First Colorful Step Toward Goals

Hi Fearless ladies! I finally have something to contribute to the KAL...not much knitting time and when I have it, I've been finishing off some gifts lately instead of working on new, exciting techniques. But I'm a bit closer to one of my goals for this KAL...becoming comfortable with sock knitting. So I finally finished the pair of socks I started last fall. You can see more details if you are interested at my blog.

The first was knit with the help of a class instructor...the second was knit on my own over the past few weeks. I like how they turned out but I do have a couple questions for any of you willing to answer...

I did have a bit of a ladder problem but it was just when I had to K1, SSK at the start of a needle. I pulled as tight as I could but still seemed to have this problem. Suggestions anyone of anything I can do except just pull even tighter??

Finally, I got 'the hole'. The dreaded hole. Only on one side of the heel but there is a hole and I wanted to know if anyone had suggestions for that. It's a slip-knit heel flap which I think is pretty standard. It seems I heard from somewhere that maybe if you slip that first stitch knitwise instead of purlwise...or you twist it some way...or you knit that first stitch of the first row of the heel instead of slipping it...I'll stop but I'd welcome suggestions.

As for now, I think that I'll be casting on another pair this weekend (once I decide on a pattern). I'm also close to being able to cast on one or two other things that will work toward my goals of this KAL...I'll update as I go cuz I'm sure I'll have questions and need some support!

Howdy!

My name is Madge, my Ravelry id is knitdevil, and I blog here. I've been knitting seriously for four years and crocheting for eight. I'm still getting organized on what goals I want to accomplish with this KAL, but the short list includes these possibilities:

• Knit a top down sweater. I'm thinking Knitting Pure and Simple's pattern #241, the Neck Down Shaped Cardigan, is a good candidate for this goal.
• Learn Fair Isle.
  
• Become proficient knitting socks.
  
• Become proficient at reading charts for cabled patterns.

I've begun the year working on that last one. My knitting group is doing a mini-KAL right now, and we're knitting Shedir. I'm up to row 13, and so far so good. Not much to show at the moment, but as soon as I work a little further I'll post a picture here.

Thanks to Melanie for hosting this KAL, and happy fearless knitting to all!

Howdy everyone!

So as we get closer to the new year, I figured I'd finally introduce myself and share some of the things I hope to work on this year through this KAL. I'm Rachel and currently a PhD student working in wildlife...thus finding time to knit has been a real struggle. I hope with this KAL, and a couple other things I've joined in on, I'll get the motivation to make the time to do more things I enjoy.

I've been knitting on and off for a couple years but there are still quite a few things that scare me to try! My initial goals for this KAL are:
1. Socks. I started my first pair and am about 3/4 done with them but I don't think I am willing to call myself a sock knitter (or even be comfortable with the process) until I get a few pairs under my belt. A specific pair I want to aim for: Chuck's cabled socks...two-color knitting, cables, and socks all in one! Intimidating!

2. Complete a full sweater...that fits! Again, I am one sleeve from finishing a very simple sweater. But thinking about the seaming is scaring me so that's one reason this sleeve has been sitting there for months. I'd like to finish that one and start another, more complicated pattern. Got many in mind, just need to buckle down and pick one. I'll post when that decision is made!

3. Finally, I'd like to make this -- the stag bag. I'm ignorant enough that I don't know if this is fair isle or just color stranded but regardless, I really want this bag (I'm an elk biologist...so you know, even though it's a stag, not an elk, I gotta make it!).

I'm excited to start working on these projects and seeing what everybody else is coming up with!
Happy New Year!

A game plan

Hello everyone!

My name's Christina and I blog over here. Ho boy, do I need this challenge.

The two skills I haven't developed yet that really hinder me are sock knitting (I've got a toe-up sock knitted up to the heel, but the short row heel confused me so it's been sitting for a while) and colorwork (I've had the yarn for Endpaper Mitts for almost a year now).

The sock in question, using the toe-up pattern from IK Summer 2007 and the stitch pattern from Nancy Bush's Gentleman's Fancy Sock, in KnitPicks Risata:



I'm also keen to learn duplicate stitch, knitting in the round with two circulars, and lace. Knitting entrelac and knitting with beads are two things I haven't tried yet and would like to, but they don't make me particularly nervous. Well, maybe a little.

It'll be nice to meet everyone and really fun to see what we all work on. Bon courage to us all!