Sunday 30 December 2012

Second Year of Projects Week 27

I think the most important thing to say is that I hope everybody had an amazing Christmas, or other winter holiday. I have to say, all the Christmas present I made were received with joy, and all of them fit perfectly, which was amazing!

I cast on for the Octarine Socks this week, and I have to say that I've had a few problems, some of my own making! When I looked at the pattern, I thought that it looked like an easy lace pattern that I could knit during a busy time, as it wouldn't need all my attention

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I have to say, it helps to read the *entire* pattern before starting knitting. I'd completely ignored the back charts, which were definitely not simple lace at all, in fact, they're complicated lace and cables.

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Though it is a gorgeous pattern, it is definitely not mindless knitting that I can do whilst holding a conversation. The other problem is that according to the pattern, my feet measurements mean that I should make a size large, which involves casting on 80 stitches. I thought that that sounded like a lot, but I decided the pattern knew what it was talking about, and so, of course, the socks are way too big. I just can't face ripping out all that work right now, so they're in time out for a couple of days, until I'm ready to frog hours worth of work.

We're currently in Cardiff, visiting Connor's parents, so I've been travelling round local yarn stores, looking for yarn and beads to make a Celestarium. Out of 5 yarn stores and 2 bead stores, I have no yarn and no beads, 3 yarn stores were closed, one bead store was close, one bead store had every colour of beads except the ones I wanted, one yarn store was really rude to me, and one didn't have any suitable yarn, but they were totally lovely, and I got some locally dyed Jelliebean Yarns Stardust Sock, in the colourway Tardis Blue, which is gorgeous.

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I don't think the universe wants me to knit this pattern!

I hope everyone has a lovely New Year, I'll probably spend New Year's Eve trying to reknit these socks!

10 comments:

  1. The socks are really striking - yes, definitely not something you can do while talking! Thank you for the warm wishes - I hope your holidays were lovely, too, and best wishes for a wonderful 2013!

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  2. That back panel is quite a stunner ... but certainly not mindless knitting. A time out is definitely in order because you HAVE TO rip back. These are going to be just SO AWESOME that they HAVE TO be for you and they HAVE TO fit perfectly.

    I've been having LYS fails all week too. I think I've left three yarn stores in the past week completely empty-handed. That has never happened before. I think I'm meant to save my money!

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  3. Definitely not a mindless knitting project (although it is very very lovely!)

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  4. Sorry the shopping proved to be such a bummer. The socks look awesome, might they shrink enough to fit you so you don't have to frog?

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  5. I can only echo everyone else: not mindless, certainly gorgeous!

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  6. The universe is just a bit confused for you right now..but the jellibean yarn is a wonderful find..I do not have 5 yearn shops within 100 miles...I'm quite jealous! Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  7. I love the pattern you're working on ... and you chose the perfect color!

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  8. Oh my dear me--that pattern looks difficult but oh-so lovely. I sure hope you really don't need to frog all that hard work! I must say, anything that says lace, to me, can never become mindless knitting. Oh, and how big is Cardiff? Five yarn stores???? I think my head would explode with joy if I had that many options! I live in a suburb of big Seattle, yet there is only one small yarn store 15 minutes from me,and a rather nice, larger one about 30 minutes from me. I suppose if I ventured into crazy, busy, no parking available downtown Seattle, I might find a couple more. The point is, I rather envy you European knitters as it seems you have so many options!
    Happy New Year wishes sent to you!
    *smiles*

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  9. I think you might need to eat a lot more Christmas cake very quickly, or else frog :( Minding is right, they are too beautiful not to be worn. Sorry about the hard time in Cardiff yarn shops, but the Tardis yarn is lovely! Happy New Year :)

    If it makes you feel any better I have switched needle sizes part way through the cuff ribbing on the sock I just started. Couldn't face frogging, but did have a nagging feeling that things were looking a little large.

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  10. I hope you find yarn and beads, that shawl is beautiful!

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