Friday Knitting Blog (07/01/2011)

So last week's sock knitting did not progress as far as I would have liked. I didn't put in a lifeline before I turned the heel, and the heel came out very badly. It neither looked good nor fit well. Because I neglected the lifeline, I ended up doing what I always do. Ripped the whole thing out and started over.

But before I restarted the sock, I knit a quick hat. I finally got a project out of the Valley Yarns Superwash that I like. This is actually another version of the Swirl hat that's been featured here the last couple of weeks. I modified the pattern to work with worsted weight (it calls for fingering weight yarn) by casting on the number for a 1 year old size on a US size 7 needle and then making the length for the adult hat. I think it worked out pretty well, and it's cute on Amanda, no? She's an excellent daughter, willing to put on a wool hat on July 1 to model for her mom. Granted it was still in the upper 50s this morning when we took the picture, but it's the thought that counts. 

Here's the restarted stock. I turned the heel last night (short-row yarn over method over 36 of the total 64 stitches) and am working my way up the leg now. 

A closer look at the heel, which I think is pretty spiffy. 

So the goal for this week is to finish sock #1 of this pair and start on sock #2. I'm still behind on my intentions for a dozen pairs of socks for the year, but I'm going to do my best to get there (if I have to cheat and knit baby socks, I just might do it). 

In other sock news, I'll be attending Sock Summit (marketplace only) in just 28 short days. Soon I won't be able to contain myself; I'm very excited.