Try a new heel

Looking for a different heel? How about an inset or afterthought heel? They are fast to knit but it usually takes me quite a bit of time to set it up. They are easy to replace if you get a hole. I wrote these directions up a while ago, hope they make sense. It is very helpful to have two sets of double pointed needles (whatever size you are using -- it means a lot less juggling of needles). I set up socks using the Yankee Knitter classic sock pattern (#29)

Knit the leg. If the leg is a pattern and the foot will be stockinette, knit 1 row
Row 2: knit to needle 2
Drop the main color and knit needle 2 with waste yarn

Drop waste yarn, pick up the main color and knit needle 2 again (the waste yarn)

Continue knitting with main color
Knit the foot of your sock for a few inches and then go back and work on the heel

Pick up the stiches above and below the waste yarn. I think this is tricky to do but you might not find it as difficult as I do. I use a smaller needle to pick up the stitches. Remove the waste yarn.

Pick up one extra stitch on either side to close any holes.

Transfer to the correct size needle; I use four needles.

Right side facing, working right to left: Attach yarn on the right side, knit 2 together where you picked up the extra stitch. You might want to knit through the back loop. This puts in a twist and tightens up the stitch. Work across to the other needle where you picked up the extra stitch and knit 2 together.
Work across all needles to where you started. You might want to add stitch markers to mark the “corners.”

Round 1
Needle 1: K1, K 2 together through the back loop (or ssk), K to end
Needle 2: K to last 3 stitches, K 2 together, K 1
Needle 3: K 1, K 2 together through the back loop (or ssk), K to the end
Needle 4: K to last 3 stitches, K 2 together, K 1

Round 2
Knit on all four needles

Continue both rounds until 5 stitches remain on each needle for a total of 20 stitches or approximately 1/3 of what you started with. You can try it on and see how it feels and adjust as needed

Transfer to 2 needles (ten stitches on each needle) and Kitchener stitch

Done!

Dishcloths

How wonderful are these! I enjoy knitting dishcloths. They are easy to knit, take with you, practical, great to give and fun to receive. The patterns are: Grandma's Favorite and Ball Band Dishcloth. I have gotten over the idea that Grandma's Dishcloths need to be all the same color. I noticed my friend Ann knitting one and when she ran out of yarn she just used another color. OMG! what a good idea, now I have a use for all those little scraps I have saved.

Grandma's Favorite

1 ball of worsted weight cotton like Sugar N’ Cream or Peaches & Cream
Needle size 8

DIRECTIONS
Cast on 4 stitches
Knit one row
Increase Row: Knit 2, yarn over, knit to the end of the row
Repeat this row until there are 44 stitches on your needle

Decrease Row: Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row
Repeat decrease row until 8 stitches remain

Knit 2 together 4 times
Bind off

The Ballband Dishcloth pattern is found on the yarn band of Peaches & Cream yarn (I have found it at Walmart) and on this web site: Ballband Dishcloth

Stranded Knitting

I took an Intarsia & Stranding workshop at Country Woolens, Lebanon, NH this fall. They have a great array of classes. I had fun learning the techniques and used it right away on this cute kids hat. I need to keep practicing.

Inspired Mittens

These mittens were made by request for Taylor. Inspired by Kate Spade. I used Cascade 100% superwash wool, worsted weight, needles size #7, Ann Norling's "Basic Mittens on 4 Needles" pattern. I did the HI 5 in duplicate stitch. That was challenging but You Tube had lots of help. The charts are a free download on Ravelry, thanks Emily Matisz!

Purl Hat

I found this Noro Iro yarn in the sale basket at Northern Nights Yarn Shop in Norwich, VT. I was looking for a new winter hat! I spent quite a bit of time trying to decide what pattern to use. The hat is a combination of knit and purl rows and a spiral decrease for the top. It took several tries to get the look I wanted, but success!



Noro Iro 75% wool 25% silk
132 yards super bulky -- 1 skein
Gauge 3 stitches = 1”
Circular needle 16” size 10 and double pointed

Cast on 70 stitches
K 5 rows
P 4 rows
K 4 rows
P 4 rows
K 9 rows
P 2 rows
K 4 rows
P 5 rows
K 1 row

Decrease:
Switch to double pointed needles when needed

Row 1: *K 8, K 2 tog*
Row 2: K
Row 3: *K 7, K 2 tog*
Row 4: K
Row 5: *K 6, K 2 tog*
Row 6: K
Row 7: *K 5, K 2 tog*
Row 8: K
Row 9: *K 4, K 2 tog*
Row 10: K
Row 11: *K 3, K 2 tog*
Row 12: *K 2, K 2 tog*
Row 13: *K 1, K 2 tog*
Row 14: * K 2 tog*

Warm water blue socks

I am making these socks as a gift. I used Casscade 220 Superwash, worsted weight, with size 5 needles.
Cast on 45 stitches, row 1: k3, p2, row 2: k1, p1, k1, p2. Repeat these two rows till the cuff is as long as you like. I then knit 1 row decreasing once (k2 tog) so I had 44 stitches. Then I pulled out my old faithful Yankee Sock Pattern. I did use an inset heel.

Summer time...

Summer is coming to an end. Back to school very soon. What a great time reading, raspberries, relaxing. And what about art shows, knitting, setting up securities on the new wireless network, sending text messages, visiting, working on photo albums and teaching new tricks to a rabble-rousing pup. (: