FO Friday - Baudelaire knit socks

Finished my Baudelaire socks!

I started them just under a year ago, but finally got the motivation to finish them.

Pattern: Baudelaire by Cookie A from Knitty

Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid

Needles: 2.5mm Addi Turbos circular needles

Method: Magic Loop, toe up

I do love this yarn, the colour is so beautiful, with tiny, natural looking variegation throughout, the subtle changes add real depth to the colour. It was lovely to knit with, no splitting or knots.

The pattern was fun and easy to memorise, it was fun doing lace and cable patterns together in the leg. This was my first toe-up sock, and I don't really like the shape of the toe, it is a bit pointy and rectangular, so it doesn't fit my toes very well. I prefer the rounded toe shape of cuff-down socks. But it was fun to use a different construction method, and I may try it again, but maybe starting with more cast-on stitches, which would decrease the point. 

They are also slightly big, but I wouldn't wear them under shoes anyway, they'll be house socks. Overall I'm happy with them, and I'm inspired to keep knitting socks!

Check out other FO (Finished Object!) Friday's on Tami Amis

Unwell and knitting

I'm having a sick day which is VERY unusual for me. I left work early yesterday, and was up all night feeling crap, so I stayed home today. I've spent the morning catching up with  blogs, and will now use the afternoon to knit and listen to podcasts.

I have two projects on the needles that I am actively working on.

I've picked up my Baudelaire socks again, and am now on the home stretch - they're toe-up and I've passed the heel and am now on the leg.



I am also knitting a simple drop stitch scarf using Debbie Bliss Kidsilk Haze. A friend got me a skein for my birthday, there was a sample of the scarf in the shop and the yarn came with the pattern. Such a sweet gift as she doesn't knit! This is lovely meditative knitting, except the yarn does start to irritate me after a while and makes my nose and eyes itchy!

WIP Wednesday: Baudelaire

Yes, I've started on my 2nd sock! I'm much happier with the toe this time, the pattern uses a figure 8 cast on, and I used this tutorial from A Gathering of Wool. It shows how to do this cast on using Magic Loop, which is how I knit my socks. This tutorial was really helpful in getting my stitches looking nice and neat. This is my first time knitting toe up socks, and the first time using the figure 8 cast on. I do like toe up, as you can check the length of the leg of the sock. I'm always worried that I'll run out of yarn, so tend to do them a bit shorter than I'd like.

I've been working on this sock on my lunch break at work, I can get a few rows in each day so hopefully I can get some momentum going and actually finish a pair of socks!

To see other WIPs, check out Tami's Amis Blog

Nearly time to go back to work

I'm really glad I've started blogging regularly. One of the major reasons is I am currently a lady of leisure! I quit my job that was taking up way too much time, and have been spending time at home. During this time I've participated in Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, iHanna's Postcard Swap and worked on a few projects. I've been able to go to Brown Owls meetings and meet friends for lunch or dinner.

I've found a new job though, and am starting back after the Easter Break.

My new job starts early and finishes early, so I'm hoping I can continue blogging and crafting. 

In fact my goal is to finish this pair of Baudelaire socks. We are going away for the Easter long, long weekend, and I want to do a lot of work on these socks!

My Creative Space

My creative space is on the couch, in front of my laptop.

I am still working on the Baudelaire sock, I have just done the heel and am now starting on the leg. I am loving the lace pattern, now I have to start incorporating the cable as well.



The book I'm reading is Agatha Christie's autobiography. It is so interesting. I love the way she writes, and it is really evocative of time and place. I've just finished the section on her childhood (I suddenly noticed that I was already up to page 88 and she was still only seven years old!), I love all the information she provides, and explains how families lived their lives during that period (late 1800, early 1900s).

I bought this book at North Sydney Markets, the second-hand book variety was great! We went last weekend for the first time and I ended up buying two other books as well: The Letters of Nancy Mitford and Evelyn Waugh (which I have wanted for ages, I have a slight obsession with the Mitford sisters), and Love Among the Butterflies by Margaret Fontaine, excerpts from a diary written by a Victorian woman.

Check out other creative spaces at Kootoyoo!

Baudelaire Socks

I've cast on!

I'm knitting Baudelaire, designed by Cookie A. It's a free pattern from Knitty.

I'm using a beautiful yarn I bought in Sheffield, England over Christmas:



It is toe up, so that is a new method for me, have almost finished the toe, and looking forward to starting the lace pattern.