Put a Sock in It!

I know, a rubbish title but it's very difficult sometimes to think of a suitable or catchy one that links in to the post ..... but I try!

Can't believe it's September already - where did the summer go? - and a couple of evenings over the past weeks there's been an almost autumnal feel in the air.  Made me think of the dark evenings drawing in and cosying up in front of the fire and that in turn made me think about "socks".  I used to knit quite a bit but after having all the problems with my hand, I realised I wouldn't be able to knit any larger garments again so I got rid of a lot of my wool stash.  However, I did keep hold of all my lovely sock yarn and I thought that maybe I'd still be able to knit socks due to the small nature of the items.

So I dug through my sock yarn stash and started knitting - and yes, happy to say, I've been able to carry on without a problem.  I started off using some 20cm long bamboo double-ended needles which I had but decided they were just too long so picked up some new 15cm long (much more manageable length) Knit Pro Symphonie wooden needles and they are just beautiful to knit with.  I've completed the first sock and am a good way through the second one ....... here's a pic of the finished sock and yarn I'm using .........

If you've never tried knitting socks, then I can highly recommend it.  It may seem a bit daunting, working with three, four, even five needles, and it is a bit fiddly to start the casting on, but after that it really isn't that difficult, and there are so many pluses - there are absolutely loads of wonderful sock yarns to choose from and there are plenty of free sock patterns out there on the Internet, you quickly get a sense of achievement and at the end of the day, end up with a great pair of uniquely patterned socks ..... at the moment I'm just sticking to a plain old stocking stitch pattern as it's easier on my hands, but I have in the past made fancier socks using lace and cable patterns.  The best thing about hand-knitted socks is that they are just so comfy and cosy ..... you really can't beat them and I'm looking forward to wearing mine once the weather cools down (and knitting plenty more too over the winter).

Go on -have a go - I dare you!  

Back from Harrogate

Well, I finally went and did it ...... I came home with one package too many from the Harrogate K&S Show and I've been wandering around trying to find a home for it (IT being wool - some Manos Silk yarn to knit a shawl/wrap and some James Brett Marble Chunky for a winter jumper) ..... it's now all just sitting in a bag in the bedroom, taking up floor space.  So - that's it - I've finally reached the point where I can't cram anything else into the house, so my New Year's Resolution has GOT to be to have a good clear out in the spare room/craft room and make some ROOM !!  The alternative is to throw my son out of the house and take over his bedroom as it has the most storage space (some great cupboard and shelf space which is definitely being wasted on him)!  *LOL*

Anyhow, had a lovely day out at the Harrogate show, lots of interesting stuff to look at (though not much in the way of papercrafting), and apart from the wool, I also picked up a few shimmery fabric scraps and braid, a Krylon gold pen at a really good price (this was a definite must-buy as my gold pen had run out and I just can't do without my Krylons - I love them for edging or sponging on my ATCs and books) and some Indian print woodblocks which will find a use as stamps in my artwork.  Here's a couple of pics of them.

There were several exhibitions running at the Show and I wish I'd taken my camera now .... I thought I wouldn't be able to take photos, but several people were clicking away at some of the exhibits, so I missed out there.  One exhibit was of a large fishing boat which had been completely covered in knitting, even down to the sea foam, pebbles, water, etc, all around its base.  I remember reading a magazine article about it some time back - visit this BBC link to read more about the project.  I was most impressed by the beautiful and unusual work of a textile artist called Jill Flower - I was fascinated by the Elizabethan style ruffs she had created in very fine detail from paper, words and stitchery.  Click on her name to go to her website to view some of these wonderful pieces in her Gallery.  Unfortunately, you can't get the full effect and see all the tiny details from photos.  I believe she is going to be running workshops (where, I don't know) creating paper brooches using this ruff technique.

On a different subject, if any of you enjoy making "inchies" or fancy having a go at some, go check out Ali's Art Factory blog where she has given herself a challenge to create 10 inchies every day for 10 days and then combine all 100 finished squares into one art piece.  Also, whilst you're there, check out the altered book Ali made with "Tags" as the theme .... it might inspire you to try altering a book yourself too.