Socks, Socks, Socks, and Shawls

Roxie McGee came up with a different way to knit her socks from the Sock Religious product, and was so kind as to agree to let me post on the blog about it. She was not a fan of big stripes, and wanted a more subtle transition of color in her socks, so she prepared the yarn into four smaller balls, and is knitting with two strands from two balls, knitting two socks at the same time. Make sense? Here's the detail.
She snipped the middle of the sock blank to divide it into half. Then she made two identical balls from the top part of the flat knitted piece (A and A1 I'll call them) and then two identical balls from the bottom part of the flat knitted piece (B and B1). Then she is holding two strands together - A and B for one sock and A1 and B1 for the second sock.

She's knitting a Cat Bordhi sock patter from New Pathways for Sock Knitters, and has a modified toe, which looks great. Notice the great tweedy look from the two strands held together - it's a great looking, and cushioning sock!

Renee Pattison also shared a flat knitted piece that she dyed at the Color Play Class at City Knitting in November, 2008. She is knitting the Sugar Maple from 2-at-a-Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes.
You can see in this picture are big area of the hand-dyed knitted fabric being used.

I love how they are turning out! Renee provided several pictures to show the progress, and has written about them on her blog. It was great to meet Renee at the class, and we had a great time dyeing the blank knitted pieces.

This class is being held again on April 18th, 2009 at City Knitting in Eastown. Call them at (616) 454-YARN to sign up. It's enormously fun, and there are two sessions to choose from - 8:00 a.m. - Noon or 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.







OK, now for some big news. Someone you all know is going to be a vendor at Sock Summit 2009 from August 5-9. Can you say shocked? I can. My first reaction was "No Way!" Now the reaction fluctuates between "I am so excited" and "Holy Moly there is a lot to do to get there." But get there we will, "we" being my dear husband  - my stalwart travel companion for this enormous adventure - and I. There are a few new products in the works for this, using some of the very best local wool as well. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive, encouraging, and generous with offers of help to prepare! I know I can do it, and I will be taking you all up on your generous offers; with your help and support it will be that much better! More on this as it develops.

OK, that covers "Socks, Socks, Socks..." from the title. Now "...and Shawls." I had cast on last summer for a Pi Shawl by Elizabeth Zimmermann. It's knit in a Superfine Merino 2-ply at 875 yards to 4 ounces/113 grams. It got stalled out because I was thinking that the color combination - "Phoenix"  - was too busy for the shawl.


[Pi Shawl Center]
I have had a change of heart, and think that it's pretty awesome. It does swirl, there's a lot to look at, but the pattern is simple - only yarn overs in increase rows.



[Pi Shawl Swirls of Color, and Increase Row]
Many knitters add fabulous eyelet and other pattern combinations in the non-increase rows for beautiful effect - just look at all the fabulous projects for the Pi Shawl on Ravelry. I am choosing to keep this one simple and let the colors just play. It's nearly time to choose a decorative border - perhaps in knit, perhaps in crochet. Not sure yet, but I am dedicated to finishing this and adding it to the display as another option for color lover!


[There's a lot of yarn left from an 8-ounce skein!]

OK, next post... Baby Surpise Jacket/booties/hat, "Surprise, Surprise" by City Knitting, and some amazing felt made from Targhee X wool from Agriculture and Health Alive in Marne, MI. Let's see what becomes of it!
And thanks to Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of the Grand Rapids Press and Craft Sanity. She was at the Woodland Weavers and Spinners Guild last night, and her talk inspired me to blog today, and commit to blogging more regularly. Thanks, Jennifer!