Happy and Fiber Prolific 2008!

Take care of what you wish for-all wishes come true-but maybe not in the way you expect them to~

I got a tad bit of knitting done in December, a pair of slipper socks for the SAMKAL4, I made up the pattern up as I went along. These will be a birthday present for next year. They will be wrapped, carded, and kept safe. They are cashmere, wool and a bit of silk. The fiber seems to halo, I don't like that, however they are soft, yummy, and feel good on the feet.

The next two months is the time for deep winter, planning for the re-growth of life. My husband plans his garden and I play with fiber. I love to knit, and spin through this time. I plan our yearly gifts (birthday, holiday, and special occasion) with the hopes to have all the small handmade items finished by May. Most of the time I accomplish this, which leaves the last half of the year to fish, camp, and play. Now I will spread out the sock knitting over 12 months. I still want to get three sweaters, and two shawls done sometime this year. I have most of the yarn spun for my Central Park Hoodie. (Wow finally something for me!)

Back to the sock knitting...this year...I have planned 22 pairs. I have joined the SAM5,2008, and Red Bird Knits sock a month club, to help me keep on track. I even joined a mystery sock club at Goddess Knits...(I will see if this is something I can keep up with, as I don't know what to expect from it. )

I usually have all the socks, hats, bags, mittens, gloves, (small things) I am going to make for gifts, done by May. Then it is knit anything I want for the rest of the year. Last year was different. I joined the SAMKAL4. I knitted a pair of socks (or more) each month for the last half of the year. I enjoyed the pressure and the fun. It was wonderful to feel part of something, and to see all the beautiful hand work that these knitters were turning out. All the love that is being knitted, all over the world is a special feeling that only those that craft for the ones they love feel. They hope the recipients of the gifts feel the love and protection that they stitched into every knitted, woven, crocheted, tatted, felted, and sewn item that was made for them.

Make Wishes, not Resolutions!

Serendipitous Discovery

I was shopping at Wal-Mart the other day, and I always go through the craft department. Stuck in a bin was 7 balls of Aunt Lydia’s Shimmer Fashion Yarn 124 yards 64% Cotton, 36% Rayon. 6 balls of Lilac and one of cream, on clearance at $2.50 ea. The ball band stated a size US6 needle 4mm. It was shiny and I am drawn to shiny things so I bought all 7 with no clue as to what I would make with it.
I played around with the yarn, and worked up several swatches in knit. I kept working the swatches on smaller and smaller needles. Surprise…on size 2.75mm needles I got a fabric that I approved of…and thought why not slipper socks. You know, something to wear around the house.

Who knew!

I used 1 1/2 balls of yarn for this pair of socks, worked on 5 DPN’s.

Now what to do with the other 3 1/2 balls?

The yarn was a bit stiff when new and needed coaxing…but, once washed it softens to the most comfy supple fiber. I hand washed, although the ball band says that they can be washed in a machine, and towel blocked to dry. I don’t know how well they will wear in the long run. My cotton blend socks seem to get holes before the wool blends, but the wool blends get thin spots.

Sadly all socks wear out, whether store bought or handmade. For the short time they are in your life, they are pure love. You don't make socks for people you don't like...well I don't. :)

Happy Holidays!

Friday

Socks. Another finished pair. The fiber is Art Yarn merino 4. Oh so soft.

Knitted on size 2 needles