Monkey Blanket Update

It's often hard to know the fate of things you knit and give as gifts. Sometimes you find out that things didn't end so well -- hats lost or sweaters shrunk. Sometimes, come to find out, garments have been worn to death -- frayed scarves, socks with holes. But more often, you send knitted gifts out into the world never knowing if and how they ever get used.

(Likewise, I think we knitters also get very good and learning who appreciates and takes good care of the things we make for them, and we reward them with more things.)

So, remember the labor-intensive Monkey Blanket I made back in the fall? Well, it's nice to know it's getting put to good use, by its super-adorably-cute owner, Olivia. Her parents report that it gets compliments every time they take her out with it.

How cool and cute is this??

More Catching Up

Over New Year's, I was frantically trying to finish a couple of knitting projects. Yes, this was after all the holiday gift stars, plus a pair of Christmas socks for my brother, which I didn't even have time to photograph. And a Noro scarf for a friend that I also didn't have time to photograph.

Perhaps I was influenced by watching endless episodes of the Twilight Zone marathon, an annual tradition. I made a couple of robots, based on Jess Hutchison's elusive pattern, to take to my editor's kids when I was visiting Chicago. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Catching Up

And now, an intermission from the assiduous argylers. Once again, I am a scofflaw, and have not even started my argyles. Perhaps I'm still suffering from the shame of my last pair. (Or last half pair, I should say more accurately. . .)

This is how busy I've been -- I made a bunch of these small stars as Christmas gifts and am only now getting around to posting them.

Some people found the pattern fiddly. And it is. But it was also easy to memorize, a way to use up stashed sock yarn, and a great thing to carry with me over the holidays to work on while watching tv and in between visiting various members of the fam. I made about ten in total and gave a bunch away before I had time to snap a photo.

I'll post my New Year's project a bit later.

Finishing Argyles

I neglected to to write much of anything in my pattern about finishing the argyles.  That was kind of silly because weaving in all those loose ends and then sewing up the cuff is no easy task.  Especially the sewing.  I designed the argyle pattern so that when you sew it the seam takes up one half stitch on each side and you loose one stitch total to the seam.  That way the argyle pattern in the cuff will be uninterrupted.  This is easier said than done because the stitches are so small.  I used a slightly modified version of the mattress stitch but instead of having a whole stitch as the selvedge, I tried to pick up the bar in the first stitch, making the selvedge a half stitch.  I admit that this was not easy.  You need good light and some magnification would have helped!  But I didn't want to the seam to be too bulky.  So when you sew up your argyles, let me know how it goes.  Then I will write some decent instructions in the pattern. In any event, here's my finished sock.  can you tell that I was limiting myself to yarn in my stash?  It's a little crazy-looking.  But I like it.

Historic Stitch Patterns

Hi all. As you may remember I've been working on an exhibit with some folks from work to go along with the FiberPhiladelphia convention. As a part of it I am making some swatches of a couple of stitch patterns. I am attempting to modernize the language so I can make them! Hopefully you all can lend a hand.

The patterns are the Atlantic City stitch which comes from the Civil War era commonplace book of Nancy Dunlap which is held by the Library Co. The Lily Bell stitch comes from What I know: or hints on the daily duties of a housekeeper (1855).

I think I may have the Atlantic City stitch down, but the Lily Bell stitch is giving me some trouble.

Atlantic City stitch (Mrs. Grant)

Set up 20 stitches or any number divided by two.

1^st row: Take off the first without knitting, knit one, slip one off turned, knit two plain, slip it off turned and so to the end.

2^nd row: 1 stitch off without knitting, knit 2 together, put the thread forward, slip one off turned and knit two together, so on to the end.

3^rd row: Take off the first, knit 1 and slip off the looped stitch always turned knit two plain and slip the looped stitch, knit 2 plain and on to the end.

4^th row: When the wrong side will be towards you, 1^st off without knitting, put the thread forward, slip it off turned, and knit the next two together and so on to the end of the needle.

5^th row: 1^st stitch off without knitting, knit 2 plain (this is the only difference from third row and alternates with this one) slip the looped stitch, knit 2 plain. Slip and so on to the end.

6^th row: just like the 2^nd row and so on.

Atlantic City stitch (Mrs. Grant)

Modern translation

Cast on 20 stitches (or more in multiples of 2)

1^st row (RS): *slip the first stich knit wise, knit 1, slip 1 knit wise, k2*

2^nd row: *slip 1 knit wise, k2tg, move yarn to the front, slip 1 knit wise, k2tg*

3^rd row: *slip 1 knit wise, k1, slip 1 knit wise, k2*

4^th row: *slip 1 knit wise, move yarn to front, slip 1 knit wise, k2tg*

5^th row: *slip 1 knit wise, k2, slip 1 knit wise, k2*

6^th row: *slip 1 knit wise, k2tg, move yarn to the front, slip 1 knit wise, k2tg*

Lily Bell

6 plain, 4 seamed between them, go all across: begin by seaming 4; then cast on 6, knit 4, seam and so on across. Do this for 9 rows: then narrow each side of the bell till there is but 1. Begin another row of bells by seaming 4: cast on 6, as above. Go on this way till the toilet cushion is done. This is a very beautiful stitch.

Lily Bell Modern Translation

Cast on multiple of 10

1^st row: *K6, P4*

2^nd row: *P4, CO6, K4*

Repeat these rows for 9 rows.

13^th row: narrow each side of bell till there is but 1???

Repeat from 1^st row.

One Argyle Sock Finished

Lois's Argyle Sock

Plus, all ends woven in and cuff sewn up. 

Weird color for baby booties...

But if you are die hard fans of the Virginia Tech Hokies they are just perfect! They are called Seamless Baby Booties. Very quick knit and NO SEWING!

Superbowl Argyles

Simma's argyle sock

This is how much knitting you can get done when you go to a superbowl party and you don't really care about the game....

Another Argyle

Here's Andrea's argyle gloves!