Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Unexpected

 Two projects currently underway are nearing completion. The amaryllis is looking forward to its "long winter's nap" and shedding leaves as fast as it can. See how much chlorophyll is gone!

And soon I find the leaf totally resigned and happy to be gone.


When I put the bulb into this pot, I squeezed it gently and it felt very mushy. I wondered for a minute if I should even keep it, but put it in the pot and carried on. Now when I squeeze the exposed bit, there is resistance. The fertilizer, the water and the sunshine have done the job.

I wonder how long it will take the bulb to learn it is in the northern hemisphere and really should be blooming come spring, not hibernating to bloom at Christmas.

The other job at hand is a different way to close the toe of a sock. I invented my own way years ago.


I've always worked a wedge style toe, but instead of grafting, I crochet the remaining stitches together. After the obligatory decreases on both sides of the top and the sole, I put the top and bottom stitches on two needles.

Holding the two needles together and using a small crochet hook I took off the first back and front stitches and pulled front stitch through the back. Then the next front and back and pulled the back stitch through. Then the next back and front, and so on. Pull the end through and work in.

That crochet hook is lost, missing from the knitting bag when I went searching to finish that last pair of socks. It is an old steel hook, with a softly rounded tip, size 0 or 00. Still available in my childhood. Now they all seem to be aluminum or bamboo, and do not slip easily through a size one yarn loop.

I thought I'd try some decrease that would leave fewer than the twenty ending stitches I currently have, so I could simply pull the yarn through the remaining. I've done that now, using a wedge toe, and it's almost too ugly to show.


So, I will rippit back and try something else. And finally, I intend to find more interesting topics for future essays.


29 comments:

  1. The crocheting would be beyond me as I'm not good at figuring out anything spatial. Love the colors of the socks.

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  2. I can't crochet and I did have the best of teachers, I just graft, painstaking as we know and needs so much concentration. But well done on completed socks.

    XO
    WWW

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  3. It will be interesting to see when your amaryllis begins to grow again.

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  4. I'm sure the amaryllis is much healthier now. They look very comfy socks.

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  5. My friend is putting her amaryllis outdoors in the ground once it is warm enough. Her bulb is huge and gets multiple flowers too.

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  6. I admire your stitchery abilities. It is beyond me! -Jenn

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  7. Hari Om
    No, it's not ugly - just different. But I wonder if you cannot 'darn' the wedge together in a somewhat similar manner to the crochet method? You can still obtain steel hooks... YAM xx

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    1. I know you crochet. The hook I lost is 1900 to 1950, steel. I think Boyd. It was 0 or 00. Here's the cincher: the side of the hook facing the handle is smooth and round as a baby's backside. Every commercial hook on the market today has a sharp edge on that backside which catches and cuts the very fine strands of 8 ply marino sock yarn.

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  8. I do toe up socks so I don't have to worry about grafting. There is a cast on that is invisible, Jenny's or someone like that. If you YouTube toe up magic loop several video tutorials will come up. I just can't fine a heel I can manage without it looking ugly.

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  9. Joanne I am really interested in your amaryllis - I have one in about the same state yours is in and I have never tried to keep one before so I am following your guidelines so don't give up on me now please!

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    1. I think about you every time a leaf comes off. Three are gone. I'll be sure you know when it goes into the closet.

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  10. I got a notice somewhere of an online sock-knitting class. I did not sign up.
    You could teach those classes.

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  11. I find the sock essays very interesting. You do stuff most of us can not do - ok, that would be me. Shouldn't speak for other people.

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  12. I like the crochet idea very much. I like toe up because the toe is a cap, very comfy. The one you don't like isn't really ugly, though, but it might not be very comfortable to wear. I also have done a three needle cast off for toes.

    I have quite a collection of steel crochet hooks and will send you one happily if you would like it? Some of them are smaller than the size you name, but I bet I can find you one that works. Lemme know.

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  13. Your crafting skills and adaptations blow me away.
    It does look as if the amaryllus is ready to sleep.

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  14. Well done on rescuing the plant....as a non knitter and crocheter I have no idea how you manage to do it at all!

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  15. I use the Kitchener stitch to finish off my sock toes. I like the square toe, too. It's pretty easy and gives you and nice smooth finish. My amaryllis is a late bloomer and I, too, am interested in how you keep yours going. They are such amazing plants.

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    1. I have lost so much fine motor control in my hands that I can no longer Kitchener. The stroke started it, and the TBI finished me off for good. But I still can handle a crochet hook, so take that, socks!

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  16. I think today's topic was just fine, Joanne, and I enjoy stopping by no matter what. Hope both of the projects end with much success.

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  17. Email on its way wrt crochet hook.

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  18. Your knitting reminds me of my aunt.

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  19. The bulb might be a rebel who will never learn. I once asked my mother to teach me how to crochet. It was a disaster. I could not catch on.

    Love,
    Janie

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  20. I look at that and don't see anything wrong at all...

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  21. Some of my plants are confused too it seems. Every jade in the long line of Jades, has flower buds. Many, many flower buds.
    The socks are lovely, but I don't like that pointed to end, I prefer the other style.

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  22. You always have interesting topics and I enjoy them all! You are obviously a very good amaryllis Mom and your plant charge is doing well from your care. I love the colors used in your socks!

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  23. When you 'rippit' do you sound a bit like a frog?

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  24. I have a 0 and a 00 steel hook you can have. I doubt I will ever use them again. if you want them send me your address again.

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  25. I do admire people who can knit and crochet. I did a little of it when we lived on the mainland but we don't need knitted things in Hawaii to make it worth my while to learn again. I do so admire your talent, Joanne.
    Your amaryllis is definitely going to give you a beautiful bloom next time.

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