Saturday, January 15, 2011

Chirality, part 3

It's here! Clue 3 of the mystery sock knit-along.

Click here to download both clue 1, clue 2 and clue 3:

download now

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Chirality in progress

Chirality

Hobbit Cakes

New pattern!

Hobbit Cakes

Having recently read “The Hobbit” I was intrigued by life in the Shire and the luxuries hobbits afford themselves on a daily basis. They love cake! These socks are meant as a celebration to honor the January 3rd, 1892 birth of J. R. R. Tolkien, creator of all things Hobbit.

Hobbit Cakes

There is a bonus crossword puzzle at the end of this pattern to commemorate Tolkien in an unconventional way. You cut out the puzzle and twist it into a möbius strip before solving, like an infinity ring.

Come, let’s sit and enjoy the Hobbit Cakes together, shall we?

Hobbit Cakes

Size: This pattern is written for 4 sizes: Small (Medium, Large, XL)

Foot circumference: 7 (8, 9, 10) inches 17.5 (20, 23, 25.5 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 8 (9, 10, 11) inches 20 (23, 25.5, 28 cm).

Yarn: Fingering-weight sock yarn that gives you proper gauge, 350 - 425 yards; 20 yards each of 4 colors of Contrasting Colors; Sample shown: Size Large. (MC) Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight [100% SUPERWASH Wool; 360yd per 127 gram skein]; color: Rose Quartz: 1 skein.

Hobbit Cakes

Needles: 1 set of US 1 (2.25 mm) 32” circular needles (magic loop), 2 sets of 24” circulars or double pointed needles OR size to get gauge.

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4” in Stockinette Stitch.

Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle.

Special thanks to Lorna for test knitting and Grant Law for the photos and the crossword puzzle.

Hobbit Cakes

The pattern is $3.99
add to cart
show cart
buy now

The Socks For All Seasons Club is $14.99 and provides you with a year's worth of sock patterns:
add to cart
show cart
buy now

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Chirality, part 2

It's here! Clue 2 of the mystery sock knit-along.

Click here to download both clue 1 and clue 2:

download now

Saturday, January 01, 2011

Chirality

Happy New Year! To get the year started right I am doing a free mystery sock knit-along. I'll release the first clue today and each subsequent clue once per week until the end of the month.

Wha? Yes!

The technique is mosaic knitting which I am quite fond of. No pictures yet, because that would spoil the surprise.

Sizes: Women’s Medium (Large)

Foot circumference:
7 (9) inches (17.5, 23 cm) unstretched. Will stretch to fit 9 (11) inches (23, 28 cm).

Yarn: Fingering-weight sock yarn that gives you proper gauge. Sample shown: Barking Dog Yarns Opposites Attract [100% SUPERWASH Merino Wool; 200yd per 50 gram skein]; 1 skein each color.

Needles: 1 set US #1/2.25mm 32” circular needles or double pointed needles, or size to get gauge.

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Gauge: 32 sts/48 rows = 4" in st st

NOTES: This pattern is worked from the cuff down with two colors. It includes mosaic knitting, a heel flap, and a grafted toe. The slipped stitches create a fabric that is slightly less stretchy than standard stockinette st. Keep this in mind when choosing yarn and sock size.

What is mosaic knitting? Describing mosaic knitting is harder than actually doing it. Barbara Walker named the process of slipping stitches while alternating rows of color “mosaic knitting” because it naturally lends itself to geometric design. Unlike stranded knitting, you only work with one color at a time. You will slip stitches to give the illusion of colorwork. In this pattern, you will work 2 rows of one color across the round, slipping the stitches that are indicated as the second color, then work 2 rows of the other color, slipping the other stitches. In the charts, The MC is represented with white and the CC is shaded.

Download the first clue now