The Joy of SOCKS!😊
I’ve done a lot of knitting and crocheting over the years.
Shawls, blankets, sweaters, gloves,hats…..
I’ve loved every minute of these creative pursuits.
But there is nothing quite like making REAL socks for the first time, for the ultimate knit satisfaction!😊
Unfortunately, many novice knitters in particular are very intimidated by the steps involved in making that first sock.
That’s where a really good how-to sock guide, book, site or video can be invaluable.
Unfortunately, one of my favorite how- to sock guides by Sandra Harris, is NO longer available at Amazon.😔
But there ARE plenty of resources out there for the wannabe sock knitter. It is a lifelong knitting skill SO worth learning.
RAVELRY is a great place to start.
Sign up is free and easy, if you’re not already a member. A fun and worthwhile place to visit, with a multitude of resources, for knitters at all levels.
And with 🎄 Christmas 🎄 only weeks away, this is a great time to start thinking about those perfect handmade 🎁🎁.
🎀🎄🎀🎄🎀
Socks Made With ❤ Are SO Special!
On the Needles: Simple Faroese Shawl
I ♥ knitting shawls! 🙂
I recently found out about “faroese” type shawls, which are those shaped to stay on your shoulders without a shawl pin required. Click the link above to read more on Wiki about the traditional faroese shawl pattern, which is the inspiration for many of the newer (and easier) versions of these classic shawls, including the lovely one pictured above.
Is a pattern from the talented: Susan Sarabasha (aka Smokey Blue) and available for download over at Ravelry for only $1.99.
What a bargain and proceeds go to the American Humane Society or local pet shelters, even better!
I’m making this shawl in KnitPicks Stroll Tweed in the Dill Heather shade:
I have 2 skeins of yarn, 460 yds. in total, which is enough to make the shoulder-sized version.
You can easily customize this pattern to make it a full- sized shawl if you prefer. But I like the look of the one in the photo, as it is. I think it’s just the perfect size and what a plus to have a shawl that you don’t actually have to keep a hold of or pin, when wearing! 😉 Shawl wearers, you know what I’m talking about. LOL
A big thank you to Susan for allowing me to share this lovely pattern and photo here.
Stop by Susan’s Ravelry page to see all of her other wonderful patterns too. A great selection to choose from.
What are you making right now?
Happy Knitting and Weekend!
Book Review: Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders
Stash yarn….what to make, what to make…and how to use it ALL up? 😉
It’s an ongoing challenge for all of us knit and crochet addicts.
One of the first places I look for “stash inspiration” is my collection of: One- Skein Wonders books.
And my fav in this craft series to date is: Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders.
What a fab book! 🙂
I consider ANY craft book good value, if I can pick out at least 4-5 projects right from the start, that I would actually make. When it comes to this book, I picked out a lot more than that, on my first browse, including:
Wisteria Arbor Shawl
Lacy Summer Footlets
These topped the list of numerous projects in this book that grabbed my attention. I actually have a stash yarn “on deck” for the Wisteria Arbor shawl, as soon as I finish up my two current projects on the go.
The Footlets I will definitely be trying as well; these look perfect for the summer days ahead. 🙂
And for anyone looking for a fun, easy project for a baby or toddler, these oh so cute pants would surely be a hit:
Baby Brights Tights
Aren’t they adorable?
There is something for every knitter in this book AND for knitters of all skill levels too. There are also a few patterns for crochet fans too. All made in sock yarns, but with a bit of variety of weights of yarn, in that general category.
And these are NOT all knit on teeny-tiny needles either, in case you have a phobia about dpn’s that are 2.25 MM or less ( I actually got over mine!) 😉
Projects range from baby and dolls clothes, gorgeous shawls and shrugs, scarves, gloves, mittens, toys, totes, home decor…you name it, it’s in here! And what gorgeous patterns these are, all made from just one skein of the suggested yarn they are shown in. And oh so perfect for adapting to your own stash selection!
I also checked over at the Storey Publishing site for corrections for this book. Not TOO bad, just two pages of corrections for the entire book. And as any avid knitter knows, that’s not a lot, compared to some of the “correction nightmare” books out there. You can find them here.
I highly recommend: Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders. I have a LOT of knitting books but this one moved up in my top 5 favs, right away. It really is an exceptional collection of wonderful, unique patterns; to enjoy for years to come.
Happy Knitting! 🙂
Photos credits: Ira Garber Photography Inc. Used with permission of the publisher.
Stash Busting x 2! Knit and Crochet :-)
If you knit or crochet on a regular basis like I do, I’m guessing you’ve also got a big stash of leftover yarns that are languishing in a craft tote or two (maybe three or four?) 😉
I had a browse around Ravelry a couple of weeks ago, looking for ways to use up my own stash and found these two lovely tote patterns, one crochet and one knit.
Thanks to designer: Kathy North for allowing me to share the photo and pattern of her Stash Bustin’ Tote, pictured above.
It’s an easy pattern, so if you don’t have a lot of crochet experience, this would be a good project to tackle, to hone your “hooking” skills. 😉
The other stash-busting tote that I really liked, was this one: Girl About Town, designed by Joanne Yordanou.
This one is knit and again, an easy pattern that would ideal for beginners.
Thanks Joanne for allowing me to share your tote pattern/photo here too!
***
Both of these patterns are currently free, so it’s a great time to download copies for yourself!
Ravelry is so amazing! So many talented designers over there, sharing their work, often for free or for a very nominal charge. I ♥ it!
I hope to make one or both of these soon. I NEED a new tote bag, badly!!
Happy Crafting and Week, G
PS: If you are over at Ravelry, do stop by my page too, to see some of my finished projects and say hi! Hope to see you there. 🙂
Ribby Slipper Socks, Completed! :-)
I shared the FREE Interweave ebook that included these easy to make slipper-socks/booties, a while back.
Since then, I’ve made two pairs, these blue ones for me and an orange and brown pair for Joe.
What a fun pattern and definitely easy enough for a beginner to follow. And of- so- toasty warm too. 😉
I like the design of these, with the sock-style cuff. They stay up a lot better than some other booties I’ve made in the past.
If you’ve got cold tootsies and ♥ booties like I do, or are looking for a pattern for someone who does, check this one out.
Children to men’s sizes in this pattern and some other very nice accessories included in this ebook too.
I made mine in Lion Brand Da Vinci yarn (foot) and some “stash” worsted weight yarn( for the cuffs). I only needed one skein of the Da Vinci yarn and I wear size 8 1/2-9 shoes.
As knit booties/slippers have a tendency to stretch, better a bit snug fit to begin with than too loose.
Let me know if you give them a try!
Happy Knitting. 🙂
On the Needles: Slice of Autumn/Spring Shawl
I’ve usually got at least one (sometimes 2 or 3…) knit or crochet projects on the go.
Right now I also have several finished projects that I need to get photographed, to share here and at Ravelry.
One of my current works in project is this lovely shawl:
designed by the talented: Kay Meadors, who has graciously allowed me to share these photos of the finished shawl here:
I’m making mine in a lovely soft mauve yarn:
I purchased this yarn at one of my fav yarn sites: Knitting Warehouse
(click to read my review of their site and great prices).
One skein of Patons Lace (498 yds.) is all this shawl requires, I love that! 😉
With circular needle, pattern download and yarn, this shawl is costing less than $20. 🙂
It’s NOT all wool but it sure looks like the “real deal” and based on previous experiences with wool blend yarns, I also don’t think blocking will be too difficult when my shawl is completed.
I’ve got about 20 rows to go but these are LONG rows at this point as the shawl is getting bigger and bigger; the final row has over 300 stitches, so if I get a couple rows done each time I sit down to knit at this point, I’m happy. 😉
If you’d like a copy of this wonderful pattern (and yippee….no mistakes that I’ve found so far, that’s often not the case with knitting patterns) stop by Ravelry and get one to download. While you’re there, check out Kay’s other beautiful designs.
I’ll share a finished photo this spring, when I’ve got this one OFF the needles and something perfect to wear with it too. 😉
What are you making right now? I love to hear about projects in progress!
Happy Knitting!
Another Stash-Busting Project: Bow-Knot Scarf
I made this Bow-Knot scarf recently from some black worsted-weight stash yarn that I had.
It was a very hot day when I had this photo taken, hence the inappropriate clothes worn with it. LOL 😉
I do think it will be very nice to wear for the winter though.
An easy project, would be perfect for beginners and didn’t take much yarn either. Nice gift idea too!
If you’ve been looking for another stash-busting project for your own “yarn pile” you can check out the pattern here.
The only slight error I noted in this pattern, was on the first line that starts with: NEXT ROW, line should have read decreases NOT increases stitch. No biggie but if you’re new to knitting you might wonder about that. 😉
Happy Crafting and Knitting!
Happy Autumn too! 🙂
Colorful Waves Scarf
My Colorful Waves Scarf is now complete!
I’m happy with how it turned out.
If you are looking for a fairly easy beginner’s knit project, you might want to check this one out.
Now I just need something nice in black to wear it with this fall! 😉
You can read more about the background of making this project and also a link to order this scarf kit here.
Happy Knitting!
And speaking of knitting, if you’re making something right now, do share the details! 🙂
Knit Handwarmers from CreativeYarn
These are the first pair of handwarmers that I’ve ever made.
I really had fun making these and I love wearing them when it’s a chilly morning and I’m typing a lot at the computer. They keep my hands and wrists nice and toasty! 🙂
I think they’re rather cute too. I see a lot of women wearing these now, thought it was high time I had a pair too LOL. 😉
I’m making another pair right now that I plan to wear over thin black gloves for outdoor use. These are going to be in bright gold yarn. I’ll share a pic when I’ve got these completed too.
You can find this pattern and lots of other easy, fun (and many free) patterns over at the CreativeYarn blog. Here’s the link for this free pattern: Emerald Green Handwarmers. The woman who hosts this blog is based in Rome so that’s kind of interesting too. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been posting recently but there are a lot of great archive posts and patterns to enjoy over there.
The yarn I used was:
Caron Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) in Gunmetal Grey:
Here’s my review of this yarn, over at My Real Life Reviews.
♥ the pattern but NOT a yarn that I’ll be using again. 😦
Happy Crafting! 🙂
Guilty Pleasures Socks
I’m still knitting up a storm! 😉
Finished these Guilty Pleasures Socks a couple of weeks ago. They were fun to knit and not too difficult either.
I made them in Patons Stretch Socks yarn in Mineral shade and they took approximately 1.5 skeins to make (this was not the yarn called for in the pattern, that used just one skein in keeping with the theme of this book). They were one size pattern, fit great.
These socks are featured in the book: 101 Designer One Skein Wonders.
Actually a lot nicer in reality than the photos are!
Now that I’ve “aced” the art of sock-knitting, I’m working on my first pair of knit gloves now. Kind of challenge but fun. I’ll share some photos when those are completed too.
Happy Crafting !
VEGGIES, YARNS & TAILS 