Apparently the problem was not just the router. The modem had also bought the farm. The Comcast guy showed up a little after 1:00 PM yesterday afternoon (right on time, actually), did a few tests, went down to his truck, fetched and installed a new modem (black - so it matches the new router!) and we were in business. We did try hooking up the old router with the new modem, just to check, but it was DOA. I would have thought the odds of both things going ribbet at the same time were fairly sizeable but I guess these things happen.
In the meantime…
The One Row Skinny Scarf was finished.
Quick, simple and fun to do. The one row pattern, same on both sides, makes for an almost mesmerizing knit as you get into the rhythm of things. It also creates a nice, springy fabric and I keep wondering what kind of a sweater it would make…
Also, the first of the Chatters mitts was finally finished.
This is basically the same pattern as the Glacial Gauntlets except not worked quite as high on the hand. And without the beads :) I must say I was a little surprised by the yarn which is Lionbrand’s Magic Stripes - their short-lived sock wool. It’s quite substantial and dense but not difficult or rough either to work with or to wear. I’m curious to see how well it holds up over time.
And then there’s the sock :) This is what has occupied most of my weekend and it’s been interesting enough so that I hardly put it down. I finally found the kind of heel I wanted - after traipsing all over the web a couple of times - right in my own backyard (just call me Dorothy!). Schurch details just such a heel in her wonderful Sensational Knitted Socks - which I have :) I was poring over it a couple of evenings ago and found the toe up sock with exactly the kind of heel I wanted to do. Okay - I’ll know to check my own library first next time :)
I did get the heel turned without too much difficulty and the heel flap was just what I wanted although working it while decreasing the gusset stitches created a bit of cognitive dissonance for a while :)
I finally reached the nirvana point last night - all gusset stitches decreased and straight stockinette as far as the eye can see. Well, until the ribbing of course :) Of course I had reached the last decrease round and somehow managed to drop three heel stitches off the end of the needle which meant frogging back a couple of rounds in order to corral the varmints. Other than that - which was only annoying because I was so ready to have the decreases over with - there were no problems or mishaps with this…
...except for the knitter’s apparent inability to measure her own foot correctly. Look at the toe of that last picture - see the bulge of at least an inch’s worth of extraneous toe? Not only that, but the foot is a little too big around. Only by a couple of stitches I think, but too big all the same. This seems to be my standard mistake, making things too big.
So…toe? Good! Heel? Excellent!
Sock? Not so much…
The Manos shawl lies, taunting me, in my workbasket. I have all but decided to frog it and am only working up the nerve. The blanket panels get worked on now and then, when I need something I don’t have to think about.
And I need to dye more yarn :)
So, how are you all doing?
No trackbacks yet.
I’m glad you’re back in business with the router & modem. Yeah, I agree, what are the odds both go belly up at the same time?
I’m not doing too well today, but your post (with the too big sock) made me smile, so thanks!
Gorgeous sock in progress! That heel is just perfect. All that research really paid off. :)
Bron - I suppose I can’t complain about two new pieces of electronics. Certainly not if they last me another five years :)
I’m glad the sock made you smile. Me, I’m wondering if it’s big enough to serve soup in…
Opal - Everything else aside, I am very happy about the heel. It was exactly what I wanted and came out exactly as I hoped.
And if I did it once, I can do it again :)
I almost PANICKED when I tried to visit this all important blog on Monday and couldn’t get there!!! Glad all is resolved (knock wood). As for the sock—- I apologize. Not only did I infect you with a sentimental attitude toward sock toes, I also seem to have passed along the experienced-sock-knitter-making-the-sock-too-big-for-her-own-feet virus. The current pair on the needles, deliberately 3/4” shorter than the last pair, is still a smidge longer than I would like. Your sock is gorgeous, by the way—I love the way the colors worked on the heel. I will have to take a look at my copy of SNS to see if it differs from my own toe-up heel technique. Let me know where in the book this particular heel is described.
P.S. LOVE the skinny scarf. I am about to scroll back through your entries to find the stitch.
Rob - ROFL! I doubt very much that you passed anything catching along - but it’s amusing to think a virus might be responsible - bigsockitis, perhaps?
The heel is for the Twelve-Stitch Pattern socks - and the instructions for the heel start on page 59 in my copy of the book.
The skinny scarf is the Harlot’s One Row Handspun Scarf. I added a stitch up front and at the end for a slipped-chain border. Worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles - cast on 12 stitches and your off!
Maybe you’ve lost weight in your feet. Don’t laugh; it could happen.
Oh, the letdown of the parts being better than the whole. I am a bit afraid I am in the middle of a knit too big. Not by much. Just enough to take the pure joy out. Mine’s a sweater. On it’s third beginning. I seriously don’t want to start again. I’d much rather run away to Hawaii.
Your Chatters mitt is fabulous!
Charlotte - I concede the possibility if not the likelihood :)
Chris - Running away to Hawai’i sounds like a teriffic idea.
Very sorry to hear about your sweater - being on the third go round and worrying that it might have to be frogged can’t be fun. On the other hans, if it helps, your sweater makes me feel much less anxious about frogging and re-doing my sock.
Ugh…that really isn’t much help, is it? Sorry…
Oh I love the scarf! Did you do anything different to the pattern besides making it skinnier?
Nice heel on the socks! I really should try toe-up sometime.
Lisa - The only thing I did to the scarf was to add a stitch on either side for a slipped stitch selvedge - which I like on scarves :)
Thanks about the heel - I’m pretty pleased with it too - now if only I can get the sock right!
