My Etsy Shop Is Barren

For the first time since joining Etsy I have actually sold out of my socks!!!! I usually have about 10 pairs finished with a couple of mitts and my patterns available on the site….I usually try to have about 18-20 items available but for some reason they went really fast this last few weeks with a backlog of about 4 pairs of custom socks to knit it is quite gratifying to see the shop do as well as I thought. I don't knit full time but in the new year will have to assess my direction for the shop. Really a WOW and a Bummer at the same time! I have always said that the quality of my knitting was much more important than the quantity that I have….don't know if I will rethink that as I have tried other knitters knitting for me and I think I am too fussy about the end results…so be it…I do love my shop and the people that I have met through the shop so probably will just bumble along until I can make it a full time effort! WOW

Eyelet Lace Socks

A fun sock to knit and was a fairly fast knit. Eyelet Lace….a favorite pattern on a sock, creates a lacy look. Knitted using fingering yarn on #1 DPN (2.50 mm). Love the subtle diagonal pattern of the heel. Pattern is now ready after 4 pairs knitted and I think one of my best to follow.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/171522619/pattern-only-eyelet-lace-socks-to-knit?ref=shop_home_active

Side view Eyelet Lace Socks.

Heel detail with subtle diagonal pattern.

Kodiak The Wonder Dog

A sad day…14 years the companion of Thomas and Leslie on many journeys has gone.

We all loved you Kodiak….resting easy now and at peace.

How Lucky Can i Be!

Just imagine….my daughter just came in for a visit to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival and went back to Seattle only to turn around and fly back to Boston to attend the final game of the World Series…and lucky me was invited to meet up with her. What a great night it was and no, we didn't bring our knitting!!!!

Red Sox Win the World Series 2013

A Great Smile from My Lovely Daughter

Great Festival at Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool!

Enjoyed a wonderful trip to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend. My daughter flew in from Seattle with my grandson Ethan and we spent the entire weekend in Rhinebeck. What a wonderful festival with so much going on. Bought a load of fleece, a new Bosworth spindle and yarns to knit those socks with. Many many vendors and competitions and demos. Worth the trip and had great weather to boot! thank you Leslie!

Red Heart Clog socks

Really great to have a break from knitting the Scrunch socks! Love these knitted using Knit Picks Palette yarn. Came out really nice and think I'll do another after the back log of Scrunch Socks that I have! Yikes!

A Challenging Pair of Socks

Just finishing up a pair of these for a woman who needed a sock that was 12.5" length from toe to heel. Had not done a sock this large ever and apparently she wears a size 15 shoe size...This was a challenge as I also had to increase the circumference of the leg and foot an inch...adding more stitches for rib pattern and making sure that the balance of the overall sock remained correct to what I designed it. Very long and difficult but the results were great. Also great was the Alpaca and Merino wool yarn I used.

Eyelet Lace socks Pattern

Started the pattern for the Eyelet Lace Socks. Great excuse to knit another pair of these really beautiful socks. Stay tuned....hope to have them done this month.

White Eyelet lace Socks

Working sample for pattern.

Short Scrunch Socks

Really wanted to do this sock for a while and did it a couple of weeks ago. Catching up on my postings as I have been busy with custom socks of late...but wanted to post this sock on my blog. I actually love the results and will do another only in white or off white. This is citrus lime in color and I think I am the only person that loves this color!!!!!!!!

Citrus Lime short Scrunch socks

Scrunch socks in Merino

I received an order from a woman in CA for a pair of the Scrunch Socks in wool. She picked the color of Mink Heather (Knit Picks) and they came out perfectly.

Beautiful softness and the elasticity of the wool made the sock a bit more comfy around the foot. I will do them again in wool but may use a fingerling wool instead of the sports weight. Might be interesting to see. But these came out really nicely.

Sock Pattern Testing

There are times that I can't believe the wonderful people that I have met on line while selling on Etsy or  while sharing on Ravelry my socks and mitts. This is a photo sent to me by Patrick and Alex who are testing my Link Cable and Rib Sock Pattern. The care that they have taken to contact me on the progress has been really wonderful and the results of the test knit has been rewarding. I loved the photo and had to share it. Well knitted and I am sure that the reward of wearing them will be warm and fuzzy. Thank you again to Patrick and Alex.....amazing.

Scrunch Socks Lengthened

I love it when I get photos from knitters that knit my patterns! This is the Scrunch Sock with a different toe and an addition of a half diamond pattern to lengthen the sock for her foot. It is beautifully knitted and love the lengthening idea. Great sock knitter...Barb you are the best.

Etsy On Sale

So I have created a sale on all my mitts. 15% off and goes for 1 week. Will be interesting to see how this works and if I get any traffic into my shop.

So hopefully my stats will have more traffic and a couple of sales. Interesting experiment.

Etsy On Sale with Fingerless Mitts

Sale on Fingerless Mitts!

So trying something new...Etsy On Sale. A new program for automatic sales. This is a test and I took 15% off my Fingerless Mitts for one week starting tomorrow. I think it might be a good way to get customers to my shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/byhandbyjean?section_id=5925214 

Finally Posted in Ravelry Cable Link Rib Sock

And just posted the sock pattern that I have been working on and hope that it is received well. Very simple pattern and I would rate it easy but not beginner sock. Yarn was the Knit Pick Gloss (Merino and Silk) but had done this sock using Lorna Laces Shepard Sock Yarn. Any Fingering weight should be fine for this pattern. I have not posted on Etsy as yet but will after a week or so. want to see the reaction to the pattern or if it gets any reaction. But it is done and I do like the results.

Sample pattern posting.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/link-cable-rib-socks

Finally Link Cable Sock

Link Cable and Rib Sock

So finally the pattern is done...took a while with Scrunch Socks thrown in between a custom order but I think it is finally done. A big thank you to Patrick Williams-Pittard https://www.etsy.com/shop/QuiltingGuys who's friend Alex is testing the pattern for me before I post it. This is a Side Link Cable and Rib Sock for men. I love the feel of this particular yarn I used... Knit Picks Gloss Fingering Weight, Merino/Silk. Really a great feel, soft and smooth. This has to be hand washed and layed flat to dry... Hoping to get the pattern up soon.

Writing Pattern for Side Cable Link sock

I have been working on a sock pattern that has taken a while but close to finishing it. Need to knit another pair to make sure...but got an order for a Scrunch Sock from a  man in Australia. Yikes! Need to knit up a pair and then will finish the pattern. Patterns are tough to do as with me I am always making little changes and can't just use things on previous patterns. This one will be really good I think and hopefully easy for anyone to knit. Stay tuned!

Recycled Cashmere Yarn

I recently purchased from Thoughtful Rose Supply on Etsy. A shop that reclaims yarns from sweaters and other knitted items. This was a lace weight cashmere yarn...very fine. I am knitting using 2 strains of it. It is so fine that this pair of socks will be very thin in feeling but because it is cashmere will be very warm to wear. The thinnest of the sock makes it ideal to wear in shoes that require a finer weighted sock. The color is celery green and although it make take a bit longer to knit these socks, I am loving the very fine feel. I am using a pattern of purl lines to create a repeat diamond pattern. Wanted something subtle and I think these will be really very nice. The needles I am using are #0 (2.00 mm). I like to knit with small needles but this is probably the finest that I have knitted with.

Knitting with 2 strands.

Really beautiful diamond pattern.

Eyelet Lace Socks

I have always loved eyelet lace and came across a knitting pattern for knitted eyelet lace. I thought maybe I could combine the stitch into a sock and this was the result. Knitted using #1 (2.25mm) needles and Lorna Laces Sock Yarn (variegated "Magnificent Mile" yellows and very subtle)
Came out really nicely and actually am knitting another pair as I wanted to do a different toe and heel than these. Hoping to put these on paper some day....

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128677568/eyelet-lace-socks?ref=shop_home_active

Detail of heel and eyelets.

Alpaca Cable Socks

And today sold the Alpaca Cable Socks easy.com to a woman in CA. I really love the feel of this yarn and the very fine weight. HandsomeFibers.com is the shop and Jo March Lace  is the yarn. Really a perfect fine yarn for intricate patterns. Working on an eyelet lace pattern that would be great with this yarn...we will see. A bit pricey yarn but worth it.

Side Link Cable Sock with Ribs

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128239245/side-link-cable-socks-with-ribs?ref=shop_home_active

Detail heel and cable.

Today posted new sock...actually had knitted this style for my husband a couple of years ago and he liked them for the snug feel. They are ribbed with side link cable running down the side. Lorna Laces Shepard Sock Yarn...my favorite knitted on #1 (2.50) needles. Heel is flat, no ribs...Really a wonderful sock.

Custom Wedding Socks

Received a request from a woman in TX for a pair of socks for her wedding. She wanted her new name to be on the cuffs of the socks...so pictured are the cuffs. I have to knit these in the next 4 days to get them to her in time. They are a lace sock with yellow hearts on the heels. She is wearing them in boots but taking the boots off as a surprise  after the ceremony. Not a bad idea but wish I had more time to work on them. As it is the works are just block letters and really could be more fancy if I had the time to design them....oh well, I think they will be a fun pair for a wedding.

Cuffs with names.....hmmmmm

March Blahs

So Wednesday, March 20 is the first day of Spring and around my part of the world it feels like the dead of winter with today a looming snow storm knocking at our front door this evening. I am feeling the March Blahs....and trying to get excited about the coming spring and summer but today it really is a bummer. However....I have started another sock. This one is called the Chain Link Cable with Rib. It will be a man's size sock with a Cable chain running down the sides and ribs throughout. I think it will be a great sock as it will not sag but cling to the ankle and foot. Knitting them in a Lorna Laces variegated yarn but probably will look better in a solid. Might try to do a pattern with these and just post it as a free sock pattern. That might be a good thing. Still looking for sun today but am getting a little more smiley at the prospect of sitting down soon and knitting these socks. First I have chores and errands to run!

Knit Two Pairs At One Time????

Scrunch Socks and Criss Cross Socks 8 hrs in...

Turned the heels....and then some...

Scrunch socks are finished! 3/7/13

There are times that when I knit my mind is racing and thinking about the next project that I will be knitting and there are times that I knit a pattern I have before and get a little dulled by the sameness of the knitting. So that happened the other day when I started my 32nd pair of Scrunch Socks!!!!!!! I do love knitting these socks but there are those times that I need something to get my mind going and so decided to knit two different pairs of sock at the same time. Interesting as I am loving the switching from one to the other. My progress is great and my mind is joyful...not bored! I am knitting a pair of Scrunch Socks and also a Criss Cross Intarsia pair of socks for a medium man size in red and black ....very retro I think.

So now have found the difficulty in these two varied socks...one is knitted with #1 needles while the other is on # 3. One is cotton and one is lace weight wool. One is multi cables the other is a design knitted in the intarsia stranded method.

This has been a very interesting project. I wonder if I would have been done by now if I had done two socks more similar in design and materials. Still has been interesting and will soon see the end of this project.

Baby Alpaca/Cashmere Socks

Started new sock...sort of a test in that it is a 2 ply lace yarn. Cashmere, Alpaca and nylon. Lovely to feel and to knit. Doubled up on the yarn which came from Handsome Fibers in MT. I believe that these will be extra warm and have reinforced the heel and toe with a 3rd length of the yarn. Really the results are excellent and not at all disappointed in the results. Very soft and warm.

Scrunch Socks...Knee Highs

I had received a request from a woman in GA to knit the Scrunch Socks...but she wanted them as knee highs. Well I am always up for a challenge and challenge it was but a real learning project. I loved the results and hope she does too.

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/117518005

Recycled Cashmere for Hand knitted Socks

I have for a while been thinking of biting the bullet and spending a few bucks extra on cashmere for a pair of cashmere socks. Came across an Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThoughtfulRoseSupply
offering recycled cashmere (2 ply) at an affordable cost. Will try it out as the yarn looked very fresh and the fibers were clean. Purchasing enough to knit a pair of socks using 2 strands. Hoping that they will be really a great purchase and will sell on Etsy in the higher range of prices. This is the yarn and the color is celery.

Recycled 100% Cashmere (Celery)

TracyO Dance Socks

On my back log of orders was this sock just completed and sent to I hope a satisfied customer. I actually love the way this sock turned out in black. I was a little hesitant about the color as it is harder to see the beautiful cables in this pattern in dark colors but it came out really beautifully and think I'll have to do the sock in dark colors again.

Yoga, Dance, Fitness...works well in cotton.

https://www.etsy.com/transaction/114468927

Braided Cable with Seed Stitches

In between my crazy orders for the Scrunch Socks I managed to post another sock. Using a beautiful yarn....Lorna Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn....really a medium priced yarn and best if you can get it on sale. Very nice fingering weight. I have knitted a few socks for my husband with this yarn and the oldest of the socks is 9 yrs and counting. They have held up really well and still have some nice give and softness. I would recommend this yarn for any project that requires fingering weight. I knitted these socks using #1 needles so that the knit was tight and helps for a much warmer sock...although does take a bit longer to knit I did the braided cable. Love the pattern.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/120796220/braided-cable-socks

Mitts and Socks To Do

These had been sitting in my shop for close to a year and finally sold. Must say I think because they are white, they are not as practical a pair of mitts but I do love this pattern in white and guess what....I will knit another white pair. I have almost caught up with my back orders. Two to go on the Scrunch Socks, one of them being the knee highs. Just waiting for the yarn. 

In mean time I am knitting a pair of Braided Cable Socks in a Lorna Laces Sock Yarn I got on sale. They are grey and really beautiful to touch and feel. Probably will up the price on them as well as Lorna Laces Yarns are not cheap but twice the price of my normal yarns even on sale! The yarn is finer quality and weight and I knit using #1 needles for a really fine knitted material. Takes a bit longer to knit because of the weight but really beautiful finish product. Just not sure what price to put on them.

Welcome 2013!

And a Happy New Year to everyone...let's hope that 2013 brings joy and gladness to all and good health and prosperity as well.

I am getting myself organized after a very busy December. I have a backlog of Scrunch Socks to knit as well as a couple of interesting projects, which include a Scrunch Sock but knee high version. That will be an interesting project. Not sure how it will work as cotton is the typical yarn I use for the Scrunch Socks...I am thinking that wool blend would be better for knee highs because of the elasticity. Might have to rethink that a bit.

Let's all enjoy the year and surround ourselves with many many yarns and projects!!!!! Happy New Year.