Burgundy Breeze
This project has been hibernating for more than half a year since I first started it in October last year. I stopped mainly because I had 2 skeins of the yarn in the same dye lot which should give me a pair of normal length socks and I didn’t want to knit 2 pairs of ankle socks instead. So I frogged and bought another skein instead. Is this making sense?
Pattern: Breeze
Size: Ladies Small (US Shoe Size 5/6) (see notes below)
Yarn: 1 x Knit Picks Risata in Burgundy
Needles: 2.00mm
I have skinny ankles so I had to go down in needle size to get the socks to fit snugly round my ankles. However, this meant my gauge changed totally so instead of knitting the size S, I ended up knitting size M to fit. Also, I have no idea why the pattern says to break yarn before starting on the heel flap. I didn’t do it, of course. Other than that, I didn’t change anything. Incidentally, it’s only when I’m writing this post that I noticed the Ravelry page for this pattern stated there’s errata which can be found here. Oh well.
I thought I’ll really like the yarn because it has cotton but it’s still a little prickly for me which is probably due to the wool.
I finished knitting the socks with less than 4 yards of the yarn left so I think those with bigger feet may require more than 1 skein if you intend to use Risata. I may also be talking out of my arse.
When I first knit the sock back in October, I had giant holes on both sides of the sock after picking up stitches for the gusset. I’ve finally eliminated the problem this time round by picking up the bar between the heel flap and the ribbing. Yes! I looove the look of the heel flap (please excuse my unmoisturised reptilian legs).
This is a fun and addictive pattern. I mean, you keep telling yourself “hmm, I’ll stop after the next round” just to see the lace pattern forming and before you know it, you’ve finished the sock.
And yes, I’m aware I knit too much red stuff.
Juliet Update
As you can see, the knitting’s already done. In fact, it’s been done quite a while ago. I haven’t gotten round to putting on the buttons because I’m not sure I like how it looks on me. I did the longer version in the pattern and on hindsight, I think I prefer it shorter. Plus the lace portion flares out quite a bit so I’ll like to reknit it with a smaller needle.
The stitches under the armholes (where they are joined) are loose and loopy. Anyone has any idea how to improve this? If I’m ripping out the lace, I’ll probably rip to the armholes and certainly hope to make this look better. Also, the bind-off at the bottom certainly can be improved. Gaah.
Central Park Hoodie
Being relatively new to knitting (only picked it up last year) meant that I’m only slowly coming round to knit patterns that were wildly popular months or even years ago. One of such patterns is the Central Park Hoodie which was published in 2006.
I love hoodies and wear them all the time. Well, only in air-conditioned places of course, outside weather in Singapore is not exactly hoodie-friendly.
I’m knitting the hoodie in the Rowan All Seasons Cotton yarn I scored on eBay. Before I started the pattern, I even made a proper swatch, blocked and all! Of course, I also cheated and didn’t make a full size swatch but hey, for someone as lazy as me, it’s a miracle that I even swatched at all!
The pattern is really simple so far and works up pretty fast. I decided to go with short rows and three-needle bind off for the shoulder seams after reading the posts on the CPH group on Ravelry. The short rows did kick my arse a bit as I’ve never done it before.
I’m only up to the left front piece so far. I wonder if I can get this finished before June is out. I’m dying to start on the fabulous February Lady Sweater! I’ve always thought the baby version looks so cute!
