GG Pumpkin Spice Delight October "Vanilla" Socks // TAAT, Toe-Up

PROJECT DETAILS

Status FO
Started 10/8/2023
Completed 10/14/2023
Pattern Name N/A - Vanilla Socks
Designer N/A - Vanilla Socks
Size 40 stitches
My Measurements US 7.5 Women's Shoe Size
Yarn Handspun / Hand Dyed; Color: Pumpkin Spice Delight; DK Weight Yarn leftovers
Needles US 1.5 (2.5mm) / US 3 (3.25mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

In a moment of inspiration, I decided to dye and spin up some fiber from my stash.

Modifications

  • Used my go to Vanilla Sock Recipe, 40 stitches around for DK weight sock

    • Two-at-a-Time (TAAT)

    • Judy’s Magic Cast On

    • Fleegle Heel

    • Italian BO

RESOURCES

  • (Book) Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece // Gail Callahan

  • (Book) The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn: Techniques, Projects, and Recipes // Brenda Gibson

  • (Book) Color Works: The Crafter’s Guide to Color // Deb Metz

Final Thoughts

I really like this sock! This was my most successful dyeing project so far, and the colors were exactly as I had hoped (inspired by fall and Pumpkin Spice).

July "Herrensocken" Stash Socks// Daniela Muhlbauer // TAAT, Toe-Up Mods

PROJECT DETAILS

Status FO
Started 7/1/2023
Completed 7/20/2023
Yarn Various types of stash yarn
Size Smallest sock size, 48 stitches
Needles US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

I decided to use the argyle pattern from this cuff down sock pattern to fulfill the theme for this month’s sock bash challenge: a new technique.

Modifications

  • Switched to Toe Up vs. Cuff down

  • Judy’s Magic Cast On - (My favorite vanilla toe shape for my foot) 8 stitches each needle (16 total); Round 1: knit; Round 2: K1, M1R, Knit until 2 stitches, M1L, K1 (both needles); Round 3: knit - Repeat rounds 2 & 3 until there are 48 stitches total for the foot

  • I used US 0 (2mm) knitting needles for the foot of the sock until 6” (3” of foot not knit); US 1 (2.25mm) knitting needles for the sole

  • Decided to

  • Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the lace chart

RESOURCES

  • Converting a cuff down sock to toe up // Interweave Knitting // Website

Final Thoughts

The final result looks good, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with my modifications. I also missed a colorwork repeat.

Harlow Mark Tote (Crochet) // Two of Wands

PROJECT DETAILS

Status Finished Object
Started 6/16/2023
Completed 6/23/2023
Pattern Name Marlow Market Tote
Designer Two of Wands
Size Made One Size
Yarn Stash Yarn - Lion Brand, Caron Simply Soft, Big Twist
Needles G (4.25mm)

NOTES

I decided to make a crochet project as part of a crochet challenge.

I was interested in trying my hand at this crochet tote.

Pattern (free, Joanns): Marlow Market Tote // Stitch Along Tutorials

Modifications

  • I used different yarn, so that I could use what was in my stash.

    • MC: Big Twist Value, Ivory (color)

    • CC1: Lion Brand Yarn, Jeans, Top Stitch (color)

    • CC2: Caron Simply Soft Marled, Gray Heather (color)

  • I went down several crochet hook sizes to get closer to the gauge of the original pattern — to a size G (4.25mm).

  • I tried to use several tutorials for creating crochet rope, including a tutorial on YouTube from the Purple Poncho. I thought it would: 1) use up more of my yarn, and 2) be slightly sturdy and more finished looking than just making handles from crochet chains and single crochet stitches. However, I never quite got it. So, instead I made an I-cord that was 31” inches.

Final Thoughts

This was a fun reintroduction to crochet. The fabric created is thick and sturdy, which I think works great for a bag. The tutorials provided, along with the instructions, were absolutely necessary for my completion of this project. It’s not a perfect FO, but it will work just fine as a (small) market tote.

Marled Beige and White "April Cardigan" // Petite Knits

PROJECT DETAILS

Status FO
Started 12/21/2022
Completed 5/25/2023
Pattern Name April Cardigan
Designer Petite Knits
Measurements 5'4" // B: 35, W: 26.5, H: 38.25
Pattern Size XS
Yarn Camel Palette Twist(100% wool) // Oat Aloft Mohair (72% Super Kid Mohair and 28% Silk) HELD TOGETHER; 4 LaMode 22mm white, beige, and camel colored buttons
Needles US 6 (4 mm) body // US 4 (3.5mm) hem and cuff, US 2 (3.0mm) button bands/collar, 40" Circular

NOTES

This is my second April Cardigan. As predicted, this is fast becoming my TNT cardigan pattern. This pattern is worth every pattern. I kept my modifications from my first April Cardigan. I decided to go down a size to XS.

MODIFICATIONS

  • TIP: I only used the fingering weight yarn (not the mohair held double with the fingering weight yarn) for the Italian Bind Off. This helped the yarn not tangle as I worked with a very long tail for sewing the bind off.

  • Button band: Instead of doing a button band with ribbing, I decided to knit the button band from the Champagne Cardigan. That button band is double knit and adds a nice finished look to the final cardigan.

RESOURCES

  • Knitting Increase Calculator // Website

  • No Holes For Sweater Sleeves // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

  • Tubular CO in the Round (1x1 Ribbing) // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

  • Difference between Italian Bind Off vs Tubular Bind Off // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

  • Kimmie Munkholm // Champagne Cardigan Button Band + Buttonhole // Youtube (Button Band) + Youtube (Buttonhole)

  • Double Knit Button // Cotton Gin and Tonic // Part 1 (Youtube) & Part 2 (Youtube)

  • Attaching Vertical Button Bands // Knitting the Stash // Youtube

  • Handknitter’s Double Knit Button Band // Into the Wool // Website

  • Covered button tutorial // KDD & CO // Website

Final Thoughts

For some reason the button band on this version feels perfect - buttoned or unbuttoned.

Baby Version "Classic Ribbed Hat" // Purl Soho

PROJECT DETAILS

Status Finished Object
Started 5/22/2023
Completed 5/24/2023
Pattern Name Classic Ribbed Hat
Designer Purl Soho
Size Made Baby - 1st Size
Yarn Stash - Malabrigo Washted, Worsted Weight, 210 yds. (100% Superwash Merino): 722 Fortaleza
Needles US 3 (3.25mm)

NOTES

A quick knit for a last minute baby gift.

Modifications

No modifications to the pattern, but I did use a worsted weight yarn instead of a DK weight.

Resources

  • NA

Final Thoughts

I thought the final product was cute and fast.

Stash Yarn "Classic Ribbed Hat" // Purl Soho

PROJECT DETAILS

Status Finished Object
Started 3/30/2023
Completed 5/17/2023
Pattern Name Classic Ribbed Hat
Designer Purl Soho
Size Made Adult Size Large (fingering weight modification)
Yarn Bad Sheep Yarn, Leftovers (Colorways: Currant & Spell On You)
Needles US 1.5 (2.5mm)

NOTES

I wanted to make a fingering weight hat with left over sock yarn. I also wanted to include the brim from the Oslo Hat.

Modifications

  • I used fingering weight yarn and a 2.5mm needle.

  • I cast on for the adult large size, (cast on 132 stitches).

  • Fold over brim - knit 7.5”

  • Knit 6” past the fold before starting decreases

  • I followed the decreases as listed in the Classic Ribbed Hat pattern for the largest size.

Resources

  • Cast On - Norwegian: How to Knit the Old Norwegian Cast On // WEBS // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I like this hat, and I am a fan of being able to use up my fingering weight sock yarns. The 1x1 ribbing is warmer than I initially thought it would be. The combination of the Oslo Hat and the Classic Ribbed Hat pattern is a good fit.

Tip Top Tank FINE #1 - Teal // Maker Maker [Free Pattern]

PROJECT DETAILS

Status FO
Started 4/1/2023
Completed 5/7/2023
Pattern Name Tip Top Tank FINE
Designer Maker Maker
Size XS
My Measurements Bust: 35" Waist: 27" Hips: 38.25"
Yarn Patons // Light (very) DK Yarn // Patons; 2 balls, TBD yds./50g, Color: TBD
Needles US 3 (3.25mm) // US 2 (3.0mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

I found this yarn - Paton’s Linen (50% Linen & 50% Cotton) - at Joann’s and I was over the moon to give it a try. I went a bit overboard and bought the yarn in three different colorways to knit three “Tip Top Tank FINE” tanks.

My gauge was loose compared to the pattern:

  • 21sts./4” with US 4

  • 23.5 - 23.75sts/4” with US 3

  • 24sts/4” with US 2

However, after blocking the swatch plumped up a bit.

I ended up knitting the XS size using US 2 for the ribbing and US 3 for the body of the tank. The drape of the fabric was even better after blocking.

MODIFICATIONS

  • 1x1 tubular cast on for both hems

    • Used Andrea Mowry’s Cast On

    • After Cast On, 1st Row: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); 2nd Row: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch; Row 3: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); Row 4: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch Be sure that the stitches (purl and knit) are not twisted on the needle. If they are knit, purl, or slip into back leg to untwist.

    • After set up rows for 1x1 tubular cast on, begin slipping the 1st stitch each row for cleaner edge

    • I knit 10 rows of 1x1 rib, end on WS row

  • Used a genius modification by Recreates (on Ravelry) to raise the back by 6 rows

  • I also added some extra rows for the length.

RESOURCES

  • Tubular Cast On (Flat) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube

  • Tubular Cast On // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

  • Ravelry User Recreates’ Tip Top Tank Modification to the back

  • Three Needle Bind Off:

    • Martha Lyons // Three Needle bind off for shoulders // Youtube

    • Three-Needle Bind Off (3NBO) Basics // Technique Tuesday // Youtube

    • Very Pink Knits // Youtube

    • (Timestamp: 5:29) Finessed Three-Needle Bind off // Roxanne Richardson // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I really like this top and the fabric that the yarn created. This will be my 3rd Tip Top Tank (and 1st Tip Top Tank FINE). This pattern is definitely becoming an unexpected TNT for me. For my next version of this top — yep, there are more in my near future — I will try reversing the pattern to be knit from the top down.

I don’t mind knitting from the bottom up, but I am finding that I don’t use cotton blend yarns very much outside of summer, and I do not want a lot of leftovers. Bottom up construction makes it hard for me to use up as much of the yarn as possible without worrying about having enough to complete the top portion. This sometimes leads me to crop the tank unnecessarily (in an effort to conserve yarn) only to find that I have plenty of it left.

"Mercury Socks" // Kim Drotar

PROJECT DETAILS

Status FO
Started 5/1/2023
Completed 5/6/2023
Yarn Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock; Colorway: Gloria
Size Smallest sock size, 48 stitches
Needles US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

I was able to use some leftovers from my “Boneyard Sweethearts” hat. This light color was a perfect color for the lace pattern.

Modifications

  • Switched to Toe Up vs. Cuff down

  • Judy’s Magic Cast On - (My favorite vanilla toe shape for my foot) 8 stitches each needle (16 total); Round 1: knit; Round 2: K1, M1R, Knit until 2 stitches, M1L, K1 (both needles); Round 3: knit - Repeat rounds 2 & 3 until there are 50 stitches total for the foot

  • I used US 1 (2.25mm) knitting needles for the entire sock

  • Used my favorite heel construction - Fleegle Heel + No Holes Version

  • Knit 5” for the leg before starting 1x1 rib

  • Reversed the lace chart

  • Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the lace chart

RESOURCES

  • Converting a cuff down sock to toe up // Interweave Knitting // Website

Final Thoughts

This sock flew off the knitting needles. These were a surprisingly quick knit. I could see myself knitting these again.

"Laurelhurst" Socks // Star Athena

PROJECT DETAILS

Status FO
Started 4/18/2023
Completed 4/30/2023
Pattern Name Laurelhurst
Designer Star Athena
Yarn Scrappy Yarn Left Overs - Succulents (Stress Yarn Knits) & Malabrigo 362 Under the Sea
Needles US 0 (2.0mm), US 1.5 (2.5mm)

NOTES

I wanted to use up some scrappy yarn, but I didn’t want a truly scrappy look for my sock. My yarn combo was perfect for this slip stitch sock.

Modifications

  • Switched to Toe Up vs. Cuff down

  • Judy’s Magic Cast On - (My favorite vanilla toe shape for my foot) 8 stitches each needle (16 total); Round 1: knit; Round 2: K1, M1R, Knit until 2 stitches, M1L, K1 (both needles); Round 3: knit - Repeat rounds 2 & 3 until there are 50 stitches total for the foot

  • US 0 (2.0mm) for the toes and foot; US 1.5 (2.5mm) after the heel & for the leg; US 7 (4.5mm) for the loose bind off - I experimented with several sizes and, for me, this produced a nice stretchy bind off

  • Used my favorite heel construction - Fleegle Heel + No Holes Version

  • 4.5” length for the leg and then started the lace chart - sock was about 6.5” in total leg length

  • Reversed the lace chart

  • Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the lace chart

RESOURCES

  • Converting a cuff down sock to toe up // Interweave Knitting // Website

Final Thoughts

I really liked knitting this sock. I can see myself making this sock again.