Leaves Begin To Fall, Answering Winter's Call; Mikey Get's A New Sweater!

Yes, it's Autumn in Las Vegas but, it gets cold at night in December, January & February; usually around 38 to 40 degrees.

So, all other projects on hold and made a new sweater for my best friend, Mikey.  Mikey is a Tibetan Terrier/Sheltie mix and he outgrew the other sweaters I made for him.  I wanted him to pose for a picture but tonight he just wanted to play ball.

The fit is perfect in every way.  Done with some leftover Star 4-ply acrylic using Stitchworld pattern #'s 475 & 532 (rib).  This is knit from the back up with the legs done by rehanging the leg openings.

Mikey's New Sweater

Now, if I can get him to pose I'll add a picture.

Tamm Spirit - Sweater Vest

Finished this and thought of posting a few pictures.  Every picture the blue (denim) is a bit different.  This was the yarn CLICK

Knit with the Knit Leader and GC, it fits perfectly.  The last picture is something my grandparents would have done.  My Grandfather was a tailor to the Hollywood Stars, my Grandmother owned her own dress manufacturing company.  Both always told me, clean finished seams are important; how true!

 Side View Neckline

Arm Bands

Full Neckline

Inside Out - Finishing

Eliminating Heel Holes In Double Bed Machine Knit Socks

I have been emailing a friend my instructions for double bed machine knit socks.  Well, you know how it goes, back and forth emails and I probably just confused her more (when I explained my techniques).  My goal here is to not stretch or over extend the end stitches you are transferring to both beds.

Being such a wonderful lady I promised her I would sit down, knit a sock and take pictures of my technique for eliminating the heel hole often a result of the double bed & short rows.  Thought I would share with all of you as well.

There are quite a few photos, my explanations under each.  Click the email button on the top right of the blog if you have any questions, I would be happy to help!

Ankle Done, Time To Start The Heel

Open Beds, Allow End RB Needles To Pull Up

Attach & Thread Up MB Sinker Plate (mine is on the left)

Set Machine To Hold & Begin Short Rows Until All
Decreases Are Done

Short Row Increase Manually Wrapping Each Needle

Last Two Needles In Hold (carriage on left)

Wrap Left Needle & Knit To Right

Pull The End Left Needle Out To Hold Again, Wrap Right End Needle,
Knit to Left

Now You Have This

Picking Up The Inside Of Loop On Previous Row 

Turn Stitch & Place On Left Most Ribber Needle

Manually Knit The Left Most Main Bed Needle It Will Look Like This,
Repeat On Right Side

Ribber Bed Right Most Stitch, Pick Up Purl Bump, Slide Onto Transfer Tool, Hang Transfer Tool On Main Bed, Repeat On Left Side

It Will Look Like This

Close Beds, Transfer Rib Bed Stitches To End Main Bed Needles;
Continue Knitting Sock

Completed, No Holes

I have no idea what brand of sock yarn this is (I had it marked wool/nylon), I do notice the yarn fuzz that accumulated on the ribber from just this pair of socks.