Tricotine

Purple Little ~ Socks completed

Here they are; made out of my Purple Ribbon Socks' remaints, my 25th pair of Socks for my little man! He loves his "Purple Little" Socks! 

[click on photos to enlarge]
   
Pattern:  Toe-Up Child Sock
Yarn:  Lorna's Shepherd Sock, color Blackberry
Needles:  2 16" circular needles #2US

I have modified my own pattern here: 

• I made the foot a little wider and longer (Tricotine Junior's feet have grown)


• I chose not to rib the top of the foot - because ribbing takes more yarn and I was not sure how far I could go with what I had...  But, I kept the 1/1 ribbed leg, because it prevents the sock from "falling down" (I quote! )

Only 4 years old but TJ already knows what he wants!

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I get to drive a new car (rental) for few days, while my poor car is still being fixed at the Collision Center.  They found out that there is more damage than they had thought at first...

Oh well... Cheer up and enjoy life! 

[Click on photos to enlarge]

Purple Little ~ Socks in progress

I would have never thought that after completing my pair of Purple Ribbon Socks, I would still have enough yarn left to make my son a pair of high-lengh socks! Working toe-up, I thought I would have just enough for a low cut sock...  Great surprise! 

I bet I could have made myself two pairs of low-cut socks or footies out of those - by the way FABULOUS - two Lorna's Shepherd hanks!  Good to know for next time, huh? 

I usually pick colorful varigated or self-striping yarns for my kids' socks, but this time, and Purple being Tricotine Junior's favorite color, the idea of making him a pair of solid Purple socks with leftovers from my own socks, just came naturally.  And he is so happy that is going to have a pair of socks for himself, just like his sister did a little while ago! And I KNOW that he is going to feel really warm and cozy in his Lorna's!

I think children are wonderful recipients to hand-knitted gifts. They are always happy to have something made especially for them.  Maybe it is because crafting themselves for family members during their school years, they know the time and effort (and love?) put into something hand-made... Sadly, most non-crafter-grown-ups have forgotten about that...

If that so, I don't think I ever want to grow up!

Wordless Wednesday #29

~ Wordless Wednesday ~

Purple Ribbon Socks Completed

Featuring a very special new bracelet and my ugly waxy legs, this is my 24th pair of socks to be completed; a very special project to me. Read more...

 

Pattern:  Pink Purple Ribbon Sock
Yarn:  Lorna's Shepherd Sock, color Blackberry
Needles:  2 16" circular needles #2US

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A few modifications were made to the original pattern.
They are listed in an earlier post.

Flowering Tea

The first time I saw this, I couldn't believe my stunned eyes!

The preparation of that handsewn Flowering Tea from Numi is simply amazing!  Observing through the glass teapot the blossom spreading as it is steeping was a little creepy at first, but I find it lots of fun now!

[Click on photos to enlarge]

For my first experience with Flowering Tea and White Tea, I picked "Flower Jewel, (I quote) a hand picked White Tea crowned by a bright pink amaranth flower. The dancing petals blissfully open as sweet jasmine scents this captivating elixir. Tantalizing the palate with its vibrant freshness and clarity, surrender into this ever-lasting ambrosia".

I could not have been more poetic myself!

More Sock Yarn!

Just arrived from Astrid in Netherland... And because Sock Yarn does NOT count as stash! HA!

Now, this is not Lorna's Lace or Colinette, but Regia Bamboo sure is next on my list of favorite sock yarns! Look at those yummy colorways!

Purple Ribbon Sock in Progress

Sock #1 has been completed.

I was not really happy with the way the ribbon looked when it was done as instructed in the pattern.  The top of the ribbon was not round shaped and was positioned too high on the leg of the sock, because I wanted only one and vertically centered ribbon on my sock, it .

Now, I like my socks with short legs, but that one was way too short; almost a footie rather than a sock!

So, I ripped off once, and tried this (photo); I turned the sock inside out and made the ribbon in Garter stitch. 

Well, what works for dishcloths does not necessary for work socks... The design was not showing well once stretched on my ankle.

   

So, I ripped off a second time, and tried to find a way to modify the top of the original ribbon, but I couldn't get satisfaction. Starting the top with four stockinette stitches instead of two would have shaped the top of the ribbon square, which I didn't want either...

So, I finally gave up, and I decided to follow the Designer's instructions for the ribbon. And this is  how it looks now. I still think that the ribbon could look nicer, but I really like the seed stitch on the leg of the sock, and the three Garter stitches on each side of the flap heel! 

At the end, and besides using two circular needles instead of five double pointed, the modifications I have made to the pattern are:

• To make the leg of my sock shorter - implying not to repeat the ribbon four times as instructed.

 

• To vertically center it on the leg of my sock by making seven rows of WS stockinette at the top instead of two (and seven at the bottom as well)...

 

• Not to make the design on both sides of the sock but only on the outside of the leg; therefore, there is going to be right and left sock.

 

[Click on photo to enlarge]

• And, as usual, to make the heel a little deeper so the insteap of the sock won't fit too tight on my foot. I like my socks to be comfortable.  For that purpose, I made the heel flat two rows longer, and I picked two extra stitches on each side of the heel flap. It does not sounds like much, but it actually makes a significant difference on the gusset.

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That Lorna's Shepherd Sock yarn is a dream to work with, and I think I am in love - again - and on the path to become a Lorna's Laceaholic!

Off to cast on sock #2 - aka the left sock - now!

 

Random Act of Kindness

I got a RAK from my cyber-friend Leigh Ann, yesterday!  She got me 2 skeins of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton because the color - French Blue - reminded her of me.  Isn't that thoughtful and sweet?

Thank you so much, Leigh Ann!

Sproutlet Seduction Socks

Baby Tricotine has now her own pair of Seduction Socks, just like Mommy's!

[Click on photo to see a slide show]

Same yarn, same gauge, this version for Toddler (size 9-12) of the Interweave Pattern was worked toe-up.  I usually prefer making my socks cuff down, but in this case I was limited on yarn, and I was not sure how long the leg should be. 

Some knitters also prefer the toe-up method to make sure that they will be using all the yarn through, which is a great way to reduce stash.

And this is all what is left of my 2 skeins of yarn - just enough to fix eventual boo-boos in the future!

That was my 23rd pair of socks to be completed.