More Socks!

I'm afraid it's going to be a week of socks. This week the only images I have are of socks. The above pair was knitted by myself. I am proud to say that this is my first pair. I don't remember the type of yarn used other than it's machine washable. I did get it off violet green however, who have a lovely range of self-striping sock yarn. I blame Ginnie for this as I was working on a second pair on Tuesday night and have several more lined up.

The above socks were knitted by Ginnie. She chose this design because they looked like pints of Guinness. She is knitting four pairs of these which are going to her sister and her friends who are planning a trip to Dublin. It's a pity the photo doesn't show the detail of the white cuff which were done using a small cable stitch.

It wasn't all sock knitting on Tuesday. New members Jean and Adele were back. Jean was working on a white baby cardigan. Adele was working on a lovely scarf in pink and grey. We also had two more new members, Linda and Elaine. Both were knitting scarves for a shoe box charity. Shoe boxes are filled with necessities and sent out to those who need them both. Funnily enough Jean and Adele take part in the same charity at the schools they teach at.


Joyce was knitting a lovely baby shawl starting with the border. She says she makes about four of these shawls a year and very rarely needs the pattern for it now. Roberta was working on a baby blanket using crochet. She makes up little squares and then stitches them all together. The pattern calls for two colours but Roberta has chosen to do it all in white. It looks even better in white. Margaret has went back to her jacket she started a few weeks back. Due to a mistake in the pattern she decided to start again and managed to get quite a bit done on Tuesday night.

Gillian was working on her baby shawl too. She managed to make quite a bit of progress in the last week. I look forward to taking a photo and showing it off. As it is done in cobweb yarn with lots of detail it might be a while. Helen was working on a throw. This one is done in large squares and then stitched together. The yarn is self-striping in lovely shades of lilac and blue. Isabel was back to knitting preemie items. She has knitted a little set which just needs buttons before it is photographed. Julia has finished her baby cardigan which now just needs sewing together. On Tuesday night she was working on baby hats for our preemie charity. Donna was working on her scarf and is onto her last ball of yarn.

Our thoughts are with Janette this Saturday as she does her charity zip slide across the Clyde.

Next week Helen will be April's member of the month. Look out for her interview.

The Review; week beginning 23 March

I'm late too with the review this week -- not because I couldn't think of anything to say, but on the subject of socks, it really is a case of what to leave out! Having checked through my craft-book library I discover I have twenty-two books on knitted and crocheted socks (with another three on pre-order) and therefore choosing just a couple to write about has been very difficult. Nonetheless, I have decided now (on three!) and I hope you'll think it is worth the wait.

The first is Easy Knitted Socks by Jeannette Trotman and has baby socks and bootees, ladies socks, legwarmers and slippers and some classic 'man' socks too. Nice photos that focus on the sock rather than the model, clear instructions and diagrams which include sock construction and how to knit in the round, and patterns that give you the gauge and yardage of the yarn used, rather than just a brand-name (although these are given in the back, and all of the yarns used are easily available in Scotland or over the internet from UK sources).

The second book is for those of you constantly producing baby-clothes for friends and loved ones: Cute Knits for Baby Feet by Sue Whiting has the most adorable bootees and socks for newborn to four-year-olds. Every expectant or new Mum would be delighted to receive an item from this book. My personal favourites are the ballet shoe socks and the zebra feet. All the patterns are made with Rowan yarn and so easily available and the diagrams (especially for grafting) are very clear.

And finally, Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol J Sulcoski has some fantastic patterns using gorgeous hand-dyed and hand painted yarn. Apart from great photos and good instructions, this book gives you the low-down on how changes of needle size, stitch number and where you start knitting will affect the way the colour pattern develops in your sock. I want to try every sock in this book, and if I ever finish the back orders, I 'll begin!

All of these books concentrate on the top-down DPN sock construction, but there are lots of books available on knitting socks on one or two circular needles, knitting two socks at the same time and crocheting socks. I'd like to give an honourable mention to Sensational Knitted Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks as both of these have wonderful coloured and patterned socks the instructions for which are given for 4 or 5 DPNs and for circular needles, so you can choose the method you enjoy most. Also may I draw your attention to the range of craft books entitled: "The Little Box of..." all of these publications have patterns on individual cards, which means if you like to knit whilst travelling you don't have to take a heavy book with you. As well as socks, "The Little Box" publications are available for hats and scarves, sweaters, bags and ponchos and wraps.
This week's featured books are available from Amazon and Borders on-line shops at 20% discount off the retail price (and with free postage).


Once you've bought your book, you'll want to get some great sock yarn, and I'd like to recommend Modern Knitting's on-line shop as a great place to start. http://modernknitting.co.uk/ They have carefully gathered all their sock-yarns brands under one link, which saves loads of time trawling through search results or individual links. They have all the standards, Regia, Opal and Trekking, but also keep Noro sock wool, some delicious alpaca and hand-painted yarns and some great bargain sock wools especially for price conscious knitters (check out Zig-Zag at only £4 per 100gram ball, and Cygnet 4 Ply at £2.25 for 50 grams). I've knitted with both of these and they wash and wear beautifully. For something extra special, have a look at their Lorna Laces Shepherd Sock Wool; at £7 per 50 gram skein, this is not a cheap pair of socks, but it's wonderful to knit with and the resultant socks would make a lovely gift for some deserving soul! Spend over £15 and postage is free!

Modern Knitting offers more than just sock wool, they have an enormous range of yarn in all gauges, usually have some great 'Sale' offers, and can provide you with all the needles and accessories you might ever need. Their web site has some free patterns for socks, hats and a lovely preemy baby cardigan. Vanessa and Martin are extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and I trust them absolutely to choose colour combinations for me when I can't see what I want on the web. On-line shopping is secure and service is fast.

That's all for now folks, but in future reviews I shall be looking at interesting yarns to knit with, patchwork and quilting books and odd crafts to complement stitchers' skills.

Apologies!

Sorry this has taken so long to post. Work and then knitting got in the way. Sorry!

Lots of baby knitting again. This lovely cardigan was knitted by Isobel. She knitted this at the request of Nikki who works in Starbucks. She has a new baby niece (Nikki helps out the knitting group quite a bit by ensuring we have the space we need).

The baby set and the two little hats were knitted by Margaret. She knitted these for our preemie charity. She has knitted some more hats in pink.

Helen is showing two lovely scarves she knitted for friends. The first one was done using pom pom yarn. The second is a leaf shaped scarf from the second issue from the new "Knitter" magazine. The leaf design was stitched on by her daughter and group member, Laura.

We also had two new members, both are teachers. One was knitting a lovely scarf and the other a baby top. Ginnie was working on knee high socks for a friend to wear horse riding. Pat has been working on little projects over the last few weeks to use up all her left over yarn. Last week she knitted the cutest little booties and cardi set in lilac. Gillian is working away on the lace shawl knitted with web thin yarn. Donna was working on her scarf which she is determined to finish soon. Joyce, our fastest knitter, was working on yet another project. This time a baby set for someone in her family.

Just thought I would mention that this weekend Janette will be doing a slip slide across the Clyde (she's braver than me). She is doing this for charity and has so far collected over £200. If anyone else would like to sponsor her it isn't too late. I am hoping to get some photo's for the blog.

Review Week Beginning 16th March

Hi everyone. Two books this week, the Mason-Dixon books "The Curious Knitters Guide" and "Knitting Outside the Lines". More than just pattern books, they contain stories, pictures, true confessions, tricky bits, whole new worlds, questions, answers, pictures and jokes! Written by Kay Gardiner (a yankee) and Anne Shayne (a southerner) the two met in an on-line chat room and eventually set up masondixonknitting.com which regularly has 150,000 readers. These books followed.


Both books are great reads, but in terms of knitting, the first has a lot of easier, household related items (pot holders, bath rugs, dishcloths [yes really]) and the second has more garments. The first contains some lovely knitted throws based on patchwork -- log cabin and flying geese, as well as a rather sexy nightie and wrap.The second book urges the reader to try Fair Isle knitting on circular needles and then shows you how to make a steek (a panel of waste knitting that you cut through (!) to make a flat piece of knitting). There are also some nice kids' patterns, some socks and a curious cuff for rubber gloves....
These are amusing books, with lovely photos and some interesting patterns. Again much of the yarn is American, but with tension guides on all the patterns it should be easy enough to swop yarns. Whatever your level, there is something for everyone here. The books are £16.99 and £13.43 from Amazon; Borders are about the same price, but on-line are out of stock.


Who knows, if our Glasgow Fort group keeps going we could be writing our own books too!


If you are keen to have a go with any of the patterns from these books, you might want to check out the web site for Create and Knit http://www.createandknit.co.uk/ This is a on-line shop I've recently discovered and stocks some unusual brands, including Elmore-Pisgah's Peaches and Creme dish cloth cotton. This 100% cotton is used a lot in the Mason-Dixon books (and not just for dish-cloths) but if you have visions of the undyed loose-spun stuff that our wool shops call dish-cloth or handicraft cotton, think again. This American yarn comes in a hugh range of solid and variegated colours and at £2.35 for a 56.7 gram ball is very cost-effective. It is machine washable, but you will need to check for colour-fastness. Create and Knit also have some super sock wools, including Jawoll Yarn which comes with a spool of co-ordinating nylon reinforcing thread for heels and toes. They stock wool from SWTC which includes a full range of the Tofutsies sock wool, some yarn made from maize and one called 'Therapi' which is made from wool, silk and powdered jade! They have Wendy, Artesano and Twilleys yarn. The shop now stocks Knit-Pro needles and hooks -- these are my favourite and I'd be bereft without my Knitpro DPNs (but the on-line links not yet available). Catherine Brown the shop owner is extremely helpful, and the service is very good.

That's all for now folks. More next week. Ginnie.

Almost all together

These tiny booties were knitted by Pat. You can see just how tiny they are against Ann's fingers. They are of course, for premature babies. She had also been working on more booties and hats which she continued with last night. Pat joined the group about three weeks ago now.

These beautiful socks were knitted by Ginnie. As always the yarn is so soft and the colours are lovely. These were brought along and photographed at the Sunday knitting group. Ginnie is now knitting another pair using yarn made from crab and prawn shells. That pair and another she had knitted up in lovely yellows and oranges are going off to family in Thailand. Speaking of unusual yarns, Ginnie has managed to find yarn made from sugar cane and another from jade.

I thought I would show off a couple of group photo's I took last night. Our numbers seem to have grown but it is very rare that so many come along on the one night. Could be that the turn in the weather has something to do with it. There were a total of 19 people along last night. We were short two of our regulars through one being ill and another on holiday. Slowly but surely we are taking over Starbucks.

Last night there was still a lot of baby work going on. Isobel (our member of the month) has started a little pink cardigan for a friend who works in Starbucks. She asked if she would mind knitting something for her niece. Val also moved back to knitting a baby cardigan for the premature baby charity. I had been working on a hat but after making the same mistake several times (through too much chatting and not enough paying attention) I gave up and concentrated on the chatting. Magdalana had started another sweater. This one using reds and yellows and is for her older son. Carol had brought along her quilting. She was working on stitching squares which looked lovely. Each one has their own pattern but when placed together they form another pattern.

Ginnie has set up a challenge for everyone in the group. She has challenged everyone to create something along a theme. The theme this time is Scottish Homecoming. There are two categories. One for creating something following a pattern and another for creating something entirely original. There is a prize of £25 of Hobbycraft vouchers for each category. More than one project can be submitted and it doesn't have to be knitting. There is a £2.50 charge for each entry but that's so that we can have future challenges with prizes. The only real stipulation is that each entry is from a member who have been coming along to the group more than 2/3 weeks. The deadline is 28th May. I have to say that I am very much looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with and I will of course be bringing along my camera.

Last but not least you will have noticed that Sock lady Ginnie is now contributing to this blog. You must be sick of just hearing from me and Ginnie has great knowledge on knitting books and where to buy the best yarns. She is more than happy to share that with us so look out for her amazing entries.

This Week's Review

Hi Everyone, Karen has given me permission to contribute to our website, so as an inveterate buyer of craft books and a dedicated internet shopper, I thought I might take this opportunity to review recent purchases and useful websites.


This week's book is "Knitting on Top of the World: The Global Guide to Tradition, Techniques and Design" by Nicky Epstein and published by Nicky Epstein Books (ISBN 1-933027-67-3).


It's a delightful coffee-table book, with loads of full-colour photographs as well as very clear technique diagrams and charts. It gives a brief history and background to knitting from around the world (Far North, Windswept Isles [Britain!], Old World, Mediterranean, Far East, New World) and includes a very contemporary pattern based on the styles from each country within the larger area. Included are socks, shawls, scarves, capes and sweaters as well as a dragon soft toy and some very interesting shrugs. Most of the yarn used is American, although Rowan makes an appearance from time to time. Nonetheless, the gauge is given for each pattern should you want to substitute and internet addresses are provided in case you wish to order the actual yarn. It's a pattern book that is worth reading from cover to cover and would make a lovely gift for a knitter. There are some very complex and intricate patterns here which would challenge the experienced knitter, so this is probably not a book to engage a beginner -- but it would certainly give them an idea of what can be done in time. The RRP is £19.99 but Borders on-line have it for £14.99 with free delivery to your local store and Amazon are currently showing it as £9.99 but postage is extra.



If you are still to find the perfect Mother's Day present for a knitter, then you might want to check out Mili Style who make a beautiful collection of silk bags for knitters. I recently treated myself to a gorgeous silver bag, hand embroidered and beaded. I had a promotional code from a magazine which gave me 10% discount, but even without this they seem good value at around £26. This bag is called 'Holly' and is currently half price in the end of line clearance. UK delivery is free! I ordered my bag before lunch and it arrived in the first post the next day. Soon I shall have enough knitting bags to use a different one for each project! The link for Milistyle is:
http://www.milistyle.co.uk/acatalog/index.html
That's all for now. More next week. Ginnie

Isobel - March Member of the Month

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I work full time as an occupational therapist in mental health. I am in my mid 50's. I'm married with one son and 3 grandchildren who live in the US. I usually get across to see them twice a year. They range from 5 months to 5 years old and are absolutely gorgeous. I do a lot of knitting for them.

2. Where did you learn to knit?

My mother taught me to knit although we were also taught in primary school.

3. What's your biggest success?

In the 80's I knitted fair isle and Icelandic jumpers. I like things with a complex pattern and a variety of colours.

4. What's your biggest disaster?

In school I had to knit yellow socks. I had to rip it out so many times that the wool eventually turned black. I have never done socks since.

5. Do you enjoy any other crafts?

I enjoy doing kids crafts with my grandaughter. We have done paper mache, box decorating, potter, fimo clay, painting, cardmaking and so many more.

6. Your list of favourites;

favourite yarn: Noro wool, for the colours.

favourite knitting accessory: Cathy Kidston needle holder.

favourite pattern: fair isle

favourite shop: John Lewis

favourite colours: anything green, earthy/forresty colours

7. What's your dream project/would love to knit in the future?

I would love to knit a shawl - a fine, lacey Christening shawl - for my great grandchildren.

8. What do you like to watch or listen to whilst knitting?

Coronation St

9. Knitting hint or tip?

Always have a pen and paper at the ready to take notes. When casting on a lot of stitches place yarn every so often so that you don't have to go back and count.

10. What's your favourite non- knitting book?

"The Masters" by C. P. Snow. I've read this one the most often. There is a whole series of them that starts back in the 40's and catalogs the life of a young man going to university. This one picks up when he is a master and another tutor is dying. It's basically about the politics around that. It's a microcosm of the real world. There are about 7 books in total.

Pretty In Pink

Here is Magdalana showing off her latest finish. This lovely cardigan was knitted for her daughter. She was worried that it was too big but fits her perfectly. Her little girl clearly loves it as we saw from the photo Magdalana brought in. Magdalana was then working on a fleece type sweater for Adam.

Still lots of baby knitting going on. Ginnie had finished her socks with the crab shell yarn. She was working on another set for her growing order list. Anne was also on another set of socks. This time she is trying out a different pattern.

I'm making this post short and sweet. In the next few days I will be posting our first member of the month. Watch this space.

Preemies and Sundays

Louise finished a couple of hats for our Preemie charity. She decided not to use standard baby colours as they aren't to everyones tastes. Her thought was that the parents of a preemie baby might want to see bright, bold colours. It certainly works. These hats are amazing and very cute. I love the little ears on the green one. Plus they would be suitable for boys or girls. Louise is now knitting a little jacket to go with the hats.

This lovely little pink set was knitted by Margaret. It took her about a week to knit the entire set. She is still knitting a pink cardigan but has also went on to start another preemie set.

Both of these sets were knitted by our very own sock lady, Ginnie. The first uses a ribbed effect and the second is done in garter stitch. Enjoy these photo's as Ginnie has officially went back to socks. Her order for them has steadily grown and she has some catching up to do. I think it is with some relief that she goes back to them.

Joyce had also finished the jumper she was knitted using the fair isle yarn. It's waiting to be stitched together. As soon as it's fully completed she has promised to bring it in so that I can show it off here. Gillian was back onto the lacey shawl she began not long after joining the group. This is being knitted up in 2ply. Laura was also back to cross stitch after week of tunisian crochet. She is working on a pattern of a lady walking her dog. The colours in it are lovely and bright. Magdalana has sat aside her little girls sweater for now and has started on a blanket in crochet. She is doing lots of stripes in red, yellow and blue.

Sunday was the first day of sister group, Stitch 'n' Bitch, at the Glasgow branch of Borders. Janette, Ginnie and Donna came along to help get us started. Donna was along for an hour as she had to go shopping for her wedding dress. She spent that time working on a crochet baby blanket. This is for a friend who is due this week.

Ginnie was working on socks. She was using a yarn she got from getknitted. A site she highly recommends. The yarn was made from a blend of soja and crab shells (I might have got that wrong, Ginnie?). She also brought along the above socks which she had finished. This uses Sirdar Happy yarn which is mainly made from bamboo. I have this yarn too and it is great to see how well it knits up. The socks feel silky soft. Ginnie recommends using 2.75mm needles rather than 3.00mm the pattern recommends.

Janette has decided to work on a different project on a Sunday. A friend she works for is due her first grandchild and has asked for some baby skull hats. She has picked up the prettiest patterns for this and has begun the first one in pink (she has been asked for two in pink and two in white).

We also had two new members. Heather was knitting a gorgeous, lacey wrap. She is knitting this so that she has something to take on holiday with her that will go with just about any outfit or colour. Like most knitters she is generally knitting for other people and so this makes a nice change. Ailene also came along although she hadn't brought her knitting with her. She is just learning to knit and has started a jumper that she intends to bring along next week. Again, like a lot of others in the group, she does other things to. She had brought along with her a lovely beaded necklace she was working on as a gift. The colours were greens and blues and included shells.