All Socks

The holidays are next week, and the pace is starting to pick up around here.  It's nice to have extra people coming and going, but everyone wants to eat and I haven't done nearly enough grocery shopping.  That's at the top of my list for tomorrow.

In the meantime, here's a quick shout-out for Yarn Knot Socks, our sock club.

Signups are open now.  The club consists of three shipments - January, February and March.  Each installment includes a full skein of sock yarn plus a coordinating mini skein.  The club makes a nice gift - for you or someone on your shopping list.  You'll find all the details on our website.

January Giveaway

The giveaway last month was so much fun that I decided to do it again this month.

This time it's a kit for the January sock club.  Each kit contains a full skein of sock yarn plus a coordinated mini.  Note that the colors are a surprise.  The kit pictured here is from a previous installment.  

To enter, hop over to Instagram and leave a comment in the giveaway post.  Mention your favorite sock pattern or one currently on your needles.  If Instagram doesn't work for you, leave a comment here on the blog and I'll add it to the mix.

If you've always wanted to try knitting socks but haven't taken the plunge, I encourage you to enter.  Learning how to knit socks is a great pandemic goal.

The winner will be chosen at random.  Comments will be open through Sunday, February 24.

Hot Water and Socks

My family is in the midst of birthday season.  Our birthdays are clustered together, and the fun starts in December.  This year we won't be celebrating in the usual way, but we're still trying to mark the occasions within pandemic restrictions.  Babies are born, birthdays are celebrated, weddings take place . . . all in the midst of a pandemic.  

My daughter Estrella has the first December birthday, and at the beginning of the week, we had a celebration plan in place.  By this afternoon, we had to revisit those plans.  Making plans and then revising plans is part of life in a pandemic.  We'll repeat the whole process in a week or so with another birthday celebration.

After everything was settled, I made a grocery store run for birthday party essentials.  I came home to discover we don't have hot water.  That doesn't bode well, but I shrugged it off.  It's 2020 after all.  This year has been an exercise in rolling with the punches.

Now for some knitting content.  Signups are open for Yarn Knot Socks, our sock club.

Each installment includes a skein of sock yarn plus a coordinating mini.  The club has three installments, and the first one ships next month.  Sign up for one, two or all three.  Details on the website.

With that, I'm off.  I've avoided the hot water situation long enough, and I'd better investigate.  Cheers to the weekend!

This week's color inspiration . . .

A collection of neutrals.

Temptations

This is the current state of my active knitting projects.

I'm bouncing back and forth between these two, making progress along the way.  The colorwork hat is almost finished - just a handful of rounds left.  Last night I was tempted to work past my normal late night cutoff, but instead I did the adult thing and went to bed.  Only because I had to get an early start this morning.

The next temptation is ready and waiting.

This is the sock club installment that went out last week, and I would love to cast on.  Maybe after that hat is off the needles.  If you have the itch to work on socks, come join us.  There's another shipment going out later this month.  You'll find all the details here.

Heels and Toes

Yesterday was a day of waiting, and I've found the only thing that helps with waiting is knitting.  I decided to keep it simple, so I focused my attention on this sock.

This is Luxor - the February installment of Yarn Knot Socks.  I've included mini skeins with each shipment, and this Pond Scum was the splash of color I needed for lively heels and toes.  I almost didn't mind waiting . . . 

Just a Learning Curve

The other day I took a little break from my current projects to get this up and running.

This is the Yarn Knot Socks installment for last month, and I've been eager to give these Addi FlexiFlips a try.

I had a couple false starts but finally got things sorted out.  This year Yarn Knot Socks includes a mini skein with each installment, and I decided to use mine on the cuffs and toes.

I'm fascinated with this concept.  The flexible cord in the middle allows you to bend the needles.  I'm still not completely comfortable with these.  At one point I thought of switching to my trusty DPNs, but I resisted the urge.  I'm going to persevere . . . I've convinced myself it's just a learning curve.  Only time will tell.

Sit and Knit

Since a couple self-imposed knitting deadlines are looming large, the top of my to-do list says sit and knit.  Usually I love to see this item on my list, but this time of year it can be challenging to sit let alone knit.

When I can sit, I'm bouncing back and forth with steady progress on these two.

Heads up to you sock knitters out there.  The next round of Yarn Knot Socks starts shipping next month.  This time the installments will include coordinated mini skeins.  Think contrasting heels and toes or maybe a flash of color at the cuff.  Follow the link for all the details.

And now I'm going to sit and knit.

It's That Time Again . . .

Sign-ups are now open for Yarn Knot 2016 - 2017.  This yarn subscription service includes both yarn and a suggested pattern.

There are a couple changes this time around.  I've gone back to 4 quarterly installments.  To mix things up, one of the installments will not be a fingering weight yarn.  You can pay for all 4 installments at once or make quarterly payments.  You'll save a little bit if you pay for all 4 up front.

I use this opportunity to sample new yarn bases as well as incorporate some of my current bases.  All colorways are exclusive to the club for 12 months.

Looking for a sock club?  Yarn Knot Socks is also open now with shipments starting in December.

Follow the links for more details.  Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions.

Merrily

Last weekend was unproductive on many levels, but I did manage to finish a pair of socks.  

Merrily.

This pattern was entertaining, easy to memorize and relatively quick.

The cuff design includes a bit of eyelet and was a nice change of pace from the traditional ribbing..

This was one of the Yarn Knot Sock installments from the last round.  I experimented with a different Merino / Nylon blend, and I must say it was nice to work with.

I might have to bring it back for another special project.  With that I'm off to plot and plan . . . and cast on a new pair of socks.

Playing Catch-Up

The other day I did a quick inventory of my knitting and realized I don't have many projects on the needles.  I'm plotting ways to remedy that situation but before I finalize the details, I thought this would be a good time to give some attention to my neglected sock knitting.

Last week I had to retire a favorite pair of socks (there comes a point where they are beyond repair), and now I'm motivated to knit a replacement pair.

This is the sock from the December installment of the club.  It doesn't look like much here.

But here it's transformed.

Lacunae Sock.  The accordion-like stitch pattern is amazing.  This will keep me entertained for a while.

Random on Monday

I'm starting fresh with a new day, a new week.  I fell off the Get To Work Book bandwagon a couple weeks ago, but today I'm jumping back on.  

This is what happens when I don't pay attention to my planning.  The dyeing schedule becomes unwieldy, yarn arrives and I don't know what it's for, I lose perspective on how many new booth samples I can really churn out between now and January.  I need to organize the chaos, and this handy book will keep me on the straight and narrow.

The swatch is for a situation I have with wonky decreases.  I'm digging deep to sort it out . . . one thing leads to another.  I'll report my findings.

Last call for Yarn Knot Socks.  

The December installment of the sock club will be shipping soon, and there's still room for a few more.  I'm excited with the 
base . . . something new and different.  Treat yourself or a knitting buddy.  Click on the link for details.

Meeting Deadlines

This is turning out to be one of those weeks where I'm pulled in different directions.  I'm focusing on short-term production while considering long-term goals.  I'm juggling between show prep, retail orders and wholesale orders.  The mere mention of paperwork and taxes will likely push me over the edge.  

To clear my head I've been shoveling the snowbank at the end of the driveway.  Every day I go out and chip away at it.  Slowly, slowly it's shrinking.  The truth of the matter is, it's really the neighbor's snowbank, but it's blocking easy access to my driveway.  

At first I thought the neighbor would finish the job and clean up the messy pile, but that hasn't happened and I got tired of all the back and forth turning to get into my driveway.  The other day I took matters into my own hands and picked up a shovel.  It's been a good challenge and, with any luck, I'll have it cleaned up before the next snowstorm hits.

While I shovel, I organize my thoughts around deadlines.  I'm on deadline with various projects.  As much as I dread the pressure of a hard and fast time frame, it can be a great motivator.  Last week I met one of those deadlines.

Yarn Knot Socks shipped.  Everyone should have received their packet by now, so I don't think I'm spoiling any surprises.  Of course now I want to start these socks.  Maybe after my next round of shoveling . . . 

Snow Days

A blizzard moved through the area, and I feel like time has been suspended.  Life and schedules have been turned upside down, and I'm struggling to remember what day of the week it is.  It feels like maybe it should be Monday, but I know Monday was consumed with all kinds of mad storm prep so that can't be right.  Today is another day of cancellations, but I keep reminding myself that it's Wednesday.  Maybe by the end of the day I'll have it all sorted out.

I love a good snowstorm, and this one lived up to all the hype. 

This is what greeted me at the side door.  Before the storm was even finished, we had to dig our way out so puppy Benji could take care of business.

The Blizzard of 2015 by day.

And by night.

Snow day selfie.

My daughters hard at work.  They were supposed to be shoveling, but I think they spent more time on their phones than with the shovels.

A good storm always includes quality knitting time.

Fishbone Gansey Sock.  This is the January installment of Yarn Knot Socks.  I got sucked into the gansey rounds and couldn't stop.  Just one more round, just one more round . . . 

I think I'll make the leg a little bit longer . . . after I do some shoveling.

Yarn Knot Socks

Socks are one of my favorite things to knit - small, portable and practical.  I always have at least one pair under construction.  I've been getting more and more requests for all things socks, so I decided to do something about it.  

Introducing Yarn Knot Socks.

This yarn subscription is the socks-only version of Yarn Knot.  It includes 3 installments and will ship the middle of January, February and March.  Each installment will feature a different yarn base, an exclusive colorway and a suggested sock pattern.  Follow the link for more details.

This weekend I'm on the road again, but I don't have to travel far.  I'll be at Fiber Festival of New England at The Big E grounds in West Springfield.  In just a few short years, this event has really taken off. I'm looking forward to another weekend filled with yarn and fiber.  And now I'm off to start packing.