Knitting

Sock Scrap Blanket

One of my goals in scheduling my hobbies in the evenings was to try to work on my sock scrap blanket a little bit. I only have one evening a week assigned to knitting because knitting is something I can do throughout the day, the kids are not destroying it or anything like that. During that time I wanted to focus on a few specific projects – one of them is mitered squares for the sock scrap blanket I’ve been working on. I’m hoping to get at least two squares a week completed, even that small amount would be a big step towards getting this blanket rolling. Each section is 3×3 squares, and I’m going to stitch them together. I haven’t decided how I’m going to do that yet, whether it will be with a crochet boarder, or just whip stitch or some other method. I’ll probably have to see what I prefer. Each square is 20×20 stitches, and they knit up pretty fast so long as I can remember which way to pick up stitches from.

Sockhead Cowl (4)

I know the cowl is supposed to be 12″ long before I start the ribbing again, but I tried it on and honestly I think this length is perfect for me. So now it’s time for k2p2 ribbing for 3″ and then this project will be completed, ready for next winter. I have to say, I’m REALLY glad to almost be done. Not only is the pattern a bit of a snore (great for TV knitting, but a bit too slow for me even with that) but the yarn is difficult to work with. It’s single ply thick and thin chroma from Knitpicks, and I’m honestly not a fan. This was yarn I bought when I was just starting out, and I’m determined to use it up.

Sockhead Cowl (3)

Plain knitting is nice and relaxing – but I find it REALLY boring. A short repeat pattern would be easier to knit than this. The pattern is simple – 3″ of ribbing, followed by 12″ of plain knit, and another 3″ of ribbing. Done in the round, this cowl is an alternative to a scarf, and should keep my neck (and chin) warm when the wind blows in winter months. I started it a while ago but haven’t kept up with it, and now I’m trying to focus and get it completed. I have so many other projects I want to work on – but I think finishing off a few WIP is in order first. After this, I want to complete the socks I’ve been slowly working on, and I want to finish off that Silver Bell Sweater eventually. Fighting with the knitting needles isn’t fun (they’re an older pair of knitpicks needles, not nice Chiaogoo or Hiyahiya) but the sweater deserves to be completed and I’m anxious to be able to wear it.

Sockhead Cowl (2)

I have been having a difficult time settling on what I want to knit next, so I decided to take some advice and finish off a few WIP – or at least work on them a bit while I mull over what comes next now that my shawl is complete. I started this project back in November 2020, and intended on having it done for winter, but now it will have to wait until next winter. Sometimes scarves are just not ideal, so I wanted a cowl to wear that would keep me nice and warm. Unfortunately it’s not the most interesting of knits, a lot of ribbed work and then a lot of plain knitting in the ground followed by a whole lot more ribbing. I’m determined to get it done, eventually.

The yarn is single ply chroma from KnitPicks, a bit awkward to knit with but it’s coming along beautifully so far. It will be nice to get this out of my stash.

Nomadic Gamer