The colors of January

Pacific Ocean--Mendocino Headlands

what are the colors of January?

for me it's the deep blues

of winter's night skies

and

charcoal gray storm clouds

laden

with icy blue resolutions 

and

teal good intentions

salt marshes

its the color of whales

singing their nursery songs

as they coast along our Pacific coast

 or the

gray feathers of mourning doves

looking for love

and a building nests

in all the wrong places

Pudding Creek and Haul Road bridge and Pacific Ocean

but right now it's

 Malabrigo Sock Yarn

in the colorway 852 Persia

knitted up into fingerless

mitts

to go over

and glam up

 my  cheap machine made store bought gloves

and

here it is

the colors of January

Happy New Year!

M o m o C h a r l e n e ' s
N e w Y e a r ' s
M i d n i g h t B l u e
G l o v e S l e e v e s
o r
F i n g e r l e s s M i t t s

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Needles: 1 set dbl pts size 1 and 2.
Gauge: 7-8 sts. Per inch.
Size Small to Medium

Notes: As these were made to slip over store bought gloves with the

touch fingertips for smart phones, etc. the body of the glove needs a

bit more width. I solved this by switching to size 2 needles for the

body. I like the finger and wrist area tighter anyway so I use a size

smaller needles for those areas. These sleeves are also flippable. I

like the sportswear look of the ribbing at my fingertips, but there are

times I need to see some lace!

Cast on 60 stitches with size 1s. Place marker at beginning. Join for round stitching.

Knit 3, Purl 2 ribbing for 2 inches. Switch to size 2 needles.

Knit stockinette for 1 inch.

Purl 3, knit around to last 3 sts. Purl 3. Repeat for 3 rows.

for thumb opening:

Row 1 (Right side): *(P1, S1)twice, P1. * Stockinette around to last 5 stitches before marker. Do same pattern *-*.

TURN work ( will work back and forth.)

Row 2 (wrong side): Purl across. TURN.

Repeat these two rows for about 3 inches. Enough for your thumb to slip through. End on right side.

Rejoining and starting lace pattern:

Place marker and rejoin(for in the rd knitting) by just stitching across to left side p1,sl 1, p1, sl 1 p1. Knit across

to last 5 stitches, p1, sl, p1, sl1. Slip marker. Knit across. Do these two rows for 3 times (total 6 rows.)

Knit 1 inch of stockinette. Switch to size 1 needles.

Begin lace pattern:

Row 1:

K2tog, yo, k1, yo sl 1, k1, psso, p2, k1, p2.

Row 2 & 3:

Knit

Row 4:

repeat row 1.

Repeat four row pattern 5 times. End at row 3. Bind off.

© all rights reserved by Charlene Reinhart. For personal use only. Please give credit and link back to:

http://knit1clay2.blogspot.com.

the beating of a knitting heart

 

 

One of my favorite yarn is Madelinetosh Tosh DK.  

Mainly because I am addicted to blues and grays.

How can one past up not buying at least a skein?

And even better buying two skeins to make a Honey Cowl?

It's an easy but beautiful project to knit while watching mystery shows on Netflix.  Right now I am watching George Gently.  I have seen the series before so I can knit and pause as I need without losing a stitch or clue.  I love the texture and bouncy feeling of this pattern. 

No bit of yarn goes to waste.  The stripes are from the gauge swatch and last few yards of one skein.  The Honey Cowl takes two skeins and I like to join at the beginning of the row.  The dark charcoal gray is some Berocco Peruvian. In the meanwhile, since I believe in the number 3, I started and finished another hat.

I knitted this hat with Paton's Troy sock yarn.  I have used this yarn before and like that it is inexpensive, washable and blooms nicely.  It's an original pattern that I will write up and post.  It is very stretchy with easy little cables and decreases that creates a  shapely spoke crown. 

Now I was down to two projects so I needed a third again.  You know how it is with knitting!  I also got a skein of Lions Martha Stewart dk yarn.  I needed a light gray, washable yarn and I live far away from my favorite LYSs.  So I grabbed it at Michael's.  It knits up smoothly and it is soft.  Not as springy as Madelinetosh, but it works.  We will see if it pills after wash and wear.

jogging stripes are a challenge

Although hats are fun to knit I really need to get started on some shawls and socks. I couldn't get much done this fall as I was getting all the ceramic work finished up.  Also have a house to finish building.  Lots of making going on, but I have to admit knitting is the most relaxing. It takes on a rhythm that coincides with my evening thoughts.  It helps me sort out things that happened during the day and the plans for the next.  And then like the beating of a heart---knit, knit, knit, purl, purl and knit---on it goes...........

Spinning clay into yarn bowls........

Satin Cobalt Green Glaze with floating black crystals

Yarn bowl in a robin egg glaze

Last few weeks I have worked on some yarn bowls, hats and trying to write up a sock pattern that I will post soon.  I know I still have a hat pattern I am working on the last post.  It is nearly done, too.  I left it out to remind me that the crown needs finishing. I know its getting warm, but around here the summers can be colder than winter.  The yarn bowls are a donation to the Camilla Waldolf School annual auction gala.  Each yarn bowl comes with a teacup and a sample of wool.  I made sure they had a little weight on the bottom and tested them.  They work wonderfully and look sweet just storing a ball of yarn.  They come in different sizes, some with holes. 

fresh off the needles and in need of blocking

Right now I am preparing for a ceramic and glass exhibit.  I have sculptures everywhere in different stages of completion as with my knitting projects.  Off I go to check the kiln!  Then some sock knitting...........

Plum Snow Hat

Plum Snow Hat by MoMo Charlene

With the rains coming through the last of the plum blossoms now blanket my mossy lawn.  I was working on some socks in honor of the asparagus spearing through the ground.  I have this bright grassy Shibui sock yarn and began to make a swatch.  Yet somehow the pink snowy plum blossoms looked so beautiful and I had to make a hat.  I had just the yarn, in the right hue, fluffy and light. It will take only a moment or two (in knitting time) to fashion up a hat in honor of plum snow!  

close up and nearly done

This is a simple lace pattern, but it looks like the branches of the plum trees to me.  Around here we dress in layers and don't necessarily need tightly knitted caps.  Just something to keep the breeze off our ears.  A lace pattern has just the right ventilation.  The longer ribbing covers up the ears keeping them in the pink warm. 

Bird Blind  getting its first layer of glaze with Plum Blossom Snow Hat in back

In the meanwhile, I do need to get back to my real job and finish up some ceramic pieces for an upcoming exhibit.  I will post the pattern for Plum Snow Hat as soon as I finish off the top.  

While doing the stripey sock (the toes were done with leftovers from this sock pattern. I finished up the instructions for the cable and lace socks.  This was done quickly and I hope it isn't too confusing. The socks are so lovely and Malabrigo Sock Yarn so soft.  Plus the pattern looks very slimming with its long verticals.  The knitting went quickly, too.  I knitted without a cable needle so it was easy not fussing with a little cable needle.  I love this pattern and will sure to use it again---maybe in fingerless gloves.

MoMo's Simple Cable and Lace Socks

Something simple and straightforward

easy to do wherever and not have to worry about what's around the corner.

Pattern is simple and elegant. It is good for knitting while watching television of your favorite reruns. (I like to watch PBS Masterpiece Theater)

Please forgive me if there are errors. I tried my best!

It really is a basic top down sock. Just add the pattern around theleg. Split for heel flap using 36 stitches. Keep 34 stitches for pattern on instep.

Momo's Simple Cable and Lace Socks

Finished size is small-size 6 shoe/37Eur

This pattern easily adaptable to smaller or larger sizes.

Use larger needles or lengthen foot. Pattern repeats in 8 rows making alterations easy.

Yarn: Malabrigo Sock (420 yds) 1 skein (only used approx. 3/4)

Needles: Size 1

Gauge: 8 stitches to 1”

Leg:

Cast on 70 stitches.

Arrange stitches on three needles:

17, 35, 18

Careful not to twist stitches, join for round knitting in the. Mark beginning of row.

Knit 1 row.

Purl 1 row.

Knit 1 row.

Purl 1 row.

Using chart begin pattern. Pattern repeat is 10 stitches. Last for in light gray are for the last 4 stitches of the round. Repeat pattern for desired length. I did 8 cable oval sets.

Heel Flap:

At marker, turn to wrong side.

Slip 1 purlwise.

Purl 35.

Turn.

Slip one knit wise

K1, Sl 1 across ending with K1

Repeat these two rows 15 times (30 rows).

Turning:

K20. K2tog. K1. Turn

Sl 1 Purlwise, P7, P2tog

K across to stitch before gap. Take this stitch and next stitch in a ssk to close this gap. Turn.

S1, purl to 1 st before gap. P2tog to close gap.

Continue in this fashion until all stitches are worked.

There should be 22 stitches.

Now for the fun part.

Gusset:

With a new needle (Needle 1)

Pick up 15 stitches in each of the chain on side of flap. (Gusset stitches)

Needle 2: Continue cable and lace pattern at across instep (starting and ending with purl)

*34 stitches

Pick up 15 stitches again on flap with another needle (Needle 3)

Knit across 11 stitches on the heel flap. Slip marker.

You now have 4 needles with stitches.

Needle 1 has from right to left: 11 stitches, a marker, 11 stitches

Needle 2: 15 gusset stitches

Needle 3 (top of foot): pattern of 34 stitches

Needle 4: 15 gusset stitches

K10.

P15.

Continue pattern (instep)

P15.

Knit 11. Sl marker.

K10

P12. P2tog. P1.

Pattern

P1. P2tog. P12.

Knit across to marker. Sl marker.

Repeat these two rows twice more. At this point change to knit stitch instead of purl and continue decrease until there is 7 gusset stitches remaining on both sides. (Redistribute stitches if more comfortable onto 4 needles)

Continue stockinette and pattern until 1 3/4” less than desired length. Begin decrease for toe.

TOE:

Knit one row and also redistribute sts so that pattern stitches (instep) are on one needle and sole stitches are two.

(Needle 1 has 17 stitches, Needle 2 has 35 stitches, Needle 3 has 18 stitches)

Row 1:

Starting with needle 1 knit until last 3 sts. K2 tog. K1.

On needle 2 (instep) K1. Ssk. Knit till last 3 stitches. K2 tog. K1.

Needle 3: K1. Ssk. Knit to end of needle.

Row 2:

Knit.

Continue these two rows until 8 stitches remain. Leave 10-12” tail. Use Kirchner stitch.

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Row 8

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Row_ 7

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Row 5

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Row 4

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Row 3

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Row 1

10

5

Pattern repeat is 10 stitches. Last four stitches on chart for last 4 stitches in the round on the leg. For instep it is repeated 3 times with last four stitches.

Legend:

	knit
─	purl
O	YO (yarnover)
/	K2tog
\	ssk
►	Cable 2*

*The four triangles set is a cable 2: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle. Or you can slip 2 sts purlwise to right needle. Knit next two stitches. Pull those two stitches off needle by pinching back of loops (hold firm) and slip the two slip sts back to left in front of the held stitches. Now put two held stitches onto right needle. It is faster than using a cable needle. For visual ck: http:// www.knittinghelp.com

Dusk to Dawn Striped Socks

Stripe Socks--Dusk to Dawn with Malabrigo and Koigiu left overs

One of my favorite things to do is watch the skies after the sunset at the Pacific Coast.  People come out and stroll along the beach just before.  Some set up their beach chairs and wrapped themselves up in blankets (or each other.)  Once the sun sets people leave.  They turn their backs and head back to their cars and leave.  Yet if you give yourself 10 more minutes the skies deepen to summer hot fuchsias melting into lilacs and back again to shimmering golds.  The ocean breeze seems to stop as if drawing in its breath.  The day's turquoise water takes on a saturated tone of midnight blue with splashes of moonlight silver. I finished the cable and lace socks.  I am writing the pattern and will post it in a couple of days.

Sock time

I love knitting with little needles and Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Alcaucil .  They have such lustrous colorways.  Even the very dark, nearly black yarns have such a luminous quality.  Like the ocean after sundown.

This pattern is a simple mix of cable and eyelet rib.  When I finish it I will post the instruction.  As I go along I will probably change a few things.  It is a sock in progress.

In the meanwhile, back at the ranch...Clay and Persimmons.......I'm making little porcelain leaves.  While cutting out little ovals I noticed they look like little cable ovals.  I need to get out more......

Shawl time

Elizabeth Zimmerman's 100th Anniversary PI Shawl done in Isager Alpaca 1

This beautiful shawl was designed by Mwaa Knit Obsession as a tribute to Elizabeth Zimmerman.  It is based on EZ's camping trips which she describes in the Knitter's Almanac.  The first book I bought on knitting was Zimmerman's Knitting Without Tears in the 1970's.  I still have it and although I knit without tears, I can not help to laugh to tears whenever I read it.

My lovely daughter-in-law doesn't know I was knitting this for her.  I picked it because of the symbolic nature of the patterns included in this shawl.  The designer picked a paw print pattern to represent EZ's cat, Kline and all furry animals.  I thought it could also symbolize that my daughter-in-law was born in the year of the rabbit   The slanting twigs represents walking in the woods with the dappling sunlight. For me it symbolizes the trails my daughter-in-law hiked with our son (especially the Lost Coast trail) and the life they are building together. The willow leaves represents family growing strong.  The waves and droplets edge signifies the Pacific Ocean and that she is a water sign.  I knitted it with a very fine alpaca from Isager bought at my favorite yarn shop, Mendocino Yarn Shop.  This shawl is so light and soft.  Well-suited for our moderate climate.  I think it came out beautiful just like her.

Still working my way through all the maybe it's a full skein basket.  Just when I thought I had gotten a good handle on the  one skein  here and there I found a stray bag with 3 skeins of different yarns.  I started making hats again.  I have to admit hats are fast and fun to knit.

 Graham by Jennifer Adams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

drawing by me done in Jo Sharp DK and Red Sharpie

Travel Shawl by Veronik Avery

Now I did sneak in the shawl from Knitting 24/7 by Veronik Avery into my knitting basket.  At first I didn't know what gives with the beginning until I realized that the shawl is not triangular but a square.  This isn't too clear in the photos, but it was actually a nice surprise.  I love the thought that it is useful as a lap shawl or folded for extra warmth.  Once started it goes along with its own rhythm.  In between I will continue to use up my one skein stash.  I already started to think headbands and cowls. Maybe some mittens.  Fingerless gloves.......

Stripe Hat by Me using leftovers

While sorting through my yarn I found a UFO hiding out in the pinks basket.  There was another small ball of Suri Alpaca in ac variegated taupe/rose/ecru wrapping itself around a little bit of blue alpaca yarn.  It was love at first sight.  Plain and simple they knitted themselves together, knit row in blue, purl row in rose in the round.  That way there is no right nor wrong side.  Just put it on and away you go!