Slip Plus Lace. First Try.

Last fall I taught a knitting workshop on what I call extended and manipulated slip stitches. A few days later, one of the participants – I think it was Lynne McCormick – asked if I’d ever tried combining slip stitches with lace stitches. My response was “You’ve read my mind! I was just thinking about trying that.”

I do love texture in knitting: knit-purl combos, cables, lace, slip stitches. I’ve been over-the-top crazy for slip stitches for many years. Well over 50% of my designs involve slip stitches. So I guess it’s not too strange that I want to combine lace and slip stitches.

My first effort is a simple one. I merely used a narrow slip stitch pattern and a narrow lace pattern and alternated them, making an interesting textured ribbing. I then used this stitch in a sock pattern. I’ve knitted two pairs, and I’m on the third. It’s a nice pattern and a fun knit. (And I do plan to write up the pattern.)

Here are the instructions for knitting the stitch pattern flat:

Amy’s First Slip-Lace

Multiples of 7 sts.

Rows 1 and 3: (WS): *k1, p2, k1, p3; rep from * to end.

Row 2: *sl1wyif, k1, sl1wyif, p1, yo, ssk, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 4: *k1, sl1wyif, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, p1; rep from * to end.

(sl1wyif = slip 1 stitch with the yarn in front)

Here is the pattern charted:

Here is a swatch of the pattern (4 repeats with a garter stitch border) in one color.

 

Here is a swatch of the pattern in a variegated yarn.

 

To me, knitting patterns that require frequent and repeated manipulations – such as yarn-overs or slipping with the yarn in front – is like performing a dance pattern. I get into a rhythm and movement flow. And I love it.

Despite its brevity and simplicity, this particular combination of stitches produced a very interesting rhythm.

Notice that if you just use R1 and 3, you get a k3,p1,k2,p1 rib.

When you work ribbing like this, you are moving the yarn to the front to purl and to the back to knit. Yarn-overs and slip stitches can also require moving the yarn front or back. In the combination stitch pattern here, the movement of the yarn front or back becomes a bit unusual and I found I had to really pay attention.

Row 4 requires the most number of switches of yarn placement: knit 1, move yarn, slip 1, move yarn, knit 1, move yarn, purl 1, move yarn, k2tog, move yarn, move yarn again, purl 1. So, there are 7 yarn moves (8, if you are repeating the pattern).

Row 2 requires fewer switches: slip 1, move yarn, knit one, move yarn, slip 1, purl 1, yo, ssk, pl1. Only 2 yarn moves. Yet, I found Row 2 to be considerably more mentally challenging than Row 4. I’m on my third pair of socks (and I’ve knitted the two swatches), and I still have to pause once in a while to avoid mistakes. I think it’s funny that the row with fewer movements is harder.

I plan to continue playing with – and being surprised by – lace and slip stitch combinations.

Dog Time

I’m now living on Dog Standard Time. For the past few years, I’ve been doing an extended dog sitting during the winter for my friends Dick and Jill while they warm up in Guatemala. They dropped off Mari (the dog) at my place on Tuesday. Mari will be with me until early April.

Mari is now 11 years old, a big winter-worthy mix maybe of Malamute or Husky with some Collie or German Shepherd. I love her wolfy face.

 

Since I don’t have a fenced-in yard, Dick put up a line in the front yard so I can put Mari outside. She likes it outside. The colder, the better. She naps in the snow. And we have a lot of snow right now. Well, it is winter.

Mari gets some movement on the line, but not much. So I need to walk her a couple times a day. In other words, Mari requires that I adjust my daily routine. First thing in the morning I take her for a walk. Sounds simple, but winter here requires significant logistical planning and action. It’s surprising how long it takes to put on long underwear, sweats, scarf, hat, mittens, socks, boots, yaktrax. And don’t forget a couple of plastic bags for poop patrol, and a hankie for the snot that starts to flow after about 10 minutes outside. All this before I even have my cup of coffee.

Don’t get me wrong. I am delighted to have Mari around. She’s pretty well behaved both on and off the leash. It’s very good for me to get outside more often. I do love snow and winter. I can certainly use the extra exercise I get from our walks. Three walks a day. I like the walks, but I’m already getting bored with the necessary donning and doffing of winter clothing.

Mari has a massive coat, and she leaves bits of it everywhere. She also leaves bits of snow everywhere (she does not like to have her feet cleaned).This requires more logistical planning. The living room has wood flooring, so I need to put towels everywhere to capture snow and Mari fur. I need to wash the towels and I need to brush her.

So, my routine is currently dog-centered. That’s a good thing. I am happy to make time for Mari. I still get my fiber stuff done. So what if I don’t clean the house as often…

Change of February Plans

I was going to make this blog post about the workshops I’m teaching in February. Change of plans.

Last fall, the Michigan Fiber Festival started a year-round fiber arts education program  so that workshops could be offered at their new headquarters in Nashville, Michigan. I was very excited that they wanted me to teach both spinning and knitting workshops over several days in February.

I found out earlier today that those workshops have been cancelled due to lack of enrollment. Bummer. Now I need to rethink my February. I had rather counted on the income from teaching those workshops. I will have to tighten an already tight belt for this winter.

What can I do to make some February income sufficient for rent, groceries, gas, and bills? Well, if you know of a group that would like to take any of my workshops, I’d be happy to oblige. Even in winter weather, I’m willing to drive to a venue to teach. I’d also be happy to have a small group of folks over to my house in Lake Ann, Michigan for a workshop. You can find descriptions of my workshops on my website. Or, if you have a spinning or knitting topic that you’d like me to cover, let me know. Contact me at atyler@centurytel.net.

Cold, snowy days in February might just be perfect for me to get some long ignored knitting pattern writing done. I’ve got a shawl pattern, an afghan pattern, and four (four!) sock patterns that I’ve worked out, but I just need to get good photos and write up those pesky patterns.

Then I’ll be able to add those patterns to the 15 patterns I already have for sale on Ravelry.

Finishing Feels Good

Impending deadlines are highly motivating for me. I finished and submitted an article today, just making tomorrow’s deadline.

There is always a crazy balance between anxiety and inspiration when a deadline approaches. I lose sleep with worry. But when I finally do sleep, I often dream of solutions. This is a small miracle that leads me to believe I’m doing the work I’m supposed to do. This article was no exception. Because I’d lost some time being sick, I was especially worried about meeting this deadline. Writing articles takes time; time I could not compress. It takes time to spin. It takes time for the finished yarn to dry. It takes time to measure the yarn. It takes time to knit swatches. It takes time to block and dry the swatches. It takes time to write and compose my thoughts.

Months ago, when I’d proposed the article, I enumerated what I planned to accomplish within its content. Some content was concrete, other aspects were vague. It’s that vague part that eats at me. How do I express the ideas? What order do I put them in? What balance of technical versus chatty is right? Have I made appropriate samples to make my points most clearly?

Is it perfect?

In the Facebook feed this morning was a reminder from Creative Something: “Finished is better than perfect. Something is better than nothing.”

I finished making the yarns last Friday. I finished knitting the swatches on Monday. The swatches are still drying (the yarns are especially thick and do not dry quickly). On Monday night I tossed and turned and finally dreamed. By the time I awoke on Tuesday, my mind had lined up a general plan, which I turned into an outline listing all the topics I wanted to address. On Wednesday and today I fleshed it out and rearranged it to my satisfaction. And I emailed it off.

That feels good. Except now I’ve got another article due in seven days. So, for both the closing of 2015 and the opening of 2016, I will be anxious and inspired. And I will finish.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Action in January

I’m optimistic about 2016. At least January’s line up is solid.

I’ve got two articles due in January; one for PLY Magazine about what I call “lumberjack yarns”, and the fourth installment of “Ask a Spinning Teacher” for Spin-Off. These assignments will keep me plenty busy for the rest of this month.

In addition to meeting those deadlines, I’m doing a bit of teaching. My friend, Becky McD, asked me provide some lessons on knitting boot socks for her and a friend. I asked her if it’d be OK if I opened those lessons up to a broader audience. She agreed.

So, I’m teaching a three-session class at my house in Lake Ann, Michigan on Knitting Boot Socks.

Thursday, January 7

Wednesday January 13

Thursday January 21

Classes start at 11am and go for 1 ½ - 2 hours.

Description: This workshop is for those with basic knitting skills but who may be new to sock knitting. We will knit a boot sock: a sock that is thicker and warmer than standard socks, using a sturdy 100% wool yarn. We will cover how to use double pointed needles for knitting in the round, how to work a basic heel flap and heel turn, how to pick up stitches for the gusset, basic decreases, and the Kitchener stitch for creating a seamless toe. We will also cover how to wash and care for your new boot socks.

Class Fee: $45

Materials Fee: $13, which covers the cost of 2 skeins of Briggs & Little “Heritage” yarn.

Participants to Bring: one set of 4 US size 6 double pointed needles, one set of 4 US size 4 double pointed needles, a darning needle.

Because these sessions will be in my home, class size is limited to 6 people. If you are interested in attending, email me: amy@stonesockfibers.com

At the end of January, I’m headed to St. Joseph, Michigan to teach a 2-day workshop – Spinning Wools of North America – for a small group of fiber enthusiasts called the Lighthouse Knitters. I went down there last year in April for a wonderful weekend of spinning. I’m sure I’ll have just as wonderful a time this January too.

Seventh Sock

Here’s another pair of boot socks. I think I like these best of this most recent batch.

 

There is one thing I forgot to mention in my last blog about knitting these socks: the needles I used. I am so very fond of knitting socks with double pointed needles. Many sock knitters these days use either two circular needles or one very long circular needle. I just can’t seem to give up my double points. They fit so nicely and naturally in my hands. And I’m very happy with my sock knitting. On occasion, there are sock patterns that are just easier to knit on two circulars. But usually I go for the double points.

And usually I pull out my needles that are made of rosewood. They are so pretty, and they are smooth yet not slippery, and they are warm. But on this sock pattern, I also use my very old aluminum needles. For the leg of the sock, I use a US size 6 (4mm) set of needles; the rosewood needles. For the foot, I use a US size 4 (3.5mm) set. Now, the yarn I use – B B&L “Heritage” – is a sturdy worsted weight yarn. Such yarn is typically knitted on US size 7 or 8 or even 9 needles. But for socks, I knit at a tight gauge. Knitting this yarn on size 4 needles can be a physical challenge. I really struggle when I use my rosewood needles; for one thing, I’m worried about breaking them. That would be bad. I have no such worry with the aluminum needles. I’m so very glad I’ve kept them as part of my needle stable.

I was asked to share the pattern. Here is the basic outline:

Cast on 40 sts. Work in K1P1 ribbing for the leg of the sock on size 6 needles. Then change to size 4 needles for the foot. Work a heel flap on 20 sts, leaving the other 20 sts for the instep. Do a regular heel turn, ending with 12 sts rem on heel needle. Pick up 12 sts along each gusset side. Work the rest of the sock in st st. Do a standard gusset decrease, going from 56 sts to 40 sts. Work even until approx. 2 ½ inches short of foot length. Work a graduated wedge toe. Kitchener stitch the toe. Presto! If you’d like more detail, email me: amy@stonesockfibers.com.

Six Sick Socks

You're out of the woods

You're out of the dark
You're out of the night
Step into the sun
Step into the light
           Lyrics by Edgar Harburg, from The Wizard of Oz

I’m finally feeling like a human being again. At last, food tastes good – especially that spoonful of peanut butter I had late last night.

While under the weather, I drank a lot of herbal tea and water, did some nasal rinses, took antibiotics, watched TV, and knitted boot socks. Six pairs. (I’m nearly done with a seventh pair.)

This is the same boot sock pattern I’ve been knitting for 30 years. So it’s as mindless a pattern as can be. I use this pattern to play with constraints. I try to make every pair unique. I use the same yarn (used to be Reynold’s Candide, now it’s Briggs & Little Heritage). I never change the stitch pattern. I only change colors.

 

There is one exception to my every-pair-unique strategy. I always have a pair of red socks with pink toes. I call them my CiCi Socks, in memory of my dear friend CiCi Rock. She taught me to knit socks after she gave me a pair of boot socks that were red with pink toes. She changed my life. She died just after I moved to Michigan to begin my life as a fiber artist. Damn cancer.

Don’t think for a minute that I have too many pairs of boot socks. Even though there is no snow on the ground right now, there will be. And winter is long here. So I use boot socks nearly every day. And they wear out; typically the heel goes first because of the abrasion in the boot.

When I wear a hole in the heel, I give the socks to my dear friend, Becky McD. We wear the same size socks/shoes. And she likes to darn socks. So these socks get a new life. And I get to knit more boot socks. A win-win, I’d say.