Sorting Out Yarns via Renew, Reuse, Recycle

I promised to re-post this for my knit group girls.  My apologies - I do not know who the clever crafty mastermind is that came up with this or who drew it.  It's not mine.

Here's a clever way to recycle waterbottles into yarn ball sorters for your multi-colored projects.

A friend suggested I mount these to a frame backpack so I could knit whilst hiking.  Joke was on him.  I don't hike.

I think this would also work well for those ribbon balls come holiday gift wrapping season.

Let's play a game called... Sonya Says!

Sonya is my friend.  Sonya is one of those talented knitters who, when you call her a talented knitter, immediately scoffs and claims she isn't, yet she has knit, and continues to knit, things I won't attempt, which in turn, gives me the right to call her a talented knitter.  It's my logic and I sticking to it.

Sonya says I don't blog enough.  Okay Sonya.  You are right.  I don't.  And the reason for this is... I simply don't know what to blog about.  This blog is dedicated to my knitting. I write posts about upcoming designs and classes, techniques, sales on patterns and the like, but that really doesn't offer me a steady stream of content.  Sonya told me I should write whatever comes to mind.   Therefore, tonight's topic is exactly that - what is on my mind - which is thinking about what Sonya said.

If I write more blogs about my more obscure thoughts on knitting and my design experiences, will it detract from my blog?  Will my handful of readers give up on me?  Will Sonya regret her suggestion?

I turned 40 this year.  (Bear with me... this digression will make sense in a moment.)  This being a milestone year, I've set some goals and I'm making some changes.  In this spirit, I'm actively working to shrug off my debilitating self criticisms and work beyond my fears - i.e. stop operating in response to irrational fears.

This having been said, I'm going to actively push aside my fear of losing readers, assume that new, fresh, entertaining content will actually interest and engage more readers, and write more blog posts. I shall boldly blog as I've never blogged before.

(Here's where you comment with encouraging messages.)

Greenhouse 3 - Individual Pattern Release

Greenhouse 3 has just been released as an individual pattern!  You can now purchase this pattern separately or as part of the Fancy Foot Bags collection via Ravelry.

Where do they think all those ingredients come from – the apothecary? No.  All day – tending, toiling and teaching; soil, students and snares.  The Potions Master knows.  He gave me these for my toes. 

Finished Measurement:

The directions are given for a woman’s sock.  Foot and leg lengths are adjustable.  Leg and foot circumferences (stretched): 8 (11) inches. 

Yarn Requirements:

 (416 yards/100grams, 65% superwash wool, 20% nylon, 15% silk, color: 511 - Sage). Necessary yardage will vary with foot and leg length. 

Approximately 310 - 340 yards were required for 10” foot and 6” leg lengths in testing over several different yarns. Shown in Knit One, Crochet Too Crock-o-Dye

Recommended Needles:
Directions are given using 5 DPNs, with one DPN reserved and used only during heel construction. Pattern can easily be worked with two circulars or via Magic Loop Method.

Size 2 (2.75mm) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) or size required to get gauge.  Size C crochet hook for cast on.

Supplies:

Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.  Stitch markers may be helpful.

Gauge:

Approximately 8 sts / 12 rows = 1” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round.

Greenhouse 3 via Ravelry - $3.50
Fancy Foot Bags Collection - $15.00

Double Agent - Individual Pattern Release

Due to overwhelming demand, Double Agent has just been released as an individual pattern!   You can now purchase this pattern separately or as part of the Fancy Foot Bags collection.

Available via Ravelry - $3.50 
or
Fancy Foot Bags Collection $15.00 

Fancy Foot Bags Sock Pattern Collection Now Available!

I'm proud and excited to announce that Fancy Foot Bags is now available for purchase via Ravelry.
The collection includes 5 sock patterns: Dance Lessons with McGonagall, Double Agent, Firewhiskey, Greenhouse 3 and Weep, Dive and Wail.

Those of you who purchased Firewhiskey in it's original release are eligible for $3.00 off the collection purchase price (no sense in buying it twice!). To take advantage of this discount, please enter coupon code: Fire upon checkout.

Available via Ravelry - $15.00

New Pattern Available: Salty Pup Preemie-Child Hat

There are some things you can just count on – a black eye, a torn-out knee in his new jeans, the frog he forgot in his pocket, and eventually, having to wash his mouth out with soap.  Then there are the things you’ll never expect, like the one hat he wears until it wears out (or is lost) that you made for him.  Down-sized Salty Dog for the chip off the ole block.  Very elastic, for comfort.  Fold it, roll it, wear it slouched; a hat for every little man.

Sizes:

Preemie 12-14” (Newborn 14-16”, 6 Months 16-18”, 1 Year/Toddler 18-20”, Child 20-22”)

Yarn Requirements:

Approximately 170 yards of worsted weight yarn.
Shown in Cascade 220 Heathers
(220 yards, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, color: 2423 Montmartre).

Recommended Needles:

Size 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needle and a set of double pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size

Gauge:

22 sts = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round.
Change needle size to obtain gauge.

Supplies:

Cable needle, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, ruler and a stitch marker.  Row counter may be helpful.

Stitches & Abbreviations Used:

K – Knit

P – Purl

C4F – slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit two stitches, then knit stitches from cable needle.

C3F – slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit one stitch, then knit stitches from cable needle.

K2TOG – Knit two together

*rep around – Repeat instructions from * to end of round.

Notes:  Hat is knit in the round, rim up.

Available via Ravelry - $3.00