Finished Pomatomus and Scarves

Well, they're done. I'm not too happy with them, but they're off the needles and I don't have to think about them after this post.

For anyone who wants to make this pattern, I say go for it. Despite all my whining and moaning, it's not a difficult pattern and the end result is a pretty pair of socks.....BUT:

You really need to pay attention to the pattern because there are all kinds of little details, that if you miss them, you'll get screwed up like I did. For instance, when you start on Chart B, you don't begin with row 1, because that would mess up your stitch count. The pattern TELLS you to start with row 2, but if you're not paying attention, you might just plow through row 1 and wonder what happened.

Another thing that made me scratch my head one or twice, was most of this pattern is a variation on a 1x1 rib with the knit stitches all being made through the back loop. A couple of times the pattern indicates to K2TOG. I didn't know if it was a misprint or if in those places you didn't KTBL. I just knitted it as written and I guess it turned out OK.

There are other little things throughout the pattern like that, but all in all it's well written and turns out fine. Why then, do you ask, am I not thrilled with my new socks? They're too dang stretchy, that's why. The whole pattern is ribbed and they bag around my ankles, arches and toes. I can't stand baggy socks. I'd give them to someone with thicker legs and feet, but I've got short feet. I'd have to find someone with thick calves and 5.5 sized feet. Oh, well. Live and learn. I'd probably go down a needle size or two next time (if there ever was a next time, which there will NOT be). Here's some pics:




Can you see the bagginess? Bleh!

On to happier knits. I needed something easier and relatively mindless after Pomatomus. And bigger yarn, PUL-EEZ! So I looked on Ravelry and found this Drop Stitch Scarf pattern.

The designer is Christine Vogel and the pattern is simple and sweet. I used my Handmaiden Cashmere Silk I've been hoarding for a year or so. I knit the entire ball of yarn and the scarf is not quite as long as I am tall, so I'm trying to decide whether to end it short or break into the one hank of the stuff I have left. I won't use the entire hank, so I want to make sure I have enough left over to make another project, but I'm not sure what I want to do with it, so the drop stitch scarf is waiting for me to make up my mind.



In the mean time I've started the Montego Bay Scarf by Amy Singer from Interweave Knits Summer '07. I recently fell off my yarn diet and gave in to the Knit Picks Sale. I have never purchased laceweight yarn before, nor have I had any inclination to knit shawls or laceweight scarves, but MAN that sale was irresistible. So I bought way too much yarn with no projects in mind. I decided to give this scarf a whirl.

First I tried size 8 US, but the whole thing felt too insubstantial. I went down to 7's and still too flimsy. I went down to 6's and they are doing nicely. This is a great knit. Relatively mindless, but not boring. I'm using Knit Picks Shimmer, an alpaca and silk blend and it's really lovely to work with. I'm not crazy about the color, but maybe I'll find a recipient who likes it.



That's about it for now. I'm neglecting other things just to write this for you. I had better get back to the real world.