Tweed Bowl

Yarn used: Alafoss Lopi in Cypress Green

Cast on 63 stitches and divide between three size US11 dp needles. Knit 4 rows in the round. Increase by 3 stitches next round (1 stitch per needle). Knit 3 rounds. Increase another 3 stitches. Knit another 3 rounds. Continue like this until there are 78 stitches on needles. Transfer stitches to one circular needle size US11. Knit 7 rows. Then 1st round K1 K1 K2tog & repeat till end of round, 2nd round knit all the way around, 3rd round K1 K2tog repeat till end of round, 4th round knit all the way around. From here on I did K1 K2tog and then plain knit till I got to about 6 stitches total. Take a darning needle and thread a tail of yard through the last 6 stitches a couple of times then weave rest into the work.

This self made-up pattern has been blogged so that I can remember what I did. The Alafoss yarn fuzzed up so much after felting I actually had to take a razor to it and shave it down.

Progress a.k.a my first sock

Never in a thousand years when I first took a knitting class did I ever think I would make The Sock. I had plans for lots and lots of scarves. Maybe some dishcloths or small blanket even. Basically anything that would not require more than knit & purl with the possibility of an increase or decrease here or there. Then I learned to knit on 4 needles and secretly wondered whether I'd ever be able to wrap my noggin around the sock structure. So much beautiful sock yarn out there I thought, it would be a shame not to give it a try at some point. A casual remark in the yarn shop led to a suggestion that I take a one night Sock Boot Camp class. I really really doubted that I could learn these skills in one night but after some consideration decided I didn't have that much to lose and signed on. In 3 hours we completed one tiny little practice sock. I rushed out days later to purchase some sock yarn as I did not want this training to leave my head. I started my adult sized sock immediately and completed it 10 days later. It is very much a beginner sock but, architecturally speaking, it IS a sock. There are errors but they are not glaring. And it fits. I've just finished the second sock. For some reason despite using the same number of stitches and rows and the same needles it is noticeably smaller. Could my tension have been that drastically different? Who knows, I'll ask the experts when I get a chance. I can hardly believe how many knitting hours are involved in sock work. These would be the most expensive pair I own. Still, I'm looking forward to starting my next pair. It must be a Zen thing.