Sometimes I even scare myself.

It's true! Just look:

Another new sock!

This is Yukari. What's special about her is that an entire pair can be knit with one skein of Colinette Jitterbug. Those of you who are familiar with this yarn probably know that is slightly lacking in the yardage department. When it comes to sock-knitting, this can mean one of three things:

1. very, very pricey sock-knitting (two skeins at $20+ each is not going to happen,)

2. very, very suspenseful sock-knititng (one skein might be enough,)

3. toe-up socks (I tried this once -- and it worked wonderfully -- but I nearly came unhinged in the process.)

After my first intense (but ultimately successful) run-in with Jitterbug I had mentally resolved to not get involved with this yarn every again. Somehow, though (and this is probably my fault,) I ended up with another skein (in Summer Berries, for the curious.) It's been hanging out in the stash for a couple of months, and the other day I decided that its Time had come.

What ended up happening was a wide-ribbed sock with seed-stitch panels alternating with a classic scallop lace motif. Sure, the seed stitch might get a little lost at times, but the texture is still there. In this colouway, the overall effect is nothing less than lush. I would love to see what this looks like in a semi-solid (or solid) yarn.

Colour aside, this is a quick (and easily-memorized) knit, which would be ideal as an on-the-move project.

Yukari's already been added to Ravelry right over here. The pattern will be turning up in a couple of days.

Flannery sock pattern now available!

Yes, I can hardly believe it myself. Two patterns written in one week?! It's true -- Flannery is now available and ready to go whenever you (and your needles) are.

It's just occurred to me now that you haven't been formally introduced to Flannery. Allow me...

A sock inspired by the South, Flannery is eleganty rustic, featuring a wide knot cable and seed stitch rib.

The pattern is easily worked and memorized and is easily sized-up, making it a great fancy sock for men.

Here's a little bit more about her:

Size: Women’s Medium (or any foot/leg that is 8” in circumference.) The socks can be easily sized up by adding additional purled stitches between the cable and the twist stich rib.

Gauge: 8 stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in Stockinette st.

Yarn: 440 yards of fingering weight yarn, preferably a solid or semi-solid colourway, to best show off the pattern. To make a pair of socks as shown here use 2 skeins of Elann Sock It To Me 4 Ply in Nutmeg (229 yards / 50 g per sock.)

Needles: One set of five (5) double pointed needles in US 2 (2.75 mm) or size necessary to obtain gauge.

Notions: A stitch marker to mark beginning of round (optional,) and a sewing needle to weave in ends.

Skills Needed: Knitting in the round, basic cabling, twisted stitches, chart reading and grafting.

To purchase: If you are a Ravelry user, please use the "buy now" button under Kethry's picture in the sidebar to the right to pay via PayPal to receive an expiring link to download the pattern instantly.

If you are not on Ravelry, when you send payment of $6 USD via PayPal to janetree (at) gmail (dot) com I will promptly personally send you a copy of the pattern to your email as provided (within 8 hours
but most likely immediately.)

This is a great project for knitters who want to try (or practice) working with cables since it knits up quickly and is easy to memorize. With those long stretches between cabling rounds, this could be the perfect sock to knit in transit.

As always, enjoy! I'll be here should you need me.

Kethry pattern now available!

Kethry is finally ready for mass consumption! The pattern is a clear, concise, 4-page .pdf file with large charts and images.
Here are some other important things you might like to know about Kethry:

Size: Women’s Medium (or any foot/leg that is 8” in circumference,) or slightly larger. The lace pattern is very stretchy.

Gauge: 9 stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in Stockinette st.

Yarn: 440 yards of fingering weight yarn, preferably a solid or semi-solid colourway, to best show off the pattern. To make a pair of socks as shown here use 2 skeins of Knit Picks Essential in Grass (231 yards / 50 g per sock.)

Needles: One set of five (5) double pointed needles in US 1 (2.25 mm) or size necessary to obtain gauge.

Notions: A stitch marker to mark beginning of round (optional,) and a sewing needle to weave in ends.

Skills Needed: Knitting in the round, lace, twisted stitches, chart reading and grafting. No cabling skills are required in the making of this sock.

To purchase: If you are a Ravelry user, please use the "buy now" button under Kethry's picture in the sidebar to the right to pay via PayPal to receive an expiring link to download the pattern instantly.

If you are not on Ravelry, when you send payment of $6 USD via PayPal to janetree (at) gmail (dot) com I will promptly personally send you a copy of the pattern to your email as provided (within 8 hours
but most likely immediately.)

I would encourage all beginner-intermediate / intermediate sock knitters to give this pattern a try as it is far more complicated looking than it actually is to knit. Sam is already knitting her own Kethry and it's looking great.

Enjoy!