Back to FairIsle

FairIsle was calling so I had to make a choice from my backlog of projects. "Alcea" won. This was purchased as a kit from She Ewe Knits and is from the Simply Shetland 3 book. The yarn is Jamieson's Shetland which I am really enjoying. Seems to be a little softer and has more loft than the J&S I had been using. The directions are for a pullover but I am turning it into a cardigan. It has such a large repeat that I have opted to do the smaller size but on a larger needle in order to get the correct size for me. I'm using Addi size 3 for the ribbing and size 4 for the body and it is working out fine.

Knitting on the Road to Florida

Not wanting to work from a chart while driving, I purchased Interweave's "Favorite Socks" book. After finishing two pair of mindless ribbed self-striping socks (one was left in Florida for a friend) I started the "Diagonal Cross Rib" socks. Finished one on the way home and the other after we arrived back to the snow and ice. Nice pattern and easy to knit. I had read several articles about short row heels that left me saying "Huh?" so decided the best way to learn how to do these was to just knit a pair and see what happened. Priscilla Gibson Roberts had a pair in the book so cast on and started. Once I got the hang of it, I found the method very easy and the fit was very nice. Directions called for size 2 & 3 needles which is just a tad loose for me so will use size 1 & 2 for my next pair. The heel and toe are very comfortable and the zig-zag bind off worked like a charm. This is definitely a method I will use again!