Shopping... And Socks...

There has been knitting. And shopping. Honestly, mostly shopping... but let's talk about knitting first. I finished a pair of socks for a very good friend of mine, Sanda. She has been helping me for a long time, taking care of Elijah when I was in hospital and now after we moved she has super cleaned the new apartment so that Richard and I have less work ahead when we are on our own. But I think I mentioned that previously...
I tried to keep them simple, and to make them nice and warm. and thinking of Sanda's Romanian heritage I added a little detail. I do not have much experience with adorning knitted items, so I decided to try that more often. She was so happy, I should really knit more often for her...
Here you find a blog where Lene is embroidering so beautifully, it's an inspiration. Just take the time to look a bit through the archive and you'll find a lot of treasures.

Now to one of my favorite subjects: shopping for yarn! Now where I moved to Cologne I had to visit Daniela at her shop. And of course there was no 'just visiting'... You see the little niceties I just had to bring along.

We have 'Katia Colibri'.And 'Louisa Harding's Coquette'.

And 'Cedifra Opulenz'.

And since I am way behind in my to-do list for Christmas there will be a few nice one-skein projects.

Oh, in my poll what season people like the best: the result was Fall, with 45% of votes. Followed by Summer (25%), Winter and Spring. Why am I not surprised?

Knitting!

I decided to show some of my Christmas knitting in the hope that the persons involved do not all the sudden decide to visit my blog after all.
Samira does have cold feet all the time, and she loooooves pretty things. Preferably pink, princess related or sparkly. Although I can't really provide her with the named I am able to make her something nice and even girly. I hope it's girly, otherwise it's doomed...

For the second project I can only show one completed sock... And yes, I only have a few details handy. But soon I present a complete pair, since I do not suffer the lonely sock disease.
This pair is for a very nice Lady that has been helping me with my son and the household, I do pay her as much as I can but of course there is no way I can pay her for all the extra work she is doing. So I pay her in warm feet and warm hands. Well, at least it is some form of restitution... And she is one of the few people I know that really understands poverty and desperation. Growing up in a very poor oppressed country she seems to give things the right value. I do learn a lot from her, especially from her humble ways.
The heel I decided to use is the afterthought heel, or at least how I think it might be done. You can find a good take on it here. The sock itself is knit toe up, I still suffer the fear that I might run out of yarn before I am done and so most of my projects are done toe up. Ridiculous, I do know, but I simply can not help myself on this one.
So, I'm off knitting #2...

The Messy And The Dark Side Of Me

The Messy Part And More

That's the view one is presented with when entering my room. A big armchair I inherited from my Favorite Aunt, a footstool (barely visible in the lower left corner) that I inherited from Aunt Dini, the spinning wheel I can use to my delight and the table I pile my WIP's on. Where is the mess? Well, it's not in the picture. I am simply not able to get the whole 360* view one would need to see the overflowing basket with more WIP's, the big old pillowcase full with fleece, the cabinet with all the yarn, the big box full of knitting literature and notes, the two knitting related boxes under the bed and the pile of knitting stuff on the nightstand.

The photo to the left shows the Knee Caps I knitted for my Mom who has really bad problems with her knees. (Pattern idea comes from the book Knitting America.) The warmth of this untreated wool is good for her, and it is a labor of love indeed as I have spun the yarn myself and this was the first skein I made with a drop spindle.

My husband always said that he is going to have to find a place with loads of storing place as Baby has a gigantic pile of stuff (well, loads of relatives take care of that...) and my fiber obsession fills a small room quite well. Well, he has time until September/October, then we finally move to Cologne so we can be together all week long and not just on the weekends. (Any Cologne knitters, e-mail me...)

The "Dark Side" Of Me

This is a very, very special pair of socks. Not the pattern, that was easily made up, but indeed the fact that there is a pretty nasty mistake hiding in the left sock. One extra pattern repeat!
This is unheard of in my world of extreme pickiness, I'd rather stay up all night and redo the whole sock before letting that stand. I have done that kind of stuff many times, frogging, cursing, simply never looking at an idea again...
Well, those times are over.
I have decided that from now on I will relax, take a deep breath and evaluate if this stress is really worth it. With this pair of socks it was not, considering that nobody will be able to tell unless told, and I will have shoes and pant legs covering up most of this sock most of the time anyhow.

When I announced to my family that I was not redoing this sock the reactions where ranging from utter disbelief to shock to anger (at my creating false hope) to applause. One person was brave enough to file the information away for future use, maybe to blackmail me. Luckily I had my came out, so I'll be safe.

And: although I am already starting to make changes to patterns that I am actually knitting now they are small, such as using a different Cast On or omitting short Rows from heels. One pattern I am even following to the letter... I should be proud of myself.

Personal Observations

The last couple of weeks I have reviewed my blog, the appearance and ideals, as I want to improve myself. Things I have noticed are as follows:
-I have not mentioned my Blogaversary, my 100th Post, my 10,000 Visitor.
-Being a natural German Speaker I am not as eloquent as I'd prefer writing in English. Some of the funny stuff does get lost, and my thoughts come across scrambled sometimes.
-Baby Elijah is been given a lot of attention, I need to think about 'presenting' him to such a broad audience. Although I enjoy talking about him very much.
-My personal struggle with my disease has not been dealt with in the best possible way. I don't really like talking about myself like this, but it does open up opportunities, and lead me to create a group on Ravelry.
-I enjoy publishing patterns, but noticed that the critique is practically missing, at least in the comments. Or: nobody has any issues with my stuff, so that's a good thing then... Hehehe...

I am looking forward to improving this blog. My life is getting organized enough, and I feel strong enough to write more patterns, wish myself a belated good Blogaversary, and congratulate myself to all the neat things I did achieve so far. Blogging is fun.

Free Pattern: White Stuff

I just always liked knee highs. It has something of summer for me, strangely familiar. And I was never the "Princess Type" although there has been times where I would have liked to be one, and so these knee highs are kept simple. To be frank: I just changed the lace pattern for "Sockelettchen" a bit, it just seems to have some potential.

I hope you enjoy knitting this pattern and please e-mail me with any errors at knittiana@gmail.com. I do try hard to make sure there aren't, but my concentration is not as good these days.

And there is already a correction: the picot ending was not completely written out. You'll see it in italic.

You can also find me at Ravelry

Size:
37EU/7 US about.
You can easily change the size to a children's foot (8-12 years roughly) by using 2mm needles.
You can easily enlarge the size by adding pattern repeats. You can estimate about one repeat per shoe size.

I understand that a lot of people prefer more specific directions, but at the present time I feel unable to provide such. But please e-mail me and I can always work something out with you.

Finished Measurements:
Roughly)
Toe to gusset: 18cm/7 3/8"
Toe to heel: 24cm/9 1/2"
Heel to cuff: as needed

Material:
2.5 mm needles. Pattern is adaptable to knitting with double point needles as well as round needles.

Jaeger Matchmaker 4 Ply Merino
Depending on the size between 110g and 140g, but I would always buy 3 50g skeins.
Also good to use is pretty much any sock yarn that is considered 4 ply.
Examples:
-Sirdar Country Style 4 Ply
-The Yarn Yard Sock Yarn
-Regia 4 Ply

Gauge:
2" or 5cm square: 15 st, 24 rows. About.

Pattern Notes:
-A tutorial for the "Figure 8 Cast On" can be found here
and another similar one here.
-The sock is worked in the round using 2 circular needles. The pattern can be adapted for use with 4 and 5 needles etc.
-M1: pick up the yarn between 2 stitches, see how too here. There you need to find the description for M1F, for the Zwickel it is M1R, or pick any of the other increases if they suit you better.
-On the lace charts please note that the black squares symbolize no st

Directions:

Lace pattern:
5st 4 rows
Row 1: k2, yo, ssk, k1, repeat
Row 2: work plain
Row 3: k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, repeat
row 4: work plain

Toe:
-Cast on 24 st with the Figure 8 Cast On (see Pattern Notes).
-Work 2 rows plain, then start lace pattern and increases as follows:

Row 1: k1, M1, k2, yo, ssk, k3, yo, ssk, k1, M1, k2, M1, k10, M1, k1
Row 2: work plain
Row 3: k1, M1, k1, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 2 times, k1, M1, k2, M1, k12, M1, k1
Row 4: work plain
Row 5: k1, M1, k2, (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 2 times, k2, M1, k2, M1, k14, M1, k1
Row 6: work plain
Row 7: k1, M1, k3, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 2 times, k3, M1, k2, M1, k16, M1, k1
Row 8: work plain
Row 9: k1, M1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 2 times, k2, yo, ssk, M1, k2, M1, k18, M1, k1
Row 10: work plain
Row 11: k1, M1, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 4 times, M1, k2, M1, k20, M1, k1
Row 12: work plain
Row 13: k1, M1, k1, (k1, yo, ssk, k1) 4 times, k1, M1, k2, M1, k22, M1, k1
Row 14: work plain
Row 15: k1, M1, k2, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 4 times, k2, M1, k2, M1, k24, M1, k1
Row 16: work plain
Row 17: k1, M1, k3, (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 4 times, k3, M1, k2, M1, k26, M1, k1
Row 18: work plain
Row 19: (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 6 times
Row 20: work plain
You now should have 60 st, 30 for the top of the foot and 30 for the bottom

Foot:
-Work lace pattern rows 1-4 on top of the foot and work the bottom of the foot plain.
-Work 20 repeats from toe up

Gusset:
-Work top of the foot in lace pattern, and bottom of the foot as follows:

Row 1: k1, M1, k28, M1, k1
Row 2: work plain
Row 3: k1, M1, k30, M1, k1
Row 4: work plain

Continue until you have 50 st for bottom of the foot.

Heel:
Ignore the top st (I usually knit with 2 round needles so I just have them on one needle to themselves and work the bottom st on another needle.)

Row 1: k17, k16, turn work
Row 2: sl1 st, purl 14 st, k1, turn work
Row 3: sl1 st, k15st, turn work
-Repeat row 2-3 until you knit 14 rows, ending on a purl row, turn work

Row 1: sl1 st, k15 st, pick up 7 st on the side of the heel flap you just knit, and continue oe row around the foot (in lace pattern on top of the foot) until you get back

to the 2nd side of the heel flap, pick up 7 st
Row 2: p29 st, k2tog, turn work
Row 3: k29 st, p2tog, turn work
-Repeat row 2-3 until all the extra st on the bottom of the foot are worked up. You now should have 60 st again.

Leg:
-Continue in lace pattern for 20 repeats.
-End of lace pattern row 4.

-Start Zwickel as follows:
(Again you should divide the st for the top/front of the leg and bottom/back of the leg. The directions are only for the 30 st on bottom/back of the leg.)

Row 1: (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 6 times
Row 2: work plain
Row 3: (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 3 times, M1, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 3 times
Row 4: work plain
Row 5: (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 3 times, M1, k1, M1, (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 3 times
Row 6: work plain
Row 7: (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 3 times, M1, k3, M1, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 3 times
Row 8: work plain
Row 9: (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 7 times
Row 10: work plain
Row 11: (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 3 times, k5, (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk) 3 times
row 12: work plain
Row 13: (k2, yo, ssk, k1) 7 times
Row 14: work plain
-Repeat row 11-14 20 times total.

Picot Ending:
(You are now working around the whole leg)

Top:
Row 1: work plain
Row 2: purl
Row 3: work plain
Row 4-5: k1, p1, repeat
Row 6-7: p1, k1, repeat
Repeat row 4-7 6 times

-Now knit one row (this is a special row we need for the ending, we'll call it row E), purl one row, knit one row.

Actual picot edge:
1.-5. Row: work in stockinet stitch.
6. Row: yo, ssk, yo, ssk, continue to end of row.
7.-12. Row: work in stockinet stitch.

Finishing:
-Cut the yarn so that you have a bit more than arms length.
-Thread the yarn on a sewing needle.
-Keep the stitches on the needles and turn the work so that the inside faces you.
-Now thread the needle through the first loop on the needle and then through the corresponding loop in row E.
-Continue to end of row.
-Sew in loose ends.

Remember, the inside is facing you, and even though it might seem odd for the first few times you will achieve a nice, neat edge. But before you sew in the loose end on the cuff make sure you can fit the sock on your foot, because you are sewing the edge it might pull too tight.

Lace pattern chart:
Toe chart:
Zwickel Chart:
How to sew on row E:

Please do not use this pattern for commercial purposes. You may print a copy for your personal use. © Knittiana!

Continue On

I have to admit that I find it hard to simply go back to my knitting adventures after the last 2 months. I have received a pacemaker 2 weeks ago, and my left shoulder is still causing me some problems and knitting is still painfull at times. But as it is a very important part of my life, I will continue to draw strenght from it and I love making up patterns.
Such as this one, I am also writing this up and hope to publish this one soon. But there is still a lot of catching up to do, so give me some time...

I am currently working on a toy for my son Elijah. I have been inspired by all the cute Cuties that are being knitted all over, and so I've decided to follow suit. But my toy is a robot, something I had planned quite a while ago but so far I was not motivated. I am so excited to see this toy take shape, and I can't wait to present him. Yep, it's a boy so far...

I also finished my Heart Cardigan, but pictures are still outstanding. I am not so sure how to get good pictures, but I shall make my husband take some.
And I also received a wonderful present for Elijah, that I shall post next time too!

Ah, I forgot to tell: as Samira had given me permission to talk about her wherever I want to so I can tell you that today she was able to go (via ambulance) to the Parents Home where here mom lives during her ordeal. The plan of the day: grilling and french fries. Playing with other kids, and that on a green lawn. Getting a day out.

Lizard Socks

I have actually finished another pair of socks, I'd like to call them Lizard Socks. Really, I am not so sure how I got that idea. But it seems to fit. And now I'm about 10 pairs away from sock independence. Yea!
The yarn I used is Regia 4-faedig, and it was very nice to knit with this. I like their yarns.

It's a shame that I am not making any headway on my cardigan, or the robot, or any of the other non-sock related items on my list. I am stuck in a sock bobble of ideas, but I am actually enjoying myself. Now I just need to achieve some more FO's, and I'll be happy.

On the baby front: my son discovered that the bars in his baby bed are a good way to pull yourself up sitting, and he does demand some serious attention. His newest face gig is shaking his head at all and everything. "Do you like banana?" Grin, munching, shaking the head... "Do you want this new and awesome toy?" Grin, grab, shaking the head...
And he is sleeping through the night. Finally. It only took 8 months...

Socklettchen Adaptation

I was digging through some dark corners of my stash storage system (system, ha...) and discovered the sample sock my Mama knit for me and the description she wrote out so I would know what to do and finally conquer my nemesis sock. For years I was struggling with the concept, I had conquered lace and twists (not all that good, but who is perfect then?) and the sock just was something I so badly wanted to knit, but just could not get my head around. I also found the first sock I ever knit, and yes I only knit one first sock. No second one to make the first pair...
It is nice to see how people influence you. I never asked her for this, I was living in the USA at the time and Germany was a long way off. And just one day this package arrived. Some candy, a German book, this sock. Awesome.

Since I put out "Socklettchen" I got really nice comments. Thanks to everyone, I find that very encouraging and it does make me feel good. I do tell people how much and why I like their designs, after all we all do this out of a passion for knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning....

One person said she would have loved to see the pattern in different sizes. She specifically was looking to make this for a little girl, so I did actually write an adaptation. Just some notes.
I did think about this "in different sizes" thing, and decided that for now I'll go case by case. Patterns generally can be adapted, and it is hard to satisfy everyone as there is a lot of different feet or body shapes or heads out there. We will see.

Here is the adaptation, written to fit a girl of about 7 years of age.

Work everything as in the Pattern but make following changes:
-cast on 16 st, work increases as described until you have 40 st.

-then you would knit only 5 pattern repeats, not 10.

-the gusset you work the same way, except you increase until you have 20 st for the front of the foot and 34 st for the bottom of the foot.

work heel as follows:
-k12 st, k10 st, turn work.
1.row: slip 1st st, then purl 8 st, k1, turn work.
2. row: slip 1st st, k9 st, turn work.
repeat row 1-2 until you have knitted 10 rows, you'll end on a purl row. turn work.
-sl 1 st, knit to end of row and then pick up 5 st on the side of the heel flap. complete the row in pattern, and pick up 5 st on the other side of the heel flap. (You have now 20 st on your heel flap + 12 st on each side of the heel flap)
-setup row: k to end of heel flap, p2tog (one from the heel flap and one of the extra stitches), turn work.
1. row: p19, k2tog (one from the heel flap and one of the extra stitches), turn work.
2. row: k19, p2tog (one from the heel flap and one of the extra stitches), turn work.-continue until all st on each side of the heel flap are knitted. you should end with a purl row.turn work so the front is facing you.
-work 2 rows in pattern, then start to work pattern around the whole leg. This should fit 8 times.
repeat rows 1-6 two times.repeat rows 1-3 one time.

Then you just continue knitting like the instructions say, except that you have a bit less on your needles.

I hope this works out, I really have no clue about children's sizes (yet). But this is about half the sock, and in the same way the pattern was adapted now it is possible to vary the sizes by adding or removing pattern repeats etc. So I hope this works out.

Please do not use this pattern for commercial purposes. You may print a copy for your personal use. © Knittiana!

Free Pattern: Socklettchen

Description:

My Mother-in-Law just loves summer. She works in her garden, lounges, makes her rounds in the pool and simply does all the things possible in warm weather. But somehow she is a woman that gets cold feet really easily, and so she needs something that is light enough to be worn during a hot and humid Chicago summer, but also gives a bit of warmth when needed.
I designed these Socklets for wearability, they are lofty and light. They can be worn in the house just as a bit comfort, they can be worn with shoes as they are nice and short, and I hope maybe even with sandals. Cotton was my first choice, but I think that other plant materials might be interesting too.

You can also find me at Ravelry

If you notice any mistakes or have suggestions please feel free to send me a email to knittiana@gmail.com. (I really like comments, preferably nice ones...)

I have been told that not all pictures load properly. Well, I'm used to Windows Explorer not really being on my wave lenght, so please let me know and I'll send the pictures out extra. Or you can get them at Flickr! as well. My Flickr! name is knittiana.

Size:
37 EU, 7US, a small woman’s foot.

Finished Measurements:
(Roughly)
Toe to gusset: 18cm/7 3/8"
Toe to heel: 24cm/9 1/2"
Heel to cuff: 14cm/5 1/2"

Material:
Lana Grossa Meilenweit Cotton, Festa, 100g , knitted with 2 Addi Turbo Circular needles, 2mm

Gauge:
(2" or 5cm square: 15 st, 24 rows. )

Pattern Notes:
A tutorial for the "Figure 8 Cast On" can be found here
and another similar one here.
The sock is worked in the round using 2 circular needles. The pattern can be adapted for use with 4 and 5 needles etc.
M1: pick up the yarn between 2 stitches, see how too here. There you need to find the description for M1F, or pick any of the other increases if they suit you better.

Directions:

Lace Pattern:
Divide by 5 st,
1. Row: k2, yo, ssk, k1 repeat
2. Row: knit
3. Row: knit
4. Row: k2 tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk
5. Row: knit
6. Row: knit
Repeat pattern (and work up to desired length)

Toe:
Cast on 24 st, work 2 rounds, then start to increase.
Increase as follows:
1.Row: k1, M1 (see Pattern Notes), k10, M1, k2, M1, k10, M1, k1
2. Row: knit
3. Row: k1, M1, k12, M1, k2, M1, k12, M1, k1
Continue until 60 st are achieved.

Foot:
Bottom/Sole:
The directions are for the top of the foot, so you need to divide the 60 st into 30 st for the top, and 30 st for the bottom of the foot. The bottom is worked plain each row.

Top:
1. Row: k2, yo, ssk, k1, repeat 5 more times.
2. + 3. Row: knit
4. Row: k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, repeat 5 more times..
5. + 6. Row: knit
Repeat rows 1-6 10 times or add repeats to adjust length.

Gusset:
Work top of foot in Pattern as before. You now work with the bottom/sole stitches.
Increase as follows:
1. Row: k1, M1, k28,M1, k1
2. Row: knit
3. Row: k1,M1, k30, M1, k1
4. Row: knit
Continue like this until 7 increase rows have been worked. (So you now have a total of 74 st or 44 for the bottom/sole.)

Heel:
The top stitches rest until further notice.

Setup Row: k15 +14 st, turn work (you should still have 15 unworked st on your needle).
1.Row: sl1 st , purl 12 st, k1, turn work.
2. Row: sl1 st, k13, turn work.
Repeat row 1 + 2 until you have worked 16 rows, you should end with a purl row

Knit 14st, now pick up 8 st on the side of the heel flap.
Continue row, including the front, in pattern until you get to the part of the heel flap that has no stitches picked up yet.
Pick up 8 st. You should now have 30 st around your heel flap + 15 st on each side of the heel flap.

Setup Row: k to end of heel flap, p2tog (one from the heel flap and one of the extra stitches), turn work.
1. Row: p29, k2tog (one from the heel flap and one of the extra stitches), turn work.
2.Row: k29, p2tog (one from the heel flap and one of the extra stitches), turn work.
Continue until all st on each side of the heel flap are knitted. You should end with a purl row.
Turn work so the front is facing you.

Leg:
Work 2 rows in pattern, then start to work pattern around the whole leg. This should fit 12 times.
Repeat rows 1-6 two times.
Repeat rows 1-3 one time.
Now purl one row, knit one row, (this is a special row we need for the ending, we'll call it row E) purl one row.

For the picot ending:
1.-5. Row: work in stockinet stitch.
6. Row: yo, ssk, yo, ssk, continue to end of row.
7.-12. Row: work in stockinet stitch.

Ending:
Cut the yarn so that you have a bit more than arms length.
Thread the yarn on a sewing needle.
Keep the stitches on the needles and turn the work so that the inside faces you.
Now thread the needle through the first loop on the needle and then through the corresponding loop in row E.
Continue to end of row.
Sew in loose ends.

Remember, the inside is facing you, and even though it might seem odd for the first few times you will achieve a nice, neat edge. But before you sew in the loose end on the cuff make sure you can fit the sock on your foot, because you are sewing the edge it might pull too tight.

How to sew on row E:

Chart for lace pattern:

Please do not use this pattern for commercial purposes. You may print a copy for your personal use. © Knittiana!

Secret Socks Finished

Elijah is now gone for 2 days. Man, I never thought it would be this quiet in the house, I'll still tiptoe around thinking the little Guy might be sleeping, or I'll wake up at night wondering why he's not hungry and screaming.... But he's with his Daddy visiting his Grandparents, so I don't have any worries. And just like a good husband he called me yesterday to report any and each detail of the long trip, and seems like Elijah is doing better than his Dad, he was barely impressed by the plane ride, and even less by the time warp one is hit with when all the sudden the day starts 7 hours later. Elijah also laughs and smiles at everyone, even at the dog, and he's just sometimes getting quiet and then he asks:" Mama... mama?"

I am holding up pretty well, considering. It's just so darn quiet in the house, I keep sneaking around thinking Baby sleeps, and each night so far I woke up at around 5 am wondering why he's not waking up for bottle and early morning cuddle. (I said that twice, didn't I?)
Pffft, only 12 more days. I can handle that, or?

One thing this means though is that I get a lot of knitting time extra. The red Secret Socks are for Becke, my husbands Sister. She hasn't been getting a lot of homemade things yet, and this is just to spoil her feet a bit. (And the pictures are really bad, but the good fancy camera went with over the big waters to document Elijahs adventures...)
After all, I have no choice, I got to keep busy, right? So I'm catching up on some I.O.U.'s, some extra socks and maybe I get my Heart Cardi done. And there of course is Ravelry, I can organize my groups and browse the forums, catch up on some blog reading and, well, miss by Baby.

Free Pattern: The Flaming Massage Socks

Flaming Massage Socks

Construction is top down with 2 circular needles.

Cuff length is 7”

Cuff Measurement is 7”.

Gauge is 10 stitches per inch

Cast on 72 stitches

Heel Style is a Dutch Heel

Width is standard

Toe Style is round

Toe Shape is standard

Needle Size US 0 / 2.0 mm

Stitch:

All surfaces (bottom of foot, heel) are knitted in garder stitch. So when knitting in a round you need to k 1 round, then p 1 round. For the heel parts that are knitted back and forward you just need to knit each row.

Pattern:

The pattern for the ribbed part is:

Round 1: K2, P2, repeat

Round 2: Knit

Repeat

Ribbing and Leg:

Cast on 72 stitches. Join in a ring being careful not to twist. Mark join as the beginning of the round and center of heel. Divide stitches over 2 needles. Begin knitting with your desired ribbing pattern (or the suggested one) and knit circularly for approximately 2 inches. Knit one round even. Divide across needles. (36, 36) Beginning with Needle 1 and selected motif, knit leg stitches until desired leg height is reached.

Begin Heel:

NOTE: Heel is worked in rows on 36 stitches.

Knit until you have 36 heel flap rows. Heel flap shape should be close to square.

Turn Heel as follows:

Row 1: Knit 18 stitches, SSK, K1, and turn.

Row 2: Knit 17 stitches, SSK, K1 and turn

Repeat rows 1 and 2 decrease 1 additional stitch until all side stitches are consumed.

Gusset:

Rnd 1: With needle 1, knit across heel flap. Pick up and knit 18 stitches from the side of the heel flap plus knit one stitch in the gusset corner. Knit in pattern across needle 2.

Rnd 2: Using a spare needle, pick up one stitch in the gusset corner and 18 stitches from the side of the heel flap. Using needle 1, knit these stitches. Knit the remaining stitches on needle 1 and knit in pattern across needle 2. Stitch count is (59, 36) respectively.

Gusset Decrease and Sock Foot:

Rnd 1:

Needle 1: K1, SSK, knit until the last 3 stitches k2 tog, k1.

Needle 2: Work in pattern around.

Rnd 2: Work in pattern around.

Repeat these 2 rounds until total stitches equal 72. Transfer stitches as necessary so that you have returned to your original stitch placement. (36, 36)

Sock Foot:

Continue knitting in garder stitch on needle 1 and in pattern on needle 2 (if desired) until you are approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the top of your longest toe.

Shape Toe:

First Rnd: Knit 7 stitches, K2 tog. Repeat around.

Second Rnd: purl

Third Rnd: Knit 6 stitches, k2 tog. Repeat around.

Continue working one less stitch between each decrease and one less rnd of stockinette until your round is K2 tog around.

Cut yarn leaving 12 inch tail. With a darning needle thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull snug. Weave in ends.

Please note that this is the first pattern that I have written down. I might have made mistakes, and please, please feel free to e-mail me to tell me about them, after all this needs to be practiced... Thank you!

Please do not use this pattern for commercial purposes. You may print a copy for your personal use. © Knittiana!

Unfinished Business

Forgotten the plans to only have one project going at the time, but did I really, really think I could manage that? Yea, right. We have what... February. Fine.

It is amazing how easily one gets seduced. I was really working only on the cardigan, a nice, blue, warm, comfortable cardigan for myself. To knit with this wool is a joy, and I was busy and designing and content. But then I remembered that I need to knit more socks, I kept getting cold feet and one of my goals is to never have to wear bought socks again. I just wish I was a lot closer since I lack about 90% of the needed pairs. But at least I am working on fixing this, so I have started a new pair already. After all, one can carry a sock in progress around all the time, everywhere and it just is the perfect on the go thing to have. And there is such a variety on patterns, there is so much I'd like to try still and so many other people to knit socks for.

While I was at this I noticed that my Mama's birthday is coming up soon. So there was another project to tackle, but the problem is that I now live with her and things are harder to hide, especially since there seems to be a great interest in my knitting. And I am at a loss... what could I knit her? It's all in the experimental state as of now. And secret. Sigh.
I also commited to a job: someone would like me to knit a baby jacket, I have about two weeks. I really don't know how I am going to do that, knitting baby clothing is not my strenght and even Elijah has nothing that I would have made for him. I made something like that before and even sold some things, I just don't really enjoy this mini knitting.

On a different note: I have this counter on my blog that also tells me roughly where someone who reads my blog is from, like Australia for example. (Howdy, hope you enjoy what you read!) That is so wonderful about the internet, people all over the world can connect and share interests, just look at Ravelry! where one can really find anything and get organized or famous blogs like the Yarn Harlot who is in Canada. So much to discover, just to keep my blogroll up is hard as I just don't want to leave someone out, but there are just too many to read. So I will just enjoy the variety and keep discovering.

Socks (Again) To Catch Up More

Then there was the day I discovered the "Macro" setting on my digital camera... No but seriously, I learned how to make decent pictures since I had Elijah, and I plan on taking and posting many which are related to knitting.

Just like the one above that shows the inside of the sock in detail, with the extra on the toes and heels. I like my socks to last. And then there is the picture of the socks in whole, of the details all around and... no, I think that was all.

So here we go:

Picture #1, the large on the to (if you happened to miss it) shows the detail of the toes and heels which I like to make everlasting. I wish... but one can try at least. Picture #2 to the left shows the heel, as these are Toe-Up socks it's a Dutch Heel worked backwards. My favorite. Picture #3 (to the right) shows the sock in it's entire comfy wholesomeness on the "Happy Place" where we change diapers and practice rolling over. And picture #4 is the detail of the toes, turned out pretty good this time.

But still: I did not learn to take notes as of yet. No paper or pen where used, I did (as always) employ the famous "Trial-And-Error" method and was able to succeed. I contemplated to make that oh so important note taking a resolution for this year, but just like giving up silliness it would be a hopeless one.

I moved on to knit a special project for my husband, a helmet. We will see what happens, I won't say more until I have pictures. (Honestly, I really don't know what to say...)

In other news: I told myself to only work on one project at a time, we shall see how long this idea lasts. I am already working on exceptions, such as 'a sock does not count as it fits in my purse kind of'' or 'when the cardigan gets to boring I shall knit a toy' among others. Aye, how predictable.

Socks. What Else? More Catching Up.

A lot of pictures this time. Socks just are a good project to knit often and there is so much one can invent, and of course so many awesome patterns that one can find everywhere, just look at http://www.knitty.com/ ! I like knitting in general, any kind of project or design. But socks are portable, light, fun and one can never have enough. Never. Problem is: I give them away all the time, as of today I knitted only two pairs for myself. But that shall change now, I really decided to become a bit more selfish.

The mostly red socks where made for my mother. She has diabetes and can't wear anything tight on her leg, so I knitted a border on to make sure there is plenty of room. They are Clown Socks, colorful and silly. I really enjoyed working on them, and it was a challenge because I don't take notes, I have not learned yet that it would be so much easier to write the steps down and then to knit the second sock after the directions and not struggling to cope. And unfortunately I don't even remember what yarn I used, I did not keep the information as I usually do before I let something sink in the black hole that is my stash...

The other two pairs where knit for my mothers husband Klaus and my little brother Sven. Well, with a EU shoe size of 44-46 I was able to really test how much stamina I have. Klaus is a really big guy, like a big oak. OK, that might sound funny, but he is not just a big guy, he also has the calm and grace of a big oak. Either way, he reminds me of one. Just laugh at me if you like. English is my second language, I am excused.

Sven, my 'little' brother is ten years younger than me, and he now is a very muscular young man. I am very lucky that he is still a bit afraid of me (I was a very mean big sister, tickling him until he could not catch a breath anymore... But then I did take him to the playground every day too...) otherwise it would be pay back time. Shudder, don't let him smell your fear, don't let him smell your fear...

Both men are the only people I know where 100g just won't do for a standard pair of socks.. Klaus uses up at least 160g, to get a decent lenght and comfort, and Sven uses up at least 150g. I talk standard sock yarn here, and 2.5mm needles.

On a different note: I now live in Ostfriesland, also in north-west Germany, really close to the Netherlands. From our living room window we can actually see the lights over there, and the ferry that goes, at least at night when it has all the lights on.

The nature here is very plain, compared to the Rocky Mountains for example, nothing spectacular at first glance. But looking closer I see a beauty that really calms me down, may it be the winter mornings where it seems a bit foggy and the rising sun colors everything pink, or may it be the stormy sea in the spring. The wildflowers or the huge swarms of geese that meet in the thousands to get ready for their trip to a warmer place. There are a lot of farms here and most land has either some grain or cows on it, but the deer and the hawks still are common sights. I just think it is wonderful, and I have yet to take a photo that could show this beauty.

A note: my camera won't let me change the size of the pictures taken. So any close up will be gigantic and fuzzy until I solved this problem...

Some Knitting (And Else)

After being readmitted to hospital for another week (don't ask, it's absolutely scary but I am sooo much better now!) and having been traumatized and scarred for life, me and Elijah and his so busy and brave dad are blissfully united and happy at home. No, absolutely blissful!

My dear husband was not only taking care of me until I got readmitted, but then he was taking care of Elijah all by himself for the week and he just did so good I had to mention his heroism.

I have to admit that not much knitting has been taking place. But a rather long while ago I finished a pair of socks for my husband, with some very beautiful yarn, "Meilenweit" from Lana Grossa. The pattern is derived from a pattern in the book Favorite Socks, I must admit I don't know the name of the pattern or the page as unfortunately the book is in a room with a sleeping baby and I rather have everyone go find out for themselves than risk waking him...
I say derived because I did knit the socks toe up, and did not follow the instructions in the book. So when I knitted the pattern itself I did not really like the way it turned out and changed it around a bit, so instead of something like knit 3 stitches in one stitch (as I said, the book is held hostage by sleeping baby...) I made one, knit one, made one. The end result seems to be just as nice, I really liked the pattern in the book and will try some other ones soon. First I shall finish some baby blankets (before Elijah grows out of the need for them...) and a pair of socks for myself.

Oh and there is the matter of the robot...

Happy Birthday Tante Lotte!

Tante Lotte is my favorite Aunt. She is one of my Mom's older sisters and somehow totally different than the rest of the family, I always felt a connection with her and now as she is getting old and frail I just wish I could visit her once a month. Just to make sure I see her and get to talk to her and get to learn from her... But then Germany is a bit far away for that. So I resort to spoiling her and writing her and sending her cards. And socks to keep her feet warm, such as these Bed Socks for her.
I knitted them from the toe up but I did knit a reverse Dutch Heel instead of a short row heel. I also used EZ's Sewn Bind Off and found it to be very suitable. It is nice and stretchy, and I am sure it will look even better once I blocked the socks...

Tante Lotte was born in the same town than me, Hildesheim, which is pretty and nicely small (not so small anymore...) and is situated close to Hannover in NW Germany. She was born just before WW II and has seen and experienced a lot of hardship, she witnessed the daytime raid on Hildesheim in March 1945, just about 3 months before Germany surrendered. She does not talk much about what she saw, but the bit she did share contained horrific memories. Most of the town was destroyed, and mostly civilians died.
I love to learn from my relatives, but growing up German has always been a mixed batch. My Mom's Dad was in a concentration camp as a political prisoner (he was a communist) but one of my uncles was in the SS and changed his name after the war to avoid persecution. I don't know details of what he did, I would love to find out even though learning of his past has made me feel very upset. I loved that particular uncle very much and was only told after his death. My Father-in-Laws Dad was in the Polish resistance after the Germans forced him to join the Hitler Youth and he escaped. A Lady that used to baby sit me told me how she had to make clothing out of news paper, and how everything with the back to the sun was fit for eating. It is so sad to see that all these memories are disappearing, no matter where one stands on the political front it is imperative for the future that we remember and learn from the past.

A little note: her birthday was last week. But because I was in the hospital she has not received the socks yet. But they are being blocked as we 'speak' and will be in the mail tomorrow....