Saddle Mountain

I am recovering from the beautiful chaos of the Sock Summit. Really, stories will come soon. But for now I'll answer I question I got a lot.

This is where I earned my sunburn:

Quick Knits Club!

I'm lucky enough to live and breathe and craft in the Republic of Portland. We have a quality of life here and plenty of inspirational creative folk rockin' us left and right.

One of my favorite crafters here is my pal Lee. If you've read my blog before, you already know this. I mention it every other week or so. Anyway, she's hit on a brilliant idea and I want to make sure everyone knows about it:

Quick Knits Club!

Frankly, it's too hot to have a sweater on your lap right now. Seriously, people. I'm signing up and I want you to join me. Let's play with hand dyed hand made recycled yarns and things!

The details:

It's a monthly club, and you can join for as many or few months as you'd like.

Each month’s package will include:

* a 15 yard mini-skein of recycled hand-dyed yarn
* a 10 yard mini-skein of spun recycled yarn
* quick knit pattern exclusive to the club
* any crafty bits called for in the pattern (e.g. buttons)
* extra mystery leethal goodies and/or bits of crafty fun

Jump on this right now, because Wednesday is the last day you can sign up for the very first month.

Go ahead, I'll wait here while you sign up. Tell her Star sent you. Wink.

Our mayor declares this sock knitting week!

I am not joking.

Ye Olde Timey Cycling Stockings

Show and tell time... I bring you knee socks on the hottest day of the year! (or, confirmation of my increasing insanity)


Photo by Vivian

Pattern: "Cycling or Golf Stockings with Fancy Cuff in Trellis Pattern" by Nancy Bush from the book "Knitting Vintage Socks."

Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle. Color: Spice Market, Dark. Contrast color Wollmeise 80/20 in Frosch Harmonic.





Needles: Hiya Hiya Stainless Steel, US size 1 (2.25mm) Magic Loop method.

Pattern Review: Brilliant and fun. Nancy Bush is a legend. For those of you who don't know, this book is a collection of vintage patterns updated and reworked for modern yarns. In short, it belongs in your library, people.

The pattern introduced a new heel technique for me and while I liked the turn, I didn’t love the yarn overs. No biggie though. I enjoyed the pointy toe - I’ve never seen a toe like it and it fits me well.


Photo (C) 2009 Leethal

The instructions are easy to follow and have great results. The socks are worked from the top down, with a folded cuff. I opted to make a few changes there.

Modifications: I worked them with the stranding motif on the top of the sock instead of folding the cuff over. I like the idea of doing these as written but I was afraid they would be too tight on me. (My gauge was a little tight)

Also, I made the leg nice and long to fit me.

Yarn Review: The beloved Wollmeise. This is some pretty special yarn and I couldn't be happier with it. The colors are amazing and the feel is pleasant. The yarn base is composed of many plies, tightly spun. When washed, the socks soften up quite a bit.

I realize there is something obnoxious regarding bragging about hard to get yarn. And yet, I am doing it anyway. I am trying not to keep it precious but to actually knit with it.


Photo (C) 2009 Leethal

Overall: This project combines several of my loves:

1. Knee socks.

2. Vintage knitting.

3. Cycling. Bonus points for Olde Timey Cycling.

4. Chocolate and pistachios. Oh, well, technically it's spice and frog, but they're my socks and I'll think of them as I like.

5. Fancy German yarn.

I'm glad I was able to USE the Wollmeise. I was just leaving it on the shelf out of fear of ruining it.

Lesson of the day: Use your good yarn. If I can, you can.


Photo by Vivian

I also had confirmation on something I've known for a while but have been trying to push out of my mind. Since I took up running and cycling this year, my calves and ankles have gotten bigger. So what, Right? Just vanity speaking. Posting it here is my way of telling my calves I appreciate what they do, even if they had to get bigger to do it.

In conclusion, I love these socks! I’d like to photograph these while on my bike. Hopefully I’ll make that happen soon!

Freshman Cable Socks

I haven't seen the new Knitscene yet but it's hitting the stores really soon.

I have a pattern in there: Freshman Cable Socks... Wanna see a teaser?

(Thanks to emilyshmemily for modeling!)



I’m really inspired by the way you can draw simple lines and geometric shapes with basic cables; the design happens from the placement of the cables, rather than the detail of the cable itself.



This project uses cables that are elongated and stacked in a spiraling, angular design. The left and right sock mirror each other for added interest.



I originally wanted these socks to be like your freshman year in a new endeavor… jump in and get started!

But maybe these are just socks to wear to the library. Either way.

This week in knitting and spinning and other thing

Hi again! Isn't summer just the bestest? I'm loving the late sunsets and fresh fruit and skirts with knee socks. I'd like to share some current events from this side of the free world:

1. I was interviewed for a podcast! The Knit Pick's podcast! It can be downloaded for free (anytime after Wednesday July 1st) from the Knitting Community or through iTunes. I subscribe through iTunes.

Kelley and I chatted about a few subjects: The Tour de Fleece, Sock Summit, and Spin Off. I am certain I stuck my foot in my mouth a few times, but I have learned to live with this trait of mine. Overall it was really fun and I'm happy I had the opportunity.



2. Tour de Fleece you say? Yes! Welcome to another year of the Tour de France themed spin-along. Telling muggles about a sock knitting convention is one thing, but trying to explain handspinning yarn along with a French cycling event is really pushing it.

And yet, there are over 1150 of us signed up to do it, and nearly 60 prizes to give away! It's not too late to sign up and it's not to late to donate a prize either. The event is hosted entirely on Ravelry now, in the Tour de Fleece group. Go there, won't you?

Here is yarn I spun during 2007's Tour:


3. I'm not done talking about the sock summit.

4. Black Sheep Gathering was a smashing success. And it included Brownie Batter Blizzards and a Value Village stop in Salem on the way home.



This is a picture my pal Lee took and I'm totally stealing it but it is of me and I am telling you now to visit her flickr and blog because she is so flipping talented!



5. So twice this week I'm out running and I spot a lemonade stand. Different lemonade stands. So twice I bought street lemonade from young entrepreneurs. Twice I gave tips. Twice I heard "oh boy!" These kids really need to set better prices. What costs 25 cents anymore?

6. Speaking of running... I'm attempting to do the First Thursday run this week. Any other Portlanders into it?

7. Cold brew coffee. It's always there, in my fridge. Calling to me. So delicious. Make room for some in your fridge too?

8. And I'm still knitting, of course:

worldwide knit in public day

pix on worldwide knit in public day
Originally uploaded by -leethal-

What can be better than this:

- knitting in public on "World Wide Knit in Public Day"

- hanging out with one of the most talented and lovely people in the universe.

- knitting a giant olde timey cycling stocking out of Wollmeise

- experiencing the caffeine and sugar genius that is PIX

Quant Redux

Wow! My pattern made the cover of Spin Off!!!!

See for yourself.

Tour de Fleece 2009

WOW does time fly! The Tour de France is coming again! It begins on Saturday, July 4th. I can hardly believe it's been another year but here we are again and I am really excited. Welcome to the fourth annual Tour de Fleece - an online spin-along for people who spin yarn and play with fiber.

This year we will have teams and prizes, just like last year!

The first Tour de Fleece was in 2006. We had 16 spinners and a lot of fun. 2007 was much bigger, with 138 spinners, and even more fun. 2008 was HUGE, with over 400 spinners. I wonder how many we'll get this year?

The concept is simple, They spin, we spin. A real spinning themed spin-along.

Want to participate?

1. It's all on Ravelry... check out our group. If you're not yet on Ravelry, it only takes about a day to get your sign in info. It's free of course, just do it already!

2. We also have a Flickr pool here. Join the group and show off your homespun in the pool!

If you want to give it a try, or just follow our progress, or are a fan of the Tour de France, JOIN!

Guidelines (NOT RULES):

1. Spin every day the Tour rides, if possible. Saturday July 4th through Sunday July 26th. Days of rest: Monday July 13th, Monday July 20th. (Just like the actual tour)

2. Spin something challenging Wednesday July 22nd. (The Tour’s densest mountain stage with 5 mountain passes)

3. Take a button if you want one. Then we can use the button on our blogs in show of solidarity. Take it from here or grab a clean one from the flickr pool.

4. Wear yellow on Sunday July 26th to announce victory. Why not wear yellow on any day you feel particularly successful? (Yellow is the color of the race leader in the Tour - but here we are all ‘race leaders’)

5. Other colors if desired: Green (sprinter - think FAST), Polka-dot (climber - as in uphill), and white (rookie)

Teams: Join one, or many, or none. Sign up in the Ravelry group. (I can't stress enough how great the Ravelry group is)

- Peloton (The main group. Everyone is in the peloton at some point)

- Rookies (first years)

- Sprinters (fast and/or high mileage like lace)

- Climbers (conquer mountains, big personal challenges)

- Breakaway (Art yarns)

- Lantern rouge (You will participate as much as possible but you may skip days here and there. Cheerleaders welcome.)

- Wildcards (This is for people who want to form their own team. This includes sponsored teams, like those affiliated with a specific fiber shop or people who live in the same town, etc.)

The teams are inspired by the actual Tour de France.

Prizes:

So far we have some fantastic fiber-related prizes donated... yes we do.

Start training... NOW!

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There are 1150 Tour de Fleece members on Ravelry! (and growing)
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Friday say hi, five random thoughts in a row

I crazy. This is the kind of mood I've been in lately so of course I can't blog, because you'll all know I'm not a knitting professional but actually a rambling coo coo bird. But I think I'd like to come out as a crazy person, and hope you'll ride along with me for the time being.

Today's post lacks cohesion. It is straight from my unedited brain. You have been warned.

1. Just moved. As in, packed all my stuff and dragged it 8 blocks away. Total chaos. I can't find anything except stuff I'm not exactly looking for. For example, here is a picture of me at the 2004 Grammys.



I'm eating (thanks) something called Cheese of Spain. Remind me to tell you about the Grammys sometime.

2. Knitting news! Wow. Did you hear that 30,000 people tried to log on to register for the Sock Summit all at once? That's what happened. I'm teaching at this flipping Lollapalooza!?

30,000 people (!)

When is the rest of the world going to take us seriously?

3. Speaking of serious, I am going to run in my first race since junior high school tomorrow and I'm excited but a little scared. It's the Starlight Run for local folk. I "like" the part on the site where they say "walking on the route isn't permitted". Okay then.

4. I just signed the contracts for the Fall 2009 Knitscene... gonna have a new pattern in there... yeah!

5. Spoiler alert - if you're in the Fresh From the Cauldron Wizard of OZ club look away now... though you should have this in your mailbox today.

The June installment features one of my new patterns, which will be available to the public early next year: Dorothy's Basket.



While daydreaming of a world over the rainbow, a farming girl from Kansas would have to also be practical. She would need a light shawl to wear while walking her dog to the mercantile. This project was inspired by something a young Dorothy Gale might sport to coordinate with her gingham dress and hand basket.

It's nice to talk about it since I am wearing it all the time anyway.

How about a pic of the shawl in action? Thanks to my work buddy, all around foxy moxington and hairspirational BFF Vivian for always having a good attitude about posing with my hand knits!



Thanks for reading this. Maybe you crazy too?

Registration for the Sock Summit

I just received this email - did you?

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Dear Honoured, Clever and Expectant Knitters,

The Sock Summit Team is pleased to announce that barring technical disaster, actual disaster or disaster of a sort we haven't imagined yet but is entirely possible.... we believe that Registration for the Sock Summit will begin on Tuesday, the 26th of May at 10am PDT.

There's a Frequently Asked Questions page here. Which may help you with concerns or questions that you have about all things summit-wise. If you still have a question after checking in there, feel free to drop us an email at info@socksummit.com, and someone will get back to you as soon as they are able.

We will send out a detailed “how to register” email 24 hours before registration begins. We will also be adding this information to the website on the registration page so please look there.

Looking forward to the Sock Summit, can't wait to see you there,

Tina & Stephanie

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Sock Summit Website is here.

Sock Design Workshop, part 3

Welcome to part 3 of a 434 part series (joking) called Sock Design Workshop. I am always sharing tips I have learned about design with friends and at the yarn shop where I work, but only occasionally here. Sorry about that.

Today's message is about goals. I have them. Do you?

I keep a list going of ten design goals I am working on. When I achieve one, I add something new to the list. Examples of past goals I had and hit:

1. Get published in knitty



Fall 2006: My first published pattern is called Back to School and it was published in knitty here.

2. Write one of those hand-dying tutorials that gets used, blogged and shared freely on the web.

Fall 2006: I wrote up a Kool-Aid dying tutorial and a Wilton's Icing gels dying tutorial. I still get a lot of action from those pages, even though I hardly dye fiber myself anymore.

3. Start an annual spin-along. Summer 2006: Started the Tour de Fleece here on my blog. It blew up once Ravelry came into existence and that is where it mainly happens now. Funny, because I hardly spin, though I am still obsessed with the Tour de France.

4. Knit on TV?

Okay, not really a goal but I wanted to grow as a designer and this definitely pushed me into a new dimension. 2007: Guest designer on Knitty Gritty.

5. Get a pattern published in a book.



Spring 2008: Expectant Little Knits, Cabled Shrug Hoodie.

6. Get a pattern published in a magazine.



Knitscene, Fall 2008: Kimono Socks!

7. Get a pattern in Vogue.



Spring 2009: Lace socks, Vogue Knitting.

8. Teach at the Sock Summit... Coming soon - Summer 2009!

9. Write a sock book... Well, the proposal is done.

10. Um, well, I guess I better get cracking.

Okay, the last two aren't goals I've hit yet. But you get the idea. The point of sharing this list isn't simply to brag but to remind you that it's easier to hit a goal if you put some thought into it, then write it down and work towards it.

I encourage you to make a list of goals in your own knitting life. (or spinning or crochet, etc.) Then pick one and get to work! It's like my brother says: "The harder I work, the luckier I get."

So true.