Month: June 2009

Knitting · tutorial

A Tutorial for Adrienne

Jen1 Comment

Or, How I Knit MLTU* Socks.

I use Judy’s Magic Cast On to cast on 16 stitches (8/needle). After I knit the first round as per the instructions, I begin increasing for the toe as follows:

K1, YO, k across to last st, YO, K1 (needle 1) then K1 YO k across to last st, YO, K1 (needle 2)

Repeat this for EVERY row (being sure to knit the YOs through the back of the stitch to close up the holes) until I have 1/2 of the total number of stitches (32 for a 64 st sock, for example) and then for EVERY OTHER ROW until I have the total number of stitches needed (e.g., 64).

I work the foot until it is about 1-1/2 to 2″ SHORTER than the total length of the foot I am knitting for. If I am doing a stitch pattern, I work it only on needle 1 (the instep stitches). I work the heel on needle 2 (the heel stitches. See what I did there?)

Then, I make a short row heel. This way, for example, is not the exact method I use, but it is very well explained and less fiddly.

After I have completed the heel, I work the leg until it is long enough. 3 inches seems about right for me.

Then I add some ribbing so the sock doesn’t fall down. I like 1×1 rib, but 2×2 or twisted 1×1 is also good.

Finally, I do a stretchy bind off, perhaps a surprisingly stretchy bind off, and celebrate because I have turned plain old string into useful clothing once again!

*MLTU=Magic Loop Toe Up

Knitting · yarn

6 Months of Yarn Compulsion

Jen6 Comments

cute kids

There she is!

Jen3 Comments

Paisley Jane has arrived!

contest

A Winner and An Update

Jen3 Comments

By random number generation, the winner of the comment drawing is

Picture 2

Shannah! Congratulations! Please leave a comment on this post and I will contact you for your mailing information so I can send you your awesome yarn. :-)

Thanks to everyone for stopping by. I’m pretty sure they are going to go with Paisley Jane for the name. For a while there, it was looking like my friend would be able to have a “normal” delivery. Little Paisley had turned head down again and so they were able to cancel the cesarean birth they had scheduled for today. Regrettably, she has somersaulted once more and is now pointing in the wrong direction again. Sage announced by FB status tonight that Paisley will be born on Wednesday, either by labor induction or surgery. So, yay!

Knitting

Dear Harumi Cardigan,

Jen5 Comments

I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but I think it’s time we went our separate ways. Your lace pattern, while perfectly lovely and very well explained, simply requires far more attention than I am able to give you. I blame the ADHD. It’s not you, it’s me. Really. I admit to browsing the other cardigan patterns on Ravelry and, honestly, I haven’t felt good about it. But now, it’s out in the open and I can flirt with other, more mindless projects shamelessly.

contest

A quick survey and another contest!

Jen34 Comments

A dear friend of mine is getting ready to deliver her 5th child (a 3rd girl!) next week and she and her husband still have not decided on a name. The only name she really likes is Paisley Jane. Her husband likes it well enough, but feels that it might be a little too weird. Personally, I think it’s unusual, but not weird. What say you?

She also wonders if you would a diminutive and what would it be. Paiz? PJ? Leave a comment below.

Speaking of comments, she is going in for a scheduled cesarean birth because this girl is stubborn and just absolutely refuses to turn head-down and go out the front door. So, my friend will be going through her 5th delivery, but her first cesarean, and she’s a little nervous. Please, dear reader, can you offer her some words of encouragement in the comments? How about a little incentive?

(Yarn Pirate in the “I Want Candy” colorway from the Booty Club)

And yes, I know I still haven’t sent off the last prize from the last contest to the winner, Yarnerinas. I have it ready to go, I just need to get over to the post office. I promise to do this tomorrow.

I’ll draw the winner from the commentariat using Random.org on the evening of June 8th, the baby’s scheduled birthday. Lastly, if you mention my contest on your blog and link back to me, guess what–you get TWO entries! Now, spread the word and get commenting!