Monday, August 24, 2015

Fishbowl knits

More cottage knitting from this neglectful blog-writer:


I'm not entirely sure how I missed posting the last two days of last week but it probably had something to do with the crazy workload.  Back now! and ready to show off not just one finished sock but also, one adorable knitting bowl.


I am sure I remember my aunt and uncle serving salad at the cottage table in this giant wooden fish bowl.  I wouldn't be comfortable putting food in it now... when I found it again the finish was a bit marred, and inside there were some reminiscences left by mice (ahem) which I cleaned out with Lysol. It was one of those unforgettable experiences that I was certain would appear at the forefront of my mind every time I put salad ingredients or potato chips in it.  But after much rinsing I felt it would be wonderful for holding my knits-in-progress at the cottage. 

Then the summer went sideways and we never even one of the 'long stay' visits I had hoped would finally happen.  The poor bowl sat all summer looking sad and empty, and this past weekend, when we dashed north for just a day to start the closing process, I put all my travel knits inside just to see how it looked.


Next summer, I will totally use this thing.  Heck, I might even bring it home to the house, which will be done by then.

For now though, let's just admire the pretty sock for which I now need to knit a mate, ugh.


Are you totally tired of looking at socks yet?  I think you must be.  I think I might be, and I also think I have an ominously large stack of socks that need toes grafted and ends run in after all these months of mindless knitting.  I have knit so many fingering-weight socks I am pretty sure I will feel like I'm knitting with strung-together macaroni when I finally pick up some yarn and needles for boot weight socks. 

On the upside, I should have a nearly-adequate number of socks knit to the right length for autumn comfort.  Because fall is coming, you know.  The lush green planting outside my window is turning brown at the edges and the daytime temperatures are not quite so punishing any more.  Pretty soon it will be urgent for me to finish my pretty green cowl and maybe even knit a hat to go with it... h'mmmmm.


Meanwhile: go have a wonderful day.  See you tomorrow (I promise!)


8 comments:

Mary said...

I have been wondering why you don't knit your socks using one of the two-at-a-time methods? Then you wouldn't have the so-called second sock dilemma syndrome. I have dabbled with knitting two socks at a time, but I find it to be frustratingly slow. I am much faster on double pointed needles. But then there's always the second sock. So I'm curious what your reasons are.

Mary Keenan said...

Technically I do knit two at a time Ziggy... I'm a huge DPN fan too, and I have multiple sets in my go-to sizes. I always cast on both socks at once, knit one cuff and then the other, one leg and then the other, one heel and then - well, you get the idea ;^) But for some reason after getting both cuffs set up I knit that one sock straight through without switching! I don't mind really. Frees up those needles for the start of the next pair, heh.

Mary said...

Yeah, that's pretty much the way I do it too. I wish I could embrace the two at a time method but, like I said, it seems slower and inconvenient for carrying around.

Mary Keenan said...

Exactly! I love socks partly because I get so much use from the finished product, but especially for their mindlessness and portability. Carting around two on a magic loop kinda defeats the purpose for me ;^)

Mary said...

Do you count your rows or go solely by measurement?

Mary Keenan said...

I count... my gauge is pretty consistent so it's the easiest way to ensure both socks are the same size! Which do you like better?

Mary said...

While I've made quite a few pair of socks, I am still working out my fave technique. The pair I'm about to cast on will be toe up, and I think I am going to count rows. They are for a cousin who wears a 15 shoe, and I have as of yet not been able to find a good pattern for him. So I am going to go solely by his foot measurements this time.

Mary Keenan said...

Oh my goodness you are brave with that size! I knit a pair for a friend with a wide ankle and wide, long foot and had to make a lot of adjustments along the way so - I am with you, it's great to improvise as you go. My first pair were toe up and I LOVED the box shape of the toe. I'm happy with the pattern I worked out for myself but I did love that toe, so fun to knit and so comfy to wear... might have to try it again if I ever get a bit more settled in my schedule :^)