EZ

Guess what came in the mail? I've been perusing "The Opinionated Knitter," a collection of Elizabeth Zimmerman's original Newsletter designs published posthumously by her daughter Meg Swansen. I saw a draft copy last summer at Meg's knitting camp in Wisconsin (fabulous--highly recommended!) and preordered a copy, and was delightfully surprised when it showed up on my doorstep just last week. It's full of photos and Elizabeth's charming writing--such fun to sit with and enjoy.

Short-row socks ala Lucy Neatby

Short-rows ala Lucy
Originally uploaded by Crazy Knitter.

I much prefer working Lucy Neatby's method for short-row heels, although I'll see how the garter stitch heel wears. These are on size 1, metal, using Regia wool. The 1x1 rib started off using the provisional tubular cast-on, which rocks! Very stretchy and quite professional looking. I'm a new fan of this cast-on.

Not sure about these colors, but I had a gift certificate to use (thanks to some very kind ladies) and picked something I wouldn't normally choose (how many pairs of blue socks can one have?). These are short socks but I think they'll wear well with clogs; they even look to me like biking socks!

Short-row Stripeys

Short-row Stripeys
Originally uploaded by Crazy Knitter.

My first short-row heels, using Priscilla Gibson-Roberts method. Getting the stripes to match up was tricky, but worth the effort--I really like how the stripes continue through the heel, with a bull's eye corner. However, I wasn't as pleased with this method for the toe, so I did a wedge toe.
Size 3 & 2.5 on wooden dps with machine-washable, Daletta 100% wool.

Look at this!

I just love Camilla Engman's sense of style.

Spring Scarf detail

Spring Scarf detail
Originally uploaded by Crazy Knitter.

Since the Vine Lace flows upward from the scalloped bottom edge, I knitted one side up through the end of the faggoting, then began the other side anew, finally grafting the two pieces with kitchener stitch, yielding one seamless, beautiful piece.

Spring Lace Scarf

Spring Lace Scarf
Originally uploaded by Crazy Knitter.

A spring scarf for a friend's birthday, this scarf knit up beautifully with Koigu's hand-dyed KPPPM on size 4 bamboos. The ends are knit using the Vine Lace stitch pattern and the middle third uses the Vandyke Faggot stitch, both patterns being simple two-row variations that result in effective texture requiring minimal memorization. (Both stitch patterns can be found in Barbara Walker's "A Treasury of Knitting Patterns.")