Hot! Hot! Hot FOs!
To make up for the boringness that has been my blog lately I offer up a couple instant gratification FOs…
Pattern: Iced Java Jacket (Seed Stitch Version)
Designer: Chris of Stumbling Over Chaos
Yarn: Cascade Fixation 4448 (from Nanytutu’s)
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo 16″ circs in US 3
Mods: Because I had US3s handy and not 4s I cast on 43 sts and knit about 24 of the plain st st rows. Next time I might go up to 45 or possibly 47 sts as it can be a bit of a struggle to get the sleeve on the cups from the area shops.
This was my jump back into knitting as my split finger was healing project. I know Knitter Sansablog had a pretty good laugh at me last week when I mentioned that it was nice to know that knitting with larger needles made a big difference on being able to knit. I do know that US3s are not really “bigger needles”, but in comparison to 0s and the ease with which the different sizes can puncture your callouses it is a big difference.
Pattern: Shifter Sock (see below)
Designer: Myself
Yarn: Cascade Fixation, 4448
Needles: 2 Addi Turbo 16″ Circs in US3
Gauge: 5.5″ per in in st st
I used the java jacket as my gauge swatch for the Shifter Sock. I then took measurements of the gear shifter. The stem portion was about 4.5 inches in circumference for about 1.5 inches and then it started to morph into the handle portion that was about 5.75 inches around, but it is not centered on the stem. In stead the stem morphs into the top almost straight on the back side of the shifter. This gave me the idea to make the cover like a snub-footed sock rather than a stocking cap as I was originally thinking.
I believe this sock fits both of our vehicles which are of different years and manufacturers. The elastic in the yarn gives you a lot of leeway, but adjustments can certainly be made to fit shifters that are shaped differently.
Shifter Sock Pattern
Use your preferred method of knitting in the round - 4 or 5 DPNs, 2 circs, or magic loop.
Cast on 24 sts, join and knit 10-14 rows of k1p1 ribbing (shown is 10, I’d go to 14 next time).
Knit 3 rows of st st.
Inc 4 sts evenly around the sock on nxt rnd.
Knit 3 more rows of st st.
Work your favorite short row heel method over 16 sts (or 1/2 the total sts plus 2) with 6 unwrapped sts in the center before completing the second half of the heel.
Knit 4 rows of st st.
Redistribute sts evenly before starting the decreases.
Dec Rnd 1: K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before the end of the first half of sts, k2tog, k1. Repeat for second half of sts.
Knit 1 rnd, then repeat dec rnd 1 for every rnd until 8 total sts remain.
Kitchner the “toe”, weave in the ends and cover your gear shifter!
I think I may turn mine inside out, stretched nearly to the max and paint some hardware dip on the inside so it doesn’t slide around on the shifter.
