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.
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I had hoped for some nice shots of the tracing process, but the weather has been doing this:
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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.
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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.
![](https://www.brendadayne.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fetching-x-2-1019x1024.jpg)
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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.
I remember when that edition of Knitty came out. I teared up a little as you talked about making Fetching for your mom, who has RA, because I made them for my stepmom who had RA. I’m going to her Celebration of Life later this week and it was bittersweet to realize I wouldn’t be able to make her a new pair with the mods.