Category Archives: Socks

May 23, 2013 · 6:10 am

Sock knitting progress!

As you all know, I have several projects going right at the moment and really more than I should as I’m falling behind on each one of them.  This week though I have managed to work on my socks, both of which I love!  After reading Jody’s blog posts over at Savannah Chik Knits, I’m quite happy to know that I’m not the only one that has recently casted on or hooked a few projects.  Jody has three sock  projects going for her cast on mania this month, as well as a shawl, all of which I love… sigh, more enabling from a fellow blogger.

I’ve made decent progress on the Nice Ribbed Sock and really like how the self-striping is taking shape, especially on the heel.  Fingers crossed that I can match what I’ve done with this sock with the mate.  I highly recommend this pattern for a portable project, especially for lunch time knitting or road trip knitting.

A Nice Ribbed Sock

A Nice Ribbed Sock

I have also added a few more repeats to my On Stranger Tides sock and have to say that the yarn I decided upon is perfect for this pattern.  I have several more repeats to go before starting the heel, which I hope to accomplish this weekend.

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On Stranger Tides

Have you done any sock knitting lately?

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May 4, 2013 · 6:24 am

A Case of Startitis!

Startitis is a term used somewhat jokingly among knitters. It refers to an expensive, but rarely fatal affliction that often affects knitters and crocheters where they begin several projects all at one time but don’t really make much progress on anything before starting another new project. ~ Knit Wiki

Knitting WomanI would first like to say, it’s all Glenna’s fault, and I’m sticking to that excuse!  But in reality, well folks, I have a bad case of “startitis” and it started when Glenna posted her sock projects in simple patterns using beautiful fingering weight yarns.  The desire to cast on socks kept growing and growing  until I finally relented,  and yes, I gave in!

So, I have casted on Lara Smoot’s On Stranger Tides this morning using my stash of Springtree Road Muscandine in Tanis and will be casting  on Glenna’s A Niced Ribbed Sock using my newly acquired Patons Kroy in Grey Brown Ragg.  While I’m at it, I also hope to make a pair of crocheted slippers for my Mom for Mother’s Day, the Crocodile Slippers by Bonita Patterns.   See, I told you I have a bad case of “startitis”.  Is there a cure for this???  The bright side, I’ll not be bored!

Current Projects on the Needles and Hooks:

As a knitter, crocheter, or spinner, have you ever had the urge to cast on many projects?  I know I can’t be the only one out there :)

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April 30, 2013 · 4:15 am

Let’s Talk Fine Art, and I’m not Talking Paintings!

When someone says fine art, you might automatically think Monet, Cezanne, Renoir or more.  But today, I’m not discussing the fine art you might be thinking of, no it’s not about paintings or sculptures, but a brand new line of hand-painted  yarn that Rowan is launching May 1st called Fine Art .

Sourced from Cape Mohair Spinners in South Africa, the yarn is painted by the team at Lance and Ines Khoury’s hand painting department, which takes enormous pride in employing individuals from some of the poorest and most marginalized sections of the community. One of their goals is to create opportunities for growth and development, and this ethos is something Rowan is extremely proud to support. As a result of the increase in production needs following on from Rowan’s interest in the yarn, the company has had to relocate to larger premises and take on more members of staff.  ~ Rowan Industry News

Rowan Sock yarn

Rowan Fine Art is a blend of 45% wool, 20% mohair, 10% mulberry silk and 25% polyamide, and will be available in eight beautiful colors.  This yarn will not only be suitable and quite durable for socks, but will be perfect for shawls, shawlettes  and other types of accessories.

There’s a great PDF article regarding this new hand painted yarn – click here to download the PDF flyer

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Serin
Serin
301
Tawny
Tawny
302
Waxwing
Waxwing
303
Raven
Raven
304
Kingfisher
Kingfisher
305
Lapwing
Lapwing
306
Phesant
Phesant
307
Chiff-Chaff
Chiff-Chaff
308

_____________________________________________

Fine ArtThe Fine Art Collection booklet features fourteen designs, that not only include designs for socks of every length, but four accessory designs.

My personal favorites include Cuckoo , a cabled ankle sock,  Grouse, a snowflake motif mid-calf sock, and the Starling Wrap, a versatile rectangular wrap.

I will be doing a review on the skein that is coming my way, but meantime be sure to check out  Clara Parkes in depth review of Rowan Fine Art on Knitter’s Review.

Happy Knitting, Crocheting, Spinning and Crafting!

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April 20, 2013 · 5:46 am

And the winner is ….

Thank you all for entering my recent giveaway featuring Ferry Beach and On Stranger Tides and by knitwear designer, Lara Smoot.  As a reminder, you can find her designs online at Ravelry and online at Etsy.  To stay informed of new design releases and more, join her FaceBook page and follow her on Twitter.

And the winner is, entry#6 Elizabeth, a.k.a. Lizella of Knits and Prints

“Both are beautiful, but I really like On Stranger Tides.”

On Stranger Tides by Lara Smoot

Random

Congratulations Liz, Lara will be sending your pattern to you soon!

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April 15, 2013 · 4:52 am

Pattern Spotlight: Lara Smoot Designs

I’ve known Lara through Ravelry and met her a year or so ago during the Tour De Fleece.  I found out that not only was this woman a wonderful spinner, but a fantastic knitter turned designer.

Lara has released two new designs this month that I must bring attention too, especially to all you avid sock knitters out there,  yes ladies, you know who I’m talking to.

Ferry Beach State Park is located on the coast of Southern Maine. It’s a quiet beach where the gentle waves wash beautiful sea shells onto the sands. A small tidal pool is home to starfish, sand dollars and hermit crabs. It’s a picturesque beach where I spent many summer days as a child combing the sands for shells and sea glass. These socks are reminiscent of the shells that wash up on the shore and the patterns in the sand from the waves and tides. ~ Lara Smoot

When I first saw Ferry Beach I was smitten!  This beautiful design features cuff down construction, an elegant stitch pattern for the leg and a solid foot.  This pattern offers sock knitters  instructions for sizes  small, medium, and large, very well written step-by-step instructions for the heel, gusset and toe construction and a chart for the lace stitch pattern.  While this pattern has been designed using a set of four double pointed needles, it can easily be converted for magic loop or two circular needles.

For this project you will need approximately 350 to 400 yards of fingering weight yarn and a set of four DPNs in size US 1 (2.25mm) or the size to obtain gauge.  This design is perfect for intermediate to advanced knitters who have an understanding of lace design and charts.

Photo used with permission of the designer -  © Lara Smoot

Deep beneath the surface of the ocean lie sunken pirate ships laden with treasure, fields of kelp swaying in the tidal breezes, and beautiful sea creatures swimming along the bottom. I have always been fascinated with what is under the surface of the water. The lace pattern on Stranger Tides brings to mind the delicate appearance of the lacey plants and tentacled creatures that live in the tropical waters of the Caribbean. ~ Lara Smoot

Lara’s second design this month is On Stranger Tides.  I first of all have to say, I LOVE this pattern and I literally mean the pattern.  Lara has incorporated a touch of the sea, as well as a sea creature with tentacles into the actual pattern pages, giving it a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea  kind of feel.

This design also features cuff down construction and a lace design that ends at the toe.  This pattern also offers sock knitters very well written step-by-step instructions for the heel, gusset and toe construction, and three sets of charts for the lace stitch pattern.  Like Ferry Beach,  this pattern has been designed using a set of four double pointed needles, it can easily be converted for magic loop or two circular needles.

For this project you will need approximately 350 to 400 yards of fingering weight yarn and a set of four DPNs in size US 1 (2.25mm) or the size to obtain gauge.  This design is perfect for intermediate to advanced knitters who have an understanding of lace design and charts.

Photo used with permission from the designer – © Lara Smoot

About:    Lara lives with her husband in Central Virginia with the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains as the backdrop for their home.  She is the Director of Social Media for Shalimar Yarns and writes about her adventures on her blog,  SockKnittingLara.  You can find her designs online at Ravelry and online at Etsy.  To stay informed of new design releases and more, join her FaceBook page and follow her on Twitter.

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Would you like one of Lara’s new sock designs?  If you answered yes, simply leave a comment and tell me why you love to knit socks,  and which pattern above you would like to knit.   Be sure to leave a means of contact and if your email does not automatically attach to your comment, please include your Ravelry ID.

This giveaway is open to all and will end on Friday, April 19th. The winner will be picked by a random number generator and announced on Saturday, April 20th.

 

Thank you for entering, this giveaway is now closed !

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February 21, 2013 · 5:08 am

Casting On and Casting Off: Socks and a Vest!

It’s been slow going in the knitting department, but after casting off my mystery sock KAL, I have casted on another pair of socks and a vest.

On the needles for socks is Cailyn Meyer’s free pattern,  Socks (circa 2008) .  This is my first attempt at colorwork in socks and I really have been enjoying this project.  I’m stash busting, which means I’m  using up my  Springtree Road Julep Sock in Aubrine for the main color, and for the colorwork pattern I’m using  the leftover yarn  from the mystery KAL Springtree Road Julep Sock in Silverscreen, a snippet of Cascade Yarns Heritage Solids & Quatro Colors Blue and a snippet of Springtree Road Muscadine Sock in Kohl.  I’m making good progress and should be all finished with the colorwork band soon.

Sorry for the dark photos, but I’m up way before the chickens, which means the sun is not up yet.

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This past weekend the hubby and I took a road trip to Prescott, which means I got to stop into my two favorite yarn shops, Studio Three and A Good Yarn. While in Studio Three, Katherine pointed out a vest that had been knitted on US Size 17 needles and just one skein of Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints. I fell in love and decided that I had to knit this fun artsy looking vest. With her suggestion, I opted for two skeins of the Bamboo Bloom and when I got back home, I purchased Julie Weisenberger’s (Coco Knits) Weekend Wrap pattern.  This is straight garter stitch design that is worked as a rectangle, making it simple, quick and  easy!  I love it and can’t wait to finish it so I can wear it to work!

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As far as the Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints yarn, it reminds me quite a lot of thick and thin handspun.  This yarn  is a blend of 8% Acrylic , 48 % Rayon from Bamboo  and 44% Wool, with a recommended needle size US 9 – US 11, and a hook size of US K – US M/N.  This yarn is super  easy to knit with and would be great for creating many different garments.

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February 6, 2013 · 5:55 am

Yarn Along: Work in Progress and Of Course Reading!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

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I’m still reading The Map of Time: A Novel  by Felix J. Palma but I’m nearing the end. Hopefully I will be able to finish this book soon as I want to read the sequel.  Yesterday I received a book I ordered, Interweave Crochet: A Collection of Our Favorite Designs, and have found several projects that I want to crochet some time this year.

On the needles is the TTL Mystery Socks 2013  by Kirsten Kapur.  I have opted to do stockinette for the foot in place of the leaf design and I rather like the results.  I’m hoping to finish this sock so I can get the mate done soon.  I’m also casting on  Business Casual socks designed by Tanis Lavallee today, and still working on Lover’s Knot designed  by Sandi Rosner .  Yes, I’m on a sock knitting whim at the moment!

So, what are you reading or listening too?

Are you enjoying new knitting or crocheting projects?

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February 5, 2013 · 5:27 am

Casting on and Casting Off: Back in the Saddle Again!

Last night I pulled out my socks that I’ve been working on for the KAL over at Fans of Through the Loops,  TTL Mystery Sock 2013  by Kirsten Kapur, and worked a few rounds.  I have the final two clues but decided to modify just a bit and will not continue the leaf pattern to the toe, just a personal preference.  I will not be knitting at warp speed, but do hope I can finish this pair quickly.  I have to say, it felt good to knit again, especially after a two week break.

I joined Kelly’s new KAL over at the Celtic Cast On and will be knitting a pair of Business Casual socks designed by Tanis Lavallee of Tanis Fiber Arts over the next two months.  I love Kelly’s KALs as they are fun, inspiring and not rushed.

Courtesy of Tanis Fiber Arts

Now for the sock yarn, I seem to have a mystery cake of fingering weight yarn in my stash that I have no clue what it is.  I love the color, which is a dark olive, and I’m thinking it might be Malabrigo, but I’m not quite sure.  I’ve even looked at all the blog post I’ve written that mentions sock yarn and cannot seem to discover what this caked yarn is, so it’s a mystery but I think it will work well for the KAL.

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I’ve also been slowly working on my Modified Miss Yvette’s Afghan and have made a change to my original plan.  Since this was mainly a stash busting project, I wanted to use the yarn on hand smartly and wanted to make sure the colors “flowed”.  I soon realized that I would not have enough yarn to make complementing 12″ x 12″ squares, so I ripped out three squares and opted for a large 24″ x 24″ square.  I will end up with a unique throw when done, but I think I will like it. I just need to do one more round of the dark heather gray, sew together and edge.

Here’s what it will look like…

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Have you seen the latest issue of Knit Scene?  For those you love vintage knitting, the roaring 20′s and Downton Abbey, you might want to take a look.  This issue has several designs centered around vintage styles with a modern twist.  There are also a few designs that to me are quite classic, one of which I have fallen in love with, the Humboldt Raglan by Alexandra Virgiel, and hope to make this pullover soon!  You can view all 23 designs featured in this special issue online Knitting Daily.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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January 20, 2013 · 10:23 am

I’m loosing it!

I thought you might enjoy a bit of a giggle this morning, so I had to share with you something quite hilarious and just proves that you really need to pay more attention to details!

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I casted on another pair of socks, Yachats by JC Briar, using my stash of Springtree Road Julep sock in Aubrine.   So, this morning I decided to use my paper copy of the pattern in place of the PDF I was using on my iPad with Goodreader.

As I started to read the paper pattern, I was quite perplexed to see that the cast on and the cuff was completely different on this pattern than the one I was using  in Goodreader.   I couldn’t understand why there was such a difference and took my husband’s suggestion that maybe the one I had downloaded was an updated version. So I opened up the pattern in Goodreader and started to compare it to the paper copy.

Now here comes the hilarious part, it wasn’t an updated version, no, not at all, it was a completely different pattern!!!  Yes, silly me casted on for the Lover’s Knot designed  by Sandi Rosner and not Yachats designed by JC Briar.  I finally figured out that when I went into my Goodreader library, the two patterns where together and I inadvertently tapped the wrong one.   I guess the bright side, it’s a pattern I’ve wanted to knit for a while but I’m still shaking my head at the fact that I casted on the wrong pattern.

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Has this ever happened to you?

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January 19, 2013 · 9:37 am

Hurray for weekends!

This week has been slightly busy for me and it feels like I’m behind in so many things, especially my blog.  This weekend hubby and I have decided just to stay home and get caught up on a few things around the house, which will also give me the ability to knit and spin!

While taking a few progress photos this morning, we had a sweet little visitor in the back yard.  Hummingbirds are by far my favorite bird – they are curious, speedy and beautiful!

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So, I have a few things to share with all of you.

I’m truly enjoying Kirsten Kapur’s TTL Mystery Sock 2013 and  I have finished clue 3,  the heel.   I really love how the leaf design goes all the way down the back of the leg to the tip of the heel and that it is identical in the front, with the exception of the extra leaf that is strictly for the heel. Now I am patiently waiting for clue 4 so I can knit the foot!

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I’ve also casted on another pair of socks, Yachats by JC Briar, using my stash of Springtree Road Julep sock in Aubrine.   I think this will be quite a fun knit and the design is perfect for the color of the yarn I’m using.

In the Oregon town of Yachats (pronounced YA-hots), low tide is high time for beachcombing. As the tide recedes and the Yachats river meanders across a wide bed of sand, incredible patterns form. River waves ricochet off the banks, leaving echoes in the sand before meeting the crashing ocean. Sinuous shapes repeat and morph, filling the bay with constant movement and energy.

These socks capture the spectacle of the bay, with crashing waves on the fold-over cuff, rivulets running along the instep, and pebbles strewn across the toe. With their anklet length and their light, breezy, summery feel, they’re perfect for a beachside stroll. ~ JC Briar

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After seeing a particular pattern knitted up and on display at A Good Yarn in Prescott, I had to have the pattern, which meant I had to purchase the book.  So, I bought Seamless (or Nearly Seamless) Knits by Andra Knight-Bowman. For those of you who love seamless knits, you can also find more of Andra’s designs online at Ravelry.

I have to say that I pretty much love all  19 designs in this book  opted to knit Jenny, a bottom up cabled vest that has a classic look.  The sample vest at A Good Yarn was knitted up in Cascade Eco Wool in beige, which really showed off the stitch pattern.   After going through my stash, I decided to use Shepherd Worsted Wool in Bronze.  I think that the color I decided upon will really show off the design nicely.

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Are you working on any fun projects this weekend?

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