In this episode: Flat socks, knit purl patterns, iteration, procrastination, and Kvetching.
This week’s quest is to design some socks that are plain, but not boring to knit. I know. It’s a tall order. On the right, the first iteration has several different diamond patterns in a field of stockinette stitch. I decided it was too busy, and reduced the size of the diamond. On the right, I added some reverse stockinette to the side sections. It’s not as easy to work, and kind of a pain, so I’ve gone back to the original Stockinette for version 3, and I”m going to split the difference on the size of the diamonds.
I had hoped for some nice shots of the tracing process, but the weather has been doing this:
As a result, it’s too dark this afternoon for photography. I managed to get a few shots in before I lost the light. The set up for tracing took me all of ten minutes to set up! Lesson learned.
Thanks to Fetching designer, Cheryl Niamath, for her playful spirit and gracious acceptance of our mods. Cheryl models the version of Kvetching that Jeny knit for her (right); two versions of Fetching at different gauges; Jeny’s (far left) uses her interlock bind off.
After the podcast was recorded I realized that I had neglected to mention the designer of Knucks, Pamela Grossman, whose beautiful top-down thumb gusset was the inspiration for the one Jeny and I used in Kvetching.
Music in this episode:
- Jim Fidler, Merrigan’s Reel
- Robert Shirey Kelly, Winding Road
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Your talk of making Barbie doll clothes reminded me of my aunt, who knitted a me comprehensive collection of Barbie clothes. Every birthday I’d received a huge (to me) package of knitted outfits and accessories and unwrapping them and examining all the items was always a highlight! I’m sure I had so many that there were some I never played with.
And just as a side note, I think I need an adult version of the pinny. It’s so cute, and I do wear an apron a lot when crafting, so I think it would come in handy!
I am totally with you on the pinnie. I’m certain my Nana used to wear something very similar.
As always I thoroughly enjoyed your podcast. I am one of your original listeners and was completely shocked when your podcast reappeared in my feed. The best kind of surprise.
I received my one and only Barbie in the early 1960’s. My sister and I definitely hit the jackpot with Barbie clothes. My aunt was a dressmaker so my mom had access to beautiful luxury fabrics. My favorite was a teal colored ball gown with lace overlay bodice and black velvet stole. I don’t know what happened to those sewing patterns.
But I do have an extensive collection of knitting patterns. Some were from booklets and some from the old MCCall Needlework magazine. My Barbie had a white cabled bathrobe with a blue ribbon sash. I had ski sweaters, cardigans, and many other outfits. As a teenager I knitted many outfits to sell at craft fairs for spending money.
I would be happy to share the patterns if you are interested. Hope your shoulder heals quickly.
Side note: My mom is from Abertillery and married an American GI in the mid 1950’s. I love your descriptions of the Welsh countryside. I have such fond memories of visiting family.
I look forward to seeing the pattern for the mitts. I am still thinking about your vintage linens. I have also used pieces of them to fashion pockets on a little girl’s dress.