The Handmade Sock Society 3 by Helen Stewart

Hello there, I just wanted to let you all know that Season 3 of The Handmade Sock Society is available for pre-sale here with an Early Bird price. I've test knit the patterns and I can tell you, you will not be disappointed, such beautiful designs in some gorgeous yarns.

The Handmade Sock Society is such a popular pattern subscription club with knitters, whether you're a newish sock knitter or a seasoned pro, you will love the monthly surprise of a sock pattern and the camaraderie over on the Curious Handmade Ravelry Group. All patterns will be using 4 ply/fingering sock yarn with Helen's popular percentage system.

The third Season of the Handmade Sock Society explores that atmosphere and the stories of those who have found enlightenment and meaning there. The first astronomers fathoming the skies, intrepid explorers forging new paths up unconquered mountains, long-ago alchemists extracting elixirs from obscure ingredients, and modern-day knitters summoning beauty from nothing more than sticks and string and symbols of a page: all of us are engaged in the same work of meaning-making. All of us are capable of more than we know.

The early bird price for the collection is £9.95 (+ applicable VAT for EU countries - Ravelry automatically adds this in). This includes all SIX sock designs and works out to less than half price of the patterns individually. 
The early bird ends when the first pattern is released and the regular price will be £15 (+VAT for EU countries)

Pattern Release Schedule

Tuesday, February 25th 
Tuesday, March 24th 
Tuesday, April 21st 
Tuesday, May 19th 
Tuesday, June 16th 
Tuesday, July 21st

Let me know if you're joining in, it's always such fun to see other knitters yarn choices and progress.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx

Knit 20 for 2020 Challenge

Hello my friends, long time no see!  I haven't been able to get onto my blog for a while as I forgot my password! So after a fairly long hiatus, I'm back with lots of things to share.

Firstly, I'd like to share a new challenge for this year from my friend Helen of Curious Handmade, it's called Knit 20 for 2020. So who's up for a fun challenge? It can be a big or small as you like,  depending on how much knitting time you have, I'm going for the full 20 but you could tick off several boxes for one project. One of my projects is a cabled cowl so I could tick off #6 and #13. Helen is running it on Instagram with the hashtag #20knitsfor2020 and also on her Ravelry Group, it will be lovely to see your projects.

The biggest news that I have to share is I'm going to be a Nana again, my youngest daughter is having her first baby. The first project that I will be ticking off the list is 'GIFT', I'm knitting is the Spring into Summer Romper by OGE Knitwear Designs.
They aren't finding out the gender of the baby so I've chosen a neutral colour. I'm using Blacker Swan, Falkland Islands Wool by Blacker Yarns in Sand.

I'm knitting the first size 0-3 months, it's a really simple pattern and knits up very quickly. 

The first challenge on the list is 'Finish a WIP', I don't know why these aren't off the needles yet, it is such a small WIP. I started the Shortie Trainer socks back in September, I finished one and haven't picked them up since.

I'm using 30g of leftover sock yarn and a mini skein for the cuff, heel and toe. I'm not following a pattern, it's my own recipe. Here it is if you're interested, they are perfect for wearing with my Converse.

Shortie Trainer Sock Recipe

Cast on 64 sts

5 rows 1x1 rib 

7 rows stockinette 

Eye of Partridge heel

knit the foot until you are 2"

shorter than needed.

Knit your favourite toe.

5 ways to work a Toe

My third project on the needles is the Grete by Woolfolk Design Team, I splurged on the yarn using my Christmas money and bought the Woolfolk Luft from Loop London. I'm using Medium Grey, this bulky yarn is delightful. 'Luft' means 'Air' in Danish and I can see why they've named it this, it's so soft, light and airy.

I'm enjoying this pattern very much, been a bulky yarn it's a quick knit and the cables are very simple and easy to memorise.

I started my Cosy Nana Stripe Blanket three years ago but still enjoying every stitch. This is a crochet blanket but this challenge could be the push I need to finish it by the end of this year. It falls under 'Scrappy or Advent' and I'm using 6g of leftover sock yarn for each row. This is such a special project to me, my grandchildren love to chose which ball of yarn for the next row plus friends have sent me some yarn to add.

The final project I have to share is the Love Note Sweater by Tin Can Knits, this will tick off the 'Pullover' on the list. This wasn't planned but I saw someone wearing it and thought how nice it looked plus I had the right amount of yarn in my stash.

It only takes 2x100g skeins for the Large and the same meterage in mohair/silk, I'm using Ito Sensai in Pale Blush and the main yarn is Annabel Wiliams Corridale Sock in Pink Chai, naturally dyed with avocado. All of Annabel's yarn is responsibly sourced and naturally hand dyed, I've used her yarn before and highly recommend it.

Thank you for stopping by and I will be back on Saturday with an exciting pattern release that I'm looking forward to.

xxxxDebxxxx