Random thoughts of a fiber enthusiast - mostly fiber related, sometimes coherent

Month: April 2008 Page 1 of 2

On Toes…

Kim was curious about my basic sock recipe, especially how I’m starting my toes these day.

I use 2 circular needles. The cable is flexible enough for the manipulation of the small number of stitches. I’ve tried it on 4 dpn, and drove my self nuts. I just wanted to break those needles from sheer frustration.

Step 1: Make a slip knot and slip it on one of the circular needles, and start wrapping the yarn around both of the needles.

Step 2: Slide the stitches on the bottom needle to the cable. Knit the stitches as they are presented on the top needle with the other end of the top circular needle.

Here’s a picture of the completed first side.

Step 3: Turn the work upside down, so that the newly completed row is on the bottom. Slip the completed row to the cable part of the circular needle. You can see which is the recently worked row because the working yarn is at the end of the row. Slide the cast on stitches on the second needle onto the needle part of the circular needle, with the needle point on the right side, and cable on the left. Start knitting as the stitches are presented.

That’s all there is to it! You start increasing 1 stitch in from the edge, every other round until the sock is of the desired width. What’s the desired width? I find that by the time the knitted toe is deep enough to completely covers my little toe, it’s wide enough. At this point, you can start your desired pattern, if any.

There are several tutorials on Turkish cast ons on the web. There’s even a YouTube video.

Okay. I’m off to drill holes in my boat. In the meantime, Ellie will continue to amuse herself with her sheep toy.

2008 SOAR Registration

Done and Done!

Registration opened today, and I’ve completed my registration online. Now, the waiting game begins to see if I get the workshop of my choice. I signed up for Contemporary Cut Pile with Sara Lamb. I’ve wanted to learn to weave cut pile rugs forever. Since I won’t be able to make her session at the Golden Gate Fiber Institute’s Summer Intensive, I’ve signed up for it at SOAR. I’ve admired Sara’s work for a long time, and I also missed out on it when she taught this course at CNCH a few years ago. I can’t wait.

On to other notes, I only just realized last night that April is more than half over, and I haven’t finished a pair of socks yet! That doesn’t mean that I haven’t casted on, just that I don’t have anything finished. I started a pair with some handspun that just wasn’t working out. Eva counseled me wisely and convinced me that the yarn really didn’t want to be socks. Of course, this is after I’ve already turned the heel (toe up). I immediately casted on for another pair. But, those are my “cottage socks.” What happens at the cottage, stays at the cottage. Since I was only up there for a couple of days, I didn’t finish them. So, it’s time to cast on a pair here in California. But I’d better hurry to keep my current pace of 2 pairs per month! Footies, anyone?

No fiber activities here…

There’s been a dearth of fiber activities here. Why?

Reason #1

I didn’t realize how dirty the deck was until I started to scrub. On the left is the result of winter grime. On the right is what it is supposed to look like. It took me 2 afternoons to scrub the deck. Each evening, my arms were so sore that I couldn’t even think about picking up knitting needles. Everything takes longer when you are doing it all by yourself. I definitely didn’t sign up for that. But still, it’s very gratifying when it’s done.

Reason #2

Last week was the start of the Wednesday evening racing series. I had to go out and make a showing. We came in right in the middle of the pack. I’m happy with that.

Reason #3

My first cruise out of the season. Our club cruised out to South Beach Harbor (See those pointy sticks behind the ball park? It’s my other pointy stick passion.), and watched the Giants lose to St. Louis. Nonetheless, it was a fabulous day, fabulous cruise, fabulous after party on the boats, and fabulous brunch at Delancey Street.

Hopefully, fiber activities will resume soon. But it will have to wait until after South Bay Opening Day this weekend. I haven’t decided if my boat will enter the decorated boat parade, but if you decide to drop by, I’ll be tending bar, starting at 1230!

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