S.S.S.

I'm not sending out a sloppy S.O.S. there, although I think I do need help.  Yesterday I attempted to start the dreaded "second sock."  I'm not certain that I am suffering from Second Sock Syndrome, but my lack of productivity would make you think that! 

I started the first sock a few weeks ago and have plodded along peacefully since.  There was a rough start to the sock.  I was learning a new cast on method for constructing toe-up socks, and while I really enjoyed the cast on technique "things" kept happening.  

The first time through produced uneven stitches because I was working from a book that had a picture for one of the wraps on one page and the second wrap on the next.  The first time I attempted this toe entailed wrapping from the index finger, pinching the needles in my left hand while I turned the page with the right, taking the needles back in my right while studying the picture and reading the text, then wrapping from the thumb (yay... two stitches), pinching the needles in the left hand while turning the page back with the right, you get the idea.  I eventually had a sloppy mess of the correct number of stitches.  I pulled my needles and tried again.  Maybe I should just practice a few more times.

Finally it was time, but the hypnotic rhythm that comes from "getting" a cast on technique provided far too many stitches.  I dropped off until I had the correct number of stitches on the needles and they looked quite even.  Only after I turned the beginnings of the toe and attempted to work the first round did I realize that the notation "must be done on circular" was an attempt to help and not an outright challenge to my abilities.  I didn't have a long enough circular needle on me!  I stared down at the two DPNs lovingly wrapped with colorful yarn.  "Well, while I'm here I might as well try," came the ingenious thought from somewhere in the creative side of my brain.  Too bad the other half wasn't so capable.  I stabbed away at the first stitch and knitted happily.  Perhaps it would turn out alright.  Soon I had two stitches, three, and then failure.  I was working across the top needle while the bottom needle's stitches held on precariously until my confidence was at its apex then, like lemmings, they all jumped.

I lie, I did have a circular on me but it was only nine inches long.  Still, needs must when the devil drives, actually that's another lie as I would do anything anytime for the sake of experimentation in knitting.

I smoothly wrapped half the stitches on one DPN while I wound the other half on the nubby circular needle; I was becoming quite adept at this starting technique.  Pulling the circular needle so that half the toe stitches rested on the cable I took up another DPN and knitted off the stitches from the first DPN.  Worked like a dream.  Then I worked off the stitches from the circular onto the first DPN.  I was on a roll and there was now wiggle room to be able to switch, all be it precariously, to four DPNs.  (I wonder now if I could do the whole technique on four DPNs but I digress because I will not need it for this set of socks.)

Away I knitted in pattern; increase row after knit row, the yarn delightfully spooled from the ball quicker and quicker.  A series of mellow stripes appeared row after row and soon the toe was left behind to be, apparently, forgotten.

Three weeks later I made it near enough to the cuff and set aside the first creation, my intent was to work the next sock to the same spot and then keep working up the leg until I’d used up all the yarn.  It was now time for the "second sock," (from somewhere offstage sounds ominous music).

I long ago accepted that the two socks of a pair didn't have to be exactly the same.  I have come completely to terms with this idea and often intentionally make the second sock a different pattern or contrasting color combination altogether.  That said I should also state that this occurred from my first pair of socks and to date I have only made two matching pairs of socks, both a gift to the same person.  Somewhere in that creative side of the mind it was decided that there were just too many sock patterns out there to not try a different one for each sock.  The other half of the brain happily accepted the challenge.  

Despite the fact that they are often used in unison, a sock stands as a complete project.  From cast on to bind off and everything in the middle a sock alone serves its intended purpose but it's a sad solitary life to do so alone.  Many techniques have been developed to help avoid Second Sock Syndrome.  I love to make socks though so I shouldn't have any trouble dialing back the creativity for a few weeks and make a sock to match the one that I had just completed.  This brings me to my second toe.  

Happily I picked up my needles (did I say "needles"?) and started again.  I wrapped and wrapped in the intended technique but all I did was weave the yarn around the two DPNs (yes, I'll get to that).  Again I tried and still not quite right.  So I dabbled with the yarn and needles until I eventually figured it out.  Just to be safe I eventually found my cast on directions and flipping back and forth from page to page I was confident that I had a great start to my “second sock.”  I picked up another DPN and knitted off a stitch, then a second, then a third and a vague memory came flooding back to me.  Eventually I had the right number of stitches in the right style on the right needle (this time one long circular) and off I went on making the toe, increasing every other row until I had 68 stitches.

Two rows of increase later and I had a mess.  I turned my brain off prematurely.  Instead of increasing on the sides as was the stated production of a toe, I increased every other stitch.  I looked at my very strange mass of stitches and silently withdrew the needle.  

The toe is currently working up beautifully.  However, upon waking up this morning I realized something, if I want these two socks to match then I probably need to pull from the same direction on the ball of yarn (it's variegated), start at the same point in the colorway (did I mention variegation?), and try to stick as close to the pattern as possible.  That does take in to account that I actually tried very hard to stick as close to the pattern as possible with the first one.  That also means finishing the first sock completely and not leaving the cuffs to last to use up every last scrap of yarn that I have for the socks.  Maybe I do need to send out an S.O.S.  

Well, at least I know how to do the toe, or perhaps I should try to cast on with four needles this time.  Now where did I put those DPNs? 

Suck it up!

I started a scarf yesterday and after mulling through the instructions and finally figuring out what they wanted me to do I followed the repeat four times and gave up.  I just wasn't into the effect that was being created and due to the fact that it was crochet work my yarn was disappearing at an alarming rate.  It was a light airy scarf that was going to weight about 3 pounds when I was finished.  Not exactly the goal I was trying to achieve.  In reality I was a little disappointed in my inability to deviate from the pattern.  It was very basic and I couldn't figure out a way to make the yarn wander off in its own direction.

So this morning I ripped it out...

by: Terry Border

The neat little center pull ball was more than half used and ended up rewound as an outer pull ball.  Fine, I'll just find a "simple little knit pattern" and run with that.

Mission accomplished, I'm in the possession of that "simple little knit pattern."  

But something has gone wrong.  It's too simple for one thing.  I keep messing up the pattern.  Row 1 and 3 are the same so I keep asking myself:  Is row 2 or row 4 next?  Other than a few of my irregular rows, the pattern has turned out lovely but once again I'm loosing yarn at a rate that is more drastic than I intended.  My planned evening of settling down with a beer and knitting has me drumming my fingers on the desk and contemplating the fate of this yarn.  Perhaps there is another "simple" pattern that isn't quite as ravenous as the last two.  Off to do a bit of research.  Perhaps I should wait to open that beer until I have that pattern.  Combining beer and pattern searching has probably put me into my current situation.

On a cheerier note, the is for A:

Monster?

It's hard to be afraid of this little guy when his teeth are stitched out of yarn.  

Perhaps he'll just felt all over you, which sounds worse then what it is.  

This is my version of Baldwin from The Big Book of Monsters by Rebecca Danger.  Overall I liked the basic designs laid out in the book but they all start to look the same after a while.  Personalizing your monster is the most fun.  I dabbled with stripes and color blocks.  The instructions cite being about to use remnants to make the monsters as they take up very little yarn.  In my opinion, the more you can scrap them the better they look.

The patterns are incredibly easy to follow but making the arms and legs was a little bit of a tedious construction.  This is probably due to my choice of yarn and needles.  You drop down sizes from the recommended gauge so as to tighten the stitching but I don't think I dropped enough sizes.  The body is still very open.  That coupled with using metal needles with Cherub Aran yarn and knitting 9 stitches in the round on the arm on double points had me watching as a bunch of "sleeping" needles went sleep walking!    

Some of the smaller ones run to about 8 inches tall while the bigger ones are pretty much a throw pillow.  The larger Baldwin was supposed to be 17" tall!  

There is a lot that can be done to personalize these monsters.  My favorite part about making this monster was messing up.  I was stitching the top closed and threading the yarn through the body to then snip on the other side and let the tail pull back in so as to be forever lost in the stuffing.  I pulled a little tight and distorted the body, a recoverable situation but it gave me an idea... hmm... it would look neat if this guy had ears, then a nose, then I pinched the mouth on the sides and tucked it back into the body a bit.  Now I'm thinking of making Baldwin a girlfriend, the base monster is already pear-ish shaped.  Shouldn't be too difficult to give him a love of his life.

It was a little bit a challenge finding a place to display the little guy at work.  He tends to just fall over.  His legs are rather stubby and he's very lightweight.  I have a few neodymium magnets that I can slip into the hands so he can put a hug around objects to hang on.  

If you've got a bit of time, knit up one and enter it into the shop contest.  They work up fast and are addictive.  I keep thinking of which one I'd like to make next.  Perhaps we need a coffee monster... to protect it not drink it as that is my job!

Yarn Balls

I decided to volunteer my efforts (and those of my friend Vickie) in order to decorate for our annual weekend dance held by the Indy Contra group.  In about three hours on a Monday night we made ourselves light headed by blowing up 45 balloons.  We then proceeded to glue ourselves to the floor as we slung the sopping yarn around scattering glue everywhere.  Messy, fun and the results were quite nice, similar to my efforts in baking a cake but I'm glad to say, less tasty.  

I'll detail the project with more information then you probably need but perhaps you will glean something from my experience.  The entire project was very easy except for the fact that I made the executive decision to not put a release agent on the balloons before they were wrapped in the yarn.  This resulted in the balloons crushing a few of the structures as the air leaked out over the next couple of drying days.  I ended up salvaging the lot but running my thumb under the yarn... all the yarn... in order to release it from the balloons.  Note to self: when you read directions on a blog that says: "...I went ahead and used an oil on the balloons but I didn't think it was necessary..." don't believe it!  Moral of the story... use a release agent!

A few of the different blogs I read talked about using only cotton yarn (as this would soak up the glue) then spray painting the finished product.  I did find one person who had used colored cotton as to skip the spray painting.  

I opted for colored synthetic as that is what I had on hand.  My best results were fantastic and came from using worsted weight 100% acrylic I bought on clearance at Meijer.  The least desirable (because they crushed) resulted in using Lion Brand Woolease.  The Woolease seemed to thin out as it was wrapped.  I'm inclined to believe I didn't use nearly enough in the wrapping process.

After extensive research on the subject (reading too many blogs) I cobbled together the following recipe that did great:

2 cups room temp water 

2 cups cornstarch, dissolve in water

Stir in 8oz of glue 

Or something to this effect, it was by no means precisely measured.

I bought half a gallon of Elmer's All Purpose at Menards for about $13 (I used half the half gallon).  Balloons were 15 for $1.50 (3 packs).  Yarn used was about $6.  Total: about $17.50.

Best technique for handling yarn was to pull from the center of the ball and allow it to fall into the yarn, cut off when you think you have enough in there.  Push yarn down into the glue mixture until it was completely covered (hands worked best) pull back out and start wrapping, prepare for a mess.  Do not wring out much of the glue.  A little is okay but I found it best just to be messy.  The balloons will drip off the excess as they dry.  I had attempted to wrap yarn around my arm and measure out a bunch of balloons worth.  This resulted in knots.  If you run out of yarn for the balloon you're wrapping just drop more in the glue and keep wrapping.  We didn't bother to join our ends and they held up fine.  

We ended up with an assembly line process: two buckets of glue mix.  I'd drop the yarn into the glue, Vickie would wrap the balloons, I'd move the balloons out of the way as Vickie wrapped the next balloon and then I'd drop more yarn into the glue... etc.

The wrapping is a knack that you'll develop as you go.  Expect to have the balloon slip around a bit before you figure it out.  But make sure you have a stable place to hang the project from as you're wrapping and tie good knots.  We didn't and the balloon would randomly jump off into the bucket of glue, can you tell we're a bit reckless?   

My final technique used for wrapping:  Start by wrapping around the stem of the balloon a couple times loosely then wrap from top to bottom around the balloon.  Turn the balloon in a 45 degree twist on the vertical axis.  Wrap again and again... and again.  This turned out a nice looking ball.  Sometimes I would wrap this way about 6 times and then begin to tilt back and forth on the horizontal axis as I twisted on the horizontal.  This  provided a more asymmetrical design.  The key with asymmetrical is to ensure you have sufficient crossing points to provide stability when the yarn is dry.  Vertical wrapping required less yarn to stay strong and was able to be stretched back out better if there was some crushing that occurred after the ball was dry.  At some point we started mixing the colors of yarn on each balloon and those were our favorites.  

Due to not using a release agent, (Pam, petroleum jelly, corn oil, mineral oil, baby oil... something, anything!), the "pop party" was dismal.  Most of the balloons started to leak as I was running my thumb under the yarn and then it was a mad dash to get the yarn off the balloons before they were crushed beyond repair.  We ended up loosing about 8 of the 45 due to this.  

Because it was raining a good bit over the week when this project was done I let the balloons dry for two days before I messed with them.  Well, I poked at them daily and many times through out the day but it was two days before some started to loose air and it was apparent that an emergency freeing of the balloons was needed.  By day two it was a little unnerving to sit by the computer with 45 balloons hanging nearby whose internal pressure was beginning to change.  The creaking from the bits of glue popping off the balloon was only drowned out by loud guitar music. 

When all was finished and the yarn balls were draped around the dance floor, intermixed with garlands of multi-colored yarn, the effect was pleasant and well worth the effort.  

Adding beer to the glue mix was not necessary.
Adding beer to the individuals about to cover themselves in glue was a great help.  

These are the wraps of yarn that were my first attempt at sectioning off a bit of yarn to soak in the glue.
We abandoned this mess and just pulled from the ball.

This balloon needs more yarn!

This yarn ball turned out very nice.

Now we wait.

Done!

The fruits of our labor.

Casualties of not enough yarn and no release agent!