Knitvent 2018: Winter Sleep Socks

Hello, my friends, I hope you've all had a good week. I can't believe we're in the last week of November! This year has flown by.

Well, we are on the penultimate pattern of this year's Knitvent and they are some gorgeous, cosy DK socks. Winter Sleep Socks come in four sizes ranging from kids to men's size, they are super quick to knit which make them perfect for gift knitting.

“Just as the spiniest chestnut-burr 

Is lined within with the finest fur, 

So the stoney-walled, snow-roofed house 

Of every squirrel and mole and mouse 

Is lined with thistledown, sea-gull’s feather, 

Velvet mullein-leaf, heaped together 

With balsam and juniper, dry and curled, 

Sweeter than anything else in the world.

O what a warm and darksome nest 

Where the wildest things are hidden to rest! 

It’s there that I’d love to lie and sleep, 

Soft, soft, soft, and deep, deep, deep!”

From “Winter Sleep” by Elinor Wylie

I knit the XS and they fit both my 4 year old grandson and 2 year old granddaughter, I would say they'd fit up to a 7-8 year old and then maybe go up to the Small size depending on how wide their feet are.

My grandson said he didn't want holes in his socks, us knitters might call it lace but to Caiden they are holes so I just did rib throughout with contrast heel and toes.

I used Bergère de France Ideal DK, I bought 2 x 50g balls in contrast colours and got two pairs by reversing the colours.

DK sock yarn with nylon is probably harder to find especially for UK knitters. I found a few different brands that would work well.

West Yorkshire Spinners for a budget-friendly DK Sock Yarn 

Eden Cottage Yarns Milburn DK, 85% BFL 15% silk 

Socks Yeah DK 75/25 

Julie Asselin Leizu DK 90% merino 10% silk 

Qing Fibre Super Soft DK 

Skein Queen Crush DK 

Magpie Fibers Swanky DK available from A Yarn Story in the UK

If you want them as a cosy pair of house socks, I wouldn't worry about the nylon just go for some soft, luxurious yarn. 

Also, you could always use a fingering weight sock yarn. Just note that the stitch pattern repeat is 6 stitches so if you’re converting to fingering you would want a repeat of either 60 or 66. 

If you go with 60 then you will have an even number of repeats - ie a whole repeat front and back of your socks. 

If you go with 66 you’ll have an odd number so will have to split a repeat between the front and back (like the pattern for the small and large sizes).

Let me know if you knit a pair so I can take a look, let me know what your IG or Ravelry name is.

Have a great week and happy knitting.

xxxxDebxxxx

Knitvent 2018: How Quiet Hat and Mitts

Hello, I hope you've all had a good week. It's been a glorious week here, cold crisp days with plenty of sunshine, perfect weather for what I'm sharing with you today.

It's the third week of Knitvent 2018 and there is two patterns, a matching hat and mitt set. They are the How Quiet Hat and the How Quiet Mitts, a quick, gratifying knit. I used Eden Cottage Whitefell in Misty Wood, A beautifully, soft 100% alpaca.

we have to seek, as children do 

for something like the beetle 

scuttling between grass, 

hidden in plain sight.

From “How Quiet” by Judith Harris

The How Quiet Hat is a quick and easy knit in soft DK weight yarn, ideal for holiday gifting or a gift to yourself. The wide ribbed brim can be worn down for a relaxed, slouchy feel or turned up for those who prefer a more fitted beanie. The design features a simple and subtle chevron stitch pattern and is finished off with a fluffy pompom. This is a unisex pattern which includes sizes from baby to large adult, and it might just become your next go-to pattern for last minute presents. When paired with the matching How Quiet mitts, they’ll stay warm and cosy on even the chilliest winter walks.

The How Quiet Mitts the perfect companion to the How Quiet Hat, they make a perfect last minute gift. 

This is the baby size knit with some leftover Dusty Dimples DK in Call Me Baby, this will be going to a sweet baby girl who was born last week. I knit this in an evening so makes a great last minute gift.

Thanks for stopping by.
xxxxDebxxxx

Curious Handmade Knitvent 2018

Hello my friends, long time no see, I haven't been able to sign into my blog for months, I don't know what the problem was but I thought I'd give it one more go before completely giving up and result, I'm back in!

I've had an extremely busy summer with family and work, I've been doing a lot of sample knitting including some for Knitvent 2018. Knitvent is a wonderful holiday tradition for knitters, after purchasing the collection you will receive six beautiful accessories over five weeks. They are perfect for gift knitting as they are fairly quick except the one which is a stunning wrap, designed to use with your mini skein Advent calendars. 

The theme this year is PEACE.

The first two designs have been released so if you haven't signed up yet, you will receive the first two patterns straight into your Ravelry library. 

The first pattern is the Dust of Snow Wrap, and it's a stunner! 

The way a crow 

Shook down on me 

The dust of snow 

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart 

A change of mood 

And saved some part 

Of a day I had rued.

“A Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

I knit this sample for Helen using the Herbsblatt Regina Mini Skein Advent Calendar held with Shibui Silk Cloud, it is sheer luxury. The mohair/silk is the "dust of snow, though you could knit it without the mohair. I've ordered some undyed mohair/silk from Bluefaced Undyed Yarn, a more budget-friendly alternative.

Quite a few people have already cast theirs on but I'm going to hold out and wait until the 1st December. December is always a busy month and I look forward to opening my Advent calendar, sitting down for an hour each day with a coffee and knitting each mini skein over 24 days. We all have stress in our lives especially over the festive period so make some time for yourself each day whether it's knitting, reading or anything that makes you happy, don't forget the theme is peace!

The second design is the Peace of Wild Things Shawl, a beautiful, one skein project so if you've been saving that precious skein for something special, here's the pattern you've been waiting for. There is a sprinkling of beads that are optional and a delicate lace border, it's so pretty and quick to knit.

“I come into the peace of wild things 

who do not tax their lives with forethought 

of grief. I come into the presence of still water. 

And I feel above me the day-blind stars 

waiting with their light. For a time 

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”

From “The Peace of Wild Things” by Wendell Berry

Thank you so much for stopping by, I'll be back soon to share the next design from Knitvent 2018

Happy Knitting

xxxxDebxxxx