You’ve completed the knitting instructions: now what to do with the leftover yarn?

Well, after 6 months — 4 of which they sat on a shelf waiting for me to be inspired to knit them again — I finally finished my knee socks!

They are my first very own hand knit knee socks, custom-made using several sock knitting instructions which I combined. I do like the toe-up knitting instructions, because the sock can be tried on as you’re knitting. That way, changes can be made immediately and — at least theoretically — keeps the frogging to a minimum!

The patterned sock yarn is: Austermann Step Sock Yarn in the Sunset Fairisle colorway. The Fairisle pattern is in the dyeing of the yarn, so it’s like a self-striping yarn: except better! It’s soft, treated with Jojoba and Aloe Vera extracts. While knitting I noticed how soft it is on the hands. According to the label, the extracts and softening power last through hundreds of washings. I’m thinking they’ll be very helpful in the dry winter weather!

The solid toes, heels, and cuff are Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn in Temple Turquoise. The Fairisle colors really seem to “pop” with the contrast of the solid yarn sections.

There’s enough yarn left over, that one skein of the Austermann Step Sock Yarn probably would have been enough without the contrast.  Wow! One skein for a pair of knee socks for size 10-1/2 feet!

So, when the knitting instructions are complete, what to do with the left over yarn? Options include:

• Saving the yarn for later because sometimes the right project just doesn’t immediately jump out. Especially after finishing a big project, sometimes another yarn is calling to be knit, yes?
• Starting a project, and adding yarn as you get it from future as yet unspecified projects. This option adds the risk of maybe having an incomplete project that will end up either incomplete for a long time, or possibly being unraveled. Of course, if you like to work this way, it’s something to consider. This also could run the risk of adding to your yarn stash if you end up buying yarn to finish a project you can’t stand to remain incomplete another minute.
• Finding a small project now. After finishing a big project, the idea of a project that can be completed in an evening or two before starting another larger project has a certain appeal.

Needless to say, I decided to start looking for a small project. And one found me:

A tiny mitten! Jumping in without a pattern is always an adventure in itself. After making enough mittens to have memorized the basics of a mitten, it was easy. The Fairisle yarn makes a lovely pattern in stockinette stitch, without a great deal of thought. And since the mitten needed to look like a mitten but not necessarily fit anyone or anything, it’s a very forgiving project.

Now what to do with it?

It could be a doll mitten, although I quit playing with dolls some years ago.

How about a Christmas mitten? It — or perhaps a pair with an attached cord — would make a neat homemade ornament for a Christmas tree. And, it could also be used on the outside of a package as decoration: to be used by the recipient as an ornament.

Would you like a copy of the pattern? Subscribe in the box on the sidebar to get your free knitting bag pattern immediately, and you’ll get my Tiny Mittens pattern a couple of days later.

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Another week, another sock

I’ve always loved Fair Isle knitting.

It always seemed either too complicated or more bother than I wanted to put into it.  Maybe it was the multiple colors?

So, recently when I saw the Fair Isle pencil case pattern, I knew I had to try it.

It was easier than I thought, and very enjoyable.  I do love making articles for charity.  And Darfur is a very good cause.

Just like when I saw the Austermann Step Sock Yarn in Sunset Fairisle at Alpaca Direct, I knew I wanted to try it.  Since it was on sale, and I needed just that amount for their free shipping, the timing seemed right.

The yarn is not only self-striping, but also self-Fair Isle.  I figure it doesn’t get much better than this…

So, I ordered one ball, and decided to try a pair of socks.

After all, knitting socks with five needles is complicated enough without carrying yarn, too.  Not really, but it’s as good an excuse as any!

I also have a skein of Wildfoote sock yarn left over, so decided to try knitting the toes and heels with it.  My guess was it would be close enough in color to go with the turquoise in the Austermann yarn.

If I make my favorites, knee-highs, I may need it for part of the leg.  We’ll see.

Anyway, here’s my new sock:

And a close-up version…

You can see the striping and the start of the Fair Isle pattern even better on the back:

Guess I’d better get back to work so you can see more…

Happy knitting!