AKC (Actual Knitting Content)

Hey, lookit me, I learnt a new acronym :)
I felt it was about time that I put a post up that actually had some knitting content to it. I had a look at my recent posts and realised that I have avoided this subject for about a month now. I'm not entirely sure why though it might have something to do with the fact that I have mostly been working on getting some old WIPS finished off rather than starting anything new. Though that is not entirely true as I recently started and completed these in just over a week:

The pattern is Sarah's Slip-Stitch Socks (Ravelry link) which is essentially just a basic stitch recipe rather than a sock pattern BUT having said that I do think that it is wonderful. I used some Knitpicks Multi in colourway Jester that a friend gave me for the main part of the sock and some leftover plain green for the heels and toes (so that I can replace them when they wear out). The little bits of slip-stitch repeat break up the variegated yarn in such a way that I don't get all twitchy about the fact that the socks don't match perfectly.

After finishing those socks I started on my next pair:


These are going to be a gift for my mother at Christmas. I got the yarn (Colinette Jitterbug) through a trade on Ravelry and yes, it really is that bright. The pink is almost neon but is balanced out nicely by the pale lilac and blue sections. I wasn't at all sure that I liked it when I started knitting with it but it has grown on me and now I think I'm sold on it. The pattern is 'Pyewacket Socks' by Kristi Schueler (Ravelry link). I picked it out because my mum is a big fan of dogs (she has four) as well as cats so paw prints seemed appropriate. I'm not entirely happy with how it is all coming out so far. The paw prints look untidy to me. The large hole is created by a sssk which you then knit-purl-knit on the next row around. It's the purl stitch that bothers me as it forms a tiny bobble at the bottom of the hole. I guess I'm just being picky really and it might be that once they are finished, washed and put on real people feet that I will like them a lot better. Until then however I am reserving the right to be a bit 'meh' about them. Unfortunately this means that I'm not spending enough time on them- they keep on getting buried at the bottom of the knitting basket.

My final thing that I want to share is a little sneak peak at a shawl that I am working on:

The pattern is Queen Anne's Lace by MMario (who writes wonderful shawl patterns- I'm sure that I will be making more by this designer). I'm not going to say much more as it is intended to be a gift for a friend. I have loved every minute that I have spent working on it. It has gotten to the point now where each row is over 700 stitches and takes 20-30 minutes to knit and I still can't put it down. I think I will make another one (for me) at some point in the future but I'd better not get too far ahead of myself. I know what I'm like- something shiny will distract me before too long.