We may be in the middle of Project Spectrum, but you may very well know that LollyKnitting Around is also the home of another large-scale craft project called Socktoberfest, a celebration of sock and foot-coverings every October…

Well, as it happens, Socktoberfest got some press! Gaby, assistant editor of Quick and Crafty, a UK-based craft magazine, contacted me a few months ago for some information on the social aspects of knitting / blogging, and on Socktoberfest for their April 2007 issue. Her magazine is not available in the US, so she was kind enough to send me a copy! I received it this week.

The article focuses on London-based groups, but Socktoberfest got a special mention in the end, and there are also some fun pictures from Socktoberfest participants (like Leah’s Pomatomus socks - which were, designed by another Socktoberfest participant and interviewee, Cookie A!)

Check it! Click on the pictures below to view a larger (readable) copy of the article.

(View PAGE 1 bigger)

(View PAGE 2 bigger)

This reminds me of all of the socks that I want to knit for Project Spectrum!

If you need some sock-y inspiration, the Socktoberfest Flickr Pool is still going strong!  Beautiful new additions every day!

~~~

Thanks to everyone who participates in these projects with me! It is so exciting to see how far-reaching a little project can be

The first chapter of Project Spectrum 2.0 is drawing to a close. Only three more days until the color change! There have been a number of beautiful creations over the last two months by the 1000+ participants.

You all give me so much inspiration!

Click on the mosaic for information about each individual photograph.

• Do you like the current Project Spectrum format: two months with a variety of colors?

• Did you prefer the model of one color family/one month like last year’s?

I would love to hear your thoughts! and feel free to share some of your work on the Project Spectrum Flickr Pool!

I spent an inordinate time on knitting in this past two-month span. I was planning an embroidery project, but never felt motivated enough to start.

I am hoping that I can branch out into some other crafts/arts with the next colors. My “pet” projects are definitely knitting and photography. Next month’s colors should also be quite conducive to Project Spectrum cooking and baking! I am quite excited for the green, pink, and yellow! 

More Bookshelf Photos

On the bus towards Georgetown with Jenna and Suzanne

Beginning a collection – project plans!

New brown cotton dress

Bella begging to go outside

Wren cardigan cast on with Berroco Zodiac

Ahh… now there we go.

Glee Tee
Pattern: Zephyr Style pattern
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Periwinkle
Needles: Size US 3 and 5 circular needles

Still a little rippling, but I feel that this is minimal compared to what it was! I followed the pattern, and only made one change: not adding the hook-and-eye closures to the neckband. This modification makes the Glee look a lot like one of the other Zephyr patterns, Ms. Marigold, doesn’t it? I loved the way the hook-and-eye closures looked on the model, but for me it was just not practical. If I want a version with them there in the future, I will make a bigger size. The hooks pulled the neckband out of shape. I heard about the hook-and-eye tape, but did not find any at my local craft store, and I did not pursue any other routes.

Overall, I am happy with the final product. Thank you for your kind comments on the last post before I did the neckband “surgery”. The color of the yarn – and the yarn itself – were definitely the highlights of this project. I bought this yarn over a year ago at a Stitch DC sale – got a great deal and fell in love with the color.  I initially had my mind on another project for it, but I soon realized how perfect it would be for this one.  I used 4.75 of the 5 hanks I bought for the Medium (36″) size.

I am already planning more garments in this wonderful yarn. Heather told me how much she enjoyed working with it, and Eunny and I recently discussed how amazing it is… so lightweight, with a beautiful drape, and an amazing color palette. Wouldn’t this pattern be great as a cardigan too? I was thinking about a 3/4 length sleeve with the band extended to the bottom. Maybe then some hook-and-eye closures?

This was my first top-down pattern, and I really enjoyed it. It seemed to knit up faster for me from the top-down, and I was able to try it on in the process. I made a small cap sleeve instead of a longer short sleeve. This was a big step for me, as I am notoriously self-conscious about my arms. Hopefully I will actually wear it out of the house!

Knitting in the round is so satisfying. Sometimes, the whole seaming process really stresses me out. This garment was so easy because when I finished knitting it, there was little else to do!

Wishing you all a good weekend~ I am off to DC to help Jenna with some packing and moving…

You gotta know when to hold ‘em…

You gotta know when to fold ‘em…

You gotta know when to rip the neckband and do it over again…

The hook-and-eye closures stretched out the neckline and made it look like romaine lettuce. 

…So, a completely finished Glee to come very soon…

Just need to do some tweaking.

(and I will share details in that post!)