I'm excited to have them to wear, but have been distracted by way too many other things lately. Like knitting a swatch for a RED Angostura, for example:
Doesn't it look cool (if slightly blurry - sorry)? I'm loving this pattern. And, per Ysolda's perfectly reasonable instructions, I washed and blocked my little swatch when it was done. This is my first time using Cascade 220 Superwash, and I was super excited about how soft it got. It's lovely.
Anyway, the fabric seemed a little loose and the gauge wasn't quite there on the prescribed size 7 circs, so I'm starting over on 6s to see if that helps. No cables this time since they make it harder to count stitches. Plus which, I feel like I've got a pretty good feel for them now. Meet Swatch the Second, also RED:
It's killing me to keep from just diving in and casting on, but after the Vest Fiasco, I'm determined to get this right. So I'll keep swatching and measuring and counting until I'm super duper sure it's going to fit.
Finally, I've got a confession... I've been semi-secretly drooling over the Beekeeper's Quilt that's been popping up everywhere lately. Honestly, I'm kind of dying to make one. And I'm wondering if there are any other lemmings out there who'd consider jumping in. Maybe we could swap bits of sock yarn? Let me know if you're interested. If enough folks are on board, I'll see what I can put together for next week.
That's pretty much all that's going on around these parts at the moment. Hopefully, I'll have more exciting things to share next time. Speaking of which, in case you missed it, I finally finished the Vest From Hell last week, had a tiny little rant (miniscule, really), and then torched the pattern -- complete with pictures. Here.
Now, go check out all the other amazing WIPsters. They're lovely *and* talented. What more could you ask for?
Your sock is coming right along. Fingers crossed, you get a perfect fit after your swatching.
ReplyDeleteI've had that quilt saved to my favorites on Rav. I have a bunch of fingering weight, but not much of it is superwash. I think not many would be wanting to hand wash a blanket. I hand wash a king size down comforter in the bathtub, so it wouldn't bother me.
Since I have finances now, I wouldn't mind buying a skein of superwash and split it up. If a swap was what you are thinking about.
Loving those shades of red! The sock looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI like all the red, and good on you for doing proper swatching and everything!
ReplyDeleteI am trying so hard to resist the beekeeper quilt, but I know I'll cave at some point! So if you're planning a swap, I'll head on back to see what you're cooking up!
I love red and your projects look great!
ReplyDeleteThose socks are gonna look amazing :-)
ReplyDeleteThe beekeeper quilt looks like tons of fun, but I think I'm more suited to be a spectator to other people's creations at the moment-- I don't have a lot of sock yarn-bits.
ReplyDeleteI'm swatching for Laika right now, and all I want to do is just knit it already!
Your reds are really lovely.
A friend of mine is collecting scrap sock yarn for her daughter's friend that is doing the beekeeper quilt. Pretty sure it would drive me insane.
ReplyDeleteI love those shades of red. You're right about swatching, it's a nuisance but definitely narrows down the range of things which can go wrong down the knitting road.
ReplyDeletethe beekeeper quilt has turned into a phenomenon in a short time, hasn't it? some people are stitching the puffs together rather than tying them together -- more work for sure, but might make it more durable. good luck with yours!
That angostora is gonna look awesome!
ReplyDeleteLOOOOOVE the socks.
ReplyDeleteI've knit with Cascade Superwash and really enjoyed it, but I find it much lighter than the average worsted.
I'd love to do a Beekeeper's swap. When I quilt I like scrappy quilts best, so I think I'd like a scrappy beekeeper best! Count me in!
I love both the pattern and colorway of your socks...another thing to add to my list!
ReplyDeleteJust got introduced to the quilt from an ealier read post...I am intrigued..
Love all that red ! Good luck with the second swatch .
ReplyDeleteI'm a lemming too , queued it the other night , but I'm not sure that the sock yarn stash I have would be appropriate , too many striped yarns . I might knit one little puff and see from there ....
The sock is looking great! Your Angostura is going to be lovely in red. Good job with the swatching. It is a pain now, but think of how well the vest will fit when it is done. I am seriously in love with the Beekeeper's Quilt, so count me in!
ReplyDeleteI find gauge swatches to be very frustrating. I've been trying to figure out gauge for my next design, and it seems like whenever I measure my swatch I get a different number of stitches! I've been eyeing the Beekeeper's Quilt too, but It's been put on the back burner for awhile, because I don't have the time to start such a massive project at the moment. I think the idea of having to sew all the little honeycombs together has me a little wary. Your vest looks great regardless of all the trouble it caused. I think it's hilarious that you actually torched the pattern..lol!
ReplyDeleteOh, you are inspiring! I have a set of instructions from a sock knitting teacher that I must, must, must swatch before I cast on for a pair again. I've been resistant, but will try to be patient.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely reds!
that notorious beekeeper! I kinda want to learn to knit just to make one! Or I could do the crochet one :D
ReplyDeleteLove the red!
Those socks are going to be beautiful. That shade of red in the yarn you're using is lovely.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Angostura, I agree ... swatch on. That pattern and the yarn you're using are too awesome to end up in flames. LOL!!!'
Your facial expressions during the burning of the Vest from Hell are priceless. ;D
I love the cable pattern of the jumper, and well done for swatching so well! And the socks are coming along really well.
ReplyDeleteI would love to make the Beekeeper's Quilt, but unfortunately, I don't have any sock wool at all!