New England Time Travel

We had the best day ever yesterday. Rolfe rented a zip car for 8:30 a.m., we packed the kids, and headed for Old Sturbridge Village . It was nice and warm outside, in the 60s. A warm wind was blowing gently. The girls of the family were wearing flowing summer dresses. We took the scenic route, driving through one New England town after the other, with oohs, and ahhs for every beautiful house on the way. There were so many, that we did a lot of oohhing, and ahhing, and since I forgot my camera you will just have to take my word for it! The landscape was stunning, with rolling hills, trees everywhere, and the light was the same beautiful color I used to love back in Normandy.

We got to Old Sturbridge village by noon, and started walking through the village. The first and last time, till now, that I visited Sturbridge village, I was 14 years old and an exchange student. I still remember the beauty, the peace, spinning yarn and making molasses bread. I felt the same inner peace when we arrived, and found the same beauty I had found years earlier. We visited all the buildings, but the exhibits that were of particular interest to me were the fiber and needlecraft related ones.

I learned about a technique called yarn sewing. The technique was applied for decorative prurposes, kind of like rug hooking, but it was also used in knitting. I saw a pair of mittens with that particular treatment. The mitten was first knit, then pieces of yarn we sewn on, one for every stitch, leaving a short loop to appear on the surface of the mitten. The mitten was covered with these loops.
What an interesting technique! It definitely intrigued me, and I may have to give it a try.

The other knit objects I admired, were the handknit stockings. Imagine the finest wool, linen or cotton lace weight yarn, the thinnest dpts you have ever seen, the most even tension, and you've got incredibly beautiful stockings. I loved the simplicity, and purity of the stockings, and decided I'd have to get some lace weight merino, and try my hand at knitting a pair of socks at that gauge! I can see another trip to the yarn store in my future!

After four hours, the children were getting tired, so we decided to go for a little car ride before returning home. We ended up in Providence, RI, and saw an amazing neighborhood on the side of a hill, covered with historic homes dating back to the 1790s. My eyes were open as wide as they could, as I took in the lovely colors of the carefully restored homes, and as I admired their volumes.
If we move again, I want to live in an early American home... When the kids heard me say that, they all said, "we're not going to move again, are we?", and Rolfe said, "I knew you'd want to move again!"

We then drove off towards Cape Cod, and Hyannis. When I was 16, I visited my exchange friend Alexis. Her favorite thing to do at night was cruising down the main street over and over and over again. As A French girl, I was a little surprised by the habit, and being at time quite naive when it came to boy and girl interactions, I did not quite get the point.
Last night, for the first time in 21 years, I went cruising again. I am not sure people do cruising any more, but I went cruising. So there we were, in the family van, with two of the kids screaming they had to go, and couldn't hold it anymore! I am not sure I'll ever get cruising!

Well, today is Sunday, and it is Knitsmiths day, and I can't wait to go sit and knit with friends for a few hours. A perfect end to a perfect weekend!

Promises!

I have great news, Skye, my little pixie, who recently lost her first tooth, started reading yesterday. We were sitting on the couch, we picked a new reader book that she had not seen before, and there she did it, she read, "Dan sat in the van"! I screamed, "Skye, you're reading!" All the kids came running, and we all sang "Happy reading day to you", a reading version of happy birthday to you. She was so proud, and so were we. Rolfe brought a book back for her as a present, a Dick and Jane book. She started reading it last night with my help. She did not want to go to sleep, she wanted to keep reading!

I did not have time to arrange my yarn yesterday, but I did have time to realize that I do not have the yarn I need for my next sock project! How surprising, right? That means we will have to make the time to go the yarn store today. For these socks, I need very particular colors, a maroon and a golden yellow. I've given it away, have I not? It will be a Harry Potter sock of my own design.

I have very serious fans of Harry Potter at home. Alexandra just finished rereading the whole series for the "nth" time (I lost track of the number of times after the 4th), and told me yesterday, she might have to reread all the books before the new one comes out, just to brush up! Paul-Hugo is on book 4, and Sheridan is on book 3. Sheridan won't read the book at night because it scares him, so he reads in the early morning hours while I write.

I hear about Harry Potter all the time, and because the new book comes out in the summer, it will be too hot for a scarf, so socks will be easier to wear, in particular if I can find the right colors in a less wooly material. I am considering Fixation .

Meanwhile, the Rose Garden sock has a heel, and an almost finished gusset. The Rose Garden socks will be finished before I start the Harry Potter socks. Talking about finished patterns. Rachel, at the Knitting Pattern Central , added the Mini Sock pattern to her list of free knitting patterns. I love her site, and have found great projects, and inspiration there. What a great way to bring everyone's creativity together.

Lastly it is going to be Mother's Day on May 13, and I have been thinking about a great knitted gift. If you are thinking socks, you are wrong! The projects will be quick to make, and my goal is to have the pattern posted by the end of the week so that you may start working, and get the lovely presents ready on time.

Well, now that I have promised finished Rose Garden socks, Harry Potter socks, and a Mother's Day project, I'd better get to work!

Storms and Roses

The weather has been very stormy here since Sunday. When I say very stormy, this may be an understatement. Rain has been pouring, yes, but the winds! They hit the house, and make windows shake so much that I expect them to be pushed in! Needless to say, that it has been a little harder to sleep. I would not say I have been scared, no, I have been terrified!

I have to go to the post office today, and I have to drop the bichon at the groomer's. One thing is for sure, by the time we get home, he will not be any cleaner than he was when I dropped him there!

Let's talk about serious things, ie my knitting! I hope you will try the sock pattern for the Ostrich Fantasy Sock. I am still working on the Rose Garden Sock, and hopefully will soon have something to show you. I decided the sock would not have an all over pattern but rather that one pattern would become the focus of attention. I placed the pattern on the side, almost like a rose espalier. I am about to turn the heel, after I take care of the gusset I have to decide whether I want to extend the pattern in partial form down the foot. I told you I was thinking of adding embroidery to the sock. I am pretty sure there will be little delicate French knot roses, in contrasting yarns. The roses will be on the leg only, as I do not think it would be comfortable to have little French knots inside one's shoe.

Isn't the life of a knitter fun? Get up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and in the quiet hours of the early morning write about knitting, and share ideas with friends.

After I come back from the groomer's today, of course completely "socked", and we are finished with our school work for the day, I am going to arrange my stash in the living room's hutch, instead of keeping it in yucky boxes in the basement. Who knows, I may even knit something other than a sock!

Ostrich Fantasy Socks (Free knitting Pattern)

****NOTE: CORRECTION HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE STITCH PATTERN. (that will teach me to take bad notes as I knit!****

I spent some time going over my working notes for the Ostrich Fantasy Sock, and am now ready to share the pattern with you.
The stitch pattern, even though complex looking, is actually quite simple. It is repetitive, but not boring. I knit my socks on circular needles, but will add directions for the pattern to be worked on dpts. So if you've knit plain socks and feel comfortable, this a great pattern!




Ostrich Fantasy Sock

Materials: Fleece Artist , Merino 2/6 in Ruby Red, dpts or circulars in US1
Gauge: over stockinette 8st/inch

(Note that two sizes are provided a small and a medium (between parenthesis). The small fits a petite person, with ankle circumference at the joint under 8 inches, and the other number ankles at about 9 inches. If you are in between, I recommend the larger size as lace is tighter than the traditional stockinette, If you require a larger or a smaller size find a smaller or a larger multiple of 16 and add 1. You will cast on the multiple of 16, and add the extra stitch right after the rib section.)

Ostrich Feather stitch pattern (adapted to circular knitting from a Barbara Walker stitch):
R1-R3: Knit
R4: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End (SSK) 2 times , Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R5-R7: Knit
R8:(K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End (SSK) 2 times (, Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R9-11: Knit
R12: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End SSK (2 times), Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R13-15: Knit
R16: (K1, YO) 3 times, *(SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1, P2SSO (pass 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch), (K2tog) 2 times, (YO, K1) 5 times, YO*. Repeat from * to*. End SSK (2 times), Sl2, K1, P2SSO, k2tog twice, (Yo, K1) 3 times
R17-19: Knit
R20: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R21-23: Knit
R24: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R25-27: Knit
R28: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.
R29-31: Knit
R32: (K2tog) 3 times, *(YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 2 times, SL2, K1,P2SSO, (K2tog) 2 times*. Repeat from * to *. End (YO, K1) 5 times, YO, (SSK) 3 times.

CUFF: Cast on 64 (80) stitches. Divide the stitches into 2 equal groups for circulars needles, or 16, 16,32 (20,20,40), for 4dpts, or for 5spts 16 (20) on each needle. Join round and knit in K2 P2 rib for 1 1/2".

LEG; In the first round after the ribbed cuff, increase 1 stitch to have 65 (81) stitches. (This only happens once, in the first round. After that just follow the stitch pattern knitting on 65(81) stitches. Repeat rounds 1-32 2 times (64 rows).

HEEL FLAP: You will continue the pattern on 33 (41) instep stitches,and knit the heel flap on 32(40) stitches. Knit row 1 of stitch pattern on the first 32 stitches, and take the 33rd stitch from the other needle. Knit the heel flap on the remaining 32 stitches. R1: (SL 1, K1) Repeat until end of row
R2: SL 1, purl until end of row
Reapeat R1 and R2 unti heel flap is a little shorter than it is wide.

TURNING HEEL:
R1: SL 1, knit 16 (20) stitches, SSK, K1 turn
R2: SL 1, purl 4, p2tog, P1, turn
R3: SL 1, knit to one stich of gap, SSK, K1, turn
R4: SL 1, purl to one stitch of gap, P2tog, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches are worked.
Knit one row.

GUSSET:

For Circulars:Pick up and knit 1 stitch of every single slipped stitch on the side of the heel flap. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the heel flap and instep. Knit 1/2 of the instep stiches following row 2 on the stitch pattern. For circulars: Put both needles to rest, and transfer 1/2 of the heel stitches from one needle to the other. Go back to your working yarn,and with needle with open gap on the heel flap, knit the remaining instep stitches following row 2 of the stitch pattern. PLace marker. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the intep and heel flap, pick up one stitch for every slipped stitch along heel flap, knit 1/2 of the heel stitches. The beginning of your round should be at the center of the heel. Count your stitches. You should have equal amounts on each needle if you are using circulars.

For dpts: With needle#1 Pick up and knit 1 stitch for every slipped stitch along heel flap, one stich at intersection of heel flap and instep, with needle #2 knit instepo stitches following pattern, or if using 5 dpts, split the instep stitches over needle #2 and needle# 3, with needle 4, pick 1 stitch at intersection of instep and heel flap, pick up and knit 1 stitch foir every slipped stitch, knit half of the heel stitches. Decreases will happen at the end of needle #1, and at the beginning of needle #3 if you are using 4 dpts. If you are using 5 dpts, needle #1 carries heel and heel flap stitches, instep stitches are divided over needles 2 and 3, and needle 4 carries the other heel flap and heel stitches.

Knit to 2 stitches of the first marker for circulars or end of needle #1 if using dpts, K2tog, Slip marker. Knit in pattern until next marker, slip marker, K2tog, knit to end for circulars. For dpts, knit in pattern for the instep stitches, and decrease at the beginning of the last dpt.


SHAPING GUSSET:
Note: the instep stiches will follow the stitch pattern at all times. You will be doing gusset decreases on even rows of the pattern.
R1: Knit to 3 stitches of first marker or end of needle, K2tog, K1, (slip marker for circulars only). Knit instep stiches , (slip second marker for circulars only), (beginning of needle #3 or #4 for dpts) K1, SSK, knit to end.
R2: Knit even.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you are back to your original number of stitches (65 or 81).

FOOT: While keeping the stitch pattern going on the top of the foot, and knitting in stockinette for the sole,knit the foot until when trying the sock on, it is 1 1/2 inches away from the tip of your longest toe.

TOE DECREASES: Knit both top and bottom of toe in stockinette stitch.

For circulars:
R1: Knit to 3 stitches of first marker, K2tog, K1, slip marker, K1, SSK, knit to 3 stitches of next marker, K1, SSK, knit to end of round.
R2: Knit even.
Repeat round 1 and 2 for one inch, then repeat round 1 for every round until you have 8 stitches left on one needle, and 9 on the other.
Rearrange the stitches: K2, K2tog, K1 (that takes care of the extra stitch), slip next 4 stitches to other needle, K8, slip next 4 stitches to other needle. You may remove the marker. Your sock should not be in profile any more, but rather face you. Close toes using Kitchener stitch.

For 4 dpts: knit stiches on needle #1, renumber needles. Instep is on needle 1, and sole stitches are split on needle #2 and #3.
R1: needle #1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. Needle # 2: K1 SSk, knit to end. Needle #3 knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
R2 knit.
Continue for 1 inch repesting R1 and R2, then decrease every round. Take care of the extra stitch by repeat a decrease in the appropriate location while knitting an extra round. Place stitches on 2 needles and close toe using kitchener stitch.

For 5dpts: knit stitches on needle 1. Beginnning of round has changed. Renumber needles. Instep is now on needles #1 and 2, and sole stitches on 3 an4.
R1: Needle #1: K1, SSK, knit to end. Needle #2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1. Needle #3: K1, SSK, knit to end. Needle #4: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
R2: Knit. Proceed as for 4dpts.

Pattern designed by Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer inspired by a Barbara Walker stitch.
Copyright Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.
Pattern is for personal use only, and cannot be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Ostrich Fantasy Socks

I had a great weekend, full of knitting!
I finished the "Ostrich Fantasy socks" for Alexandra, and they look amazing.
Yarn used:Fleece artist , Merino 2/6, Fingering weight, color Ruby Red
Pattern: My own, inspired by Barbara Walker

The stitch pattern is easy to memorize, and follows the ankle and foot gracefully without any odd pulling. It was a very satisfying and relaxing sock to knit. The yarn is incredibly soft, has a beautiful texture, and is very agreable to work. The colors have great depth.

Alexandra wore them for the first time yesterday, and proudly showed them to the members of the Knitsmiths group. The Knitsmiths are a vibrant, fun group of knitters that meet in a bookstore in Brookline every Sunday. Alexandra and I joined them for the first time yesterday, and we loved it. I even sat next to a Smith college graduate, and we exchanged fond memories of our days there. There were hat knitters, sweater knitters, and of course lots of sock knitters. Stariel was there, she had just come back from sock camp and showed us the great Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock yarns she got at camp.
While I was with the Knitsmiths, I started a new sock using yarn I purchased at Mind's Eye Yarns , in Cambridge. The yarn is hand-dyed by the owner of the store, Lucy, and is a blend of Merino and Tencel. The color makes me think of leaves. So I decided to add an embossed leaf pattern to it, and I am toying with the idea of embroidering...

It is the Boston Marathon today, but the weather is a little too wet for my taste, and the wind pins you in place, so I'll stay home. The children are working on their respective school reports. In short, it is the most perfect day for knitting. "Rose Garden Socks" here I come!

Petrification...

This morning I have writer's block. I start a sentence and I delete it. I think I am going to write about one thing, but dismiss it as stupid and uninteresting. This picture of the petrified forest accurately reflects my thoughts at the moment. The scattered trunks are the sentences I threw away...I find the children noisy, and everybody is trying to talk to me at the same time.



I had a dream last night, that my basement had been transformed into a movie theatre, but the renovation was only partly completed...Hold on a moment while I read the play my son is writing about King Arthur, "Wonderful, darling..." Where was I? Oh, yes! The movie theatre was only partly completed, the ruby red rug did not reach the end of the room, and there were only a few rows of seats...Excuse me for a moment as I look at my son's lego sword, "Really cool Honey..." So there were only a few rows of seats, and a whole bunch of children came in, 6 of them, they sat on the front row, not leaving space for me and Rolfe... " Why are you crying honey? Sheridan give the doll back to Skye..."
No room for Rolfe and I? Sometimes I guess it does look like that is true. What do you think?!


So there I am, wondering what the hell is causing the petrification? The computer is sitting on a tiny corner of a table covered with the result of days of unattended accumulation. There I am sitting, trying to think what could be causing the block, and the reason is staring me in the face. The house looks like there was a nuclear explosion in it, and I am trying really hard to ignore the fact. I have to clean, but I don't want to, I try really hard to do anything but that, and in its mysterious ways, my brain freezes so that I cannot engage in any other activity! Damn brain! Forgive my language!


See the reason I don't want to clean is simple, there is the sock, Alexandra's gorgeous, luscious, poppy red, wavy, ostrich feather sock. I am half way down the foot, so close to the end. I could just forget about the mess and knit the sock. Indecision is the problem. I am petrified because I cannot chose to either knit or clean. So right now, I am pathetically sitting in the messy house with a sad unfinished sock!


Hey, I know, since I cannot clean , nor knit, maybe I'll just plant tulips! What do you think, Doc? Bad case of startitis?

DPTS or Circulars, That...is the Question!

Today was a hell of a rainy day in Boston, and to celebrate I decided to take the children out to visit a yarn store in downtown Boston, called Windsor Button. Before I continue with my very philosophical debate on the merits of either types of needles, I want to say a few words about this store. The store is huge, and has a great selection of yarns, from the simplest cottons, to the most luxurious silks, like sea silk, from the thinnest lace yarn to the thickest yarns, etc... They have enough of the yarns in each colorway to knit a big project, and I have to say they have a wonderful color selection. They also carry zillions of buttons. The part that delighted my children the most was playing in the huge button box, shuffling the millions of buttons. It turned out to be a little less fun, when they dropped many of them on the ground! The staff was great, even at that moment!

I did not buy yarn, because I was afraid the house might sink into the ground if I added just a single ball of yarn to my collection! Rather, as I was browsing the needles, I decided to purchase short bamboo dpts in size 1. Me buying dpts? Not only did I buy them while sober, I actually thought that it would be cool to try them out. So I rushed the kids to the nearest fast food restaurant, and transfered my sock to the dpts. By the time I was done with my bigmac, the sock was back on the circulars, and the dpts were returned to their package. It is always a good idea to carry toothpicks in your bag, isn't it?

I know the great Yarn Harlot hates knitting socks on circulars but there are many advantages to them. Nothing pokes you while you knit. I hate being poked. It reminds me way too much of when my violin teacher used to poke me with a knitting needle to punish me for wrong movements! With the circulars you only have two potential ladder spots. Not being a firefighter, I have no need for ladders. With the circulars, you do not drop 10 stitches at once when your lovely children decide to suddenly hug you before you even have time to yell wait, and put your knitting down. If I were Kung Fu I might love the thought of being able to break wood sticks at the touch of my fingers, but since I am not, I have no particular fancy for that hobby! Can you tell I am slightly partial to circulars?


As it was still raining, and the sock, the circulars and I needed some quality time after the dpt fiasco, we decided to make a stop at Borders. The children grabbed their favorite books, while I apologized profusely to the circulars, promised eternal allegiance to them, and begged them to treat me and the sock nicely!