figure out where to start to maintain my striping pattern. Unfortunately, I discovered that there was a relatively short run before another knot, which started in a completely different place AND was running backwards. SO. I wound the whole thing into a new center pull ball, marking the color changes as I went. Turns out, there weren't enough stripe sequence repeats for me to make a matching pair of socks, so I had to just start at the outside of my new ball and work, hoping not to hit the point where I know I need to start my second sock for the cuffs to match (I didn't). I'm disappointed they won't match. On the other hand, I finished the first sock.

The second sock's cuff will (hopefully) be the same. The toe part will be different. I really love the pattern of these socks. It's subtle enough that it doesn't fight with the self striping, but interesting enough that it's not incredibly boring to knit.

Oh, and remember that cowl I mentioned casting on the other day? I finished it too.

I wasn't planning on using this color pattern, but I just so happened to use a scrap of the icy blue yarn as my provisional cast on. I liked it so much, I decided to use more of the blue leftovers for the edging. I was worried I'd run out, but it reached with just a few yards to spare. I love the dropped stitches and I kinda want to find more patterns that take advantage of them.

Rut

I am in a knitting rut. I realized how long it's been since I updated the blog, and then realized I don't really have any new finished objects to show you. Well, that's not entirely true.

I test knit this pair of Simply Lovely Mittens. That is the only thing I have finished since I last updated my blog. I knit them in a single night, and took the pictures the next day. They're cute, but they're minuscule considering how much time has passed since my last entry.

Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't been knitting. I've worked on a scarf (and may have just cast on a cowl this evening....), and a hat. I also have a sock that I started for a vacation.

I reached a knot in the ball of self striping yarn, and I'm trying to decide if I want to just continue knitting with the joined piece, or if I should try to get back to where I am in the color repeat. I'm afraid that if I do the latter I won't have enough yarn for the second sock. Of course, I could always use the part I cut out for the toe, but then I'd be going through a lot of extra effort for socks that don't end up matching anyway.

I'm so close to the toe and I know I should just make a decision, but it's tough. I'm annoyed that I have a knot in a ball of self striping yarn, though I know it's considered acceptable by the manufacturer. I suppose the first step would be figuring out where in the color repeat the tie on is...and then weighing the remaining yarn and how much I'd have to cut out t see if I have enough for a second sock...plus the cut out yarn wouldn't be wasted because I could make hexipuffs...I am beginning to come up with a plan.

Black Death Shawl

I have made myself a shawl. I've never made a shawl for myself before, and I kinda love it. Picspam to follow. First I steam blocked it. I didn't do it too harshly, and one of the corners looks like it will need some more steam but it's totally wearable!

Pattern here.

I can of course wear it "grandma style," which I rather like. Would probably be the warmest way to wear it, even if it's not fashionable.

Of course I had to get one of these shots, since everyone seems to have one. I really like the way it looks stretched out, and I'm considering reblocking it a little more harshly. On the other hand, it's already squooshy and lovely.

Apparently this is the fashionable way to wear triangular shawls nowadays. Point is in front and to one side. I like it, and this is probably how I'll wear it most of the time. On the other hand, it really emphasizes...half of my chest. Which I giggled at when I saw this picture. Chatham didn't warn me, of course.

Then again, Chatham also thinks I should wear it like this to keep my head warm. I don't have a picture of the back, but I'm pretty sure it looks ridiculous, and wasn't really keeping my neck warm, which I think is the point of a shawl.

A final glam shot on the railing. The light coming through the shawl makes the subtle lace really stand out.

I think it is just absolutely fabulous and can't wait for it to be cold again so I can wear it.

Colorwork

I've been really into colorwork for the last two weeks. First, I made a few dishcloths for the Walker Treasury Project. I have a few more planned too, and I already have a load of dishcloths but I'm not sure you can have enough! I like swapping them out after one use, so the more the merrier.

Stripe and Rib Pattern

They are bot slip stitch patterns, so they're not too difficult. I like both of them, though the red and white pattern involved a lot of slipping stitches from one side of the needles to the other for it's colorwork. If I were going to do it again, I would definitely leave off the garter border and knit only the colorwork portion. After casting off, I'd add some sort of crocheted border to keep it laying flat.

Four Stitch Check Pattern

I also got a book full of hat patterns for my birthday, and pulled out three colors from my most recent 5 lb yarn acquisition to whip up a hat.

It was supposed to be long and slouchy. So far I've only achieved the long part. I'm going to try stretching it over a plate or bowl in an attempt to make it slouchier. I like it as is, but I might look a little bit like a conehead. I'm not sure I can pull it off, so I'm hoping for some slouch!

I like the look of the corrugated ribbing, but it is definitely not as stretchy as regular ribbing and I'm not sure I love it for hats. I also really like the snowflake motif. I'm considering using it in something else too. Perhaps some sort of matching cowl or scarf? Only time will tell!