Sunday, February 24, 2008

I'm boycotting fringe for the time being...

...but, I'll refrain from saying I'll never make a fringed item again and I reserve the right to be able to change my mind. I'm very happy that I discovered ruffles as a substitution for fringe on my prayer shawls.

The ruffled edge worked out just fine even with my not so likable homespun yarn. The ruffle is very easy to do.

Here's the how to:

Making sure you allow enough yarn ( about a half of a skein) all you do is knit in front and back of every stitch on the last row (double increase row). Then repeat two more rows. Three double increased rows in all, then bind off.

Then on the cast on edge pick up two stitches for every cast on stitch. This is now your first double increase row. Then do two more of the double increased rows and bind off again. What you now have is two pretty ruffled edges :)
Friday night I finished my traveling vine socks (stitch pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks and short row heel and toe from the Nutkin pattern )


I've been really bitten by the sock knitting bug...I cast on another pair right away. Oh, no...does this mean I am now addicted to sock knitting?

Hope everyone is happily knitting away :)

29 comments:

  1. The socks are so pretty! They must be fun to wear. I love the ruffles. I'll have to keep that in mind, I hate doing fringe. Don't get me wrong, I love the way it looks, I just hate doing it. :)

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  2. The ruffles are awesome! I hate everything about fringe! The ruffles however are cute and girly....I like em!
    Your socks are just gorgeous. I really want to cast on another pair but I have so much I have to get done now. Just found out my cousin's baby is due any time...was originally thought to be due in April. Why can't these people just stay on the schedule?! lol
    Hugs!

    *the sun is out today...YAY!!!!

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  3. Looks like you're well on your way to being a sock-addict! Join the club, because knitting socks are really such great fun, isn't it? Yours are so beautiful, too!

    Nice job on the prayer shawl. I must admit I like the ruffle better than the fringe, too. What a nice gift for someone!

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  4. Oh, I definitely like the ruffles more than the fringe. Fringe always has a way of looking icky after a while or they get all tangled up. I do like your clever use of a clipboard to make the fringe.

    The socks are gorgeous!

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  5. Ooh, the ruffle is so pretty on the shawl! I'll bet it would be more fun to do than fringe. Not that I've ever made fringe, but it just seems like it would be ....tedious. At least now you have a couple different options to use.
    The socks are so pretty and you are so quick! Sock knitting addiction? Very likely. ; )

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  6. Pretty socks, and I love those ruffles! :)

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  7. Very nice ruffle! Pretty socks!

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  8. I can't remember ever seeing prettier socks! You came up with a wonderful look when you combined all the different methods for them.

    Such a pretty pink shawl! I like the ruffles; thanks for sharing your way of knitting them.

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  9. Yes, it does! But this is a good bug, worth being bitten from! The prayer shawl looks lovely with ruffles. I would prefer them to fringes too. The socks are so lovely, and they look like knit by a pro! Happy sock yarn shopping!

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  10. Your socks are beautiful! I love the color and pattern. I personally don't like fringe either. I've only used it twice and thought it was a pain both times. I love the ruffles. Very Pretty!!!

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  11. socks socks socks! i love doing the first one, but the second one kills me. yours are fabulous. and your right, the fringe does add a nice twist to the shawl... you've been busy!

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  12. Love the ruffle! But I really love that you got the sock addiction! :)

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  13. Sure! I'd say you are addicted, not that there is a problem with that. When you have a dresser drawer full of hand knit socks you probably have family who would love the feel of hand knits on their toes too.

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  14. nice ruffle. the socks look gorgeous! check you out, ms. speedy sockknitter. and yes, you are officially a sock knitter now. ;)

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  15. Gorgeous socks - and yes, I'd say you are addicted to socks now! Love the ruffle on the shawl - thanks for the directions!

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  16. Love the socks,and I am afraid you are addicted! Don't want to be too much of an enabler(right) but, there's a free toe up/knit 2 socks on 2 circ's pattern on Knitpicks. Good pattern. Worked for me! By the way, I love the ruffle instead of the fringe...nice choice! That ruffle is nice on a scarf, too, btw.

    Have fun!

    Ang

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  17. Yes. Yes, it does mean you are addicted. Have some more Kool-aid. We're all friends here. Welcome.

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  18. your homespun shawl is simply stunning!!!

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  19. Well if i hadn't been bitten by the sock bug already myself I am sure I would be after seeing how great these socks look.

    I have done that ruffle before on a scarf, love it. That homespun really came out nice.

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  20. Love the socks. The ruffle is a fantastic idea.

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  21. I love the ruffles on the shawl!! Oh those socks are awesome. Yeah sock knitting is like eating potato chips, you can't stop at just one. I haven't gotten to the heel and toe yet of the Nutkins but I'm really enjoying the heel of the Widdershin's pattern for a toe-up.

    Hugs!!!!

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  22. Symptom -- intense desire to cast on more socks just after finishing same. Diagnosis -- sock addict. Cure -- none, but who cares?

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  23. Socks are terribly addicting....I'm even finding myself knitting more of them!

    Love the ruffled edge. I too am not a fringe fan, but the ruffle looks divine.

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  24. ooooh, nice socks! i'm working on a pair, but i'm not making too much progress... you're probably already as far along on your next pair as i am by now! : )

    the shawl is really pretty, too. i agree with everyone who loves the ruffled edge. could you do a ruffle using decreases so you wouldn't have to pick up stitches, i wonder?

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  25. liking your ruffle edging...LOVING your sox! those are just gorgeous!

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  26. Wow I love those ruffles! Thanks for telling us how. The socks are great too. I must actually make a full sock some day soon!

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  27. Yep, you've definitely been bitten by the sock bug! Those socks are so pretty! I like the ruffle edging; thanks for the instruction! I wonder if that would work well for dishtowels...

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  28. Your ruffle edging for the shawl is a wonderful idea.

    I knit shawls for nursing home patients and the fringe gets caught in their wheel chairs so I leave it off. But the ruffles--now that will be perfect. Why didn't I ever come up with that idea? Guess that's just the difference between a designer like you, and a plain old knitter like me.

    Thank you for the idea as well as the instructions. You made me very happy.
    chloe

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Thank you all for your comments! I really appreciate them. I usually don't follow up with an email, but if you do have a question please make sure you include a way to reach you within your comment so I may answer your question. Thanks and happy knitting :)

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