Polka Dot Socks

So started to knit polka dot socks and using Paton's pattern from Socks in the City. Have found that it is a pattern not written very well or at lease I have have problems with it. The first thing I noticed was the problem with the size....not too clear on how to create size increases...I basically knitted a little on it and it really was a bit too tight so increased the pattern stitches. I have gotten to the heel and I believe it is a Fish Kiss heel but every time I have done this heel I have open gaps in the side of the heel...so simple solution was to try to do something different on the heel. When going back and forth on the heel and not picking up the stitches on the ends, instead of knitting them I just slipped them then on the return of the heel foot side I would k tog and pu a stitch between the gap. Sound confusing????  Led to a really nice closure of the seam. Stay tuned....

Scrunch Socks Still Alive and Knitting

So sold these today but can't seem to get out of my doldrum of knitting Scrunch Socks....I want to design a new pair and write a pattern, but stuck with a back log of Scrunch Socks to do...can't complain but frustrating and wish I could just sit and design.

Maybe after this backlog......dream on.

Scrunch Sock Knitting

Yesterday received 3 custom requests for my Scrunch Socks...Yikes! I have some knitting to do. Three different colors: white, ivory and sea foam blue. I think I can knit the design in my sleep. I am trying to knit them together...what fun.

Fair Isle Border Socks Completed!

And finally finished them...They turned out really wonderful and hopefully they will sell in my shop. Good thing I got these done as got 3 orders for the Scrunch Socks....it must be coming into Christmas  as I seem to get orders for the Scrunch Socks around this time. You would think I would know better and just stock load the Scrunch socks but alas the orders are for custom socks so the fit has to be correct. I am on it now!

The Board Sock...Navy, gray and white. Love the pattern.

Harvest Time

It is that time of the year when I start to clean out my gardens and harvest the last of the tomatoes. Still have some pepper plants standing and will watch them before any frost gets to them...but for now my tomatoes are all picked and ripening off the vine! Yum.

Fair Isle Border Socks

This weekend started a pair of "Border Socks" a simple Fair Isle stranded pattern from Interweave Knits, 2011 edition. Had wanted to try this out and had a wonderful Navy yarn from Knit Picks. Pattern is using white and grey. Fairly simple and a really nice look. May do this in different combinations as it looks like something that would be popular on Etsy.

Knitting 2 sides at a time.

Addicted to Sock Knitting KAL

I am ready for the challenge: KAL with Addicted to Sock Knitting starts Sept. 1, and have my yarns picked from stash for the challenge. Will be knitting a pair of mens Stripe Socks using the Staggared Cable pattern. Base will be the gray with alternated stripes of the tan and brown. Should be really nice....Hope that I get these done as I have a custom order to do in Alpaca...waiting for the yarn  to arrive...

Scrunch Socks and Addicted to Sock Knitting

So today finished another pair of Scrunch Socks which I just posted on Etsy. I must say that I love this sock. I posted fit on a new site I joined: Addicted to Sock Knitting which I find brings more information on socks and different patterns that knitters are creating and knitting. It is a great site for ideas and information!

Close up on the counter...I snipped the loop that usually is on the needle and just hang it on the yarn. Stays out of the way when I am knitting.

Fair Isle Socks with After Thought Heel

Stripes in the Round

So have been working on broad stripes socks. Love the self striping yarns but sometimes really need to do a broader stripe sock for the fun of it. The stripes in the round have always been a challenge for me and have been working on making the stripes very true without that jog or staggered meeting of colors.

So here is my experiment…oh and it is another pair for my husband's sock drawer if I do it right…if not I'll take it out and try again. I do the stripe connection by knitting the first row color and at the beginning of the second row on the first stitch I pick up the stitch just below the new color and knit the two loops together and then just continue the row.

I do pull the yarn to even out the line up and voila….it looks pretty good!

Extra wide Knee Highs

And so they are finished with the request of a dark heel….. and now I am on to my next project….Mitts I think.

Finished Knee Highs with burgundy heel.

Staggered Cable…extra large knee highs

And so I am knitting another pair of Staggered Cable knee highs for a woman in Utah. These are extra large and I must admit that they are a sock that takes me too long to knit. I don't know if it is just trying  to figure out the pattern as I have to start with a very wide cuff (large calf size) and then decrease to a narrow ankle. I did make notes on my last one but as notes go they are not of much use as the yarn I am using is a fingering weight and the pair before was a little heavier. Oh well….I am half way through and hope that I get these done before the end of the week. It is a difficult challenge…but they are looking really nice.

Working…half way through!

First pair I knitted….

Perfect Blooms!

Absolutely beautiful weather in the Northeast….celebrating my birthday and received these beautiful blooms to add to the celebration! Perfect start to Spring!

Congratulations to UCONN Men's Basketball.

What a ride this has been and tonight the women take to the floor! UConn Men had incredible ride to win the NCAA 2014 Title….if women do the same tonight they would have accomplished winning together for the second time. Amazing.

Some time ago I had come across a repurposed cashmere yarn from "Thoughtful Rose Supply" a shop on Etsy. It was a white lace weight pure cashmere and I paired it with a beautiful lace weight Baby Alpaca yarn Silver Gray in color from Alpaca Direct. The beautiful color that appeared was a variegated pale silver blue and white. I love the feed of this combination and the warmth and softness was made for socks. 

Heart Clog socks

It's that time again and my contribution to the holiday are these in the works. Customer wanted these using a basic rib sock. These are half way done but love the color combinational

Challenging Pair of Knee Highs

There are times that I take on a challenge in knitting custom. This pair was more than I had bargained for and a challenge it was to figure out how to reduce the circumference of the leg to the smaller ankles without upsetting the Staggered Cable pattern. The customer was very precise on her measurements with a very wide calf to a more narrow ankle. I had taken out the stitches at least 3 times to make sure of the fit. A 4" cuff and then a 16" leg length was a lot for me to handle. I had to order more yarn as I didn't figure in the 18" circumference of the calf! But as much  as a challenge they were, I was glad I took on the task. Very educational and challenging!