FO: Underwater Leaves Socks

 The Specs:

Pattern: Woodland Walk Socks by This Handmade Life
Yarn: Teton Yarn Company Handdyed Sock in Mermaid

Amount: 0.75 of a skein, or about 74gm, or about 324 yards
Needles: US 1, 2.25mm circular with magic loop
Size: Women's 8.5ish
For: me!

Start to Finish: Sept 20, 2020 to Oct 13, 2020
Notes: I started these on the drive to Scotland for our anniversary/my birthday trip.  They made excellent car knitting once I had memorized the leave pattern, which didn't take too long.

I, of course, knit toe-up, so the leaves fall up my socks instead of down, as the pattern is written for cuff-down.  Standard star toe with increases on right of first stitch on one sock and to the left of the first stitch on the other sock.  I admit that I have to look really closely to determine that there is a difference between the toes, but I still try to do that with every pair of socks.

I also either reversed the chart or I started halfway up the chart for the second sock.  

I had 66 stitches on the needles for these.  No idea what the pattern called for, but that's the beauty of socks with a decorative pattern up only part of the front - extra stitches do not need to be accounted for.  Standard shadow wrapped short row heel, 10 rounds of ribbing for the cuff before I used JSSBO.

If I were to knit these again, I'd add 4-6 stitches of plain stockinette between the pattern and the heel turn, to push the decorative part more to the top of the foot and not the side.  They are perfectly fine as they are, but it would make for a slightly more polished sock.

These knit up fast - I knit the first sock on the drive to/from Scotland, while finishing the cuff during a Zoom baby shower for a friend.  Second sock was started on Saturday the 10 and I just had to finish the last repeat and the cuff today, as well as weaving in ends. 

I really love the colors of this yarn and it knit up beautifully.  Super glad I like the yarn as I am fairly certain I have another 5 skeins of different colors in the stash...

I've got a bad feeling about this*

 We're gonna need a bigger hat.  I think.

I followed instructions for the adult sized hat.  I thing I got gauge-ish.  (No, I didn't swatch.  It is a hat.  Hats are swatches in and of themselves.)

But this seems to be about the right size for a toddler and not an adult. It kinda sorta can be shoved onto my giant head, but it doesn't stay - it pops back off.

I am also not super pleased with my floats.  They need to be loser, I think.  The stretches of 7+ stitches is not helpful.

So, while I think 11pm is a little late to start a second hat... I think I will wind yarn tomorrow to be able to hold two strands double for the hat.  And maybe only go up one needle size.  This fabric seems a little looser than I'd like. 

I am also debating knitting a double-knit hat.  But I am not sure how I feel about a black stormtrooper helmet.  Would it look weird?

Digging through other project notes, I've knit a sock-yarn hat that fits my giant head with only 4 more stitches.  And I used a size 2 needle for that - not a size 4.  So floats are definitely an issue, me thinks. 

I also think it is too short.  So a few more rounds of plain between the colorwork sections, and maybe a second repeat of small spaceships above the stormtroopers?

*Han Solo, of course

What's the point in ignoring the plan

 ... if you don't bother to make one in the first place?

Let's talk knitting goals, shall we?  (Or rather, let me write them down so I have a fighting chance at figuring out what the knitting plan was supposed to be, the better to ignore it.)

First up, GiftMoose.  I have one firetruck scarf for an 7/8 year old, one Paw Patrol sweater for a toddler, and one Star Wars hat for a nearish to 9 year old.  T

he firetruck scarf is going wellish.  Icord for the sides of the ladder and I figured out how to attach them so that both sides of the firetruck have a ladder without showing signs of sewing stuff on.  I need to figure out how to do the rungs.  I fear a lot of seaming in my future.  The wheels and cab window should be easy enough to do, even if fiddly. 

I think, ideally, the firetruck scarf should be knit in the round.  Garter is squishy and nice, but double layer is also nice and warm and easier to make things line up.  Having a nice, neat color change on one side of garter stitch means the other side is less pretty and I am not so pleased with that. 

The Star Wars hat will be fingering weight yarn and three colors, but I think it will go pretty fast.  I have two of the three colors and I think I have the third as well.  If not, that should be fairly easy to get some of the correct color.

Paw Patrol sweater should go fairly quickly as well.  I have yarn for it, at least.   Again, toddler size.

There's also a chance for a Hufflepup sweater for a large black lab.  That one might be a bit late, not sure I can get it done by GiftMoose

Friends have been busy reproducing, so I have one baby hat, one baby sweater, and one baby pair of jeans planned.  Due dates vary from Thanksgiving to late January, so I foresee some post GiftMoose knitting happening.   There are a few other things I'd like to knit as well, but time might be an issue. 

While in Scotland, I got some West Yorkshire Spinning Croft yarn to make an Aran sweater for the Weirder Half.  That ought to be on the list as well, as he seemed pretty excited about it.  That is scheduled for next year already and I am not expecting to be super fast. 

A friend recently cleared out her stash by shipping it to me, so eventually, I shall need to make her a cardigan.  But there's a lot of other yarn in the to-knit list right now.  Because I would be shocked if a few socks didn't end up showing up between now and then.

And I have a lot of sock yarn to make into garter bias squares for a leftovers blanket...