Happy New Year! Hope your holidays were relaxing and peaceful. During our holiday trip to Washington, D.C., I completed two knitting projects. I knit these projects while traveling on buses and trains and lounging with family. Here are pics and details:
Pattern: Sunday Swing Socks by Kristel Nyberg from Knitty, Summer 2009.
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Sock Yarn in Luz de luna colorway. Purchased at Hill Country Weavers in Austin, TX.
Needles: Size 1 DPNs
- Did you ever purchase a beautiful skein of sock yarn and struggle to match it with a pattern? That was the case with this lovely ball of Misti Alpaca. I attempted to knit up other patterns with this yarn but the emerging sock just didn’t speak to me. Finally, I chose this pattern and the end result is a perfect match between yarn and pattern.
- The Misti Alpaca is super soft and keeps my feet very warm. I knit these socks at a perfect time–we are actually experiencing a cold snap in Houston so my wooly socks are in heavy rotation.
- I followed the pattern as written from cuff to foot. The only modification I made was opting for a square toe as opposed to the one recommended in the pattern. The lace pattern is simple and easy to memorize, perfect for traveling. Overall, a great pattern and one I will be knitting again.
Pattern: Smart hat by Silja Devine. Found on Ravelry.
Yarn: One skein of Cascade 220 Superwash in a grey colorway. Purchased at the Yarn Barn in San Antonio, TX.
Time to knit: about one week
- I asked my husband if he wanted a hand knit for Christmas and he replied, “yes.” He chose a hat from a few patterns I found on Ravelry. During a visit to San Antonio (to see family) we dropped by the Yarn Barn, a lovely little yarn store just north of downtown. I recommended the yarn and my husband selected the color.
- The Cascade 220 Superwash is soft without the scratchiness I encountered with Cascade 220. My husband had no complaints and said it kept his head warm while we walked around D.C. during a chilly Christmas.
- This is a very simple ribbed hat. I knit 55 rounds and then began decreasing. I like the length on the hat because you can pull it over your ears or fold it. This hat was a hit with my husband and his father so another hat is currently in progress for my father-in-law.
While in D.C. we went to the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery of Art, and enjoyed some great tapas at Jaleo. I bundled up and wore my hand knits during the trip. My Coronet hat, Fetching gloves, and Irish Hiking Scarf (that I will eventually post up to this blog) all saw action in D.C.
I also knitted a few Christmas gifts and did some sewing. Pics coming soon.
