Progress in Pictures

It started with roving.



That was spun on a wheel.



Then plied into yarn.



And knitted into cables and ribs.



(Finished project and details next week.)

A Matter of Preference

When I first started knitting socks I used 7" Brittany birch double points. After a time though I realized it would be better to use shorter needles, so I bought what the store had in stock which was 6" Crystal Palace sock needles. I loved them, but have always wanted to try the 5" Brittany sock needles. Recently I bought a set and had a chance to compare the two.

Brittany Sock Needles vs. Crystal Palace Sock Needles
(Size US 1)



Length:
Brittany measures 5"; Crystal Palace measures 6". It's only one inch, but I enjoyed the shorter length very much.

Points:
Brittany needles have rounded points; Crystal Palace have sharp points.



Material:
Brittany is made from birch; Crystal Palace is made from bamboo. I didn't think this would make much difference but there were a couple of things I noticed. I found that the stitches did not slide as easily on the Brittany needles as they do on the Crystal Palace needles. Also, the Brittany needles were more flexible than Crystal Palace.



In the end, I found that the Crystal Palace needles worked better for me, mainly because I like to knit short-row socks the PG-R way. When working the heels and toes in this method, sharper points and stiffer needles help maneuver the yarn for stitches like K3tog and SSSP. The Brittany needles were too flexible and the points not sharp enough to make these stitches easily. That's not to say they aren't good needles, because they are. After all, the needles we ultimately choose are just...a matter of preference.

Friday's Flowers

Morning Glory

Morning Glories are such pretty flowers, you wouldn't expect to hear that someone is trying to get rid of them, but that's exactly what we are doing. Several years ago we started a vine on the small arbor that marks the entrance to the vegetable garden. The vine grew well and filled the arbor quickly.



Unfortunately it grew so well and so fast that it began to take over everything. We were always having to pull runners out of the thorny rose bushes (not fun). The vines would grow at least a foot a day and twist themselves on anything near and far. It was a constant job to contain this vine and we couldn't keep up with. So this year we said good-bye to Morning Glory.



But it doesn't look like she's ready to say good-bye to us yet.

Spiral Rib Bag

There is something very satisfying about knitting with your own homespun. Even yarn that looked like an unorganized mess coming off the wheel, can work up nicely in a project.



Pattern: Spiral Rib Bag
Book: One Skein by Leigh Radford
Yarn: My Homespun (3rd picture from top), 100% Colorado Wool, Natural Dyes
Needles: US 10: 16" Circular and DPNs
Size: Choice of two sizes. This is the small one.

This was a fun, quick knit. From start to finish, it only took me two nights of knitting. It could easily be worked in one sitting. The small size is worked on 50 stitches.

The body of the bag is worked first, starting with a provisional cast on. The live stitches are picked up later to knit the bottom of the bag.

I like the way the purl stitches are bound off in the rib pattern while the knit stitches are continued. This forms the tabs at the top. An I-cord drawstring is run through the eyelets in the tabs to cinch it closed.

I don't know if it's the stitch pattern or the yarn I used, but the bag has enough body to stand up on it's own without anything in it.

Newborn Sweater Set

Pattern: Fred Textured Sweater
Book: Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Dreambaby D.K., 50% Acrylic Microfiber, 50% Nylon
Color: Cream - 101
Needles: US 5 and 6 straight
Size: Newborn

This sweater was a joy to knit. The front, back and sleeves are knit separately and then seamed together. The chevron stitch pattern is simple to work and adds an interesting texture to what would otherwise be a plain sweater. Garter stitch is used for the bands on the bottom of the sweater, the neck and the sleeves. Three little buttons on the shoulder add design detail and will make dressing baby a little easier.



Though Dreambaby is not a natural fiber, it worked well for this pattern. The result is a nice soft sweater for baby and easy care wash and dry for mom.



The pattern for the booties is also in Natural Knits. The only change I made was to knit them on needles one size smaller: US 5 straights.



The hat was inspired by the sweater. It was knit in the round on size US 5 circular and DPNs with Dreambaby D.K. yarn.

Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches (I used 72 stitches for a newborn size).
Work 2x2 ribbing for approximately 1 inch.
Work rows 1-18 of chevron chart from Natural Knits.
Work rows 9-18 once more.
*K7, k2tog, rep. from * to end (64 sts).
*K6, k2tog, rep. from * to end (56 sts).
Cont. to decrease every round, working one fewer st between decs until 4 sts remain.
Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts. Pull tight and weave in all ends.
Sew on pom-pom.

If you like to knit for babies and still do not have Natural Knits in your library, I highly recommend that you add it soon. I've made 8 of the 21 patterns in the book and see myself knitting almost all of them before I'm through.

Friday's Flowers

Common Wild Sunflower

The strip of yard on the back side of our privacy fence doesn't get mowed very often. The grass has grown tall and the wild sunflowers are thriving there.



The plants grow taller than the fence and I enjoy seeing the blossoms that peek over the top.



Some believe cutting a sunflower at sunset while at the same time making a wish ensures that this wish will come true the next day. Click here and here for more sunflower folklore.



Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do. -Helen Keller

Sand and Socks

Ladies, when your husband calls from work and asks you if you want to go to the beach, the answer is always yes. Stop what you're doing, gather up a few things and be ready to go when he gets home.

Bring some shade.



And don't forget the knitting. You'll need something to do while he fishes.



Search for the perfect shell.



Enjoy the scenery.







Make friends with the beach creatures.



You never know when one of them will want to help you knit.



Stay until the sun sinks behind the dunes.



Then thank God for a husband that keeps life fun.