Habitation Throw

What a great way to use up all those bits and bobs of fingering weight yarn! Knit on the diagonal, it includes i-cord edging that is created as you go, and the yarns are joined using the "magic knot" method, so at the end, all you need to do is block. I inadvertently used a larger-than-called-for needle; the result is airy and stretchy, just right to wear as a shawl or to use as a summer lap blanket.

Pattern: Habitation Throw, by Helen Stewart
Yarn: Leftover sock yarn in greens and browns (mostly)
Needle: US9
Modifications: Knit in two halves and grafted together

My goal was to use up as much yarn as possible, so I knit this blanket in two halves, then grafted them together. The result is much larger than I expected; blocking required the use of my queen-sized bed. Believe it or not, I have *more* leftover sock yarn, so I plan to knit another one of these, in (mostly) primary colors, on the correct size needle.

Walnut baby cable rib socks

I knit both my SO and me a pair of baby cable rib socks lo, these many years ago (2011) in Fortissima Socka Degradee Color fingering yarn. I really liked how they turned out because of the gradient colorway. Alas, they did not hold up very well, wearing thin on the soles. So I decided to knit us some more. I finished mine about a year ago, and just this past week, finished my SO's.

Pattern: Short-row toe and heel basic socks, by Wendy D. Johnson, and baby cable rib, by Charlene Schurch.
Yarn: S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes 4 Ply with Aloe Vera, in brown, and unknown base yarn, hand dyed with black walnut, by Little Shop of Spinning
Needles: US1
Modifications: not really

Even though I have knit these socks before, this time I ran into a lot of (self-inflicted) trouble, especially with the toes. The dark brown yarn was difficult for my old eyes to see. Then I also did dumb things like continue the rib pattern across the sole instead of using plain stockinette. But I persevered and eventually got 'er done.

I've already cast on another pair, as I always like to have a portable knitting project on hand. But I would also like to complete some mittens to match a scarf and hat and sweater. Hopefully, both mittens and wool socks will become unnecessary soon, if this wacky weather ever decides spring has sprung.

FO - Sockhead hat

If I were to design a hat and call it "Sockhead", I would make it like a sock, complete with heel turn and Kitchener toe. This Sockhead hat was much easier than that - four inches of ribbing, nine inches of stockinette, crown - but felt interminable. HOWEVER. It was excellent brainless knitting, the yarn is pretty and soft, and I was able to binge watch "30 Rock" for much of it.

Pattern: Sockhead Hat by Kelly McClure
Yarn: Vermont Farmhouse Yarns fingering, colorway "Frosted Berries" (love the name!)
Needles: US2
Modifications: none.

I really need to get a mannequin head for hat shots. Trying to showcase the slouchiness of this hat by taking a "selfie" in the bathroom mirror just does not cut it.