Mistakes and More

Stephanie wrote:

Mistakes are a fact of knitting. They are as much a part of the process as everything else. Everyone makes mistakes - there's no getting around it.

The issue is which mistakes can you live with and which ones do you have to rip back and fix?

I was cruising along on my Colorful Splendor Lace Scarf. While I enjoy knitting scarves, I often get bogged down in the middle and progress seems slow. So I was excited to be past the half way point and was plotting when I could cast off when I discovered a wee mistake.

While I was debating whether or not I could live with said wee mistake, I examined the scarf more closely and noticed that my slight imperfection was larger than I had first observed.

Notice how the beautiful columns running along the edge of the scarf are rudely interrupted several rows from the top. I knew I could not live with this mess and proceed to rip out the offending rows. While ripping back the rows, I consoled myself with the fact that I noticed the mistake after several rows. It would have been much worse for the mistake go have gone unnoticed for several inches. The mistake was fixed and the frogged rows re-knit. The scarf is back on track and even closer to completion.

This whole issue of fixing mistakes is a matter of personal preference. There are some knitters who wouldn't have ripped back to correct the messy edge. And that's fine. But it's good to know your comfort level when it comes to mistakes. If a mistake is going to take away from your enjoyment of the knitting and wearing, by all means go back and fix it. On the other hand if it doesn't matter so much to you, you can probably live with it.

New on the needles . . . Fine Filigree Fingerlings.

I'm making the mitt version of this pattern. The pattern is worked from the top down to the wrist.

While I'm enjoying the pattern, I'm still not too sure about the sizing. Time will tell. In the meantime I'm loving the yarn - Bunny Sox Sweetest; 60% superwash merino, 25% angora, 15% nylon. This blend has enough angora to make a difference - soft and scrumptious. Bunny Sox will soon be up on our website.

My color combo for the week.

Tomatillos fresh from the farmers' market.

Finally, a contest. I've been thinking how great it is that knitters are so willing to share with each other. We're always looking for inspiration and new ideas. Leave a comment with your favorite current project or technique. The winner, drawn at random, will have his/her choice of one skein of sock yarn. Contest ends next Sunday, September 27.

Anticipation

Stephanie wrote:

All summer long anticipation and excitement have been building for Sock Summit. From internet forums to weekly knit nights Sock Summit has been a hot topic of discussion among knitters. Finally, the week has arrived. Whatever Sock Summit is to be, it will be so later this week.

And it will be different things for different people. Some will go for the classes, others will go for the marketplace. And there are those who will attend just to hang out, knit and enjoy the company of other knitters. Sock Summit has the potential to be a memorable experience.

True to form Mona and I are scrambling up until the last minute. Sock Summit has consumed every waking moment not already filled with other obligations. Checking lists, counting and re-counting. Making sure nothing is forgotten. Shipping a last minute box of goodies to our hotel.

And finishing samples. This one, among others, was finished over the weekend.

Wine and Roses in the to-be-released-at-Sock-Summit Bunny Sox. I must say this pattern is well constructed and the finished mitt is very comfortable. I've added this to my own list of knits for the fall.

Tomorrow when Mona and I collapse into our seats on the plane we can heave a huge sigh of relief. The planning and preparation will be over. All that will be left is the event itself. And we will relish the long flight west as time to sit and knit. Or time to fall into a much deserved, deep sleep.

Morning Routine

Stephanie wrote:

Mornings are my time. I'm up early, enjoy my coffee and get as much work done as possible before the rest of the household rouses. Recently we've made an adjustment to that schedule - the kids and I take a morning hike at a nearby reservation.

I don't get everyone up at the crack of dawn so I still have some morning time to myself. But the hikes have cut into my work time which means more juggling throughout the day.

Our hikes have been fun, creative, educational and entertaining. And there's been a bonus.

Blueberries. Loads and loads of blueberries. I've heard from others who have picked here for many years that the berries have never been so plentiful. This must be nature's compensation for a cool, wet June.

Mostly blueberries with a few random berries mixed in. We've been enjoying blueberries in pie, cobbler, muffins, pancakes - with plenty left over for the freezer.

The dye pots are keeping me busy so knitting time is scarce. When I do have time to knit a few rounds, this is what I've been working on.

The pattern is Wine and Roses. I'm using Bunny Sox Mulled Wine - sorry it's still not on our website. I'm almost finished with the cuff and am enjoying the pattern. And the yarn is scrumptious - just the thing when you want to treat yourself to something extra special.

New Yarn

Stephanie wrote:

My Fiddlehead Sock (Ravelry link) is done. While it feels good to finish and cross this off of my to do list (I have a rather long list), I miss knitting with beads.

Even the back of this sock has bead work. Beautiful, glistening globes nestled among colorful stitches.

To top it all off a beaded picot bind off. There is a bit of counting with this bind off if you want the beads to be evenly spaced. Who knew counting to 8 could be so challenging.

To fill the void left by the beads I have the good fortune of sampling a new yarn. This is our Bunny Sox. Sorry there's no link - it's so new it's not even on our website yet.

This yarn is truly luxurious - soft as only angora can be. We've had this custom spun for Dye Dreams at a small, family owned and operated mill. The blend is 60% superwash merino, 25% angora and 15% nylon.

We've been dyeing Bunny Sox in a range of colors for its debut at Sock Summit. And I'm getting ready to cast on with it for a sample garment.

I'll have more to report as I make progress on the sample. And there's more yarn news, too. Be sure to check back.

I try to keep tabs on knitting for various causes. Someone just brought Mother Bear Project to my attention. Take a moment or two to click and read. This seems like another worthwhile effort where knitters can make a difference.