Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Gravel Road

Yay! The first pattern of 2018! Gravel Road is an easy to memorize two row repeat that is addictive and fun to knit. This pattern looks great with speckles, self-striping, varigated, and tonal yarn. Can't wait to see what you knit!  


Gravel Road
All Knit Up Designs

Ravelry: sierrak2010
Instagram: allknitup

400 yards fingering weight yarn (Havirland Yarn Solomon Sock used in sample) 
Needle: Hiya Hiya 9 inch circular US 1.5 / 2.5 mm
Gauge: 32 stitches by 32 rows = 4"
Pattern uses Modified Eye of Partridge Heel Flap and Wedge Toe

K: knit 
P: Purl 
P2Tog: Purl two together
K2Tog: Knit two together
SSK: Slip, slip, knit 
SM: Slip marker 
WYIF: With yarn in front
WYIB: With yarn in back 
----
Cast on 60 Stitches. (Place a marker at the beginning of the round)

Knit 1, Purl 1 for 18 rounds

Beaded Rib
Round 1: * P1, K1, P1, K1, P1; repeat from *  
Round 2: * P1, K3, P1; repeat from * 
Repeat these two rows for your preferred leg length. (I repeated the pattern rows twenty six times) 

Starting heel flap. (You will be working flat on half of your stitches) 

Turn work with wrong side facing, you will be working back across the last 30 stitches

 Tip: I switch to using a DPN for the heel flap and turn when using a 9 inch circ

Row 1: Knit 3, Purl 27
Row 2: Purl 3 * Knit 1, slip 1 knitwise with yarn in back * repeat to last 3 stitches, knit 3
Row 3: Knit 3, purl across
Row 4: Purl 3, * Slip 1 knitwise with yarn in back, Knit 1 * repeat to last 3 stitches, knit 3 

Repeat these 4 rows eight times total (You will have 16 Garter bumps along the edge) 


Starting the heel turn
Row 1: Slip 1 purlwise wyif, P15, P2Tog, P1, turn
Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise wyib, k3, SSK, k1, turn
Row 3: Slip 1 pw wyif, P4, P2Tog, P1, turn
Row 4: Slip 1 kw wyib, K5, SSK, k1, turn  
Row 5: Slip 1 pw wyif, P6, P2Tog, P1, turn 
Row 6: Slip 1 kw wyib, K7, SSK , K1, turn
Row 7: Slip 1 pw wyif, P8, P2TOG, P1, turn
Row 8: Slip 1 kw wyib, K9, SSK, K1, turn
Row 9: Slip 1 pw wyif, P10, P2TOG, P1, turn
Row 10: Slip 1 kw wyib, K11, SSK, K1, turn
Row 11: Slip 1 pw wyif, P12, P2TOG, P1, turn
Row 12: Slip 1 kw wyib, K13, SSK, K1, turn
Row 13: Slip 1 pw wyif, P14, P2TOG, turn
Row 14: Slip 1 kw wyib, K 14, SSK 

(You should have closed all ‘gaps’ and have 16 stitches from the heel flap and turn) 

Now you will pick up and knit 16 stitches along the heel flap (one stitch for every garter bump) 

Once you’ve picked up the first side of the gusset, pick up one extra stitch in between the gusset and top of the foot (This helps close up any small hole between gusset and foot) 

   Tip: Stitches picked up between gusset & foot should be knit through the back loop. 

Place marker A after picking up and knitting the stitch between gusset and foot 

Work pattern across top of foot, place marker B. 

Now pick up and knit one extra stitch between the top of the foot and the next side of the gusset, pick up and knit 16 garter bumps from heel flap. (You now have 80 stitches on your needles, 30 from marker A to B, 50 from marker B to A) 

Knit one round plain (no increasing/decreasing, follow pattern at top of the foot) 

After knitting this round, stop three stitches before marker A 

Round 1: K2TOG, K 1, sm, work in pattern to next marker, sm, K 1, SSK, Knit to marker A 

Round 2: SM A, work in pattern to next marker, sm B, knit to three stitches before marker A

Repeat these two rounds until you have 30 stitches left between marker B and A 

Continue working in pattern across top of foot and knitting along the bottom until foot length measures 1.5 inches less than desired length.

Start toe decreases three stitches before marker A (When knitting in the round becomes uncomfortable, switch to Double Point Needles) 

Round 1: K2TOG, K1, sm, K1, SSK, knit to three stitches before next marker, K2TOG, K1, sm, K1, SSK, Knit to marker A

Round 2: Knit entire round 

Repeat these two rounds until sock measures length of foot. (Stitch count will be determined by the length of your toe box.)

Complete the sock with a kitchener stitch. (Here are links to two different tutorials) 



Thursday, January 18, 2018

Fall Socks?

It's nowhere near fall here anymore, but I did just finish my fall inspired socks!

I picked up my sock blank while on my trip to Seattle and Vancouver BC with my mom in Sept. 2017 (This was a phenomenal trip that I posted about awhile back). The blank is from GingerSnap (a new to me Canadian dyer) and I loved the yarn the blank was knit with. I usually find sock blanks to be a bit thinner than a traditional hank of yarn but this was a plump three-ply that made delicious socks.

I adored the fall theme and they were exactly what I needed to start when the cooler weather started to come.

My contrast cuff is Knit Picks Stroll  and it totally makes the socks! I love how they knit up but they wouldn't be as standout without the contrast.


My mom and I bought ten balls of Stroll last fall (2016) and split them so we could use them as contrasts for our socks. I love having that little extra to add to my knitting. Stroll is totally affordable and comes in 50 gram balls so you are purchasing a ton. I think when I buy my next lot of Felici I'll be purchasing matching heels/toes/cuffs yarn. 

Happy Knitting! 

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

#2018makenine

I hopped on the bandwagon this year after seeing my feed flooded with so many new (to me) awesome knitting and sewing patterns from #2018makenine. If you haven't visited this tag on Instagram GO NOW (Link provided) I have so many new patterns I want to give a try.

Mine is just knitting patterns but I definitely have a few sewing projects on the brain as well. Here is my nine makes I would like to get started/done this year!


1. Marion Cardigan by Andi Satterlund
2. Round Cove by Amy Herzog
3. Vitamin D by Heidi Kirrmaier
4. Antonia/Antonio by Julie Weisenberger
5. Georgetown by Hannah Fettig
6. Shusui Shrug by Susanne Sommer
7. Stay Soft Shawl by Veera Valimaki
8. Hope Cardigan by Amy Christoffers
9. Exploration Station by Stephen West

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Myrna

Happy New Year!

As soon as the first hint of cool weather hits NorCal I fall into sweater love. I want to dream, knit, wear all the sweaters.

My wardrobe consists mainly of high waisted skirts, 40's fit and flare dresses, and my trusty denim jeans. When I (and my mom) found Andia Satterlund's patterns I new they were going to be a staple in my wardrobe and I needed one ASAP.

I raided my stash and came up with six skeins of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in the pumpkin colorway to knit Myrna!


 I had just the right amount of yarn and the gauge was perfect! My gauge is never perfect, I always have to adjust (usually a needle size us) but I just got to knit! So Excited!


I love the added detail of the keyhole opening in the back of the sweater, gives a really unique twist on otherwise a fairly plain sweater. This was the first time I've knit a set-in sleeve and it fits my body to much better than a raglan. Whole new world of sweaters here people!


 As you can see, the color works amazing with my button skirt. I have already worn my sweater with a few other skirts and dresses. I have another Andi Satterlund pattern finished that I'll show you soon!