Sunday, March 11, 2012

In with the New

I wore these to sleep in the other night and my big toe kept getting caught in that hole.  I didn't mind the heel being gone since I didn't feel it unless I was barefooted, but the toe capture was problematic.  I think the problem is that Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn is superwash so it doesn't felt in areas of wear.  It was time to say goodbye to this pair.

I finished this pair from BFL/silk handspun yarn that I bought at Black Sheep last summer and spun last fall.  It's been so warm that I haven't felt like knitting socks.  As always, Charlie had to investigate.
 I've decided to give the Noro Kuryon sock yarn another try, even with the thin bits wearing out at the heels on the socks I've knitted.  I think their colors are fantastic and the socks are so much fun to wear - until they wear out.  This time I'm continuing the traditional slip stitch heel pattern on down to the sole of the heel.  I think that might be the ticket.  I'll get back to you on that.

I finished the Charlie towels today.  This is the first time I've tied onto a steel dowel at the back like Rae does instead of securing with a lead and larkshead knots.  When I cut the warp off, I slid out the dowel and the loom was clear.  I'm hooked - that's my new method.  Seconds - that's all it took.  Thanks Rae!
 This is the hardest part for me.  The towels looks disgusting when they come off the loom.  They're stiff and misshapen, so I decided to get them hemmed and washed right away.  The problem is that I hadn't changed the clock upstairs for daylight savings time and forgot all about it.  I like to relax before dinner and I ended up washing and drying them while I cooked.  They were still pretty ugly after they were washed so I ended up snipping the threads and ironing them after dinner.  I've had more relaxing Sundays.

I'm glad to have them done - it was a fantastic learning experience in block weave.  I'm not sure I'm a fan, but these are going to be thick and thirsty towels.  For one thing, I know that block weave isn't enhanced with a myriad of colors.  If I do it again, I'll choose two colors and stick to it.   The back towel was my experimenting towel, the first one I wove.  The front two will be gifts for our friend who babysits our car and takes us to and from the airport.  There's an error in the threading but that's my spirit in the weaving.  I needed this pattern to get my mojo working.  Thanks Beryl!

I finished Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi last night for book club.  Amazon gave it four stars out of 366 reviews, I gave it five.  How we enjoy a book is always subjective but that book was my cup of tea - I can see why Oprah chose it for her book club.  I think our group is going to have a very good discussion on Tuesday.

10 comments:

Valerie said...

Love the new BFL/silk socks and the finished towels. Great work!!

Stones from the River is one of my favorite books. I've tried other Ursula Hegi books, but didn't like them as well as this one.

LA said...

I, too, have a favorite pair of socks with a worn heel...surely I can think of a way to darn them! The towels are lovely...they will make super gifts!

Benita said...

Actually, I like the towels. I like things that are different and I love the colors. They'll last you for years and years.

Have you thought about adding in Reinforcing yarn on the heals and toes? They make the socks last lots longer.

Wool Enough said...

Those Noro colors are seductive, aren't they? The new socks look very springlike too.

And though I know less than nothing about weaving I really like the multicoloredness of those towels. Maybe it works cuz you're using fairly neutral colors?? Anyhow, three cheers for the Charlie towels!

~~Sittin.n.Spinnin said...

Nice socks! I have to eventually try calf-down socks...
I have a pair of knitted socks someone gifted me that moths got into. I have no idea what to do with them. I can't bring myself to throw them away...

Fiber Floozie said...

I love the colors you used. I wish I had more time to do all the projects I have going. I have a towels wrap in my talbe loom that been there for a while. Then there's the scarf on the ridge heddle. Darn work, It gets in the way of my projects.

Nina said...

I've not yet worn out handknit socks. A bit of thin spots, but no holes yet. Most of my sock yarn has a bit of nylon in it so quite sturdy stuff. I do love Noro colours as well, but the few skeins I actually felt, seemed rather scratchy, so I've not yet tried it.
The Charlie towels turned out nicely, regardless.

Annie said...

Lovely towels. Actually I like the colours a lot. Using more colours gives you so many ways to weave them up, it's never boring!

m said...

I love the colours in the towel furthest from the camera.
All of them look as though they would feel great in the hand.
What a pity I live so far away from you.
It makes me want to try out weaving something similar. Unfortunately, I am not set up with a working loom right now, and have no real experience of weaving, just a little sampling.

Dianne @ My Southern Heart said...

Love the towels and the socks! I'm always amazed you can do that!