Ravellenics 2016

Had another excellent time knitting while the Olympics were on TV. And over at Ravelry, another Ravellenics were underway to celebrate that other sport - Craft, knitting- machine and hand, crochet, loom and that other activity that never appears in the real Olympics - that chance to undo something that has done terribly, horribly wrong - the Frogging event - where it's possible to undo the entire project so it can be made into something else. Now how many athletes at the Olympics wouldn't like a rerun?

So for this year, I did a pair of felted slippers, a pair of socks and two baby blankets. Here are the medals for them:

and Laurels

and we made our own machine medals:

And this year I wanted to punch out some new tuck stitch cards. which doesn't come into any category, but I managed to have five new ones to use.

Trip to Silver Needles, Hamilton, North Is, NZ

My kind of souvenirs.

I bought the Kathleen Kinder book and the two fair isle punchcard packs.

The Seminar notes has contributions from all of the NZ regions, some are revisiting of past notes and some new ideas. The Workshop Notes is what you take into the classes. The tutors got a "Tutor" ribbon and a nice knitted garland to wear. The organisers, judge, and committee etc, all had ribbons so it was easy to see an organiser if there was a problem, for instance.Also in the mix was a lovely hand made Thank You card for the two classes I gave on my felted slippers from MKMOct15..

I had the most wonderful time. I took seven classes along with the two I presented. There was something new to learn in every classes. All tutors are members of NZMKers, The attendees seemed to be interested in my tutorial and the 7-prong Bulky tool was inspected by everyone (so I couldn't use it!!) Both classes.

On the way back to the airport, we stopped at the Merino Story shop in Huntley.  We has mornos overlooking the thermal power station, and had the most wonderful time inspecting all the knitwear therein. We decided we could make most of the stuff and I did actually BUY something (a stuffed sheep for the boyo arriving next December) Found an excellent way to use up some beads on gloves and we went away inspired!!

Next year is in Invercargill - southern end of the South Island - next stop South Pole.  In June. There will be snow. And I'm looking forward to it, well not the cold, but most definitely the company.

Things to do with making knee socks on a Bro Bulky

My brother wants some knee length thick socks. I have a borrowed Bulky KH230+ribber and some 12ply.

12ply:
Pin Co 56 sts
cuff = 24 rows T6. Relatch
Leg: T5 RC60 -2 ev 4R to 40sts, RC116 → to 224RC
Rotate before 225 BACK to MB. (no hold on ribber)
Heel: wrap down to 6, then back. RC000
Feet: T5 to RC 66
Toe: every: 3rd round x 2; 2nd x 3; 1 x to 8 sts.

First pair I did I handknitted the cuff. I didn't want to have a seam down the back. This was OK, but I thought I'd try to see if I could knit circular and drop down relatch, how hard would that be?

First experiment was to knit them at T3, -2MT, which wasy way too tight, I tried T6, +1MT,  OK, but T5 on the last two pair worked the best.

CSM Working Notes

Bonnet on EON on cylinder.
WY for a couple of rows
TWO weights for Cyl only
AT LEAST THREE weights for ribber.

Bonnet and Buckle placement:
Pinch bonnet so the buckle goes sideways from front to back, in line with where the centre of the heel will go. This makes placement of the centre heel weight so much easier.

Ribber Weighting.
The ribber post interferes with the correct knitting off of all stitches on that side of the machine when the ribber is attached (NOT when using cylinder only), at least three weights is needed on the buckle to force the stitches to be correctly knitted off around the post. And as the buckle is lined up on the edge near the post - make sure it's FIRMLY in place so maximum benefit of the weight if placed, right where it's needed the most.


Experiments:
prefect toe up
8ply EON
"Scotch" heel

** INCOMPLETE** photos for me so I don't forget what worked best and more notes to follow

The Modern Victoria Automatic Knitter (aka CSM)

My friend and I went halvies in a Circular Sock Machine. It has been refurbished and it my turn to have at it. and here it is:

Owen has already made us a "bonnet" which is like a cast on rag.

So this afternoon, youtube and I will be exploring the possibilities... I'll come back later and put in some photos of how it went.

Update:
I've had a good much around with it. Tried out a few different experiments. I did try out the toe up version, but. I have to say I kitchener stitch a seam closed faster than I rehang the other side of the toe.

I did pick up one dropped stitch for the practice. it was not moving up the weights. I also did some 4.5 4 and 3.5 stitch sizes on the tube. I also tried putting the needles onto the ribber mechanism. Well that didn't work! so next experiment will be top down.

Photo includes dropped stitches not picked up.