Smokey Autumn Socks

I was going through my photos and I realized that I hadn't posted about these socks yet.

I love them! I think this might be my new favorite sock! I knit them out of my Tencel Sock yarn in color Smokey Rose. The pattern is Gardiner Yarn Works Autumn in Oregon Socks. I have loved this pattern since it was first introduced, but I never could find the right yarn. One day I was inspired to dye up a skein of Tencel Sock yarn in Smokey Rose because I thought the combination would be just perfect. I think it worked out just great. The pattern is fun and interesting!


Here is the back. The front represents falling leaves and the back represents falling raindrops, which is the exact representation of Autumn here in Oregon! I actually took these photos while standing on one leg with the other leg up on the table while trying to hold the camera still. Sock blockers do not do these socks justice, so I had to picture them on a real human leg. Now I just need to cast on the second sock and finish up the pair! I am hoping to be able to wear them at Sock Summit in August!

Snapdragon

I have a new colorway! I'm really excited about my new Snapdragon yarn!


I was inspired by the snapdragons in my garden. Aren't they pretty?


From them I created this yarn. I just love the warm glow of the yellows, reds, and oranges. I'm so happy to add this new semi-solid to the collection. It is now available in Superwash Worsted.

Toe-Up! by Chrissy Gardiner (preorder)

One of the most exciting things I experienced at the Knit & Crochet Show was the chance to see the proof copy of Chrissy Gardiner's new Toe-Up Sock Book.


It was just incredible. The first part of it is filled with stories, tips & tricks by Chrissy. I didn't get a chance to read through them thoroughly, but I can't wait to get a closer look. Chrissy explains in part of this section how even she was a toe-up skeptic in the beginning and how she came to love toe-up socks.

Then the next section is filled with 15 different patterns that range in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Now I am not totally sold on knitting socks toe up either, but the patterns in this book might just inspire me to try it out again. The pattern I am especially thinking of is the manly pair of toe-up socks knit out of worsted weight yarn. My husband just can't have enough handknit socks and this will be the perfect way to ensure they fit and I won't run out of yarn! Chrissy has also promised preview photos of some of the patterns before the actual release which I will make sure to post up here!

The last section of the book is a set of phenomenal worksheets. These worksheets help you to design and knit your very own custom toe-up socks. It walks you through step by step to create the toe-up socks of your dreams.

This book is definitely a must have! Chrissy will be debuting her book at Sock Summit at our booth. If you would like to preorder your very own copy it is now available in the shop. There are two great options for preordering. The first you can preorder and pickup your guaranteed copy in person at Sock Summit and have it signed right there by Chrissy herself! If you are not attending Sock Summit then the second option is a guaranteed copy which will be shipped out to you on August 15th when the book is released to the public. Make sure to place your order today!

Knit & Crochet Show

Knit & Crochet was pretty cool this year. I have managed yet another event without good photos, but I will try to be much better at Black Sheep.


This is our booth during take down. It's always so amazing to me that it takes so much time to setup and it is all there during the show, but in less than an hour we can have it all down and ready to go home. I shared the booth with Gardiner Yarn Works and I will be sharing a booth with them for Black Sheep Gathering and Sock Summit.

I had a simply incredible time at the show. I made some really awesome contacts, which have lead to some possible future projects. I will make sure to share more about them when the time comes. Some people I did see were Stephanie, the author of the first and only comic book for knitters. She is sending me something special, so I will make sure to share it when it gets here. I met Deb Accuardi for the first time in person. There are definitely some plans in the works there. Then Janel Laidman signed her book, The Eclectic Sole, at our booth on Saturday, which totally rocked! She has also agreed to sign books at Black Sheep. Lastly, I got to see a preview copy of Chrissy Gardiner's new toe-up sock book that will debut at Sock Summit. It totally rocks! I will have preorders available soon and will talk more about it then. Definitely a must have book for my library!

If you want to see a picture of Chrissy and me in our booth, Janel has a nice one up on her blog!

Socks & Updates

Life has been a bit busy lately. I'm getting ready for the Knit & Crochet Show, which is keeping me on my toes. I have just about everything ready. Setup is on Thursday and I think it will really rock! I am sharing a booth with Gardiner Yarn Works. So in honor of that I have finished up 2 single socks for samples for the show:

First is the Nautilus Sock. It is knit from the toe up. The pattern comes with detailed instructions on how to do Judy's Magic Cast On and how to do a toe-up heel flap. It was my first time doing both and I managed them without too much difficulty. I think the only trouble I have with these socks is that they are a little bit tight. This is entirely my fault because the pattern recommends going up a needle size for the cables and I chose to ignore it. So, if you are going to make them yourself, don't forget to go up a needle size! The yarn I used is Superwash Sport in color Mountain Sunset.

The second sock I knit up as a sample is the Underwater Basketweaving Socks for my husband. I knit them out of Superwash Worsted in color Columbia River. I simply love them. I love how the yarn looks like a winding river with muddy banks, which is about what the Columbia looks like this time of year. I did have to size the pattern up a little bit because of his gigantic size 12 feet, but it was really easy to do. The pattern has a 4 stitch repeat, which made it very easy to find the right size. Once I got going they just flew off the needles, which is one of the many benefits of worsted weight yarn on size #3US. Now I just have to finish up the second sock so he can wear the pair (after all the shows are done this year, of course!).

This last week a group of friends and I went to Portland for a girls out shopping trip to a couple of yarn shops. We went to the Pendleton Mill End Store, which was gorgeous, Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks, where we also had a tasty lunch, and finally Yarnia. If you haven't been to Yarnia you should definitely check it out! There you get to mix and match different yarns to make your very own custom yarn! These are the yarns that I picked out. The yarn on the left is some that the owner had matched up that is Wool, Cotton, and Cashmere. I am thinking a very simple sweater for my husband or maybe something for me if there isn't enough yardage. The yarn on the right is some that I blended myself. It is Bamboo, Cotton, and Cashmere. I am thinking about a short sleeved top for summer. Both yarns are so nice. I just can't wait to start swatching and knitting!

Update #1: I am currently switching web hosts for my website. If everything goes well then there shouldn't be any down time. However, we all know how that really goes. So please know that if it goes down in the next week or so that is the reason why.

Update #2: The Shop will be closed during the Knit & Crochet Show, just so I won't double sell anything. Instead come and check out all of my pretty yarns at the show! It runs May 14th - May 17th! I will have 2 new yarns and a new colorway, which I will share with you guys next week when I am back!

May Sale!

I'm so happy I was able to get the new sale up for May! It was a little technical glitch which should be all resolved now. 

The new sale for May is 15% off of all Lavender Products! I love lavender so much! It smells so pretty and it keeps moths away. Who could ask for anything more awesome? So check out the sale items in the shop! Happy May!

Reminder...

This is just a reminder that Maryland Sheep & Wool is this weekend! Don't forget about the photo contest I am holding (details available here)! I can't wait to see some awesome shots of the show. My only other wish is that I could actually be there in person!

Also, happy May 1st! A new sale should be going up on the site soon. I am having a little technical difficulties, so the sale will go up on Monday! I'll make sure to post here or on Twitter when I have the new sale up!