Tofutsie Fairy Sock

I had included a free pattern for my easy Fairy Sock in the December 2009 PHAT Fibers box with a note that for more detailed instructions, they were to go to a certain web page. To all the PHAT Fiber box recipients who tried this, I apologize profusely!!! I could not figure out how to make a private page. I have published it here, under my “Free Patterns” section (see side bar) and made it accessible to all my Blog readers instead.

Enjoy!!

Deb H

PS – I’ve got the whole private page thing figured out now (I think), but hugs to everyone anyway 

Rivendell Sock

Being crazy busy does not rule out all knitting. It just means I’m teetering on the brink of crazy. But that’s not news to my inner circle – busy or not. So I’ve still managed to finish a pair of socks and aren’t they just tooo lovely?

Rivendell - cuff

When The Eclectic Sole by Janel Laidman came into the shop (had to have been last spring?) I could not stop looking at it.

The Eclectic Sole by Janel Laidman

The cover was tantalizing, the title  a tease, and the patterns are an adventurous delight (anybody want to hire me to write Ad Copy? 

Published by Rustling Leaf Press, it has 96 pages of full color, very well photographed socks, techniques, color charts, and discussions of swatching , yarns, WPI (bravo Janel!), color, needles, and some basics. In the back are some photos and instructions for the cast-ons and stitches she uses in her patterns. All very clear and understandable. What I like about her book is that she did not spend a lot of her precious book pages on these things by going into a lot of detail. She used the bulk of the pages on her great patterns. So, while I would not recomend it to a brand new knitter, or maybe even a first time sock knitter, I don’t believe that is her target. Janel has found the happy medium; these are fresh, beautiful and interesting, with opportunities to learn for the sock knitter who is bored with “basic” but not as mind-bending as Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways.

Since I wear Burkies, I ribbed all the way to the tip of the toe.

Back to the socks… I sucumbed and the book followed me home. It stayed in the kennel (book shelf with all my other “pet” books) until late summer when I could not ignore it’s soft mewling anymore. I took it off the shelf and it popped open to the sock that had to be made first. I confess, as geeky as this is, I’m a Lord of the Rings fan, have been since Jr. High. The first socks from this book had to be Rivendell.

Graceful blending from the ornate rib to the leaf pattern

I had yarn in my stash from the sale bin in almost the same colorway as the socks in the book; a soft blend of pastels – appropriate for an Elvish design. The pattern was just challenging enough to keep me interested and excited. It would have been perfect except for the yarn. I used Maizy from Crystal Palace Yarns and I have to say, it’s not my cup o’ tea. 82% corn fiber and 18% elastic, it was too stretchy and too wimpy. I usually knit socks on a size “0″ or “1″ needle to get gauge but had to use a size “3″ with this stuff that was like knitting with limp rubber bands. I like the finished product but it was less than ideal to knit with. I also learned, the hard way, that you do not steam socks with elastic in them – it melts! The socks are fine, undamaged and look great but if you rub your hand over the surface (outside only, thank goodness), it has a scratchy feel that the melted elastic gives it. Yes, I should have known better – I guess I was on automatic pilot when I blocked these. Oy!

The cuff again

For the next pair, I will return to my beloved wool sock yarn.

But which pair next, Nordic Lights or Migration? Decisions, decisions…

As always, you can see more of my favorite books, that I highly recommend, by visiting My Book Store (there is a link in the sidebar under Pages). This is an aStore or Amazon store that only lists books I choose.

Deb H

Because I am a book junkie, a sock knitting junkie, and teach the occasional sock knitting class, I am frequently asked about my opinions of sock books. I always approach new sock knitting books with caution. Does the world really need another one, it seems there have been so many lately. But being a woman of infinite opinions, I’m always happy to share them

Today’s Special;

“Knitting More Circles Around Socks: Two at a Time, Toe Up or Cuff Down ” by Antje Gillingham

If  “Knitting Circles Around Socks: Knit Two at a Time on Circular Needles” by Antje Gillingham, can be classified as SKOC (Sock Knitting on Circulars) 101, then her new book “Knitting More Circles Around Socks: Two at a Time, Toe Up or Cuff Down” would be SKOC 201.

“More” is a stand alone book that does not require you to have purchased the first book. It has all the same good basic sock information and how too start instructions as the first book; terminology, measuring for fit, gauge swatching, and a handy size chart that gives you all the needed measurements for each standard shoe size – ideal for gift knitting!

The text is littered with good, clear hand drawn illustrations for all techniques needed in this book in the Knitting Basics section. Many of the techniques are different from the first book as different techniques are used in this collection of patterns.

The Sock Basics section is new and a very good primer to read before starting your first sock pattern. Read it! Your sock knitting experience will be sweeter for it (that goes for any knitting book), and this is a fabulous addition.

The Basic Woman’s Cuff Down Sock pattern (the first pattern in the book) is the same as in her first book. Her photo illustrations of casting-on and setting up for two-at-a-time is very good and she gives lots of great tips for cast-on success.

All that is in the first 28 pages. Now, the really good stuff (more?) starts. There are three more cuff-down socks that are inventive. I love bobbles, slips are new to me but (now) on my “must try” list. The third is a basic sock for kids; wonderful as it covers infant to age 12. There are eight patterns for toe-up socks (my own personal favorite). Again, her techniques are well illustrated with photographs. Another good kid’s basic pattern is added and the following are all fresh designs and a just a wee bit more challenging than those in her first book. The information you need is all there and very understandable without being “dumbed down”.

As a fanatical two-at-a-time on one (or two) needle sock knitter for the last few years, I have to say “I’m impressed”. Job well done Antje, just don’t ask me to pronounce your name.

Deb H

a knitted sock blank

Because it did start out that way; a blank, knitted rectangle; a blank “canvas” as it were. Usually knit double stranded on a knitting machine and with a total of 100 grams of yarn, enough to knit one pair of socks. This one is pinned out on a foam board, ready to be painted with dye.

sock blank being painted

Thickened dye is applied with a foam brush, or other painting tool, in any pattern or design you can dream up.

ready to wrap and steam

Continue to add layers of color until you have achieved sock-blank nirvana…  or at least something you are reasonably happy with. Seal with a heat-proof plastic wrap (Seran works well) and steam your blank to set the dyes. I’m assuming here that you are using acid dyes on a protein fiber.

knitting socks with a sock blank

After the dyes have been set and the yarn blank rinsed and dried, you are ready to knit. Since the blank was knit with a double strand, you can knit both socks at the same time. Both socks will be done at the same time, avoiding the “second sock syndrome”, and both socks will match exactly. Simply unravel at the appropriate end and start knitting.

Toe-up socks with waffle stitch instep

Yes, the yarn you are knitting with is kinky, like Ramen Noodles. Once you have gone a few inches you will be used to it and it should not bother you or be a problem. For those that are annoyed by kinky yarn there are two possible solutions. To lessen the kink  (but not eliminate it) you will need two ball winders. Simply unravel the blank and wind the yarn into two center-pull balls as you go. Let them sit in your stash and “mature” for about a week/month/year and the yarn will be more relaxed when you go to knit with it. To remove the kinks entirely, unravel the blank into two skeins, wash them in cool water and hang to dry. Ball them as you would any skeined yarn and knit.

Waffle socks are not fattening )

Colors combinations and designs are only limited by your imagination, dye supply, and time. You must remember that the design you paint on your blank will not be reproduced in your knitted sock. Blanks are knit flat; back and forth. Socks are knit in the round. For what-you-see-is-what-you-get socks, stick to simple stripes. For everything else, you can only rely on a general mottled color distribution in the final knitted project. If you have a dominance of brown at one end of the blank and mostly blue at the other, so will your socks. Don’t assume that a fancy design or pattern painted on your blank is a waste of time. You will enjoy knitting from a beautiful blank and the dyer has enjoyed creating something wonderful, even if it will get ripped apart. 

Zig-Zag painted sock blank

Cool idea! Use your double stranded sock blank to knit a scarf. Cast-on with a provisional cast on and knit your scarf from the center out. Go about one inch in one direction, then pick up your live cast-on stitches with the other stand and head off in the other direction. Just keep switching back and forth so both ends progress at approximately the same rate. This is the same technique (knit on one for a while, then the other – back and forth) for knitting your two-socks-at-a-time on double point needles.

Now, are you sorry you asked?

I even have a finished pair of socks out of this deal

Sock yarn is a superwash merino and nylon (90% wool/10% nylon) that I got from Heritage Spinning & weaving. I knit the blank and dyed it as you have just seen. I love the way the colors came out so speckly (is that a word?) and no pooling or flashing. I knit the sock in the same waffle stitch as my fitted teal vest in the hopes they will look dapper together.

Deb H

Socks From the Toe Up - Wendy Knits

Socks from the Toe Up: Essential Techniques and Patterns from Wendy Knits by Wendy Johnson
sturdy paperback, 127 pages with lovely color photos – $22.95

As a dye-hard (pun intended) Toe-Up sock knitter and teacher, I am always excited to see a new sock book come out that purports my favorite sock knitting direction. I’m usually a little disappointed; the toe cast-on is not one I would use or they picked an absurd heel… you get the idea. This book is so perfect. If I were to write a sock knitting book, this would be it.

To start with, Wendy gives you six (count them 1-2-3-4-5-6) different toe cast-ons to choose from. You can do the traditional, excruciatingly fiddly figure eight toe, or choose from five other, less intimidating cast-ons that are all wonderful. The diagrams are clear and easy to understand as well.This is followed by three different heels, one is totally new to me and I can’t wait to try it. She talks about tools, techniques, measuring and gauge. Then she wedges into this marvelous book, twenty-three patterns for really lovely socks; from basic, to lace, Gansey, cabled, and even some for sport weight yarns. Ideal for the sock knitter of any level. Easy to understand for the beginner and the experienced sock knitter will learn something too. I love it!

Deb H

Cushy Socks

My latest socks are lovely,  cushy and even a bit girly. And, at this gauge, a super fast knit!

For Tiny Cold Feet

But whom will they fit? I’ll leave them in the herb garden for the fairies come fall. Even little feet get cold.

Deb H

Sock students knitting socks!

Starting this Friday (June 12th 2009) at Heritage Spinning & Weaving in Lake Orion, MI – I will be teaching a Learn to Knit Toe-Up Socks class. This one is aimed at learning to knit socks for the first time. A lot more relaxed 

There is still room for one more!

Deb H

I finished my latest pair of socks. The ones I was knitting two months ago and had all but the toes done and completely ripped them out. I restarted them with toe up method – my favorite – and got interrupted with Christmas knitting. But they are done and beautiful! Made from SWTC Tofutsie yarn that I dyed, the lace pattern (which doesn’t show as well as I had hoped) is the “Fishtail Lace” from the 365 knitting patterns a year perpetual calendar (January 15th) and… I love them!!!

They fit! They dance, they walk nicely, they do everything a fine pair of socks should do but sing 

They are just soooooo my colors!

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Since my laptop chose today to die. As in belly-up and curl it’s toes. I will not be online until I return. Then that miscreant puppy goes to the shop – thank the Gods and a thumbed nose at The Lord of the Cosmic Jest that it’s still on warranty – ha!

Deb H

PS – Knit Michigan was way cool! Plan on it for next year 

Working part time in a yarn shop is not without its dangers though. One has to resist, literally, thousands of temptations in an 8 hour shift. The lure of color and texture can be quite overwhelming and resisting can cause serious physical discomfort; sweats, tension headaches, shakes, even dizziness. Let’s face it, the yarn store (or fabric store) clerk is a pusher, an enabler of the most sinister of addictions. Life is tough.

I digress.

I still have a broken Internet at home. My satellite has simply died and the big bucks to fix it are (to put it mildly) highway robbery. Since I’m not under contract to the offending satellite company anymore, my new system is being installed next week. This is much cheaper than repairing the existing one. There is more than one way to afford modern technology. I have to admit, if it had gone on much longer, I may have learned to like not having it. I’ve gotten much more knitting done the last couple of weeks without Internet at home and besides, Starbucks will miss us. This is exactly what happened with our satellite TV, we turned it off for lack of use and never missed it. Two years later, it’s still off.

I digress again.

So, what have I done since returning home? I’ve helped my boss at Heritage proof a pattern she is about to publish – aren’t they cute? (see top picture, click to big-ma-fy) These are Joan’s button cuff gloves. I think they are so nice I’m proofing the pattern again. She should have it ready for sale soon. You can e-mail her for more info if you are interested.

And those Tofutsie socks I was knitting that I had dyed the yarn for? I had them all done except the toes. Well…  they were a bit too tight. So here they are now, a totally new pattern and toe up (my favorite sock technique) this time. They also fit, I tired them on!
I died some yarns that I cannot show you as they are a project for later release and did some silk noil at the same time. I can’t resist throwing silk noil in the batch every time I dye something.

My Hanne Falkenberg sweater is progressing well too, its much farther along than the last photo but I haven’t stop knitting on it long enough to shoot it again, more photos on that later.

It’s time to finish my second extra-dry cappuccino and head home.

Deb H

My father was a bit of a philosopher. It’s probably a common side effect of being a Sea Captain; all that ocean to look at for months on end. At any rate, I can tend to wax philosophic on occasions myself. Some call it waffling on… I often ponder the meaning of life – but mostly the meaning of art. Striving to be an artist (or at least artistic) is a journey through many dimensions. One must consider the tools (toys?) of your craft, one usually spends a lot of time learning about techniques and art in general. One must consider and study the world; the world that is and the world as we would like it to be — this requires actually leaving the studio, the world is an interactive entity — and one must learn to speak with their muse(s), inner self(selves?) and daemon(s). An artist’s head studio can get pretty crowded even if there is only one person there! Striving to be an artist is a journey in every sense of the word.

So, while the body toils in the mundane, the mind is off on it’s own artistic journey. An Art Journal (top photo, click to big-ma-fy) is a good way to document your journey. I wish I could say mine is neat, orderly , and a work of art in itself. It did start out that way but the odd bits are definitely sticking out at odd angles and in no particular order now. It is still doing the job for which it was intended however. It is collecting my thoughts on art in general and on specific projects. It is the storehouse for all of my expelled creativity; the flotsam and jetsam of my brain.

Bit scary at times.

I have finished the socks I showed you in April when I thought to help knit Spring into Existence. I have several pictures of them here, mostly because they were a rudy bit of work! The pattern is “Bartholomew’s Tantalizing Socks” from Cat Bordhi’s book “New Pathways for Sock Knitters; Book One“. I adore Cat’s designs and how her mind works.

Her patterns are a bit of challenge to follow as you have to do some book flipping to find the instructions for various sections of the sock. But, I did them and they turned out pretty well, even if the yarn is such a bright and busy variegation that you can hardly see the linen stitch I carefully put on the instep or the fabulous way the shaping is different from a standard sock. I’m not blaming the Tofutsie yarn, I love it; so soft and wearable and perfect for summer socks. It’s just my choice of this particular colorway for this pattern. Obscure linen stitch aside, these are making me happy. I will do more patterns from this book. The designs are so cool, they are worth the effort!

Pointy toes too!

I also knit on my Hanne Falkenberg “Mermaid” jacket. I am getting my money’s worth out of the Silky Wool yarn as I have ripped it back to ground zero 812 times (just a guess) to”improve” the stripe pattern, the final result is very close to the original pattern with only a slight alteration.

Some of us are just tinkerers.

For those with questionable color representation, the colors are navy, purple, and bright brass. I’m loving the contrast. It is knit side-to-side and this photo (click to biggie it) is the left front with an i-cord for the front edge. The top edge is stepped; the highest bit is the shawl collar which drops down to the front and the shoulder line. The first of several gussets is at the bottom edge. Now that I’m done ripping it out every 6 inches, progress is steady. I just hope my gauge is still on.

Oh, my…

Oh, and I taught a dyeing class at Heritage Spinning and Weaving. My students had a blast as they discovered just how addictive color can be. . I managed to throw several skeins of yarn and some silk noil yardage in some dye while my students painted yarns and rovings of their choice. I just laid down the first layer of color for the silk, some wool superwash for a vest, and 4 skeins of sock yarn.

With at least one more layer (maybe two) planned, only one sock yarn is done so far; I call this “Planet Earth” as the colors remind of the Earth as viewed from space.

Deb H