The Galvez Sock Pattern

Finally! I have completed the Galvez Sock. I love this sock! Here are a couple of pictures. You can go to Ravelry and get the details OR you can -

Joe and I are leaving this afternoon ( in about 2 hrs) for Hilton Head Island. I am excited about doing a "road trip". Joe's a little excited..... I told him I would help drive. I have lots of fun knitting packed. No design projects anywhere in the car.

A closer look at the stitch detail. It is Seafoam Stitch.

Adding to My Stash

I have been spending my knitting time working on a sock designed especially for the 12" circ. You can use stitch patterns that are easier to keep track of on a circ as opposed to dps. It is pretty much worked out as I am knitting a sock from the pattern and I am very pleased with the way it looks! it is called Galvez. I really want to knit something else now. You know, something really easy :O). There won't be any pictures of the sock posted here until the pattern is posted on Ravelry.

After going to Spring Beads in Old Town Spring (which is a GREAT bead shop, BTW, Barbara (barbiegirl) and I casually stopped in at Twisted Yarns. You can't just drive by your LYS without stopping; every knitter knows that. I didn't need yarn but I have been casually stashing some Manos that I LOVE; not sure what I wanted to knit with it. Anyway, we are looking at sock yarns and there is a cute little shawl hanging there knit out of sock yarn. Barbara comments on how great it would look with jeans. Sooooo, she bought the book, Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle, and sent it home with me.

We needed 3 skeins of Silk Garden sock yarn to make the Litla Dimun Shawl. The Silk Garden sock yarn came in and we went to pick up ours. My choice of Silk Garden sock yarn is pictured below. It is softer than the Noro sock yarn that we have all been knitting with.





While at Twisted Yarns, we cruised on over to the Noro area. Shelly had knitted the Circle Vest in Silk Knits (I have that book and have been wanting to knit the Circle Vest). It looks gorgeous! I shouldn't have tried it on; it is so cute on! She had knit it in Noro Taiyo - a cotton blend Noro yarn pictured below. So, naturally, I left with some of that too, along with a Manos pattern booklet.






This is Blue Heron's beaded rayon. I am taking this on our trip to knit while riding. It's a shawl, can't remember the name of the pattern (I am going to borrow Barbara's book), and I am hoping to bead some fringe. I am wondering if these beads are too big for fringe?

Knitting to Classic Favorites

When home alone, I have classical music on. I especially like to knit to classical music. As I sat and knit this morning, I had this image, in vivid color, of Bugs Bunny being chased by Elmer Fudd going full speed in my head. I have known for some time that most of the older cartoons, the ones I loved to watch, were set to classical music. It played in the background going unnoticed for the most part except in the subconscious mind. The cartoon creators of those days, to their credit and genius, gave children their/our first taste of classical music. I am truly forever grateful to them!

When slightly or greatly distressed, I always go to classical music. It creates a tranquility and clarity of mind that I can't find anywhere else. Along with that clarity, are images of Bugs and Daffy which make me smile.

My "talk and knit" completed projects are pictured below. IGK - instant gratification knitting in sock yarn, from top clockwise - Online Savanne, Online Lime Green, and Socks That Rock which photos a lot prettier than it actually is IMHO (from last year). I use leftover sock yarns to knit ornament covers.





I am working on a sock design in 3 different yarns. I want to see which yarn displays the design at its best. It is a design with lots of yarn overs which is perfect for the 12" Addi. I dropped a stitch this morning and had to tink back 3 rows before I could get the stitches back to what they were supposed to be. I am also knitting garter in the round making them extremely tedious if not damned near impossible to pick up. No pics of the design tho!

What HAVE I been doing?

After being asked “what have you been doing” by several friends, I stopped to think about that! I must say, we have had guests for 6 weekends in a row including a week-long visit from Alexis; which Joe and I thoroughly enjoyed. Whew! It has been fast and furious with some serious rest days in between. I finish this by saying Kim and Pam with husband and children in tow are coming
for a long 4^th of July weekend of fun for everyone!

Knitting? I have been knitting absolutely enjoyable, yet mindless Christmas ornament covers, my Sideways Cardigan from Vogue, the sock I always have OTN or working on a sock design in progress. I must say, the ornament covers have dominated the serious days of rest! On the end table next to me, I placed a large glass jar to put the ornaments in because I LOVE looking at them even when I am not knitting. There are now 11 of them with # 12 joining them in the jar waiting for her cover.

Viewed from the top looking down into the jar -

Side view from my vantage point – ahh - IGK
(instant gratification knitting)

More IGK - my current sock OTN or more precise - OTC (on the circ)

The sock design is completed and I am test knitting the pattern. I went to Twisted Yarns yesterday looking for THE perfect yarn for this design. I wanted it to be the colors of the ocean; blues, greens and a sandy brown AND a very light weight yarn. I chose a beautiful sock yarn, Anne, from Schaeffer Yarn.

Close up of ribbing only to tantalize

The 12” Addi Sock Pattern is completed and will be uploaded to Ravelry ASAP along with the baby sock in sock yarn pattern. Those did take me awhile…….

Last, but certainly the most interesting, I give you the view of the very early morning guests/herd in my back yard when I opened the blinds -

There were 15 wild hogs grazing on Joe's grass! I knew they were around but had never seen them in MY yard. Joe said they needed to get out of the yard. Maybe so, but who's going to make them? Not me! What next? I am watching for the coyotes - I know they are out here too! Luckily, they don't eat grass.

How To Knit a Sock on a 12" Addi Turbo Circular

Below is ONline Supersocke 100 Savanne. Glorious colors! This is what makes sock knitting so much fun for me - great colors and stripes - lots of stripes!

Because of the fabulous colors, I am going to knit a simple sock. I have knit socks on the 12" Addi Turbo for several years now. It makes the most sense to me. What could possibly be easier? No long cable to deal with as in Magic Loop, no confusion about which needles to knit with as with 2 Socks on 2 Circulars and very little double point use. This project is so easy to pop into my purse, a zip bag, my sock-knitting bag or even a coat pocket. Remember, you can double click on any picture for a close up look!

Casting On

From my personal experience, 60 sts is the least amount of stitches you can cast on and still join to knit in the round on the 12" circular. (I just used 60 sts for a cast on in a sock design I am working on. I did have to push the stitches around the cable knowing that once I got to the actual pattern which has lots of yos ; it would be very, very loose) A 64 stitch cast on is okay, but you have to make certain you don't cast on too tight or you will have to work the sts around the cable. A 68 stitch cast on or more is a breeze. For my sock, I am using a 72 st cast on. I used 64 sts for a couple of years but realized I didn't like the ribbing of my sock stretched too much while I had it on. So, I began to cast on more sts settling on 68 - 72 sts depending on the yarn.


Begin to cast on. Notice that the stitches are not too tight nor too loose. If your stitches are too tight; you won't be able to join. This could take a bit of practice; maybe one or two tries.

Now, you can see that I have cast on all my stitches. Markers have been placed where the needle breaks would be if I were using double points with 18 sts between markers. I have done a cross-over join. Notice that the stitches are NOT stretched taut around the circular.

One row of K2, P2 ribbing has been completed. You will have to move your stitches around the cable at this point. It isn't difficult; it's not "stretching" them around; it's moving them around. A little sheep marker has been added to note BOR (beginning of round).

I have knit approximately 1 inch of ribbing. (a cute picture of the little sheep) At this point, continue on with ribbing until you are ready to start the heel flap.

Starting the heel flap - Knit 1/2 of the sock stitches off the circular onto a double point. For my sock, that would be 36 sts. You are now going to knit back and forth on the heel flap with two double point needles. The circ acts as a stitch holder for the top of the foot stitches. There are two views below, so you can get a good look.

I knit my heel flap 2.5 inches in length. Below, I am ready to turn the heel. This isn't hard; so don't let it intimidate you. It's actually fun - it's just little short rows knit back and forth in the middle of your heel flap.

I know this looks a bit weird, but it's the side view of the heel flap. (Ohhh, now, I see.....)

A simple turned heel is pictured below. Pretty neat, huh?

A little different view of the turned heel -

Picking up gusset stitches - following the pattern, you should finish the heel turn ready to pick up gusset stitches as pictured below. With another double point, insert your needle catching both threads of the edge (slipped) stitch, wrap the yarn and pull it back through. (a pick up and knit completed) You can do this with a small crochet hook until you master the technique.

Gusset stitches have been picked up down one side of the heel flap.

The next step is to knit the stitches left on the circ onto another double point.

With a fourth double point, pick up the stitches across the other side of the heel flap in the same manner as before.

You now have picked up (and knit) the gusset stitches on both sides of the heel flap. You also have your sock on FOUR double point needles. Yikes!! Did you say you didn't like double points?

Looking at your sock from this point of view, with the needle to the right of the turned heel, knit 1/2 of the turned heel stitches onto that same needle (the same one you used to pick up the last set of gusset stitches.) So, I have taken the needle to the right and knit 10 of my turned heel stitches onto it. (it's a good thing I took a picture of this, right?) When you are comfortable with this technique, this step and the one above will be completed at the same time.

Take your Addi and knit the other 1/2 of the stitches(10 for my sock). You are now ready to knit one complete row "back in the round". As you knit the gusset stitches, knit into the back loop! This gives them a little twist making a great looking gusset! (do this only for the gusset stitches) Place a marker here. Continue knitting across the next double point (these are the top of the foot stitches and you can divide these stitches in 1/2 placing a marker between them). Place a marker here. You are back at the gusset stitches for the other side of the heel flap. Remember, knit in the back loop only, and only for these stitches. Knit the last 1/2 of the turned heel stitches. Place a BOR marker here.

You now have your sock back onto the 12" Addi. Knit your sock in the usual manner until you are ready for toe decreases. You will knit the stitches off onto double points to be able to decrease the toe.

I think most sock knitters will be able to do the toes without a tutorial. If you have questions, email me.

(the pattern for this sock on the 12" circular is available as a free download on Ravelry. My Ravelry ID is Dlhaymark.

Memories of Tugley

Last Tuesday, I lost a cherished friend and companion. Tugley was a part of every minute of my day. He was a constant joy and always comical; making every step I made. His very favorite thing to do was nap beside me while I knitted. He knew when I sat down with yarn, it was time for him to get on the sofa too! Tug ran with the grandchildren; because he was one of them. He proudly wore every t-shirt and sweater I put on him. He loved Nacho Doritos and many times we shared a big bag!


Below are some of my favorite pictures of Tug

Tug napping with Alexis. I could tell him Alexis was coming and he would get beside himself with excitement. When we went to pick him up, at six weeks old, he bonded with Alexis on the ride home. After that, Alexis was always special to him.

He preferred Joe take him for his morning walk.

Tug loved napping on plastic bags - this one happens to be full of yarn! I finally had to put it in a box as he kept going back to it. We were packing to move.

Relaxed and warming his backside in front of the fireplace. On a cold day, he would do this repeatedly throughout the day. I was concerned that he would singe his fur.

Tugley wearing his rugby shirt from Old Navy! This was his favorite. He strutted around in this shirt.

Matthew and Tug. This was taken the last time Matthew was here during Easter. When Matthew was about 3 yrs old, he always wanted to bite Tug's tail. We couldn't leave them alone together for even a minute.

Not one but TWO beds and he's thinking someone has his OTHER chew bone.

My favorite picture of Tugley napping.

Another napping picture. He napped quite a lot but if Joe or I got up or moved around; he was up and going with us.

Can't a guy take a bath without having his picture taken?

Tugley added to my life in more ways than I ever imagined. He will always be loved and remembered in my heart.

What's More Fun Than -

Meeting a girlfriend (that's as obsessive as you) at your favorite yarn shop is one of those really fun things that only knitters understand. That's what I did this morning! Debyknits and husband, from Lake Charles, are in Houston for the weekend. We met at Twisted Yarns for a bit of shopping. Being Saturday, she got to meet TwistedKnitter! Isn't Ravelry just the absolute BEST thing ever?

I needed the Noni pattern for Camellias to go on a purse I am ready to knit. Then, we went for the sock yarn. We both LOVE sock yarn; okay, we obsess about sock yarn. I came home with another skein of Noro Kureyon sock yarn. I found Manos Silk Blend. Once you touch Manos, you can't leave the shop without it! It will haunt your thoughts and you have to go back the next day and get it. Saved myself the trip! Saving the best for last, a stitch book to get lost in - Lace and Eyelets - one of the Harmony Guides. Not forgetting about Joe, I bought 2 skeins of Noro Kureyon for him. He just started knitting Saartje's Noro hat pattern in ArtYarns. It is pretty but not as pretty as it would be knitted in Noro. So, he has a second hat in queue, thanks to me! He seemed excited.....

Manos Silk Blend - I am thinking handwarmers with an open lace pattern on the top of the hand. Aren't those gorgeous colors? I may have to swatch the Manos tonight.

Noro Kureyon Sock Yarn

I finished Todd's Birthday Socks! Yea! They need to be washed and blocked, then get another picture. Kim, don't tell him they're on the blog! I will be delivering them to him this coming weekend.

I will be finishing the second sock of the first pair of Noro socks. I am working through the pattern for errors as I knit the second sock. The pattern will be a free download on Ravelry.