Many thanks to Potter Craft for sending this copy of the newly released The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Clara Parkes! The release of the book coincided perfectly with Socktoberfest this year. If you are familiar with Clara’s writing, you know that this book is well-researched and is chocked full of useful information for all knitters. Clara goes in-depth into what makes sock yarn – reminiscent of her work in her other books. Quality information that you can use on your next trip to the yarn shop.
From Potter Craft’s site:
To help put the principles into practice, The Knitter’s Book of Socks offers 20 fresh, original patterns from today’s sock-design luminaries, including Cookie A, Cat Bordhi, Ann Budd, Nancy Bush, Anne Hanson, and Melissa Morgan-Oakes. The socks presented here run the gamut from simple knit-and-purl combinations suitable for beginners to innovative designs with lush colorwork, swirling cables, and delicate lace.
Understanding the elements of yarn is the first step on every successful sock knitting journey. With this book as your guide, you’ll learn how to make any sock yarn shine and love every pair of socks you knit.
Hickory Socks
I wish I could show you all of the patterns because they are all fun – ideal for all knitting styles and skill levels. You can see a small slideshow on the publisher’s website, but it doesn’t do the book justice! It will keep you busy knitting for years to come.
Want to try knitting some of these patterns? I’m doing a book giveaway for the finale of this year’s Socktoberfest! All I need from you is a comment telling me how long you have been knitting socks. Are you a brand new knitter wanting to try? Are you a seasoned pro who has seen it all? Bring it on, and this lovely book could be yours!
I will choose the winner randomly on Wednesday, November 2nd and contact the winner and announce it here. Stay tuned!
The allure of Jess Hutchinson’s knit toy designs (Rav link) is that they are simple, yet so cute. Take Squarey for instance:
Two 12 x 12 squares, sewn together with arms and legs, eyes and mouth around a pillow form: An anthropomorphic pillow doll! Squarey is a gift for my niece V, who just celebrated her 2nd birthday. V also just got a baby sister – Baby Lulu was born on Friday! That means I am auntie 4x over, and I just love it! Hopefully V will be willing to share Squarey doll with her sister when they cuddle up to read or watch a movie.
I used some sample yarns that I received from the good people at Red Heart -Debbie Stoller’s Stitch Nation Washable Ewe worsted weight wool, and a few worsted weight scraps of my own to make Squarey’s stripes. Arms and legs are filled with bamboo polyfill. Squarey is soft and comfy and after making him, I kind of want one of my own now. Would make a nice computer chair pillow!
The most exciting thing about my parents’ move to eastern Pennsylvania is that when I visit them, there are so many new places to explore. Mom told me several times “You are going to love it here!” and when I drove up for a two-day stay last month, she was right! The historic homes, the old trees, and the rolling hills won me over immediately. A trip to the stunning Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square sealed the deal. (And I liked it so much that I even did a write-up about my trip for National Geographic Traveler’s blog Intelligent Travel - see it here!)
The mums were part of their Autumn Colors display and a foretaste of the chrysanthemum spectacular that is still going on now. Mom and I had a lovely time at the Gardens, and I look forward to seeing this place again – the beauty of the garden is truly in its ever-changing nature from season to season.
Further evidence of fun in PA – a great yarn shop! Mom and I stopped by Slip Knot in Newtown Square. Aside from the helpful and friendly staff, this store offered some beautiful yarns. Two skeins of Madelinetosh Light later… This yarn didn’t linger in the stash for long, because I already started on a project with it! (More details on that to come later)
Only one more week in this year’s Socktoberfest! Do you have some last minute knits that you are working on?
Unlike the last two years, I actually was able to finish something – TWO things even! – within the confines of the month of October. I can barely believe it myself.
My Almondine socks – a pretty pattern in an on-so-hard-to-photograph yarn!
Pattern is from Anne Hanson, and it is in the great new book Sock Knitters Master Class by Interweave Press. My yarn was Malabrigo Sock in the Turner colorway. It is more yellow and blue than the photo lets on.
…and my current obsession with traditional colorwork continues:
These are Ilga’s Socks from Favorite Socks, designed by Nancy Bush. I used several yarns including Schoeller + Stahl, Lana Grossa Meilenweit, and Tess Designer. The original pattern did not have the extra colorwork on the toes, but I got the idea from a fellow knitter who posted on Ravelry. I love the result!
You can see all the details aboutthese (and my other knits!) on my Ravelry Notebook!
Seven years of Socktoberfest! I can hardly believe that this experiment of a nascent sock knitter has lasted this long and grown into such a fun annual event. Are you planning to cast on for some socks for Socktoberfest 2011?
(thanks to Ravelry user Natasha for the cute 2011 graphic!)
I’ve been enjoying a little vacation in the national parks and mountains of California – Yosemite and Lake Tahoe (and you better believe I have about a million photos to prove it!) – but I knew that Socktoberfest was just around the corner. The group on Ravelry is all ready to go with over 1600 participants, and this seems like the ideal place to share ideas and feedback – go check out the group!
As I (so often) do when traveling, I stopped by a local yarn shop in South Lake Tahoe, The Wool Tree, and found a particularly fetching blue sock yarn – something so warm and saturated that I will always remember where I got it! This particular photo, taken on the shore of Lake Tahoe, doesn’t show the deep colors of the lake, but this yarn is a good indicator of what it looks like at certain times of the day! Amazing.
The yarn colorway is just a number, so I am (un)officially renaming this colorway “Keep Tahoe Blue” after the ubiquitous bumper stickers and the non-profit organization that draws attention to the environment, the beauty, and the fun, of this beautiful area.
Much more to come…
Where I Roam