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I was wandering around the internet today, and found a great new resource; Heels by Number. Basically, she's created a chart where you can find (approximately) on her chart your stitch count, and she'll tell you how many you need for your heel, for various different kinds of heels.

This is really useful if you've in the process of modifying an existing sock pattern like I am right now. Isn't it great that I just stumbled across it, right when I need it? So, using myself as an example:

I'm knitting Hedgerow Socks. The initial pattern is written for about 8-8½ inches (20-22 cm) foot circumference and about 9½ inches (24 cm) in foot length, and recommends just going up or down a needle size to get the size you want. I really hate that with socks. I really think that the drape of the material is really important, and you lose that when you start messing with gauge. With socks, I would much rather just cast on more or less stitches to get the right size. This introduces problems when you get to the shaping of the heel, not so much with the toe.

Hedgerow starts with a cast on of 66 stitches. I did my gauge swatch, measured the desired foot which has a circumference of 9 inches, and did the math to learn that I needed to cast on around 78 stitches. I had to pick a cast on that worked with the stitch pattern, which is worked over 6 stitches. After making sure 78 is divisible by 6 (it is!), I cast on and made my happy way down the leg of the sock. Since all the measurements are for length up until the heel, I didn't worry that my stitch count was so much larger than the original pattern.



Well, I'm almost to the heel and realizing that I didn't have a plan for my altered stitch count. Woops. But wait! This chart may hold the key. I think I like the look of the round heel, and that may be the way to go. If this fails, I can always fall back on the flap heel that's in the 9 to 5 sock pattern which happens to have the exact stitch count I want anyway. XP Bear with me.

I just thought that this was pretty cool, and wanted to share my find. I'll keep you all informed on the socks, since I think I might be able to start the heel today or tomorrow. Cheers!

~ Elizabeth

First off, I need to send out an apology to PDXKniterai. We're in the middle of a transit strike right now, and so my ability to get things done is severely limited. I'm getting paid today, and so I'm hoping to be able to get your package out by Wednesday at the latest. I am so sorry!!!

In happier news, Josiane (winner number 2) met up with me on Friday. We hung out a knit-knackers for a bit, then walked to Aunt Olive's for food where I met her boyfriend and we talked about all sorts of stuff. I gave her yarn, which she's hoping to weave into a scarf for her boyfriend. It was great to meet her!

Saturday was a Christmas party, and Sunday was laundry day, so not much knitting has gotten done. I have been working on my fiancé's socks, and I'm still hopeful I'll have them done for Christmas. I’m at approximately 6 inches in length for the leg. I’m starting to think about how long these should go. I’m pretty sure I saw somewhere that the leg should be about 8.5”, but now I’ve read other suggestions saying it should be about the same length as the foot, or an inch longer. That would make an 11” (ish) long sock. Is that too long? Or should I stick to an 8.5" length sock. I really have no idea what boys prefer in terms of sock-fit.



I'm also torn about what to start next. Either, Bella Paquita, or the garter stitch jacket from fleece artist. Those of you reading since last year (lol) will remember this gorgeous yarn from my fiancé's parents. I finally feel 'strong' enough in my kitting abilities to work with this awesome yarn.

For the first time ever, I got to knit with Noro. In this case, Noro Kureyon. It's a pretty rough wool, and I understand that most people choose it for the colours… I obviously chose it for the price. There were only two balls left in this colour, but I really do love how it knits up.

The pattern I used is Berry Hill Fingerless mittens by Liz (not me… another Liz), only I made them full mittens, rather than fingerless. I just can't think of a good reason why I would need more than one pair of fingerless gloves. Anyway, they're crazy warm, knit up in just a few days, and I really do love them.

Pattern: Berry Hill Fingerless Mittens (free pattern)
Ravelry: Berry Noro Mittens
Source: thomasinaknits.blogspot.com
Yarn: 3/4 each, two balls of Noro Kureyon
Needles: 4.5mm
Started: December 3, 2008
Finished: December 8, 2008

This is a re-cap of my 2008 knitting adventures. Read the blurb, and click the image for the original post.


I knit Bubby as part of my first-ever swap experience. I had only just learned to knit in the round, and had never made anything either so small, or so complex, before. On top of that, he was a gift, and so I had to make sure he wasn't too terribly made. He did end up being a little lop-sided ;) This was my first knitted item of 2008, and he was finished on January 10th, and shipped out a few days later. Click the image for the original post.


This was a quick and simple knit. I had left-over yarn from a Christmas project, and needed to sleep in the afternoons when I have migraines. I couldn't find a free pattern that suited my needs, so I made it myself. January 18, 2008.


I knit this baby hat using left over yarn from slippers at Christmas-time. It was for a baby girl, so I added embroidered flowers. It ended up working very well! March 1, 2008.


I knit this hat with my friend, Jeannine in mind. It was supposed to be "slouchy" but I mis-judged how much yarn I needed, and it ended up being more of a cap. March 2, 2008.


I bought this yarn with nothing in mind, other than me touching it and going mmmm soft. I was going to knit the Bristol neckwarmer pattern, but ended up ignoring it completely (well, not completely…). It's a great pattern, and I would love to try it someday for real! Finished February 26, 2008.


I knit this for my niece, Emma. She was born in May of this year, and looked adorable in the dress. She doesn't even fit in it anymore, but it's been mended and is now ready for baby number two (or any other future babies). Click the image for the original post. Finished March 17, 2008.


I had some left-over yarn from my neck warmer I knit early in the year, and decided to kit some slippers for Chris. They were warm and squishy, and now live inside of his other, purchased slippers. Finished March 25, 2008.


My very first sweater! All in all, I liked the pattern, and i think it was a great sweater but I messed up on the armholes. It's also REALLY warm, as it's made out of wool (go me), and a little on the small side. So, it was a good learning experience, but will probably revert to the vest it was before I added sleeves… maybe a little longer in the ribbing on the bottom. Finished April 3, 2008.


I knit some cabled arm-warmers for my friend Anna. These were long overdue, and so were sort of an early birthday present, even though her birthday was in November. The pattern is pretty much my own, and the cable pattern is borrowed from a book even if it is a really simple one. I intentionally off-set the cables and I think they look pretty cool. Finished April 16, 2008.
Download Twisted Cabled Armwarmers Pattern:


I had some yarn left over from the arm warmers (see above) and decided to put it to good use and make my friend, Anna a lace scarf to wear with her arm warmers ^^ It's a lovely lace pattern, and it turned out nicely. Finished April 20, 2008.


I was so excited to try something with the recycled sari yarn I picked up at my LYS; Knit-knackers. (they have bunnies!) I made the Paris Loop (rav link). I figured I had enough yarn since I had purchased two skeins. I decided I wanted it to be wearable since it's so soft, and opted not to do a bag or something. Shame it's so stinky. Finished June 18, 2008.


This lace pullover was my first garment. I am so happy that I successfully churned out something that I can actually wear without looking like a crazy knitting person. I get compliments, and unless they know I knit, no one wonders if I made it. I am so happy with it. Finished June 5, 2008.


I knit these slippers for my dad at the end of June (early christmas knitting). It's hard to know if they'll fit, though his feet are only half an inch longer than mine so I can guess based on how they fit me that they should be alright. They turned out well, but they're more like socks than slippers. I need to make him a pair in a really warm and soft yarn. Finished July 7, 2008.


These took me just under 1 week to finish. They're my very first socks, and super comfortable. The pattern was pretty awesome too. Wow my toes look weird! lol Finished July 12, 2008.


Knit a headband for my friend Alex for her birthday. Finished it in just over a day, and never had a chance to take a finished picture. Maybe she'll take one for me someday. Finished July 26, 2008.


knit this neckwarmer on a whim for my friend Rin when I was home visiting. Finished August 31, 2008.


Knit Muir in a worsted weight, instead of lace. I only did 7 of the 13 repeats and made it more of a lap-blanket. Finished September 1, 2008.


Lace shawl for one of my bridesmaids. Shawl 1 of 5. Finished July 22, 2008.


Knit for the second hat attack. I assassinated my target within the first week, and was assassinated myself the following Monday. Lots of fun. Finished September 28, 2008.


A hat for my brother for Christmas. I love it. It was fast to knit, it's soft and sqooshy and warm, and I think he'll love it. Hooray! Finished September 30, 2008.


I knit these socks for my mom for Christmas. These were my very first pair of wool socks, as well as my first pair of full-length socks. I actually love how the wool feels on my feet, and want to make a pair for myself. Finished September 29, 2008.


This hat marked the beginnings of my christmas-knitting for my fiancé's familiy. It's really warm wool from knit-picks.com and is super stretchy. It'll be a great warm hat. Finished October 12, 2008.


Knit with one skein of Mirasol Hacho, and another random yarn that I now hate. It pills and it's gross. I'm considering ripping it out and doing it again with a different contrasting colour. The mirasol is awesome and they keep my wrists warm. Finished October 10, 2008.


My very first pair of gloves with fingers. I knit a picot edged pair of gloves for my mother in law to-be, and I am very excited about them. The yarn is a mix of merino wool and silk, and they're really warm and soft. I'm sure she'll love them. Finished October 18, 2008.

I can't believe how well this Christmas season is going for knitting. I credit you, dear bloggers! I have knit 17 gifts for Christmas, including the one in progress right now. So I present to you, my December list!

1. Gift Item: Sherbrooke Cowl (ravlink)
Recipient: Gisèle (fiancé's grandmother)
Pattern: Sherbrooke by Lauren Weinhold (free PDF download)
Occasion: Christmas 2008
Finished: Dec 1/08
Notes: This cowl went a little slower than my other knits. Maybe it was because the stitch pattern was a teensy bit boring… maybe it was because I needed a break from knitting… either way, it turned out quite nicely. Yay! One gift down, one left before christmas!





2. Gift Item: Hedgerow Man Socks (ravlink)
Recipient: Chris (fiancé)
Pattern: Hedgerow by Jane Cochran (free)
Occasion: Christmas 2008
WIP: Nov 30/08
Notes: Finished the cuffs of both socks, and got them both on the needles for two-at-a-time. Man this yarn is tiny! I love it though, very soft, I’m sure he’ll love them. I can see this stitch pattern getting a little boring, but that will make them great for a travel project. I’m already a good couple inches into the legs.

Once those items are all done, I'll get to start working on birthday and wedding knitting for 2009!

3. Gift Item: Gloves or mittens
Recipient: Joel (brother)
Pattern: Ken Gloves or Tweedy Mittens
Occasion: Birthday
Due date: Jan 7/09
Notes: To go with his hat

4. Gift Item: Undecided
Recipient: Auntie Julie
Pattern: …
Occasion: Awesomeness
Due date: Feb 7/09

5. Gift Item: Lace knitting
Recipient: One of my bridesmaids: Lise, Rin, Ve, or Elsa
Pattern: undecided
Occasion: Wedding
Due date: September 2009
Notes: I would like to start one of these in December

Other gifts I'm thinking about:

• Joel and Chantelle — Wedding Gift / May
• Dad — Birthday / June
• Auntie Julie and Auntie Linda — Thank you gift / September
• Holly — Thank you gift / September
• Fran, Pete and Blip — Thank you gift / September
• Mom — Thank you gift and Birthday gift / September