Fiber Arts Friday: Rainbow Trout Squares the Circle, part 5

Last time, I had both socks on 9-inch dpns and a few rows into the second half of each gusset...

While the pattern calls to decrease to 64 stitches prior to working the toe, I decided to check the fit at 72 stitches... I really dislike my toes being pinched... so I want to ensure there's enough space for the ball of my foot and toes...

Pretty good so far.  I plan to continue fit checks after each decrease round....

and the result is as written.... 64 stitches remain.

And at the end of the Paris Summer Paralympics on September 8th, I had both gussets complete, the first foot complete, and the second foot started...  Time flies when you're having fun.  :-)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Rainbow Trout Squares the Circle, part 4

 As of the last post, I was ready to begin the second half of the first Gusset....

Since then, I am well-into the second half of the first gusset and have moved it to a single 9-inch circular.  I have also set up the second sock for the first part of the second Gusset, as of the end of July 2024.

And... at the end of August, I have both socks into the second half of the Gusset.

As of this writing, the DNC concluded last week and the Paris Paralympics begin on Tuesday.  I have put together a list of the football games for the local teams, but I'm unsure if I will work on these socks along with those games.

In the meantime, Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Cattitude, part 2

I completed the joining of the hem during the last day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC)

Since I did not leave a marker at the beginning of the round upon casting on, I spent some time marking the first stitch with a handful of removable stitch markers... Once that was complete I joined the hem by stitching the two sides together... I did a few stitches using a short dpn, but then moved over to a leather stitch holder which worked better.

I finished the crown at the end of August (August 26th)

I only have 11g of the full skein remaining... but I also have 25g remaining from another skein and another project (Emotonal Support Chicken and Yarn Fest Homework)

Next step is to figure out where there ears should go.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Rainbow Trout Squares the Circle, part 3

We took a last-minute trip to San Francisco over Memorial Day Weekend.  Fortunately with both socks set up for travel, I was able to take one with me and chose the sock with the 9-inch circulars.  I made fair bit of progress on the airplane... finishing the cuff and beginning the leg.

Then I spent much of Memorial Day unpacking my studio, which means I now have access to my longer circular needles.  So I pulled out two 16-inchers and two 24-inchers and then moved both socks to the longer circulars... both socks are now much more comfortable to be knitting, and both have the cuffs complete.

In June I took both socks with me on a 10-day road trip, so I was able to make some progress.

Then a few unexpected light days meant I finished both legs at the end of June 2024.

In mid-July, I completed both Heel Straps

and began work on the first Gusset.  These socks sure look weird right now.  lol.

By late July (2024), I completed the first part of the first Gusset.  I am pleased that the Rainbow Trout stripes are not in an even cadence.... if they were, it would be very obvious that these rounds are longer than on the leg section, and therefore thinner.

I find myself wanting to make a pair of these out of my mini-rainbow skeins... since the skeins are separate, I could control the thickness of each strip... but there would be more ends to weave in.... alas, something to spend some time on later.  ;-)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Cattitude Pussy Hat

Well, I really don't need another project on my plate... but if you know me, you know some things just need to be done.

With the Republican attacks on child-free women recently (here and here)... I, along with many women like me, have been incensed.

One, I follow on Threads, took it further and wrote a (free) pattern for an updated Pussy Hat.  This one is angry and has her ears folded back... full-on Cattitude.

With the addition of Tim Walz to the dem ticket, I feel much more positive and fighting FOR something, than AGAINST something.

So while I was vacillating between including one of the phrases on  the brim, I decided to leave it word-less.  :-)

My hat is still green... though mine is much darker than the BRAT green suggested in the pattern. :-)

At this point, the first day of the DNC, I am ready to join the brim...

I should have done two things when casting on this project...

• Marked the beginning of the round and
• cast on over a lifeline.

Sigh.... picking up these dark stitches will take some patience, good light, and good glasses.

Until next time, Happy Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Tour de Fleece, 2024 - part 7

 **Second part of Women's Race

Continuing with the second half of the Women's Tour de Fleece... I am pleased to have completed the Paco-Vicuna single last week.

Friday, August 16

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna:  15 minutes

I began plying today.

The cake weighed 30g (~1oz) when I started and now weighs 20g.  So I only plied about 1/3 of the single.

Saturday, August 17

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna:  11 minutes

I have a knot in the singles... if I'm not able to open it, I will have to break the singles and make 2 yarns.

Sunday, August 18

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna:  10 minutes

I was able to remove the knot, then continued plying for ~10 minutes.

I have 8g remaining to be plied.

Weekly Status:

Duration:  

• Alpaca-ish:  1 hour 21 minutes + 38 minutes = 1 hour 59 minutes

Net Days Spun: 4 of 4 + 3 of 3 = 7 of 7, no missed days

Finished Skeins:  1

Epilogue

While I did not finish the Paco-Vicuna during the tour, I did finish it this week.... while also making and resolving another ouple of knots.  :-/

The total is 30g (1 1/8 oz), 93 yds, 2-ply over ~2hours and 7 days.

Remember - The Paralympics start on August 28.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Tour de Fleece, 2024 - part 6

Now that the Men's Tour and the Olympics are concluded, the Women's Tour de France is beginning.  So the Tour de Fleece, Femmes is beginning too.

The Chiengora Team has decided to be loose.  So I am focusing on finishing the little bit of Tibetan Mastiff I have remaining from the Men's Tour, the 1/2 ounce of Paco-Vicuna I started during the Men's Tour, and the two rovings of Suri Alpaca I have set aside.

   

I don't have any time or specific progress goals, other than spin each day.

This tour is only 7 days, so I will not accomplish as much as the 3-week race.

Monday, August 12

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna:  10 mins

Tuesday, August 13

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna: 15 mins

Wednesday, August 14

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna:  15 mins

Thursday, August 15

Alpaca-ish - Paco-Vicuna:  40 mins

I finished the Paco-Vicuna single today.

Weekly Status:

Duration:  

• Alpaca-ish:  1 hour 21 minutes

Days Spun: 4 of 4

Finished Skeins:  0

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!