Zigzagular Socks

The Zigzagular Socks are a free knitting pattern on Ravelry. The construction is top down with a textured heel flap. Along the sides of the socks runs a basic cable pattern that moves back and forth in a zig zag pattern.

I made the smallest size using my Daruma Superwash Merino wool yarn. This is a Japanese brand. I was first attracted to this yarn as it looked super soft and cozy. I have to say I wouldn’t use this yarn for socks again. It was too loosely wound for me. I like a very smooth yarn that is tightly plied and has at least 25% nylon. I like how the nylon helps keep a tight fit on my teeny tiny feet.

The pattern for these socks was well written. I liked that there were written direction as well as charts included. I also love a pattern with lots of pictures. It helps give me a better idea of what I am going to end up with.

I will not be wearing these sock for a looooong time. It will be 90° F/30°C for pretty much everyday for the foreseeable future. So no socks required 🙁. But, if you are looking for a sock pattern to stock up on your cold weather gear during the summer months I highly suggest the Zigzagular Socks.

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

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Timbromania Sweater

Have you all seen the Pom Pom Magazine Spring 2018 Issue? It is gorgeous! Initially, I saw the pattern Durumi on Instagram. I fell in love. I am a sucker for a simple geometric yoke. I headed to Ravelry to get more info and that is when I saw all the patterns from the  issue. I wanted to make them all!
(Photo from Pom Pom Magazine)

This was my first time purchasing Pom Pom Magazine and I have to say I am impressed. The magazine is laid out nicely and I really appreciated that they features models of somewhat average size. In this issue, the patterns were inspired by vintage stamps. Each pattern had a little backstory about the stamp and how it inspired the knitwear. Out of the 11 patterns featured, I wanted to make 7 immediately. However, let’s be practical 11 WIPs at one time is a little ridiculous. So I went through my stash and decided to make Timbromania with my pink cotton yarn that I bought in Tokyo.

I worked the pattern as written. The only “modification” I made was how the short rows were completed. The cotton yarn I was working with wasn’t very forgiving and every time I turned the piece to make the short row it got sloppy. However, I made it work and got through the sections. I had also never used a provisional cast on. It was fairly simple to execute.

 

I am happy to add Timbromania to my short sleeve top collection. I am acquiring quite the stash. It is a must though. When you live in a hot, humid, and tropical climate there isn’t much else you can knit. Shawls, scarves, hats, sweaters and/ or socks are just out of the question when it is 34 degrees C or 94 degrees F on a daily basis.

What are your favorite warm weather knits? 

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

Learning Tunisian Crochet

Recently, I had a lull between knitting projects. I couldn’t quite decide what to work on next. My Ravelry queue had about 30 choices, but the choices just made me more indecisive. So instead, I decided to investigate the excitement around Tunisian Crochet.

I gathered some scrap yarn and a hook and settled in front of my computer. I figured out the mechanics in about 10 minutes. If you know the basics of crochet, Tunisian Crochet isn’t that far off. The difference is you work the piece from right to left and DON’T turn the work.

I chose to work the Tunisian Knit Stitch, which to an inexperienced eye looks just like knitting. You can notice a slight difference in the back of the swatch. The look and weight of the garment is slightly thicker than knitting.

I ended up really liking the final look of the stitch. However, in order to make anything larger than a swatch I will need to invest in an Afghan hook (super long crochet hook). I don’t know if there will be much Tunisian Crochet in my future, but it was fun to try it out.

Have you tried Tunisian Crochet? What did you think about it?

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

Lace Baby Dress

This weekend my coworker’s daughter celebrated her 1st birthday. It was a lovely party with good food and fun. I decided I would make her a cute cotton dress for summer. I landed on the Lace Body Dress by Pernille Larsen after a Ravelry search. I love a basic silhouette with a touch of lace.

I used a light blue cotton yarn that I found traveling in Vietnam. It is fingering weight, but it didn’t come with a label. The yarn was pretty nice to work with. It wasn’t rough on the fingers nor was it super splitty. When washed and blocked the yarn exhibited the lace pattern well.

The pattern, included charts for the lace section that were clear and easy to use. I really liked that the dress started from the bottom and you attached the skirt section without sewing. However, due to its bottom up construction there were a lot of other places that require cutting and joining yarn. I would have rather sewed the skirt on as I ended up with way too many ends to weave in at the end of the project. I did modify the pattern to fit my yarn. I used the 3 month sizing and added length to the body. For the skirt, I started with the 3 month sizing and used the top parts of the chart from the 24 month chart.

The gift was well received at the party. The birthday girl looked darling! I was a little worried initially as the neck seemed a little snug to fit over the head. However, her daddy used his special parenting powers and popped it over her head like magic.

Until Next Time,

-Whit-