Ok, this is really a knitting update of sorts, but first, there is a free pattern over there to your right, in the sidebar. It’s Lorette’s Wordy Generic Sock Pattern, now new and improved! This is just my cobbled together pattern that I’ve put together over the years. It has instructions for both a picot top and plain ribbing. I just put it up today, and hopefully it is relatively error free. It’s just a plain vanilla sock, so don’t expect anything fancy.
Now for the update.
Here’s one of those Generic Socks. I haven’t gotten much done on this since my last post, but I am done with the gusset decreases on the first sock. I still love this yarn. It’s endlessly amusing to me to see what color comes next. For the curious who want to know, the end of the first repeat in the color sequence was just in the middle of the heel flap. I have no idea if I’ll be able to match the second sock exactly or not. Oh, the suspense!
Next up is my alpaca lace shawl. Here’s where I am:
I did end up taking this with me on our Utah trip, though I didn’t take it on the second leg of the trip down the Colorado. I had dropped a bunch of stitches before we went on the trip, and finally got the whole thing straightened out and back on the needles. I pulled it out one night sitting around the campfire, and did exactly the same thing, dropping about 15 or 20 stitches off the needles, then spent the next two nights before dark getting it fixed yet again. For the record, the first time I did this, I just frogged back about 20 rows to my last lifeline. Getting those stitches back on the needle, even with a lifeline, was sort of a bitch, to say the least. The second time, I decided not to frog. I just got as many of the dropped loose stitches back onto a spare needle as I could, then patiently tinked back row by row, until I got to a section where I had everything back on the working needle with a correct stitch count. It was actually less painful than ripping all those rows again.
For those of you not following this saga, this is made using Evelyn Clark’s book, Knitting Lace Triangles. I did the whole first section with the Medallion stitch pattern, and have just switched to the Ripple pattern for the next section. This is a 20-row repeat, and I think I’ll do 2 or 3 repeats, then the edging, then it’s done.
And the shawl finally has a name: Whitewater Shawl. Of course, it was obvious, once it came to me. I’ve decided that the Ripple section represents the flatter sections of water, I think the Medallion part looks like the rapids. There isn’t anything in the pattern that represents me nearly drowning in Cataract Canyon, but you can’t have everything.
I went on a rafting trip this weekend on the Snake River! (I was in Jackson Hole and just got back home today.) It was a half day nature float – no rapids for me, and no socks either. I left the knitting back at the house.
I must love, love, love the happy colors in your sock!!!
The white water shawl is aptly named.
I think the coming off the needles part symbolizes the near-drowning, but just as there is presumably no photographic documentation of that, just a story, there will be no lace record!
If it was me, that shawl would be on a long time out!
Can’t believe you did it by firelight. Total dedication. Or insanity. Not sure which yet.
Shawl and sock are both gorgeous!
Those socks are fascinating. I’ve about given up making purely identical twins. Closely matching fraternals seems to be about all I can come up with. The shawl is looking fabulous. I’m not sure I’d want to commemorate the near drowning. Maybe the survival.
The shawl is looking great, and the socks are awesome.
I love the new banner, by the way!
I just love those sock colors.
You are a better woman than I. If I had dropped those stitches twice…I would have frogged the whole thing. Glad you got it all straightened out!
That shawl is amazing!
What about a lifeline 😉
The more I see of your socks, the more I love and lust after your yarn!!!
Love the socks!! WOW colors! I kind of like when the socks are not exactly symmetrical. The shawl is awesome!
Thank you! For the pattern, and the glimpse of that beautiful shawl!
Luv the socks. What is the yarn? The socks look like they could make you dance. The shawl is beautiful as well. Can’t wait to see the end results.
Thanks for the pattern. The lace looks beautiful!
I get compulsive about yarns that change color also, and I always want to see what color comes next. I think that is the main cause of knitting-induced insomnia for me.
The shawl looks great. That Evelyn Clark book is on my current book wishlist. So far designing shawls seems to be a bit of a mystery, and I’d like to try my hand at it. I guess the book will help.
I go away for a short while and you’re writing patterns and changing banners! The shawl is lovely! At least you used the lifeline! The sock is awesome!
tinking by firelight?
oh my , you’re a brave soul indeed.
Can’t believe that you were courageous enough to take lace knitting while camping….. 🙂
Made me giggle at the end. Are you sure you can’t incorporate the almost-drowning element in there somehow?????
Hi Lorette! I’m Christina, and I found your blog through a google search a few months ago and have since then following it. I love looking at your projects and it is because of you that I’ve started knitting socks. Anyhow, I wanted to write to say thanks for the sock pattern- I haven’t knitted a pair of generic socks yet and thought I’d give yours a try.
P.S. I’m also a medical student, on my second year of clinicals 🙂