A Faded Sock

I've started a new pair of socks, and this time the pattern couldn't be easier.  The yarn is doing all the heavy lifting!  The pattern is my plain, vanilla, stockinette sock (it's not an official pattern, it lives in my head, but there are oodles of actual patterns out there that are very similar) with an extra slouchy leg.  After the ribbing I added 25% more stitches in an increase round, worked even for a while, decreased back to my original cast on number and worked about six rounds even before starting the heel flap.

The yarn though, and I know that's what you're interested in, is Shirley Brian Yarns Deconstructed Fade Sock yarn in Here's To Us, Long May They Sneer.  This is sold in pairs of skeins so you can make matching socks.  As far as I know, she only sells through her website, but I'm not affiliated in any way, just a customer.  This particular colorway starts with a very dark navy blue, fades into a blueish green, and then goes to a sandy beige color.  Watching the color change is SO.  MUCH.  FUN!  This was the only yarn I've ever bought from her, but I'm going back to get more!

A Finished Cardigan!

I finally finished my Evening Dew Cardigan!  I started this in February, but kept setting it aside for other projects.  It's finished now and just in time for cooler weather here.  It wasn't a difficult project, it just took a little while.

I knit it out of Berocco Ultra Alpaca Light in the Turquoise Mix colorway.  That's the sport weight version of Ultra Alpaca.  It's not a superwash yarn, and has a little more texture than a superwash merino does, but it is soft and has a nice bounce.

I just steamed it and patted it into shape to block it because it didn't need any major blocking.  I'm glad to have it all finished and ready to wear!

Finished Socks

I finished the Studiolo socks and gently blocked them.  These are knit in the Malabrigo Ultimate Sock in Valentina that Mr. Noodle chose for me, and this completes all six designs of The Handmade Sock Society Season 5.  I have enjoyed knitting this collection and I liked all six of the designs.

Apparently, I'm not done knitting socks though, as I immediately cast on another pair after finishing these.  It is easy to knit socks with little Obi dog, and he's always very curious about what I'm knitting.

The Handmade Sock Society

I'm currently knitting on the last design for this year's version of The Handmade Sock Society.  The Studiolo Socks are the sixth pattern in the series.  I'm knitting them in Malabrigo Ultimate Sock in Valentina.  When I went to the sock yarn stash to pick out a skein for this pair, I initially pulled three skeins that I thought would work well for it.  Mr. Noodle was with me, and he marched straight over to the sock yarn, climbed in, and came out carrying this skein of yarn.  I'm not one to argue with a cat who has such good taste, so I put the other skeins back in the stash and wound the Valentina.  He was right as usual, this is the perfect yarn for this design.  I've finished the first sock and I've started the heel flap on the second.  The little lace edging is just perfect on this sock!

A New Pair of Socks!

I've finished the fifth (of six) pair of socks from The Handmade Sock Society, Season 5!  These are the Mermaid Shell Socks knit in Dream in Color Classy in the Enchanted colorway.  If I had known this pair was coming, I would have saved my skein of Mermaid Shoes (the first sock) or Mermaid Tavern (the third sock) for it!  Oh well.  I decided this yarn looked like a mermaid's treasure box, full of random bits of things found and recovered from shipwrecks.  At least that's what I'm thinking.

I love the little shells knitted into the top of the leg.  It was such a fun pattern.  I've really enjoyed knitting all of these patterns and I'm planning to cast on for the last one today.  Mr Noodle actually chose the yarn for it!

Have a great weekend!

Chrysalis!

It's finished!  This is the Chrysalis cardigan, knit in Malabrigo Rios in Whale's Road.  The finished cardigan is big and snuggly, but not as sloppy as an oversized hoodie can be.  I think it will be perfect for the kinds of winters we usually get around here, and it's certainly big enough to layer.

I blocked it before sewing it together and I think this made it easier.  I also bound off the knitting before seaming.  The pattern has you graft the live stitches to a finished edge (and does give what looks to be really good directions), but I decided I'd rather have the added structure of a bound off edge in the seam, particularly since I was using superwash wool yarn.  The seams run down the tops of the sleeves and they definitely help in the structure department.

I used garter stitch edges for the front edge and the cuffs and they finish the whole thing off nicely.

I'm thrilled with my finished project and I can tell it's going to get lots of use over the next few months!