Stashbuster Spirals III

There have been a number of pairs of handknitted socks sitting in my mending bag for a very long time. Most of them were badly damaged and I postponed dealing with them for as long as I could. But spring brings with it an urge to spring clean and in an attempt to tidy up my craft space, I decided to sort them out. I frogged four pairs of socks, mostly dicarding the foot portions and salvaging the yarn from leg portions of the sock. I decided to reknit them. I got two pairs out of it.

This is the first one. It is the third time I have knit the pattern. It is just a very good wzy to knit up leftover/ oddball yarns into a beautiful pair of socks.
These turned out pretty good. I was a but worried how the socks would hold up but I have worn them for a few days and they are doing fine.
I am almost done with the second pair too, and will show you in the next post.

P.S. The pattern is no longer published on the internet, but there is a internet archive link in the comment section of the ravelry pattern page that will take you to it.

Upcycled Stashbuster Spirals Gloves

Five years ago, I made these socks for my son. Over time, these developed holes in the soles and went to languish in my mending basket.

I came upon them some days ago, while cleaning my craft space.They were beyond repair in the foot part, but the leg portions could be salvaged. So I unraveled both socks down to the first few inches and re-knit them up as finger-less gloves.

 

 My oldest daughter laid a claim to these gloves, right at the start. This project was a win thrice over; saving the yarn, freeing up some space and my daughter getting her promised pair of finger-less gloves.

Fair Isle Baby Set

 

 This baby set winds up my baby knitting, unless I decide to knit a random vest or two. I took my time with knitting this set but still it got done pretty fast. The jacket, cap and socks are one DROPS pattern and the pants are another DROPS pattern. I have knit the later twice before, in fact the last baby pants were also made in this pattern.

The yarn is all our local acrylic in DK weight and I love how it is far softer than the usual stuff, and has a nice variegation to it.

This little fair Isle project has put me in the mood for some more colorwork and I am contemplating an intarsia project next.

Month O'Socks: Rainbow Socks a.k.a Short Row Socks

My second pair of socks for this month is now complete. I am not sure about the colors on this one and am not sure what possessed me to buy it in the first place, but the pattern was so much fun. I enjoyed the short rows even more than I expected and they seemed to knit up quite fast too.

The yarn is Knit Picks Felici fingering weight. The colorway (Too Cool) might be dubious but the yarn itself is soft and cushy.

 

   Next for the Month O'Socks, some mending and/or upcycling might be in order, as I have a growing pile of socks with holes. Also,with my kids' final exams starting in a few days, I am unlikely to have much knitting time.

Month O'Socks : Day 12

 

For my second project during the Month O'Socks (MOS), I decided to use some stripped yarn from my stash and knit it so that it is no longer stripy. (Pattern found here). That meant working almost the entire sock in short rows, but as I do not share the general dislike for short rows, it has not been a problem. In fact, this sock has been knitting up quite fast.

Month O'Socks: Vellamo Socks

I cast off the second sock last night. The pattern was enjoyable to knit. The striping kept it interesting, with the short color-work bits near the toes and and cuffs for an added spice. The pattern does not have good enough instructions for the short row heels though, so prior knowledge of that will make it easier to follow the pattern.

The yarn I used was Knit Picks Stroll in Barn Red and Navy. These socks are for my son, with a lot of room to grow into, provided they last that long. (Modeled on my feet here). He is wearing them right now, so we'll see how they fare.
  Next I hope to start another pair but have not decided on the yarn and pattern yet. 

Paper Moon Socks

 

I had started these socks during last year's Month O'Socks, which would be February 2012. I finished the first sock in March. But then the second Sock Syndrome struck with full force, and off went this project into hibernation. I only took them out this week so that these could get done before this year's Month O'Socks. This pair is for my father, who really appreciated the first pair I knit him. He has been wearing that pair continually throughout the winter and got it promptly repaired when it developed holes. Hopefully, he will get good use out of these too. The pattern is OK, the details on the ribbing section being missing. I used Knitpicks Stroll Tonal (Kindling) for these socks.

And as you have probably already guessed, my next project is also going to be a pair of sock, or may be two, during the Month O'Sock (Feb 15-March 15). I think I will have a jump-start and start this weekend.

Month O'Socks: Wind Up

The Month O'Socks ended a few days ago and I managed only the foot section of another sock. I ran into sizing trouble with the pattern I started on before this one and lost a considerable amount of knitting time. This pattern is going smoothly,  Alhamdolillah. But I am a bit bored with knitting at the moment and am slowing down for a while, waiting to be inspired again. Maybe I'll try some embroidery for the time being or some beaded crochet..or..cooking....!                    

Month O'Socks: Froot Loop

 Today, I completed another pair of socks for this years Month O'Socks (MOS). These socks are for my husband. The pattern is Froot Loop and the yarn is Knit Picks Felici (Firefighter). The pattern was quite simple and straightforward and the bright color sequence in the yarn kept things interesting. I am happy that the stripes match up in the two socks. No modifications here.

 Next I am going to cast another pair of socks. I had wanted to finish that too in the Month O'Socks but it is not possible now with only three days remaining till February 15, when MOS ends. Let us see how much I can manage.

Month O'Socks: Knee Warmers

Here is my second finished project for the Month O'Socks, a pair of knee warmers in worsted weight. I modified the pattern to knit the knee caps in contrasting solid color and made the lower leg longer. I have also weaved in several rows elastic thread along the upper edge. Still, these have some tendency to slide down. But overall, these have turned out quite nicely, though I will not recommend the weaving in of the elastic to the faint of heart. It is far worse than having to sew up your knit pieces, but in this case, it was necessary and worth the effort.

Month O'Socks: Stashbuster Spirals II

This is my first completed a pair for the Month O'Socks. The pattern is Stashbuster Spirals knitted in child size for my son. I used three different leftover sock yarns to knit these up. I love this pattern, the spiraling keeps it interesting and the results are unpredictably wild.

Month O'Socks 2012

It is time for the annual Month O'Socks (MOS) at the Sporum Forum (ravelry). This year it runs from Jaunaury 16 to 15th of February. I have had a slow start but I hope to knit at least two pairs of socks and a pair of leg-knee warmers. Right now I am working at the first pair, stashbuster socks for my son, who has grown out of the pair I knit him last year. I have one complete sock and the other knit up the the heel.

 This first sock is not among of my finest works, I experimented with different knitting styles while knitting it, and also messed up the color spirals in the foot section. The second sock is looking much better. I have also started the leg-knee warmers. And I just might knit one hat too, this month, in addition to all the MOS knitting.

Hedera

My hedera socks are done. It was such a simple, uneventful knit. Perfect to knit at the end of the day, when all your work is done, kids are in bed and you are too tired to tax your mind with more involved knitting. The yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Tonal (Canopy). I love everything about these socks, the yarn, the color,  the pattern.

One Green Sock

Here is the first finished sock of the pair I am currently knitting. The pattern is Hedera and the yarn is Knit Picks Stroll Tonal (Canopy). Love the pattern, love the yarn and love the green color. That makes for a fun ongoing project.

Butterfly Garden

This is a pair of socks I started around Eid. The yarn is Knit Pics Stroll Tonal (springtime) and I, very non originally, decided to knit a pattern which was featured in same colorway. So, no surprises in the FO, it looks almost identical to the photo featured in the pattern. However, I did a few modifications and added the lace strip at the back of the leg and did a couple of extra repeats.This toe-up pattern is easy enough to fellow and memorize and I made sure I bound off very loosely, so as not to have a tight picot edging. And I am particularly partial to the butterflies on the top.

Basic Ribbed Socks

For once, I feel a little sad on completing a project. These socks were so much fun to knit. So relaxing to sit down and knit a few rows in an otherwise hectic routine. The regular color change also add to the fun.

I had knit this pattern earlier _ Sassy Stripes Socks. This pair is for my husband. The yarn is Aktiv Effekt

Steinbach Wolle.

Now, I have resumed knitting the Rose Trellis Shawl I had started last year. It's about time too. No new project for now, Ramadan begins in a few days and I do not plan to knit much during the month.

Little Things

 Lately, I have been sticking to small and simple knitting projects, so that when I do get some knitting time at the end of a long day, I have something mindless and relaxing to work on. Besides, it is simply too hot to handle any bigger projects.

   I managed to complete this pair of pants for the baby. I used this pattern earlier to make a pair and loved it enough to knit another.

And also a pair of ribbed tube socks that use up leftovers.

Next on the needles is a pair of socks for my husband, using self-patterning yarn. It has been the most relaxing knit I have done in some time, very therapeutic.

Odds and Ends

Thank you all so much for the well wishes and warm welcome for our baby. I am happy to report that she is two weeks old now, MashsaAllah. Her jaundice is almost gone and her feeding and sleeping pattern much improved. Her most endearing action is the spontaneous smile she likes to bestow upon her admirers from time to time. I could not resist a picture of her tiny feet.

Somewhat related are the little projects I did right before she arrived. I knit a pair of tube socks.

And a pair of Stay-on Baby Booties. I love the pattern and how these turned out.

And a pair of Saartje Bootees.

Needless to say, all these pairs are too large just now. Which is just fine as it is too hot to wear these right now anyway.
Also I used some leftover cotton yarn to make this headband for my kindergartener.

Also, I just finished a cardigan for my elder daughter. It is soaking right now. Hopefully I will have pictures soon.

Sassy Stripes Socks

A half completed sock had been languishing in my craft closet since December and I might have still been uninspired to work on these, had it not been for my friend, Shells' Month O'Socks (MOS). I had promised, I would try to knit at least a pair, so I got these out and finished them over the weekend. Just in time, MOS ends tomorrow.
   This pair is for my father. The pattern is a simple 3x1 rib and mindless to knit. These knit up quite fast. I love the look and feel of the yarn, which is Cascade Yarns Sassy Stripes.
   Next, I plan to have a MOS of my own, only in my case, it will be a Month O'Sewing. With summer and a new baby imminent, I find I have a lot of small project to do. I will try to blog about the interesting ones.

More Stashbuster Socks

So I used up some more of the sock yarn leftovers to knit up another pair of socks for my son. This pattern is also wonderful for using up the leftover yarns. I am thinking of using this stitch pattern again for a baby vest. My son is very appreciative of the socks and likes this pair best.

To round off the knitting projects for the year 2010, I finished another project I had started back in January. It is a pair of placemats. I will do a post about those once I take a picture.