Reboot

I am so happy to declare two of my three I-need-to-get-this-done, works in progress, are in fact finished. For those of you keeping score I have a new shawl and pair of socks. They both turned out lovely. Bonus as they were the older two projects too! I am almost giddy with accomplishment.

The third one, toe up socks for D is moving along again too. I paused it so I could devote some time to remembering how to do this particular gusset. Next the heel turn and heel flap then it is smooth sailing. Since D likes new socks almost as much as me, he is waiting anxiously. It has been since Christmas with no new socks. How is he supposed to brag up new socks, lovingly made by his wife, when he has no new socks?

But I am still multi project me as I pulled out some even older things to look at and figure out. I dug up my thrummed mittens, you remember that ongoing fiasco? I've now tried going up a needle size, but my thrums are just too big. I can fit my hand in but it looks like it is in a fully loaded diaper. (No I did not take a picture, you'll just have to imagine that one on your own.)

My knitting group was here this weekend and one of the ladies had taken a thrumming class. She gave me some pointers, so I will need to frog and rethrumm again. Why do all my mittens mock me?

I also dug up my German stockings and knit a bit on them too. There were some sizing issues and a complex cabling chart. Now I am not as infatuated and really want to make them right. If I need to see how things work for a bit and rip back I am OK with that. 

So these two were timed out for so long, that it is time to see how plan B, C, D and E will work with them. Who am I kidding I only have through plan C worked out. Here's hoping it works.

Stocking struck

So the last Saturday that it was decent weather and I remembered to shave my legs, I decided to take some comparison shots of my German Stocking progression. 

To start this project I dutifully took measurements of my legs and used those measurements to figure what size to make. I made the size recommended for my leg measurement, completely ignoring the fact that the designer recommended using a size or two sizes smaller than the actual measurement. 

I did not make it too far into the project before I was aware it would not work. You may recall this post regarding the matter. I decided to rip back and start with one size smaller, feeling pretty proud that I did not take a trip down the river of denial. 

I knit on my smaller stocking to a bit further than the last time and thought to myself...Hmmm?

It still looked a tad large but why rip back again? I placed my work on scrap yarn, grabbed another ball of yarn and cast on another sock, two sizes smaller than my original. I figured to get it to the same place as the reworked first sock and have a fitting session.

So can you tell which is which? I could wearing them. I have made a decision one will stay and one will go.....

Is it just me or are knees a not terribly attractive part of the body? And taking pictures of your knees is not as easy as one would think.

The middle photo (left leg in first photo) is the one size down and has to go. The bottom photo (right leg) is the keeper sock two sizes smaller. Who knew? Right, Cookie A., the designer knew. Guess she really does have more experience and my leg is not that much more difficult to fit than anyone else's.

I will not be ripping back right away, I think I will finish one stocking before ripping back another. I could be wrong....but I don't think so.

Do you also see from these photos how my legs were referred to as neon white? I am not just pasty white, my paleness glows like an odd beacon.

Half Marathon stockings

I did not get very far in my half marathon before I had to turn around and start again. I don't think you see too many real marathoners restarting.

I measured my leg and at the widest point I am 17 to 17 1/2 inches around. I cast on using 17 for corresponding number in the pattern even after it recommended using a number one to two inches less than your measured circumference. 

Let me tell you that you do need that bit of negative ease to create a nice calf hugging stocking. This one fell down my leg which is not something I like in a stocking.

So I ripped back and am at about the same point again. I can tell you that I am loving the yarn and especially the color. But I am hoping this measurement works cause I don't want to restart another marathon till the other stocking is ready.