Life isn't always pretty

And sometimes, socks aren't either.

I am showing you a 'warts and all' photo today to show that sometimes socks don't always work out how you imagine. I was trying out a new way of doing an afterthought heel - the Smooth Operator heel by Susan B Anderson and I think it's safe to say that I'll be going back to my normal afterthought heel method in future. 

I like the idea of adding in an extra row or two of waste yarn to give more wiggle room when picking up stitches but overall I found the heel directions as written to give a much looser heel than I normally have. So much so that the front of the sock is a little too wide too.

No matter, the joy of an afterthought heel us that you can rip it out and redo it. But I might leave this one until the end before fixing it. I'd like to compare the two heels side by side and see what makes one work for me whilst the other doesn't.

Anyway, this is such delightfully cheery yarn that I'm happy to knit on it over and over again. Bright, clear stripes never fail to make me smile. Even when the end result is a little wibbly.

Spring has sprung

Not many words today but a heck of a lot of gorgeous spring-like colour. I'm not normally one for knitting with the seasons and I don't tend to make conscious choices of colour but sometimes the right yarn crosses your path and it is just pure serendipity.

This gorgeous fresh green from Countess Ablaze (via the new Classics Society subscription club) is sheer heaven.

Vibrant tonal greens which practically sing at you. It reminds me alternately of fresh green grapes and zingy limes and is a total pleasure to knit with.

I  cast on for another version of a new shawl pattern I will be releasing at Edinburgh Yarn Festival. The Fuss Free Festival Shawl pattern will be available from the lovely ladies at the Little Grey Girl and Fluph Shop when you purchase their exclusive Edinburgh wares. The ideal shawl that you can just drop everything and cast on. Perfect for when you are at a festival and want to get your special yarn on the needles right away.

Look out for more details in the coming days.

Learning new tricks

The thing about a comfort zone is that it's comfortable there. It requires not too much thought and you can just relax and enjoy your knitting. Moving out of your comfort zone - Hmmm - not so much.

Thus it was this weekend when I decided to try a new-to-me heel. The Smooth Operator heel by Susan B Anderson. The pattern is written cuff down and she has you place 3 rows of waste yarn for the heel, working on for 2-3 inches before going back and working an afterthought heel. Unusually for me I decided to follow the pattern completely and herein lies my mistake. I am so used to working an afterthought heel (my way) that I can do it practically in my sleep with all manner of domestic distractions going on around me. 

Trying to follow unfamiliar instructions whilst dealing with Sunday afternoon homework dramas was, inevitably a recipe for disaster. Tears (mine), frustration (again mine) and a burnt dinner later I realised something. a) I really (really) hatred using waste yarn for an afterthought heel and b) when trying to learn new tricks make sure you have the house to yourself.

Still, the benefit of an afterthought heel is that you can just rip it out and redo ithe. I'll just need some coffee first.

A stripy Sunday morning

It really does feel as though Spring is on the way now. The lighter mornings are such a boost after the dark grey days of February and, sitting here with a coffee and my sock before the rest of the house wakes up feels like such a treat.

Self striping yarn really is a miracle - especially when it comes in such happiness inducing colours as this West Yorkshire Spinners yarn. Even a minor mishap such as having to reknit half of the leg (note to self - even if you think you are picking up the 2.5mm needle tips, check with the gauge) can't dent my enthusiasm for this sock.

The observant among you will notice that I'm forgoing my usual toe-up sock method and working cuff down for a change. I've been looking for an excuse to try the Susan B Anderson Smooth Operator heel and this seems as good a time as any. I'm sure there is a way of adapting it for toe-up but for now I'm happy to work through the cuff down directions as written. A few more inches and I should be ready to put the waste yarn in for the heel.

Giddy with excitement

Oh happy day, joyous day. 

The fates have aligned and I have 2 completed deadline knits, I have new yarn to cast on and I have time on my hands - after the usual domestic bliss obviously.

Giddy with excitement I am fully intending to cast on All The Things and drink a lot of coffee.

First up is this fabulous skein from Countess Ablaze via The Classics Society which is destined to be something spectacular and shawl-like.

I also have new stripy sock yarn to cast on for a gift for a friend and I'm also contemplating casting on for a new sweater - I know - someone slap me. But 10 skeins of Blacker Yarns Illustrious DK have recently come into my possession and I'd love to make something spring-like and gorgeous to wear with jeans.

Right, putting the phone away now and settling in with the needles. If anyone want me I'll be right here - just bring fresh coffee in a couple of hours.

Tips for a straight-edged sock yarn blanket

Since sharing photos of my sock yarn blanket I had a few questions asking how I was constructing it. Some patterns have you create a baseline strip of squares to start with. This is a good way to do it but it does mean you have to decide on the width of your blanket right at the very start.

Some patterns also have the squares worked in such a way that the edges of the blanket aren't straight - leaving a zig zag appearance. This can look really lovely but it does leave you the dilemma of whether to leave the edge as it is or work a series of 'infill' shapes to straighten things out.

I decided to work my blanket outwards from a corner, turning the 1st square on the diagonal to pick up stitches along the top right side for square 2 and the top left side for square 3. By continuing in this way you end up with a lovely straight edged blanket and you can keep going until the blanket is as large as you like. Or by continuing to work on one side and not the other you can create more of a rectangle than a square.

However you work your blanket though one thing is for certain. It's nothing if not addictive.

OTHER MITERED SQUARE BLOG POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Two different mitered square decreases

How much yarn do you need for a mitered square?

How to Knit a Mitered Square Blanket

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