Sock Knit-a-Long #4

I'm still working away on my sock. When my mind starts to wander, I let myself daydream and try and imagine the kingdom of Henry VIII. I'm glad I wasn't the one to knit the socks he wore at the end of his reign (I'm also glad I wasn't one of his wives!). If he gained the weight history claims . . . well, that would take me a long time on my little double-pointed needles. 

While you are working on your sock, check-out Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks.
She provides a great background on the evolution of hand-knit socks and patterns. When you're ready to try different types of heels and toes designs, her book will give you lots of options. There are also patterns for everything from a plain man's winter sock to a fancy infant's sock. Check it out. It's a great read for any sock lover.

click here to place a hold



Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

CD Designs Trunk Show

I'm still working away on my sock . . . but I'll have to admit the K2P2 ribbing is getting a little on the boring side. I'm glad we're doing them together - it will make me stick to it! But on the other hand, I don't have any other projects started. I have finished the scarf and also the Lingering Doubts shawl I was working on. They both need to be blocked and since I don't have any lace blocking wires, so I plan on visiting The Wool Basket today.

Good thing I took this
 picture, I realized my
 crochet hook is missing.
Where did I leave it?!

I purposely waited until today since The Wool Basket is having a trunk show tonight of knitting bags from CD Designs. I already have one of her bags . . . and I love it. There are pockets inside that give me a space for everything I need to grab quick. It's made of a durable fabric so it stands up but yet it's flexible too (mine has gone cross-country, to the library and  
                              everywhere in between).

Here's another bag by CD Designs . . .

 

You should go to The Wool Basket and check them out tonight. It's located at -

19 Depot Street,
Duxbury, MA 02332.
 (781-934-2700).

The trunk show is at 7:00 PM. Go ahead and pick up a gift for one of your knitter friends. Better yet, treat yourself . . . you're worth it.
(You can always pick up some yarn to put in there too!)

Tell them The Library Girl sent you.






Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Sock Knit-a-Long #3

I've been knitting on my sock in the morning while I have my coffee. I have about 2 inches done.

 How about you? Do you have a few inches on your needles? Are you nervous that it might not fit? 

Here's a tip -
     Place all your stitches on a piece of scrap yarn. Tie the ends of the scrap yarn in a knot.





Now put your foot through it. If your ankle won't make it through, then you need to rip it out and start again with more stitches. (Better to find out now than when your sock is all done!) If your ankle fits through - put the stitches back on your needles and knit on without any worries!



 


Go ahead and keep knitting in the round in a K2P2 pattern for 6"-7", depending on how long you want you sock leg to be.

While you're knitting I thought I'd show you some of the sock books we have at the library.

Here's an excellent one. Nice basic instructions (with great photos). It's a great reference book if you are just starting with socks, but it also has some patterns with lace and cables if you want to be a little fancy!



to place a hold click here



More instructions for our sock knit-a-long and sock books to follow!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Sock Knit-a-Long #2

Did you buy your yarn yet? I am going to use a blue/green blend of wool, nylon and bamboo from Plymouth Yarn. I did my gauge swatch and I am getting 8 stitches per inch. Next I measured the widest part of my foot, and I got 8". So . . . 

gauge x foot measurement = number of stitches to cast on.

In my case, 8x8=64. I will cast on 64 stitches.

Since we are doing a ribbed leg, just make sure your number of stitches is divisible by 4 and then the K2P2 pattern will be accommodated. If your number is not divisible by four, just add or subtract a stitch or two until it is.

Go ahead and cast on. Use either the long-tail cast on or the cable cast-on for a firm edge that will also have a little flex to it. Divide the stitches onto 3 needles, be careful not to twist any, and join. (I always cast on one extra stitch when I knit in the round. Then I take the last stitch from the right-hand needle, slip it to the left needle and I knit the first two stitches together. It helps make the join a little neater.)

Work in a K2P2 rib for a few inches.

More to follow tomorrow.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Sock Knit-a-Long #1

Well it seems fall is officially here. The leaves are changing, it's getting darker earlier, and the nights are certainly cooler. I guess it's also time to pack away the sandals and think about breaking out the socks.

I admit I am a little spoiled when it comes to socks. I have a draw full of socks in every color imaginable - all hand-knit by my mother. Every year around this time I am asked "How is your sock supply? Do you need anymore?"  Let's face it - there is nothing like wearing a pair of hand-knit socks on a cold day. (They kept my toes warm during many of my son's youth hockey games!)

I'm not sure why many knitters are intimidated by the thought of making socks. Is it because the directions refer to heel flaps and gussets? Perhaps it's the thought of doing the Kitchener stitch for the first time? I'm not sure. I only know I love to wear them.

Here's an idea - let's take the fear away and make a pair together . . .  a simple top down pair with a ribbed leg. We'll have our own knit-a-long. First step is to head out to your local yarn shop and pick up a skein of sock yarn and a set of double-pointed needles.

We'll start tomorrow.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

From the Library's Shelves

Have you ever been sitting in your favorite chair at home, happily knitting away and suddenly you are stumped by a technique or a term? I bet you wished you had your own personal knitting instructor sitting next to you.  Well, here's your chance.

A Knitting Glossary  puts Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg Swansen in your living room giving you a private knitting lesson. Watch the whole video or jump around to a specific technique. Either way, you can't go wrong. Go ahead, go check it out of the library.

click here to place a hold

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

Favorite Websites

When you work in a library there is always this compulsion to make lists. Lists of your favorite books, lists of mystery writers, lists of MA authors . . . it goes on and on. 

So here is the beginning of a list of my favorite knitting websites.



http://www.knittersreview.com/ 
http://www.twistcollective.com/2013/fall/magazinepage_01.php?nr=0 
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEdf13/index.php 
https://www.ravelry.com/account/login 
http://www.berroco.com/
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/


Let's share the list . . .  add your favorites to it!

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.