Making New

Over the last few weeks (with the sudden surge in my designing mojo created by no day job!), I’ve been working on updating my older patterns and getting them into the current layout. Along the way I’ve realized that this necessitates knitting new samples, as the old ones are gone or stored in the UK somewhere (in other words: totally inaccessible).

First up on the table was my oldest self published pattern, Turkish Walrus.

I designed these in 2008 (!!!), wrote up the pattern, published it as a freebie and didn’t really look at it again. When I went back to update it, I was a bit stunned at how far my pattern writing has come since then (thank you tech editing!) So I ordered some yarn (Cascade 220 Sport) to knit a new sample, worked through the pattern (correcting all the errors), and spent the last week rewriting the pattern and putting it in the proper layout so it looks nice.

New Turkish Walrus samples and handspun for long version hanging to dry

While I was working on this, I got inspired to spin some yarn to knit another version - this one will be two colors only (one variegated handspun yarn, one commercial yarn) and longer with a ribbed cuff. Since these socks are worked toe-up, it’s an easy change to add one some length to the leg, but i’m also going to include spinning details and get the final pattern tech edited by someone other than me. So when that version is added, Turkish Walrus will switch from being a free pattern to a pay-for pattern.

All this will hopefully happen over the next month, so if you like the look of these and want to try them out before it goes behind a paywall, download now!

FO: Silly socks for a silly girl

Just in case you were concerned about the lack of knitting content in this supposed knitting blog, here's a pair of socks for the wee Devil:

Pattern: my own toddler-sized interpretation of Mata Hari (detailed below)

Needles: Susan Bates US1

Yarn: Knit Picks Dancing

Started: on vacation in the UK, around 8/30/07

Finished: 9/25/07

Comments: I just made up the pattern as I went along, after several abortive attempts to get the right size. I ended up casting on 48 stitches, knitting 6 rounds of k2, p2 rib and then started the pattern. Pattern row: knit 6, k2tog, yo. Repeat to end of round. Then knit three rows plain. On the next pattern row, on the first repeat knit 5, k2tog, yo. The other repeats are still k6, k2tog, yo. This shifts the eyelet over one stitch so they end up spiraling around the leg. I worked the leg until the first repeat of the pattern started with a yo (about 8 repeats), and then knit one round before starting the heel. Short row heel - I did short rows down to 6 live stiches, but I'd do fewer short rows next time since the heels are a little narrow and pointy when they're on the feet. Once the heel was do, I knit 2 rounds and started up with the pattern again. Worked the same distance for the foot, knit one round and then began decreases for the toe.

Toe decreases: row 1, k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches on far side of toe, k2tog, k1. Repeat on back of toe. Next row: knit all stitches. I repeated these two rows 5 times, then worked row 1 every row until there were 12 stiches total left. Then grafted the toes together and started sock 2!

Devil was very excited to have a new pair of silly socks. They weren't as silly as I had been envisioning since I remembered the yarn looking like this:

Instead of like this:

But so be it. She immediately put them on her hands and started dusting off the coffee table. Clearly not my child!

Gotta get this place cleaned up...

Look! Silly socks!

FO: Padded bag

Pattern for padded hard drive bag - this easy bag uses the same stitch pattern as a sock heel flap to create a thick sturdy fabric that will cushion your valuables against the hard knocks of everday life (such as being unceremoniously tossed in your bag on your way out the door in the morning).

Yarn: worsted weight left over from a sweater for my MIL many seasons back

Needles: ? US size 7 I think

Gauge: 5.5 sts/9 rows per inch

Dimensions: ~3.5x5.25 inches

Pattern: Row 1 - sl1, k1, repeat to end

Row 2 - sl1, purl to end

Cast on 20 sts (or number needed for desired width, just make sure it's an even number). Work in pattern for desired length, ending with a WS row.

You'll now work the back of the bag by knitting the first and last stitches on the needle with one of the slipped stitches along the side of the bag front as follows:

Row 1: pick up slipped stitch at right edge of bag front (when WS is facing you) and k2tog with the first stitch on the needle. k1, *sl1, k1*, repeat * to * to last stitch. Pick up slipped stitch on left side of bag and ssk with the last stitch on the needle.

Row 2: purl all stitches

Work these two rows until all slipped stitches along the side of the bag front have been worked. Continue in pattern until bag flap is desired length.

Bind off 9 sts, k2, bind off 9 sts. Reattach yarn and work a 2 stitch i-cord tie to desired length. Bind off 2 sts. On bag front, pickup and knit 2 sts. Work 2 stitch i-cord tie to desired length and bind off. Weave in all ends, slip in portable hard drive, and enjoy!

ETA: how about that new countertop?