Second to the last post

This is last post. I made a hat for Marlon - K1 P1 for 8.5" then K2tog + P2tog decreases each of the four needles. This was made of worsted weight yarn - I'll make one for myself out of thinner yarn in a beanie style.

Knitting Away

I ended up making multiple "Fly Rod Tube Socks" for my own fly rods. I felt like I needed to do something else. I got inspired by the changing weather and Steve Zissou's hat (which was obviously influenced by Jacque Cousteau's hat). After several restarts, some tutoring from my sister and a lot of knitting, here is the result. Yeah - Noe commandeered it from me (I'm such a pushover). I think it is really close, but the one Bill Murray wears in the movie fits tighter and wears shallower than the one I just made. Oh well - that just means I have to keep trying!

Second Rod Tube Sock Done

Now this rod tube is all safe and sound!!! The tube for this Ijuin Yomogi fly rod is actually fiberglass - who knows if the sock will help it not get damaged or not - either way, it's piece of mind. The yarn is a cotton/acrylic blend so the texture is a lot smoother than the first sock which was 100% wool. I'll have to experiment with different types of yarn to see what works best. I ended up knitting this sock twice - the first time the diameter was just a few stitches shy of producing the correct tension - so I 'tink'ed it (knitting spelled backwards = undoing your stitches). The first go around was all pau in the freetime of 4 days. The second time I got it done in 3 days. Now spring just has to get here so I can fish theses rods and test out the tube sock (protection against the truck back seat) theory.

Finished Tube Sock

As predicted, this project took a week. Fit the 5" diameter aluminum rod tube perfectly. There is enough excess on either end to protect the end caps on the tube. Early on I was planning on knitting much longer sock ends so I could tie an overhand knot to secure the sock over the tube. Instead, the fit was just right to ensure the sock will not move unless someone removes it - so with just 3" overhanging the tube end caps, there is enough padding that should a short fall, the tube should escape damage. Working with double point needles was not bad at all. I got used to it very quickly and it flowed well (unlike working with long straight needles) I've already started Tube Sock Number 2 - another week (but knitting is so therapeutic it doesn't feel like a chore at all)

This is Why I Took Up Knitting in the First Place

What to do on a snowed in day? I'm making some "Tube Socks" for my fly rod tubes. These will help protect the tubes from scratches while the tubes are in the truck (headed back and forth from fishing) This is actually the main reason I thought about taking up knitting. I have high expectations from these socks. This is my first time using double point needles. They were intimidating at first, but after the first couple of rows are in place, the knitting becomes clearer to see. The only issue is this is not a fast process - in this case especially switching needles every 6 stitches. This tube sock will be 5 inches in perimeter to fit one of the smaller rod tubes I have (which is also one of the more vulnerable to dings and scratches) - and only 24 stitches per row (6 stitches per needle). I should be finished with it in about a week. I'll post more when it is finished. Knitting is as calming as it gets. Fishing, especially sight casting, gets my adrenaline way up - not like big wave surfing up, but pretty close. It's nice to have a fall back activity that lowers the blood pressure.

Neck Gaiter or the Winter Weight Buff

My third knitting project. A neck gaiter for those oh so cold mornings. This was the first project I did knitting in the round (used circular needles). The first 10 rows and the last 10 were sewn purling, everything in between was knitted. I used the entire 210 yard skein plus a little of a second one I had of this cool colored 100% wool yarn. The color looks exactly like the US Marine woodland camo pattern (same colors as, not digital). As you all know, camo is one of my favorite colors ;) I am going to use double ended needles on the next project - a fly rod tube sock - to continue my quest to learn more with each project.

Scarfing

With the temperatures dropping and the fish and surf slowing down in the Northern Hemisphere, I've been FORCED to seek new alternatives. And in determining where to channel my pent up energy, I sought the most noble of pursuits - a quest of epic proportions and one that will enrich my repertoire. Nevermind kitesurfing. Forget windsurfing or conquering wind driven waves. No - mano e piscine wrestling doesn't hold a candle to this. I consulted with the great oracle (You Tube) and taught myself to knit. YES I SAID KNIT. In reality, I have aspirations to knit rod "tube socks" for the fly rod tubes I have - a small way to protect the tubes that protect the rods. But as in all of the supreme endeavors worth pursuing, the journey begins with a single step. Here are the first steps I've taken in a new and exciting world - scarves. One for Marlon and one for Noe. Now I know what you're think - "Oh how the mighty have fallen!!!???!!! What is this world coming to? Is there no hope for the generation of new and most powerful stoke?". Well, I will admit - I don't get the same adrenaline hit that I do stalking fish with self-tied flies, or paddling into a head high waves - but for those times when I can't be outside, or when the soul requires rest and solace, I believe I have now found the gap filler. Think about the benefits of practicing this new skill - now those long flights will seem shorter. The days of endless, pounding rain will no longer be spent sulking. And when drydocked from surfing due to orders or force protection measures, I can still contribute to my surfing or fishing by making rod tube socks, fishing mittens, scarves, fisherman/surfer sweaters, Steve Zissou watch caps, and other nautical fare worthy of developing a briny patina. Don't knock it til you try it...