cottington's so crafty: sarah ronchetti

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Ballet and Hula Hoop - They DO Go Together!

Another one of those better late than never sort of posts!

I only finished this Momoka sweater in September of 2016 an' all. I honestly have no clue what took me so long to get photos and blog about it. I have knit another of Sarah Ronchetti's patterns once before - the lovely Basketweave Rib Socks. Her pattern writing is clear and delightful, and honestly, I probably could have finished it it MUCH sooner, but the move and summer time fun happened, so, I didn't move quickly, especially as I was trying to finish that crazy Doodler shawl.

I can't recall if Sarah's pattern includes the actual straight elbow-length option that I knit, but there you have it. I figured that was much more practical for a ballet sweater. Other than that, I believe I totally stuck to the pattern. I knit the size 6, and it fits Camden quite well (my project page). Next time, though, I want to try and aim to do a totally pink sweater, as that would feel even more legit ballet, aha!

She always loves this pose for pictures, though I know it comes across as awkward, aha!

I used the glorious Colour Adventures for the pattern (shop on Etsy). The color is Seashells on the Sweet Merino DK base. The sweater pictured on Elena's blog is also quite lovely, as a side note! I have to say that many of the ballet parents have commented on it, so, it's been quite a hit, aha! (Well...mostly a hit...except when Camden chucks her sweater at me partway through her class, because she's too hot, LOL.)

Camden is also sporting a Hula Hoop skirt, designed by Oliver and S! No surprises there, as you must know I love that pattern. It is SUCH an easy pattern to whip up as a gift for friends or cousins! I also swear I photographed more versions of that pattern, but I can't seem to find the photos in my blog posts. Super cool mom that I am, I used stash fabric...well, because I basically have to, and believe me, for all the fabric I have, I don't often have what I need, because of yardage, etc. Camden originally had the cutest coat made in the same fabric, and the green dots are from Superbuzzy.

She was SO TINY!

And....some days in the life of.....

Angry child/Gollum didn't want to give his sister back some of her bunnies

Will this snow EVER go away???

Tiny Titans are MUCH adored by Camden!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Wool Socks....Score! Just in Time for Summer!!!

I am MORE excited than anyone can possibly know! I'm done with my Basket Weave Rib Socks by Sarah Ronchetti of Sezza Knits. Strangely, this felt like QUITE the undertaking. I have done SEVERAL pairs of baby/toddler socks, but I've only ever completed ONE pair for myself. I've been WANTING to knit socks for myself, but I always find more important things to work - namely clothing for Camden, aha!

Clearly NOT as excited as I am!

The pair I did for myself several years ago was the Knitting Pure and Simple Lightweight Sock Pattern, and it's lovely enough, though I know better now that I'm not into a gathered-close toe finish, so, if I did a vanilla (all stockinette) sock again in the future, I'd finish it with a kitchener or something else equally as awesome, LOL. This first pair of socks I made myself were knitted out of Misty Alpaca fingering weight yarn, and they fit nicely, actually.

As for this new pair, I knit it out of Black Trillium (Ravelry group) 100% superwash merino (Pebble sock base) in the Cherry colorway, though this colorway is so NOT a real red to me, aha! I bought it yearsssss ago, and there are SO MANY BT colorways I wish I could have - of course!

Good times taking pictures of socks on your OWN feet!

These are SOCKS, for the love of my grandmother, so, there aren't too many exciting things to report, BUT. I did do the basic gusset decrease/heel flap, and I knit cuff-down on size 000 needles (YES, you read that right...TRIPLE ZERO. EFF my loose gauge, people!). I purchased Karbonz DPNs from HERE on Amazon. It was my first time using them, and they definitely have a little more give than a steel needle (my Hiya Hiyas), but they worked pretty well - debating getting a second set each of 000 and 00.

I know there are tons of fancy ways to do heels these days, but I like the standard heel flap, LOL. I'm not sure I'm an old dog, needing to learn new tricks right now. I have huge calves, though, so, I did the leg at 5 inches, rather than 6, as I worried about the ribbing fitting if I knit them any longer. I also did a 2 by 2 rib, rather than a 1 by 1, as I like how it looks better.

As for the toe finish, I decreased to 8 stitches per needle on one foot and 10 stitches per needle on the other (right) foot. It was sort of an experiment, to see how it'd fit, but I guess my toe box isn't as pointed as I pretended it was, LOL. So, I'll do 12 next time - and make sure to do the toe box longer. Also, I DID add 4 stitches to the foot near my bunion (totally guesstimated the first food and waited too many rows, so, I remedied that for my second sock, which will forever be my right-foot sock) for a little more ease. I am thinking I should make the foot a tad longer next time I do a pair of socks for myself.

Otherwise, the pattern is lovely and easy/straightforward. There are three sizes, and it's a FREE pattern, so double bonus!!! (Or triple, aha!)

.... Speaking of, I would LOVE to do a pair of socks this month, too, but I don't know if I should do a practice shawl in preparation for doing a shawl KAL in the MarigoldJen group in July. If I do this, I will be using a Colinette Tao silk base for the Beithe shawl by Susanna IC. Not sure my silk will do the pattern design justice, but we can always hope for the best! LOL.