Lacy Socks Custom

Today sold this pair of Lacy Socks to a woman with a narrow foot and long. I loved knitting them using Lorna Laces Sock Yarn new color Monkeyshines!. This pattern was a pattern that I have done before based on a 8 stitch repeat it was fun to do it again. I had to alter the stitch counts to customize for the buyer and that was interesting. I did learn alot. Sent them off and hope they fit her foot!

Check the link: Custom Lacy Socks

The Rewards of Knitting...

What can I say but yet another snow storm on the east coast. We now have so much snow we have no where to put it and as I look at the "pretty" (at least they were a month ago) flakes fall pass my window I can't seem to muster the stuff to get me out there to shovel...again. When will it ever end. These are the times that I feel so blessed that I can knit.

Knitting has been that activity that has seen me through so much and given me such pleasure. When I want to get away from the toils and problems of the day...I just pick up my sticks and knit. When I want to find a little pleasure and put a smile on my face...I just love the clicking sounds of my needles. When I have a few spare moments and want to feel productive...I love touching my yarns and k1, p1. I am so blessed that I can do this. I can only hope that others out there are feeling the same as I feel. So now...I guess a little shoveling is in order!

Why Knit Socks? So what is it worth?

Just read Knitting for Dollars
By Janine Nelson http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/FEATknitting4dollars.html

I for one love selling my socks and patterns but also know that it isn't exactly how I will become a millionaire. I agree that once you have assessed the time, materials and other that go into knitting a pair of socks you have to say that no one would ever purchase a pair for what it is really worth. So why do it?

The point is that it really isn't for the money although the money does keeps me supplied with yarns that I wouldn't necessarily have purchased...it is more for the journey of creating a pair of sock, usually unique and creative, and sharing it with someone with the same sense of style as mine. I have met electronically alot of buyers that share with me the joy of having something really hand knitted. It may have been that they were not knitters their selves and just admired the skill or they wanted to get back to the times when things hand made were more meaningful and simple. A piece of string, 2 needles and voila...a creation! Amazing.

The cost of my socks on Etsy.com range from $20 to a high of $50. That $50 is alot to pay for a pair of socks goes without saying but to the person who purchased the pair (which was custom knitted to what they wanted) the cost was worth it. It was a fun journey, a team effort of someone who was looking at a pattern and wanted to have it knitted. How we got together was probably just by chance on Etsy.com but I loved the journey and you couldn't compensate me for the joy it brought to someone.

I would love to bring my shop into a profitable business (I for one know how much our family needs it at this time) I covet the inner rewards of sharing and clearly want to continue the journey and see where it leads me.

Autumn In The Air and Staggered Cables

Beautiful golden days on the East Coast of US...love the brisk cool air and the colors all around are intense. Raking leaves and the sound of crackling of leaves somehow makes me very at ease and peaceful. Love it! Golfed yesterday and was one of the best days to be out on the course. Just makes me want to go out and play another round...but then working on the staggered cable sock and has gotten me to think that this one might be worth putting down on paper! Love this pattern and doing it in an ice aqua color. Every 5th row alternates with a cable on each rib. Interesting and lends to a spiral effect. I'll post when I am finished.

Cotton Sports socks

I decided to try to get a pair of sports socks created and this is the result. Took 5 samples but I think this one works. Did a little rib on the foot for a little support and edged the cuff with a couple of rows of color for fun. Added a pom pom and that was it. Not too bad although I still need to do another to make sure the pattern works out. Will post on Ravelry later this month.

Cascade versus Knit Picks

So the question I had was the comparing of Cascade Sock Yarn versus Knit Pick Stroll Yarns. It took a little while for me to get to knitting a pair of socks using the Cascade Heritage Yarn. I had heard alot about it and there were many colors that were available, So I knitted a pair of socks using Cascade and had these thoughts about the yarn versus Knit Picks Stroll Sock yarns.

Both are machine washable superwash yarns, blends of 75% Merino and 25% Nylon. I loved that Cascade was one skein of 437 yds which was enough for a pair of socks (I like just having one continuous strand of yarn) and loved the colors available. Where as Knit Picks Stroll was 231 yds per skein so you had to purchase 2 skeins (462 yds) and the color selection of Knit Picks is not really as extensive as Cascades. Prices were wide apart as the Cacade was $11.95 for one skein (without shipping) and Knit picks was $3.49 a skein or $6.98 for 2 skeins (without shipping).

As far as the feel of the finished socks I was surprised to see that I thought the Knit Picks was pleasantly softer and smoother to the touch and had a nice bounce to the finish sock. The Cascade sock seem not as soft. That was a surprise but they both are easy to knit with. Again I really liked the array of colors that Cascade offers but if you catch Knit Pick as the seasons change they seem to offer different colors...just not as many. For the price...I guess I'll continue to use Knit Picks for Etsy socks but if I had a few extra bucks will go back to Lorna Laces (my absolute favorite when I can afford it).

Happy to say that the Lacy White Socks sold today. They were on the Etsy site for a long time but Dan photographed them using my new foot form and they sold in a weeks time. I guess maybe it was a good investment to purchase the foot form. Hurray!

Twisted Double Cable

Wanted to mimic a fisherman's sweater. So did a twisted double cable with seed stitches. Lorna Laces Solid sock yarn was used. Seems to be much more finer than other sock yarns I have used. More like lace or fingering. At any rate used #1 needles that always are nice to use as a change from the #2. You can knit with more detail with the #1 although it takes more stitches and the pace may be a little time consuming, the results are always satisfying. Fun to do and think I'll try to do something more involved. Love Cables.

Sampler Sox

For quite a while now I had wanted to do a more creative sock. Inspired by Kaffe Fassett and Kristin Nicholas style of knitting (which is more painting with yarns) I attempted a sock that I call Sampler. Basic theme was boxes or cubes.
Yarn used was Knit Picks Superwash (Merino and Nylon blend), and hoping that these might sell on etsy. Really a fun sock and was a great way to use up some of my extra left over yarns...my stash!

Heart Clog socks

Just amazing to me is that to start the New Year I have received an order for the Heart Clog Socks. It is amazing as I had increased the price of these. It is truly a best seller and hoping that this is a indicator of what is to come for 2010. Stay tuned...

Cross socks Pattern

Amazing how the pattern that I published for Ravelry has been requested and actually knitted by someone in Denmark! I am continually amazed how the wide web connects people and makes the world a very small place. It is really satisfying to see your pattern done by someone. Just amazing...

Basket Weave

I am at a point that I am feeling like I wish I had 4 hands to knit with. Two more pairs of socks were sold today and the basketweave went after I put them on sale to the same person who purchased my variegated yellow socks. He like them so much that he decided to buy two more pairs. Wonderful but that really makes my little shop look a little empty. I'll have to knit alot and fast! What fun.

Heart Clog socks

Absolutely wonderful...another order for the Heart Clog Socks makes my day! I really love these but think I will use different pattern on the sock. Maybe an all over pattern of hearts in relief. That would truly make it a heart sock! Probably a Valentines Day sock. I'll work on that!

Last month was loaded up on custom orders for Clog Socks and just finished a custom order of these mitts only in black. Really think this is a great idea and hope that I can do more of these. So just knitting away as fast as I can. Still hoping to do a pair of Clog Socks with Yankee logo on heel! Hope they win the World Series tonight! These late games are tough on sleep! Go Yanks.

Cable and Rib Sock

Using Knit Pick Essential Sock Yarn (soon to be called Stroll) knitted these socks. Pattern from Interweave knits. The yarn is very subtle in the color tones. They vary slightly and create a very hand made feel. Very soft as well and easy to knit with. Love this burgundy color. Click here to view my etsy shop!

Knit Pick Yarns

I finished the Go With The Flow socks! Knitted using Knit Picks Bare Superwash 75% Merino/25% Nylon blend yarn. Love the lacy pattern Interweave Knits Summer 2005. These are made for a Women's shoe size 7-8. They measure 9.25" flat, from heel to toe and will stretch to 10". The leg measures 9" from bottom of the heel to the top of the sock.
Machine Washable/tumble Dry Low. Great pattern...and really easy. Click here to view my etsy shop!

Sandalwood Socks

Really nice to get an order for my socks. Sandalwood sold today and really love the pattern on it. Got it from Interweave Knit and will do another as soon as I can...and another beautiful day on the east coast. That is 3 days in a row! Click here to view my etsy shop!

Cross socks Pattern

Amy K (pyropagan) from Ravelry requested my pattern for the Cross socks! First time request and hope that it is sucessful. I'm off to golf this morning in the rain but need a break! Click here to view my etsy shop!

Just starting the blog...

Welcome to my musings. Not sure exactly why I arrived at creating a blog but here goes. Of course I just love to knit and knit...and socks are my passion these days. So as I meander with thoughts and pictures of what I am up to, I hope that it will entice you to try your hand at knitting...socks! Today I am finishing up a pair of socks for Father's Day hoping that they will sell on Etsy...but who knows. Next will be a pair of socks made from my leftovers and stash yarns.