Yesterday was my darling Sister’s Birthday. In honor of the day, I frogged her entire Over the Knee Sock and returned it to its component parts.
Happy Birthday to you!
It didn’t hurt as bad as I would have thought. I did get to use the ball winder. That’s always good for a laugh. I am going to doctor the Handknit Holidays pattern a little and make her Knee Socks.
I also ordered the yarn for the Bedspread. How much? Well:
- I can make two squares from 2.5 oz with a little left over (for seaming)
- the squares are about 7.75″ each (which easily become 8″ when blocked or because the spread is going to be really heavy)
- I need 140 of them to make an 80″x140″ spread (10 squares across, 14 squares down – I want to be able to make the pillows up in the spread)
- two inches of border take 4yds
- If I put the border on three sides (I don’t need it on the top because I am making the pillows up) I’ll need 608yds for the border
- What if I change my mind and want to put border on the top too? 768 yds
I determined that I needed 12 1-lb cones of Sugar’N Cream for this project. To be safe, I ordered 14. They are coming from Mary Maxim, who didn’t have the best prices but would guarantee dyelot. I’m not spending all this time making a bedspread that’s going to fade to two different colors in 30 years!
Math was apparently not enough of a challenge for me yesterday so I have started Toe-Up Two at a Time Socks for Project Spectrum!
The Wildfoote is from Jean, of course!
I am using Queen Kahuna’s Crazy Toes and Heels for these. I found out about this book on Dianna’s blog (she’s teaching a class). I am always up for new things, and Dianna is very sweet and helpful so there you are! I wasn’t able to manage the Aloha Cast-On (I seem to be yarn-finger-wrapping disabled somehow) so I cried to Becky. She told me how to do an Easy Toe, thus Saving the Day. There should be a SuperKnitter cape for occasions like this. I am now increasing diligently to 84 stitches. I’m not sure about this two at a time thing, all the strings make the socks less of a portable project. But I am liking the toe up so far – Queen Kahuna’s first increases for a round toe are pretty cool.
Three more sock yarns I want to try: Lorna’s Laces anything, Sock it To Me and Bearfoot. Oh, and Claudia’s Hand Painted (kpixie). Leah has a bunch of it in her sock stash. Seriously, have you seen Leah’s sock stash? I am awed and humbled by the realization that I am only the most amateur of collectors. Visit Stress Reaction to see the work of a True Professional.
You were busy yesterday, huh? Good for you for trying something new with the toe up socks.
I haven’t tried the toe up method, but I have to tell you that I am a total fan of two socks on two circs! Nothing rocks harder than finishing both socks at the same time.
And I am going to send you some Lornas Laces sock yarn just for being such a sweetheart! What color do you want?
I am glad to hear the frogging wasn’t too painful. Did you sing Happy Birthday while you were frogging and winding?
Good luck with the toe up socks. I haven’t tried that method yet. Or two on the same needle either for that matter. I do do them both at the same time on 2 different sets of dp’s though.
The knee socks will be lovely. Lene (danceswithwool) had some great photos a few days ago of enclosing the elastic in the hem of her knee socks. I’m looking forward to seeing how ypurs come out! 🙂
Ah! A beautiful start in the Queen Kahuna world! Welcome!
With the QK cast on, it is a normal long tail cast on, but holding both needles together and alternating the needle the stitch is going on. Needs to be an odd # of stitches cast on each needle, and the first round is knit with both the tail and the working strand of yarn.
Toe-up *and* two at a time – wow, next you’ll be knitting them one inside the other & two at a time! Knitting acrobatics, eh? 🙂
The Wildefoote is gorgeous colors.
Oh the toes look BEAUTIFUL!
That bedspread is going to be epic. 14 pounds of yarn? Can that be right??? Am I missing something?
You are a brave woman.
let me know when you do your second go at the knee socks, maybe we can do a knit along or something. God knows that pattern of all patterns needs it. I think, actually, that if i just increase the repeats (by three?) at the top of the sock i might be ok.
2 socks at the same time on 2 circs is fun…if not a bit confusing throughout with all that yarn and wires winding around. I’m doing one sock at a time in magic loop, and am having quite a bit of fun with it. Though I need a longer needle.
Toe-up AND two at a time? How cool are you!
Wowowow I can’t believe you’re making a whole bedspread.
I’m glad you had fun with the ball winder! =) lol Happy Birthday to your sister!
I am a first time visitor and think your blog is GORGEOUS! I totally love your sock yarn stash – a dream of mine. I have now devoted my entire blog to socks. I am opening a yarn shop yet this morning ordered sock yarn from Hill Country Yarns because they have stuff we are not going to carry. It is my personal mission to seek out and try every sock yarn known to man kind. I will be back and am now off to check out your links. Toe up & 2 circs – you are a brave woman! PS – I love the look of your house – very cute.
Love the color of that Wildfoote! And congrats for starting toe up socks. I’ve done the Crazy Toes and Heels many times and have tried a few other variations. If you get stuck give me a holler!
I am going to try the toe-up method tonight too!! I already told Becky to stay by the phone for “technical support” – LOL.
I have seen Leah’s sock yarn stash and it is awe inspiring!! GEESH!! Beautiful stuff!
Can’t wait to see the bedspread!
I just calculated and it’s going to be around 11 pounds of bedspread. 🙂 No idea when you add the border, but now I’m eager to have you make it!