Tricotine

Finished Objects 2007

I had completed 74 projects in 2006 and that was my record ever. I thought I would reach a hundred this year, but I didn't.  I "only" completed 74 projects... again!

The FOs listed here below contain each their link to the pattern online, when it is possible.  Else, the link is leading to the entry talking about the project in the present blog.  There is also a Photo Album that can be found in the left sidebar or HERE.

74 - Hat for Mommy
73 - Calorimetry
72 - Snow Hats for Kids x 2
71 - High Instep Ribbed Socks
70 - Crocheted Autumn Leaves Fridgie
69 - Apple Cloth
68 - Monkey Socks #27
67 - Gentleman Socks #26
66 - Four Corner Dishcloth turned into a 6 inches square
65 - Crocheted Squares x4
64 - Mandy's Candy Bag x5
63 - Little Red Schoolhouse Cloth
62 - Maine State Cloth
61 - Crocheted Origami Hotpads x4
60 - Little Purple Socks
59 - Purple Ribbon Socks
58 - Sproutlet Seduction Socks
57 - Seduction Socks
56 - Colinette Socks
55 - Napoli
54 - Melody Shrug
53 - Toddler Dress
52 - Prayer Shawl
51 - Infinity Cloth x 2
50 - Ballband Dishcloth
49 - Cross Cloth x 2
48 - Memory Cloth x 2
47 - I luv 2 Knit x 2
46 - Cloth for Him x 2
45 - Cloth for Her x 2
44 - Cutie Pig Cloth x 2
43 - Sweet Home Cloth x 2
42 - Jig-Saw Puzzle Cloth x 2
41 - Toddler Tank Top
40 - All-Season Shell
39 - Squiggles the Pig Cloth
38 - Louie the Lobstah Dishcloth x 2
37 - Tulip Bud Garter Dishcloth
36 - Baby Logan's Bassinet Blanket
35 - Diagonal Moss Stripe Washcloth
34 - Tribal Washcloth
33 - Stitch on the Blocks Washcloth
32 - Baby Hat - My own
31 - Baby Raglan Sweater
30 - Baby Booties
29 - Small Basket Weave Washcloth
28 - Diamoholic Washcloth x 2
27 - Cow Washcloth x 2
26 - Note Washcloth x 2
25 - Bunny Cloth
24 - Lacy Diamonds Cloth
23 - Alex's Cloth
22 - Lacy 4 Leaf Clover Cloth
21 - New Bunny Buddy (Crochet)
20 - Doudou (Crochet)
19 - Tea-Cozy Hat
18 - Diagonal Ripple Dishcloth
17 - Flower Power Washcloth
16 - Swish With A Twist
15 - Seamless Bean Bag/Warm Pad/Pocket Warmers
14 - DSS aka Little Man Socks
13 - Seed Square for WUA
12 - 4 Corners Dishcloth
11 - Hexagon Dishcloth
10 - HSP Socks
9 - Valentine Pouch (Crochet)
8 - Knitted Beret
7 - Mom's Pouch (Crochet)
6 - Valentine Slippers/Socks
5 - Fun Fur Hat X2
4 - One Row Scarf
3 - Survivor Socks
2 - Pig Potholder
1 - Piggy Cell Phone Cozie

2008 is going to be my Running Year, so I might knit less.
Although, you never know...

MySpace Comments

Calorimetry

It was on my to-do list for a long time, but I have finally made myself a Calorimetry, and I love everything about it! The pattern of course, but also the yarn I picked for that project: Lion Wool (100% wool), Autumn Sunset print color.

 

FREE PATTERN: Snow Hats for Kids

Because they grow so fast, I like ribbed projects for kids. 

For this winter, I chose to make each of my little ones a warm, thick and deep ribbed hat.  Because in our corner of the freezer world, we need very covering hats.  I couldn't find a pattern I like on the internet or in my knitting magazines or books, so I came up with my own pattern.  Here it is! 

A one skein, quick and easy project - 3 or 4 hours while watching TV for each hat, pompom non included - knitted all in the round - no seaming!

Yarn:  Wool Ease Thick & Quick - 1 skein.
I used color "charcoal" for my boy's hat and "Deep Rose" my girl's.
Needles: 16" circular # 10.5 US
Gauge: 7 sts x 10 rows = 2 inches
Sizing: 19.5 and (21.5) inches head circumference

Stitches:
Ribbing 2/2 = Row 1: K2, P2,...  Row 2: P2, K2,... Repeat these 2 rows.
Slide 1: Slide 1 stitch as if to Knit
ssk: Slide Slide Knit - Slide 2 stitches individually as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop

 

PATTERN:

Cast on 68 (76) stitches - 34 (38) stitches on each needle - and work in rib 2/2 for 10 (11) inches. Use a marker for the beginning of the round.

Next round - first decreasing round: K2, P2tog all around.

Next round: Work even, all stitches as they show - meaning K2, P1 all around.

Next round - second decreasing round: K1, ssk (as to knit) all around

Next round: Knit all stitches = 34 (38) stitches remain

Cut off yarn, leaving about 12 inches lengh, and with a yarn needle pass that strand through all the stitches - I like to do that 2 or 3 times.  Weave in ends.

Make a pompom (big or small to your preference) and sew it at the top of the hat.

* Pattern also available on Ravelry *

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ERRATUM: Special thanks to Marie Ellis for pointing a mistake in the pattern (correction in red). Only one circular needle is needed for this project, not two. I must have been knitting too many socks on two circulars lately... Sorry for any inconvenience this mistake might have caused.

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Snow Hats for Kids © Tricotine 2007 – All rights reserved - Reproducing or transmitting this pattern by any means for any purpose other than for personal use constitutes a violation of copyright law.
If you have any question or comment about this pattern, please contact me.

 

*~ More Designs here ~*

FREE PATTERN: High Insteap Ribbed Socks

Remember my Jaywalker unfortunate adventure a little while ago? 

Well, here is the sock I came up with, starting from the Jaywalker 2/2 ribbing cuff. Introducing my 28th pair of socks, the High Instep Ribbed Socks. Really stretchy for a perfect fit, they are made cuff down and on two circular needles.

The yarn has "spoken" in a quite odd way though.  Although both heels look identical, ribbed cuffs are different.  One colorfully swirls while the other one does not... Go figure...?!

[Click on photos to enlarge]

Yarn: Handpaints by Artsygal: Superwash Merino Sock (2 ply Fingering Weight), "Summer Vacation" colorway - 1 hank (410 yards).
Needles: 2 circulars #2US
Gauge: 18 stitches x 23 rows = 2 inches (5 centimeters)

Stitches:
Ribbing 2/2 = Row 1: K2, P2,...  Row 2: P2, K2,... Repeat these 2 rows.
Slide 1: Slide 1 stitch as if to Purl
ssk: Slide Slide Knit - Slide 2 stitches individually as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop.

 

PATTERN:

Cast on 76 stitches - 38 on each needle - and work in rib 2/2 for 4 inches or the desired lengh for the cuff.

Heel flap is worked on 38 stitches.  Work back and forth as following:
Row 1 (RS): P2, repeat [K1, slide 1] to the last 2 stitches, P2
Row 2 (WS): K2, repeat [P1, slide 1] tot he last 2 stitches, K2
Repeat these two rows 21 times (42 ridges on the WS = 3 inches for me) or how many time needed to get the distance from the the middle of the ankle bone to the floor.

Turn heel:
Row 1: slide 1, K20, ssk, K1, turn.
Row 2: slide 1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 3: slide 1, knit within 1 stitch of the gap, ssk, K1, turn
Row 4: slide 1, purl to within 1 stitch of the gap, P2tog, P1, turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all heel stitches are worked. There are 22 stitches left.

Heel gussets:
Slide 1 stitch, K10 with the other needle.  Then, with the first needle, pick up 29 stitches along the heel flap, Place marker, work 18 stitches in rib 2/2, on the second needle work 20 stitches on rib 2/2, place marker, pick up 29 stitches on the other side of the heel flap, K11.

The beginning of the round is now in the middle of the heel.

First Round - Decrease row: K to 2 stitches before the marker, K2tog, slide marker, work stitches as they show (ribbing 2.2), on second needle work stitches as they show again, slide marker, ssk, K to the end of the row.

Next round - No decrease: Knit to marker, slide marker, work stitches as they show. On the other needle, work stitches as they show, slide marker, K to the end of the row.

Repeat these to rows until 38 stitches on each needle again.
Remove markers on the last row.

Foot:
Without changing needle, K the 19 stockinette stitches of the sole. Only 19 stitches (ribbing 2/2) remains on needle #1 and 57 stitches on needle #2. This will be the new beginning of each round - place an open marker. With needle #1 knit the 19 other ribbed stitches that are on needle #2. Needle #1 is now working the top of the foot (ribbing 2/2) and needle #2 is working the sole of the sock.

Work in pattern until 2 inches less than the desired lengh for the sock to be (I worked 31 rounds - counted from the marker - for a size 8 1/2)

Toe shape:
Row 1 - Decrease row: K1, ssk, Knit to the 3 last stitches of the row, K2tog, K1. On the other needle, ssk, Knit to the last 3 stitches of the row, K2 tog, K1.
Row 2 - No decrease:  Knit all around.
Repeat these 2 rows until 16 stitches on each needle remain. The decrease EVERY ROUND, until 12 stitches on each needle remain. 

Finishing: Kitchener stitch the stitches on each needle. Weavein all ends.

Make sister sock the same way.

* Pattern also available on Ravelry *

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High Instep Rib Socks © Tricotine 2007 – All rights reserved - Reproducing or transmitting this pattern by any means for any purpose other than for personal use constitutes a violation of copyright law.
If you have any question or comment about this pattern, please contact me. 

*~ More Designs here ~*

Isabelle Socklets

Aren't those beautiful?  I just love the texture and the color!

No, I didn't make them -- I wish!  My dear friend, Betty, designed and made them especially for me.  Isn't she talented? 

The yarn she used is Lorna's Lace Shepherd Sport, and the pattern is available at Betriska, and on Ravelry too!

Thank you so much, Betty! What a wonderful surprise!

I love the socklets and I Luv'ya too!

Jaywalker no more...

I am not sure what to say. Despite the popularity of Jaywalker - hundreds of Sock Knitters were thrilled with their socks - it didn't work for me.

[Click on photos to enlarge]

I neither liked the irregular way the yarn was "talking" - the colorful swirling effect disappeared when I worked the gusset, nor the saggy cuff around my ankle, nor the way 2/2 ribbing and Chevron pattern met on the cuff, nor the unstretchiness of the sock overall. Despite several trials and differents modifications (different size needles, increased number of stitches and deeper heel) the sock was still difficult to put on my foot; yet, the cuff was saggy.

I don't understand what went wrong. My gauge seemed to be right though. Well, I think, because that Chevron pattern confused my stitch count a little. Of course, on my first cast-on, I thought the gauge was right too... I must be really bad at gauging...

 

Anyway.  After 4 unsucessful attempts - at least I can't say I didn't try - my hurt pride said that enough was enough, and I have finally gave up and said "so long" to Jaywalker.  I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that the pattern is not right for me...  Most of the time, only stretchy socks fits my probably odd feet comfortably. Or maybe the yarn was too thin...

I have ripped off to the one inch ribbing and went on from there, making an all 2/2 ribbed sock with high insteap (from the top of my ankle bone).

And here it is - unstretched and stretched - Sock #1 aka Deep Heel Ribbed Sock, my 28th pair of socks. I am turning the heel of sock #2 right now, and I am taking notes...

[Click on photos to enlarge]

 

Being Socktoberfest spirited, I will be posting the pattern here as soon as the pair is completed. Keep tune!

 

Apple Cloth

I was still in an -lish mood last night and I had the urge to knit that Apple cloth that had been on my to-do list for a while. I intend to give it to my son's teacher - along with the letter he made for her - to thank her for taking us Apple picking last week.

Pattern: Apple Cloth
Yarn: Sugar'N Cream, color Red
Needles: #7US

Monkey Socks Completed

My 27th pair of socks, made for my Monkey Sock Swap partner, is finished.

I washed them and, they are blocking right now.
It is interesting to note that the yarn does not bleed when it is washed but actually turns darker when it is wet.

 
Pattern: Monkey Socks
Yarn: Trekking ProNatura 1513 Honey
Needles: 2 circulars #3US

Monkey Sock Swap Package

I received my package from Eva yesterday!   Everything was so lovely presented that I had to take a photo before unwrapping.

I got some wonderful sock yarn: 2 hanks of Ocean Knits Merino - color "Sweetgrass", 2 skeins of Regia Design Line - color "Party", and Eva has also thoughtfully included what was left of my Monkeys socks, so I could make a matching pair for my Baby Tricotine.

I also got the Mona Sock Pattern from Cookie A, the latest issue of Country Homes & Interiors magazine British Edition which contains a special section on "New England" decorating style, instructions to make a Red Heel Sock Monkey and Sock Elephant Doll, some yummy dark chocolate - already gone though - the most precious Monkey ornament I have ever seen, and some delicious Golden Monkey from Adagio Teas.

Last but not least, the Monkey socks Eva made for me.  This is the first pair of socks someone has actually made for me, and they are just perfect in color and size.

Thank you so much for treating me so wonderfully, Eva, and for being such a thoughtful spoiler!

October first...

I cannot believe September is already gone... Yesterday was officially the last day of my Knit From Your Stach commitment! 

Nine complete months purchasing no yarn but sock yarn - lots of sock yarn - but I frankly believe that I did not do as well as it sounds after all, because my guidelines were way too permissive.

Results: Despite the fact that I have bought yarn only once (I have used my "Get Out of Jail Free" card on April second), I have ended up purchasing more sock yarn than I would have had if I had not been on that so called "yarn diet" - not mentionning books and patterns that I have also acquired during that period of time...

The spending-yarn-money-urge has kicked anyway and I ended up fulfilling it, but in a legitimate way because it was allowed...  What a trick! I have not increased my stash, but I own now a considerate amount of sock yarn!

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Today, first day of October, is also Knitters' Coffee Swap 3 opening day of sign-ups. They will close as soon as the number of 150 participants is reached. I missed round two, but I was very determined to be part of round three.  I love Coffee as much as I love Tea!

Because I was not able to find a button on the swap's blog, I made my own.  Feel free to use it if you would like to, but please no bandwidth.