Have you been thinking about knitting socks and don’t know where to start?

What about a Christmas stocking?

Oh, yes it looks like a large project.  Basically a Christmas stocking is a sock knit on larger needles with thicker yarn.  And because of that it may be easier to knit than using fine needles and yarn.  Or “toothpicks” as my sister calls my Size 1 double pointed needles.

Whether you’re just learning to knit socks or want a simpler project because your time to knit is unpredictable like in caregiving, a Christmas stocking may make a good option.  It’s still portable, even though it’s larger than regular socks.

Why start knitting socks by knitting a Christmas stocking?

• The yarn and needles are larger and easier to hold…
• The knitting stitches are easier to see than on sock yarn…
• You can use simple knitting stitches like stockinette stitch.  It can be jazzed up with duplicate stitch after the knitting is done if you like.

My knitting time has been reduced this past week.  However, I did take time after a rain shower to enjoy the view off my back deck -

Which inspired this picture of hand spun wool -

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

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To your healthy and happy knitting and caregiving,

Dr. Ina
Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWIthPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Sometimes it’s nice to have small easy knitting projects. 

When your time is not scheduled for knitting, it’s nice to be able to drop your work and pick it up easily.  Without having to spend more time puzzling over following the knitting instructions than actually knitting!  I first learned that as a family caregiver, when I might get an hour without being called, or maybe only a few seconds!

This week has been one of those weeks for small projects.  The weather turned cooler, so I decided it’s time to try a head wrap.  It’s not quite cold enough for a knitted cap, and it’s too chilly for a summer hat.

A head wrap is a nice alternative.  Its openness in the back keeps the head from overheating in mild weather while it covers the ears nicely. This one was quick and easy.  2×2 ribbing in short rows for shaping.  Next I want to try my own version with a different stitch.  Maybe a Fisherman’s rib would work well.

The acrylic yarn I used is reused from a shawl I didn’t like.  There was a LOT of yarn in that shawl, so even after making a second shawl I still have yarn left over!

And my second project is a dishcloth made from cotton yarn left over from another project.  So in addition to getting my knitting in, I’m using up some of my stash.  Dishcloths wear out, and it seems like they all wear out at once!  It’s nice to have a stash of completed dishcloths. 

Their bright colors add a fun whimsical touch to kitchen chores.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Keep knitting to your heart’s desire – or someone else’s,

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)
“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Elder Care, HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Full disclosure and disclaimer at www.TheKnittingYarn.com/Policies

Right now, I have three projects on the needles, although thankfully not the same needles!

The more I talk to knitters, the more I realize I’m not alone. And there are perfectly good reasons why each of these projects remains “in progress.”  You may have the same problem challenge.

Here are my current projects:

Knee socks in progress

I started these socks in the early spring. It was unusually cool for South Carolina. And now, well, it’s summer. Thankfully, there’s air conditioning. These are my first pair for myself, and I’m not sure how to finish the tops. the first cuff I tried was too tight. And, then other projects popped up.

Mitten cuff in progress

This is actually the second of two fingerless mittens. You can see the cuff here. The color is actually a deeper purple. And it’s Caron Simply Soft Yarn -Iris, so it’s, well, very soft! Mittens in summer? Yes, the fingerless ones are nice for folks with arthritis or other conditions of their wrists and hands. They do seem to decrease the stiffness and aching, at least for some folks.

My final project is the one I started last.

Entrelac knit in the round in progress

I saw the directions for Entrelac in the round, and well, just had to try it. It’s challenging and interesting. And I’m not quite sure what it’s going to be. I’m thinking maybe a cell phone purse, and am open to suggestions. These colors are also brighter than the picture shows.

Here’s a final picture of the base row of triangles for this entrelac. Yes, they do look odd. And they do straighten themselves out after the next tier: the first tier of rectangles.

Base triangles for circular entrelac

Be sure to check out other fiber artists at Alpaca Farm Girl’s Fiber Arts Friday.

When you’re bored with knitting the same old pattern, maybe it’s time to try something more challenging …

Like Garterlac!

This is my first attempt:

Yes, it’s a work in progress. If you like the challenge of entrelac, but find the stockinette (stocking) version too flat or like both the front and back to look woven, you might like garterlac. Like garter stitch, it’s a nice thickness for dishes.  And dishcloths make a nice practical square to try out a new pattern.

It’s not hard to envision using garterlac for a scarf, an afghan, or a pillow top.

If garterlac is more challenging than you want to attempt your first time out, you might consider this dishcloth:

It’s a smaller version of the baby blanket in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop. I started with 14 stitches. It has a woven seam, which may not suit everyone for a dishcloth.  Still, it’s a good way to try out the pattern, without making an entire blanket.

Still too complex? Well, you could try the Mitered Scrubby, substituting one strand of yarn and casting on 40 stitches, or the number for the size you want.

Most knitters are familiar with the Diagonal Dishcloth Pattern, also often known as Grandma’s Dishcloth, or some variation of that name. It’s actually garter stitch worked on the bias. And very good practice for garter stitch, increases and decreases.

My version is knit on size 7 needles or size for gauge you like.

Cast on 3 stitches
Row 1: Knit 1, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 1
Row 2: Knit 5
Row 3: Knit 1, yarn over, knit 3, yarn over, knit 1
Row 4: Knit 7

Continue in garter stitch, to increase one stitch each odd row just after first and before last stitch. Knit all stitches in even rows.
When side edges measure desired size (35 stitches on row in the one I knitted) begin decrease rows:

SKP = Slip 1 stitch as if to knit, knit 1 stitch, pass slip stitch over knit stitch

Odd Rows: Knit 1, SKP, Knit to last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1
Even Rows: Knit all stitches

Bind off when row has 3 stitches.  Finish off, leaving an end long enough to weave in. Weave in ends.

Tip: You can vary where the increases and decreases are placed, such as knit 3 yarn over, knit to last 3 stitches, yarn over, knit last three stitches. Similarly, the decreases would be placed after the first 3 knit stitches and before the last 3. This keeps the edges consistent.

And of course, there’s always easy garter stitch.

The cotton worsted weight yarn is Sugar ‘n Cream Bronze Blue Culinary Colors-3 oz.

Keep knitting to your heart’s delight — or someone else’s,

The Knitting Yarn

P.S. When you’re looking for a simple lace dishcloth set, check out my Ripple Kitchen Set at:
http://theknittingyarn.com/kitchenset

Looking at my collection of darning needles, I realized I needed more organization.

Each needle is blunt. The good news is blunt needles are harder to poke yourself with. The bad news is, they don’t poke through the fabric on my pin cushion. <Sigh …>

Darning needles — and most sewing needles — come in cardboard and plastic packages.  To use the needles, the plastic usually needs to be ripped from the cardboard. While the plastic can be used as a tray, it’s a short-term not a long-term solution.

As I was considering what to do with my needles, I suddenly remembered one of my mother’s pin cushions.

It’s made from a discarded aerosol can top, and a crocheted oblong that’s rolled into the top. Darning needles easily go into the crocheted stitches. Should be easy enough to substitute a knit oblong for the crocheted. But then, I realized I don’t have any empty tops lying around. Probably because I rarely buy aerosol cans any more.

But I do have several measuring cups from laundry detergent.

Its sides aren’t square. I like the clear plastic that will show more of the knitting.

So, it was off to my basket of yarn scraps, and my knitting needles. I decided to make as much of a customized roll as I can. I love the idea of using bright colors. Hopefully they will make the pin cushion be more visible on my cluttered work surface.

My knitting gauge is 7 stitches in 2 inches, with size 7 needles and worsted weight wool. Actually the wool is hand spun doubles.

I cast on 8 stitches, and started garter stitch with a slipped stitch garter edging. The edging instructions are in the video on this web site. I made a slipped stitch along one edge, and changed colors as I ran out of yarn or as it suited me. The slipped stitch edge is the top.  All color changes were made along  the bottom edge.

I knit 10 inches of garter stitch. I bound off 3 stitches on the edge opposite the slipped stitch. Then continued garter stitch with the slipped stitch edging on 5 stitches for another 6-1/4 inches. Followed by binding off the remaining stitches.

I fit the roll into the container as I worked. I didn’t weave in any ends, just tucked them into the roll.

And, voila!

And another view:

I scrunched the roll into the plastic cup. The knitted roll very nicely fit inside it.

With a single project I’ve organized my darning needles, and recycled (reused) an otherwise non-recyclable.

Storage Tip:I like to store all my needles with yarn or thread attached. When one drops, they’re so-o-o much easier to find!

You can download a free pdf of this pattern here.

Now that my darning needles are organized, it’s time to tackle the clutter on my workspace …

Check out the fiber artists at Alpaca Farm Girl’s Fiber Arts Friday.