Thanks again, and Socks

I'd like to thank those of you who have picked up the Owlsocks (Ravelry link) pattern. I mean, I knew you all liked owls, but I had no idea how much! It really is flattering, to say the least. And hey, if any of you would like to see the Owlsocks as Owlmittens...well, let's just say there's a good chance that I would be up to the task. You know how I get about mittens!

Back to the socks! I don't want to say that the Owlsocks have burnt me out -- by no means, actually, since I have three new sock patterns in the works -- but these days I find I'm having a hard time committing to one project. Even worse than this? I have no idea what project(s) I feel like committing to.

What I should be working on is my Central Park Hoodie. So what's distracting me from sweater-finishing and new-pattern test-knitting? It's a plain old toe-up sock!

Now, I'm not a fan of pictures of toe-up socks early on (read: pre-heel turning,) since they always end up looking like over-sized wooly condoms. Here's the sock so far, hopefully not looking too wooly condom-like yet:See? It's not winning any most-attractive-WIP awards anytime soon, but the yarn is gorgeous! It's Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop and I don't want to waste one inch of the stuff, so toe-up I go. The colourway is Magic Carpet Ride, and it was generously traded to me by Bertha (thanks again, lady!)

So here's hoping that after a plain pair of Sock Hop socks I'll be back on track with this whole commitment thing, and I'll finally be able to polish off that sweater before the 30 degree weather hits. As for the new sock patterns, you'll be notified as soon as there are any new developments. If you're really anxious, you can always join the new spillyjane fans group on Ravelry!

The owls are out!

As promised, the Owlsocks pattern has just been released.Pick it up here on Ravelry or here, in my Etsy shop. I'll pop one of those cute little peectures over my sidebar for your future clicking pleasure.Maybe you'd like to learn a little bit more about the Owlsocks? Here goes:

Do you like owls? Do you like socks? We may have a found a perfect match!

Stately owls perch on these unique large-motif (but not intarsia) colourwork socks. The soles are striped so that the owl motif can be comfortably worked across the instep and the foot. Also, stripey socks are fun! Who can say no to stripey-soled socks?

Use as many or as few colours as you like for your socks! This would be a great way to use up odd bits of sock yarn.

The pattern is a clear, concise, 5-page .pdf file with large charts and images, which I will send via your PayPal email address as soon as I possibly can after I receive payment.

Size: Women’s Medium (or any foot/leg that is 8” in circumference.)

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

Yarn: 2 skeins of each of Elann Sock It To Me Essential 4 Ply (229 yd / 50 g) in Butternut (colourway 7918) (Main Colour – MC) and Olive (colourway 46335) (Contrast Colour – CC), or any other comparable fingering weight yarns in a comparable weightthat complement each other.

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: Increasing and decreasing, knitting in the round, stranded knitting, twisted stitches, and chart reading.

Enjoy the owls!

With any luck...

...the owls will come out tonight! Or tomorrow, at the very latest.
The actual pattern is more or less complete! Progress continues on the actual sock. Once it's finished and proper pictures are taken, I'll release the owls.

Whooo is it?

Who, who is it?
Who, who is it?
Who, who is it?
Who, who is it?
What is it?
What is it?
What is it?
What is it?
Oh.....Baby it's you!
~ "Who is it?," Talking Heads


This is the Something from yesterday. It's the beginning of my brand new Owlsocks sock pattern! I was hoping to have more of it done before I showed you but something's come up. All of a sudden I find myself in the middle of putting together a new pattern shipment for The Loopy Ewe and now I'm attached to my compy. So now I'm trying to knit on a sock, take pictures, print patterns and update the blog all at once! Fun!

Expect to see more of the Owlsocks soon!

Thank yous, etc.

First off, a couple of thank yous are in order! Thanks so much to both Bertha and Jennifer for choosing me (randomly, of course,) as the winning commenter on both of their respective blogs. Both of you ladies spoiled me handsomely!Coming home to a gorgeous vintage Scandinavian mitten patterns (from Jennifer) and Koigu KPPPM (from Bertha)? I could get used to this! Now I don't know if I want to make mittens or socks! Thanks again!

Hey, I know...how about I finish that sweater? Here's my Central Park Hoodie (my first sweater, if you recall,) flopped on its belly on the floor. All it needs are a couple of button bands, crocheted button loops and (of course,) buttons (I suppose a trip to Haberman Fabrics is in order!) Oh, yeah, and then I have to finish sewing the thing up. Luckily, this isn't turning out to be as terrifying as I initally thought. Who knew that sweater-finishing could be fun?

Oh, and here's a peek at a new Something in the works. Sure, there's not much to see now, but give me a day or two and there will be more. I'm in the process of showing my new bistro table what it's going to be up against in days to come. It's doing a wonderful job of supporting yarn, patterns and knitting. I should also mention that it is unparalleled at holding up cups of tea and pastis. It's practically impractical for everything else, which is exactly what I look for in a bistro table.

I'm off to work on the Something! Pictures soon!

Swedish Fish Socks -- catch and RELEASE!

It's true -- the pattern for the Swedish Fish socks has been released into the wild!Grab it here on Ravelry, or here in my Etsy shop!

And in case you'd like to know a little bit more about this fishy footwear, here's some more info:

Little fishes swim back and forth on these fun, unique socks. These are the perfect (and cutest) introduction to colourwork socks if you’ve never tried them before!

Use as many or as few colours as you like for your socks! This would be a great way to use up odd bits of sock yarn.

The pattern is a clear, concise, 4-page .pdf file with large charts and images.

Size: Women’s Medium (or any foot/leg that is 8” in circumference.)

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

Yarn: 2 skeins of Knit Picks Gloss (231yd / 50 g) in Dolphin (Main Colour – MC) and 2 skeins of Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed (231 yd / 50 g) in Bordeaux Kettle (Contrast Colour – CC), or any other comparable fingering weight yarns in a comparable weightthat compliment each other.

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: Increasing and decreasing, knitting in the round, stranded knitting, twisted stitches, and chart reading.

Have fun with the fishies!

Watch out for those fish

Just a quick post before the weekend explodes and I get totally sidetracked. The Swedish Fish sock is finished! Check it on out!I'll be starting on the pattern today. You will be notified as soon as it's ready (by the end of this weekend, maybe? We'll see!)

Return of the Fish

My brain is fried (thanks, Persona 4,) but I thought I'd swing by quickly to show you what's going to be dropping off my needles (with any luck) tomorrow:They're my Swedish Fish socks! You all remember the Swedish Fish mittens, right? I know that not everyone lives in mitten-friendly locations, but sooner or later, you're gonna need socks (at least we do in my neck of the woods.)

The pattern for the socks will be out sometime this month. Watch out for those fish!