block 'n tackle knitting

My latest socks have rainbow sprinkles.

We've spent two weeks moving to a new place -- packing, painting, unpacking.... I haven't found all my knitting supplies yet, but I was itching to get at my needles, so I made this sock -- mostly by memory, which was pretty cool! It's a bit bunchy and the lace looks a little weird, but I'm satisfied for now. And I have enough yarn for a second one, whew.

There's nothing more soothing than knitting warm things for feet. Unless, of course, it's a scarf.... Longish teal socks for my daughter, to wear with her Doc Martins.

The furnace was off over New Year's, and I've never been so glad I'm a sock knitter!

Happy New Year, everyone. May you enjoy each creative moment to the fullest.

I thought it was time for an update on the shawl and socks I started knitting on my holiday to Salt Spring Island. Mohair and acrylic blended perfectly here. This airy wrap reminded me of a confection or maybe a seashell.  I might very well be addicted to knitting triangular shawls right now. Sock #1 complete, using bits from two different self-striping wool sock yarns. I found the darning egg this week at the thrift store.

I'm knitting in a cabin in the woods on Salt Spring Island, BC. Socks are necessary. A new shawl for my Etsy shop. Lone apple, with a view of Vancouver Island.

Sock time!

Well these are done, so let's knit another pair..

Autumn is here on the West Coast.  Too soon, most of us think -- but at least we still have sunshine, green leaves, and plenty of squirrels tossing nuts down on our heads as we walk down the streets. I'm spending today making soup for my sweetie, who's feeling a touch of autumn-chill (spicy chicken with plenty of garlic, ginger and gai lan) while knitting some one-size-fits-all heel-less socks (note impromptu fair isle pattern on the cuff). I'm also contemplating hopping on the bed and cuddling up with my friends, Kanga and Roo (hand-knit by my Mom when my sister and I were somewhat smaller than we are now), Ramses (the cuddly ram) and Pooh (my oldest stuffed toy).  Alas, I have to teach English to a Japanese student online after dinner..

Here's my first pair of lace socks (made with that lovely, buttery yellow marino wool I was given last year).  They were a birthday present for Eve.  She liked 'em!

I figured it was time for me to live up to my name (and ok, my feet were chilly). Behold, my rough & ready, "Look what I did with those bits of woolen yarn from the freestore!", Gulf Island, double-strander woolen socks! These socks are so thrifty and self-sufficient, they practically knit themselves (just don't let them interbreed with your domestic fishnet stockings in the sock drawer). *because knitting puns amuse me

Now that some of my presents have been received, I can reveal them publically without giving away any surprises.   So... for my mom I made two scarves (she revealed to me that she needed a long black one so I whipped one up with my hook just before I sent the parcel):   My dad got some very soft & cosy bamboo socks (which fit perfectly, yay)!    

What's on the needles (and on my feet on a chilly morning)...

Here's a pair of socks in grassy green that I knit on my way home from my Alberta trip this week. They're worsted, so a bit thick, but I'll probably use them as slipper-socks. Last night when I got home late and couldn't sleep I started a capelet from Viva Poncho with some leftover yarn I had lying around. Here it is in my favourite wooden knitting bowl.

I'm leaving on a camping trip tomorrow, but I just had to finish these soft bamboo socks tonight! They're a fairly simple pattern, but I think I'm ready to try something trickier now. (Yes, that is a real tattoo...)

Here's the bamboo sock I'm currently working on, using Bernat's Bamboo ... I love how soft it is! I found some very pretty sock yarn at the thrift store; my research tells me it's discontinued so I guess I'll just have to make some very small socks out of it.

It might not look like much, but it's my first real sock, complete with turned heel and gussets, and I love it. I'm making it a mate and hoping they'll like each other enough to reproduce.