I’ve finished another pair of socks. These are knit from a pattern in Interweave Press’s book, Favorite Socks called Embossed Leaves. In this lovely rust colour, I am calling them Fall Leaves. The pattern is a bit lacy, and looks like leaves running in columns up the foot and leg. It was quick to knit and easy to memorize. I didn’t like the cast-on that the pattern called for, though. I find it fairly tight around the calf. If I was to knit this again, I’d use a regular long-tail cast-on over two needles.

I also ignored the instruction to break the yarn after knitting the heel flap, and begin the instep from a new place – I just kept on knitting as usual, picking up the instep stitches as I went.

The toe shaping is different than usual, and makes a nice rounded toe that compliments the leaves in the pattern.

The yarn is a one-of-a-kind (well, technically two-of-a-kind, both of which I bought) colourway of FlockSock sock yarn from Holiday Yarns that I picked up last fall in Rhinebeck. This is the second pair of socks I’ve knit from this yarn, the first being Baroque in Blue. I like working with it a lot – it has a nice, tight twist and shows stitches well. It softens nicely with washing, holds its colour, and wears well. The skeins are generous in size, too.

Here is another view of both socks.

The details:

Pattern: Embossed Leaves, by Monica Schmidt, from Favorite Socks, Interweave Press. (Ravelry link)

Modifications: I did not break the yarn at the heel – I just kept knitting, picking up the stitches along the left side of heel flap first. If you do this, it’s important to note which needles are 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Needles 3 and 4 hold the patterned stitches) when you start knitting the instep and foot.

Yarn: Holiday Yarns FlockSock sock yarn, 75% wool, 25% nylon, in a one-of-a-kind colourway, purchased at the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.

Needles: 2.75 mm

I decided this winter that I would make a valiant attempt to knit up a whole host of Fair Isle mittens as a fun project and to improve my colorworking abilities.

And boy oh boy, have I become obsessed.

After creating the first pair on the winter (the Quo Vadis by SpillyJane in the purple colorway gifted to my friend with the purple coat to boot!), I decided I love the way they turned out so much–and how brilliantly the pattern was written–that I’d immediately make another pair: enter the Quo Vadis version dos, pictured at top, right. This time, I created a repeating mirrored colorway in reds, oranges, whites and gray and I love it.

And after thumbing through the Fall 2009 Special Edition: Knit Scene of Interweave Knits, I found yet another perfect colorwork mitten pattern for the Winter Isle project. The Neutron Mittens are amazing, the pattern so easy to follow, the repeats easy to memorize, and the results even grander than all that previously mentioned hoo.

The Neutron mittens–pictured at top, left–are an absolute must have this winter in my book! I’ve already begun a new pair in a navy blue and heathered peach colorway using new Cascade 220 Heathers yarn I recently purchased, and….gush!

Let me know if you want a pair of my Fair Isles this winter. It’s shaping up to finish with a whole host.

You can check out all the Fair Isle Mitts at their Flickr set; there are some tasty close-ups of the Neutron Mittens.

I found this pattern on Knitting Daily while poking around the free pattern section. I find it fantastic, taken in the spirit in which it was created but when you read the comments the feelings are mixed. Love or hate, you can’t deny the fall ‘09 / Spring ‘10 trend of oversized pom pom (or pom pon) accessories. Fashion designers are strapping them to stilettos, mainstream stores are sticking them on scarves and indycrafters are adhering them to headbands.

More fun pom pom accessories! Click the photos to see them in all their glory.

These socks were my travelling project for most of last summer and into the fall. They were with me on buses, in waiting rooms, on airplanes, trains, and in hotels. This pattern was very easy to memorize – just 4 rows repeated over and over – perfect for on-the-go knitting.

The pattern is Retro Rib Socks, by Evelyn A. Clark. It’s in the Interweave book Favorite Socks. I chose it for this yarn because I wanted something with some ribbing. I wasn’t sure how much stretch or memory the yarn would have, so I hoped that the ribbing would keep the socks from ending up saggy in the leg. This is a cuff-down pattern with a standard heel.

The yarn is TOFUtsies, from South West Trading Company. It’s an interesting blend of fibres including wool, soy silk, cotton and chitin (which is made from shrimp and crab shells). It is a soft fibre, and pretty easy to work with. I do have some mixed feelings about the odd colour pooling, especially with how different it is between the two socks. It isn’t really self-striping, although it almost stripes in the sock on the left (which was the second sock of the pair). I think my tension was a little looser on the second sock. One problem I had was that I couldn’t pull a yarn end from the centre of the ball, and had to work from the outside end. When I tried to pull out a strand from the centre, almost half the yarn threatened to come with it, so I gave up trying.

They do fit very well, and the ribbing works just as I hoped it would.

Here is a close-up view of the sock leg, which shows the rib pattern fairly well. I really like this pattern, and I think I’ll make it again in a more solid yarn (or something that is truly self-striping), which would let the rib pattern stand out more.

I haven’t worn them yet – by the time they were finished it was getting into cold fall weather, and I really lean towards wool when it gets cold. I think they’ll be great once spring and summer arrive.

The details:

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks, by Evelyn A. Clark. From the Interweave book Favorite Socks (and Interweave Knits Magazine, Winter 2004). (Ravelry link) in the small (women’s) size.

Yarn: TOFUtsies, from South West Trading Company in colour 736

Needles: 2.75 mm double pointed

Started: June 5/09  Finished: Oct. 28/09

2009’s Bead Star is Sue Sater for this festive piece:

Can you just picture this on a high matte turtle neck? Ultra chic.
I looked everywhere for an email for Sue, even tried calling the store she worked at…she has since moved from FL to NJ. Ahhh…much like those big lotto winners, Sue is keeping quite a low profile.
Much congratulations to you Sue. It is exhilarating  and a bit ‘wha, me?’. Enjoy. It does not wear off!

I am passing the scepter. It is your turn to be royalty for a year.

Valerie (2008’s Bead Star …omg, I just about went for the abbreviation of BS. ha on me!)

[日本語でご覧の方はスクロールダウンしてください]

last year I made fingerless gloves for my family as Christmas presents. this year’s theme is socks!

first, this one is for my father-in-law. the pattern is from Sensational Knitted Socks, four-stitch reticulated sock pattern. The pattern has 12 variations, among which I chose pattern 11. to knit men’s size 10.5 in colorwork was a lot of work! but I enjoyed knitting these a lot. seeing the patterns coming out more and more gave me a lot of motivation to knit more. I liked the ‘lice pattern’ on the foot also, although I messed it up a bit in the middle (as you may be able to see form the photo>_<;).

in the original pattern, the toe was knit up with the main color yarn (which would be the gray one in my sock), but I ran out of the main color toward the toe, so I used the contrasting color for the toes. this was unplanned, but I like it!

the next two are from Interweave Knits, Fall 08. I bought this issue because I liked these two socks, so I’m happy that I completed these. Knotty and Knice is for my mother-in-law.

and of course I knit a pair for myself too:) these are bacchus socks.

at first I was going to knit these in the brown yarn that I used for the knotty and knice socks. however, I don’t think my mother-in-law will wear pink socks, so I decided to switch the yarns chosen for these patterns. I like the pink version of bacchus socks too. somehow it reminds me of cherry blossoms.

the only thing about the bacchus socks is that it was difficult to adjust sizes. I thought I added enough rows (I added 6 rows) to fit to my size 7.5 feet, but they ended up being just a little bit too small. they are still wearable but I wish I added a few more rows where the pattern said to add rows for bigger sizes.

coming up next will be a pair for my husband. this time I’m planning to design one for him. I’m not sure if I can make it for Christmas or I’ll save it for Valentine’s day, but hopefully I can come up with a good one.

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昨年のクリスマスには、フィンガーレスの手袋を家族に編んだんだけど、今年は靴下をテーマに、義理の両親にクリスマスプレゼントを編んでいます。最初の写真は、Sensational Knitted Socksという本からのfour-stitch reticulated socksというパターンです。このパターンには１２種類のバリエーションがあるんだけど、その中の千鳥格子模様、パターン１１を使いました。義父へのプレゼントです。義父はアメリカのサイズ10.5 (28cm?)という足の大きい人なので、模様あみをしながらのこの大きさは大変でした；）でも楽しかったですよ。模様あみが編み上がっていくのを見るのが嬉しくて、どんどん進みました。足の裏側の部分は”lice pattern”（シラミ模様）というそうで、名前は変だけど^^;、これも気に入りました。模様あみに合わせるには、うるさ過ぎず、シンプル過ぎずの中間で、いい感じではないかと思います。（でも、写真でお分かりのように、一部失敗してるけど>_<;履いちゃえば分からないと思うので、見逃してもらいます….）

つま先の部分だけど、ほんとはメインカラー（グレーの方）を使うことになっていたんだけど、つま先近くで灰色を使い切ってしまったので、茶色の方で仕上げました。予定外の色使いだけど、気に入りました。

２つ目と３つ目のはInterweave Knitsという雑誌の去年の秋号からです。この靴下たちが編みたくて買ったので、完成して良かった！

２つ目のは”Knotty and Knice”というので、これは義母へ。３つ目のは、自分用に（自分で自分にクリスマスプレゼント^^;）、Bucchus socks。初めは、Bucchusの方を茶色で編もうと思ったんだけど、ふと、お義母さんはピンクの靴下は履かないだろう….と思い、急遽変更しました。でも、ピンクのBucchusも気に入ってます♪なんとなく桜を思い出してしまうのは、私だけかしら。

残念なのは、Bucchusが小さめに仕上がってしまったこと。履けることは履けるんだけど、かなりのばして履かないと、かかとの折り返しのところが、かかとに合わないのです（泣）一応、大きめのサイズにはここで数段足してください、と書いてあるところで、６段足したんだけど、24.5cmの私の足には足りなかったみたい。残念です。

次のプランは、Mr. Jへの靴下。これは思い切って、自分でデザインしてみようとがんばっています。クリスマスには間に合わないだろうなぁ。せめて、バレンタインまでにできれば！

Yes, this is the Gooseberry Cardigan that I started weeks ago. The pattern is very easy and the only reason why I didn’t finish it sooner was because the endless stockinette and 2×2 ribbing was boring me to tears. Friday I decided that I was tired of looking at it and since I only had a sleeve and a half left to finish- I finished it!

The color in these photos don’t do it justice, but I am too excited to wait for decent lighting and for me to have time to actually take the photos. I am also very happy with the buttons- which are a pretty blue and have brown bird graphics on them.

I will do a better post later- most likely including the shrug I have yet to take pictures of as well.

Hope everyone has a great week!!

I was not prepared to so thoroughly enjoy Cynthia Thornton’s writing. Her illustrations and prose are entertaining and fodder for the imagination. The materials include metal clay, wire, resin, polymer clay and mixed media.  The ‘enchantments’ are not overly sugary, refreshing in fact.

Chain.

What can be done with chain that has not already been done? Ask Jane Dickerson. Simple, clean designs.

Some ideas for those chain bits sitting in my jewelry drawer I cannot just toss.

I have the English translation and it is very well done. The translation is sent as a pdf to accompany the book in German.

Well done Bettina!!

Valerie

Lo primero muchas gracias por vuestros comentarios, me encanta leerlos

Título: The best of Interweave Knits. Our favourite designs from the first ten years.

ISBN: 978-1596680333

Páginas: 160

Idioma: Inglés

Precio: 16,47 $ (11,05 €) en Amazon. Disponible aqui

Este libro es una recopilacion de patrones publicados en algún momento en Interweave Knits, una revista que nunca he tenido oportunidad de ver, pero por lo que he oído no es muy diferente a lo que aqui podemos encontrar publicado por katia o marcas similares. Sin embargo, hay que reconocer que en este tipo de revistas siempre hay algo aprovechable o directamente genial. ¿Cuantas veces habremos comprado una de esas revistas (nada baratas, todo hay que decirlo) poque tenían un patrón que nos entusiasmaba? Pues imaginaos que escogéis todos eso patrones geniales y los juntáis en una única publicación… una compra más que justificada

Este libro tiene 25 patrones y muchos de ellos baten récords de proyectos en Ravelry. En la página que allí dedican a este libro podéis ojear todos ellos con sus detalles más intimos Entre mis preferidos están el Icarus, que aparece en la portada, el jersey Simply Marilyn de Debbie Bliss que véis a la izquierda, o el Stripes go Round de Lana Hames (jersey rojo en redondo de la derecha), o el Water Garden Fair Isle de Ron Schweitzer (jersey de hombre) o el Union Square Market Pullover (jersey rojo afieltrado de mujer a a derecha)… Y podría seguir XD

También, entre los patrones aparece la sección Beyond the Basics (más allá de lo básico) en la que se explican técnicas que se aplican en estos patrones, como son los montados de puntos y los cierres, el bloqueo, los aumentos y disminuciones, trabajar con dos hilos, leer gráficos, calados, vueltas acortadas, costuras y uniones invisibles (grafting), además del típico glosario.

No me parece un buen libro para un principiante que no se quiere salir de lo básico, pero sí para cualquiera que tenga ganas de aprender técnicas nuevas, o para los más experimentados que disfrutan con una buena sesión de Yarn Overs o con la “experiencia fair isle”. Ya sabéis a que me refiero …y si no lo sabéis y estáis leyendo esto, lo más probable es que lo sepáis pronto jejejeje Como se suele decir “A por ellos, que son pocos y cobardes!!!!”

I am notorious for having way too many projects laying around- however I am in an odd spot where I only have one project on my needles! *Gasp* the horror! Of course I happen to have four pages worth of queue on Ravelry- so I thought I would share with you what is and will be on my needles coming up . . .

Right now I am knitting the Gooseberry Cardigan from the Interweave 2009 Weekend Knits catalog. I am using the yarn that was going to be my Lady February Sweater but after getting 70% done with the sweater I realized that it just wasn’t me.

I am knitting it in Paton’s Classic, Jade Heather and I am to the bottom ribbing so far. It is an easy pattern but I will be looking forward to my order from knit picks to come in (that site is so dangerous to my budget) so that I can get in a pair of fingerless mitts for hubby among all the boring ribbing and standard stitch. I am planning on knitting Beer Gloves from Son of a Stitch and Bitch in a dark green.

I also ordered yarn to knit two patterns from Fitted Knits, the short sleeved cardigan (which will be long sleeved for me) and knit in a pretty gray color

and the two toned shrug which will be one color- a purple heather and probably also wind up being long sleeved.

Of course, I am also obsessed with the Autumn Vines Cardigan (also in the Interweave Weekend Knits 2009) but can’t decided whether to make it out of some dark burgundy yarn that I have in my stash or buy some light neutral color so that the cables stand out.

Ah, the decisions that knitters have to make.

Of course, I have two sweaters done that I have yet to even photograph. Hmm . . . yet another thing to add to my to-do list.

In my little corner of the world I do business with a couple of ‘big companies’. All seem to have adopted contests as a way to highlight their products and give back to the community. I am fortunate to belong to Artbeads.com bloggers group. The talent I’ve seen is wonderful.
Rio Grand sponsors a yearly competition. The categories  fall outside my areas.
Interweave has many in different fields throughout the year, big and small. Always something for everyone!
Fire Mountain Gems sent out notice today of the winners of their latest competition.

Olga Dillow created this bibstyle neck piece. And took the GOLD!!
73 ( more or less, I lost count) people walked off with prizes. With another 170+ as finalists! This is impressive…better than the Emmys. And this is just one of many contests FMG hosts throughout the year.

The deadline for the Swarovski Crystallized Elements just passed. I sent in a piece….

The tiny 2 & 3mm Swarovski rounds fascinate me. I have some in beautiful jonquil I received from Artbeads.com waiting patiently on my work table. The design is ready to execute. (I design in my head…go back and forth…noodle it out…and when it is ready just start!)

First I need to finish some dish cloths. Can’t find the stash I had. Must have lost them in my move. This is as close to critical as my creativity gets! I have no dish cloths!!

Valerie

I am the first to admit that I am technologically challenged.  If you need a computer geek, please feel free to call my brother who has received all of the family gifts in this department.  Don’t ask him to help you choose a paint color or help you get a great sofa or find just the right recycled glass tile…then you can call me.

So in addition to having a blackberry with a mind of its own this week and several trips to Verizon, I have managed to lose a section of my Tree of Life photo blog.  I only found this out because in a wonder of technology that I don’t comprehend, a reader sent me a note about my blog on Facebook.  My first thought was “I don’t get it.  How did he read my blog?”  My second was “How cool that he read my blog!”

He is Robert Corin Morris (Bob), long time family friend and spiritual mentor.  Bob is an author, Episcopal priest and Director of Interweave.  He pointed out that the logo of Interweave, which I did in fact remember Bob, is the Tree of Life.  I tried to copy it here but can’t figure out the technology (a theme)…  But you can go to this link and see the amazing image.  As mine is a design blog, I will take poetic license in sharing this wonderful graphic design logo.  Not to mention have the opportunity to plug a great  organization with vastly talented people!  www.interweave.org

Tree Of Life Tapestry

Above is the missing photo.  This tapestry is my daily inspiration as I walk in my front door, reminding me to stay grounded in family, friends and faith while reaching for my dreams.

I purchased it through a Fair Trade Cooperative in Bethany Beach, DE while we were on vacation this summer.  I love to choose fascinating objects through Fair Trade to accessorize my home and my clients’ homes.  Not only do you have the pleasure of owning a beautiful handicraft, but also have the opportunity to support people in countries that may not have the opportunities that we do.

Necklace by Satya for Housing Works

I just have to show this great necklace one more time, so that I can tell you why I love it so much.  This necklace was designed by Satya in conjunction with Housing Works.  The proceeds of this necklace go directly to “benefit homeless and low income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.”  If you are in New York City, stop by one of the four wonderful Satya boutiques and take a look at their great jewelry designs.

Several years ago I journeyed into the realm of seed beads. Thought they would nicely complement my polymer clay work.
Many days they (those little bits of glass with minuscule holes) overshadow the blocks of clay.
(Don’t even get me started with my current fascination with knitting lace…argh.)
Rachel Nelson Smith has some wonderful designs I have long admired. She has graciously authored a book to share those designs with all of us!

“Seed Bead Fusion
18 Projects to Stitch, Wire, & String
By Rachel Nelson-Smith

This fresh design approach to seed bead jewelry teaches readers how to fuse, merge, and mix materials, techniques, colors, inspiration, and design ideas for seed bead jewelry with a contemporary edge. “
This is the beginning of the press release, Contemporary AND timeless! I find these designs absolutely stunning. The best part? I can play and experiment to me heart’s content now that I have the secrets…Thank You Rachel.

And on the same note…I went this week to IKEA and bought  two of these lovelies to slip under my studio desk. Yes, on wheels and accommodates maybe 20% of my beads. (she who dies with the most beads WINS!)

Guess what? I’m here and finally posting. If I still have any readers left, please excuse my absence. We’ve been going through more difficult times here, as my husband has a recurrence of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He is supposed to have a stem cell transplant. However, they haven’t been able to collect enough stem cells, so they’re on to plan B. Plan B is that he will be given a type of chemo which forces stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood. We are hoping and praying that this will work. It has been such a roller coaster!

In any case, I did not have the energy or inclination to knit, if you can imagine. I didn’t have the energy or inclination to blog either. However, I’m back to it now! After my husband was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s the first time, it was knitting a special baby gift that brought me back to knitting. The same thing has happened this time too. I have four friends who have all had baby boys! There is nothing like concentrating on the joy of newborn babies to revive your spirits!

Something else brought me back to knitting too,….a visit from my mother-in-law. She was knitting, and I missed it. It was as simple as that. I took her to my knitting groups and we had a lot of fun. I also took her to the Briggs and Little Woolen Mill, which is located a short drive away.

My mother-in-law walked into the yarn shop before I did, and all of a sudden I heard squeals and exclamations coming from inside! The wool fumes got her! It was hilarious! She had been looking for substitute yarn to make the A Walk In The Parka cardigan, from the latest Creative Knitting magazine. The pattern calls for Cottage Craft Woolens yarn, which happens to be made by….Briggs and Little! What a surprise! She bought the yarn that the pattern called for. The people at Briggs and Little weren’t aware of this particular pattern, made with their yarn. The lady, who was helping us, took the pattern to show the rest of the staff, and I heard more squeals coming from the back room! There are also patterns in the Twist Collective, by the way, made from Briggs and Little yarn, which are creating some excitement. They are Roo, by Kate Gilbert, and Sylvi, by Mari Muinonen.

Anywho, my husband and children decided to discretely back away from the mayhem. They took a walk by the lake, and enjoyed the scenery outside.

My mother-in-law bought three sweaters worth of yarn, plus more for good measure! I bought some of Briggs and Little’s new Softspun yarn, in Dusty Rose.

As chance would have it, my knitting friends have been encouraging me to enter some of my knitting in our local exhibition/fair. There is apparently a lady who contributes an entry for every category, every year. She walks in with a huge Tupperware container full of knitting. In any case, most of the entries are very traditional, and my friends would like to see more contributions that show new techniques. So I picked up my knitting again. I had so many unfinished items, and this was the push I needed to complete them. Briggs and Little happens to sponsor a Briggs and Little category, and I had a work-in-progress made from Briggs and Little yarn! I can’t tell you how long I’ve been working on this project. It seems like forever, and now it’s finally finished!

Meet Fanny:

• Pattern: Carousel Horse, designed by Ellen Sibelius (This was a free web pattern through Interweave…not currently available.)
• Materials: Briggs and Little, Tuffy
• Needles: 5mm
• Modifications: I did not felt this item. So, I did not knit double stranded and I used smaller needles than were called for in the pattern.

My daughter can not quite believe that Fanny is finished either, but she is delighted! I haven’t been so rewarded by a project since Curly The Cow. However, the fiddly bits on Fanny almost put her in permanent hibernation. Let’s not dwell on that. She’s finished! Wahoo! Not only that, but she won first prize in the Briggs and Little competition! My daughter was so excited that Fanny had a ribbon on her! She was also proud of her mommy. It was great!

I’m rather proud too; I have to admit. It was a challenge just to get Fanny finished, and I got hugs from my daughter, plus a ribbon and a Briggs and Little gift certificate to show for it!