Socks and More Socks

I've been working with more patterned socks - just to broaden my sock drawer repertoire.

This is a pattern called Almondine that I found in the book Sock Knitting Master Class by Amy Budd

The books has lots of great tips for knitting socks and so I was inspired to try coming up with my own sock "design" - really just a mix and match of different elements from other sock patterns.

I call this "Scalloped Peas and Celery." You can't really see the pattern well in the photo, but the top edge is scalloped and the pattern on the leg portion reminded me of celery and peas -- sort of!

I think the design still needs work.

I think I need a better sock model. It's hard to get good pictures without trying to twist your leg in ways that it wasn't meant to twist!

Fast Knitting

It's always fun to find a knitting pattern that not only uses bulky yarn for speeding knitting, but also produces something fun to wear!

I started this project on Feb. 1 and was finished on Feb 4th, knitting just a few hours each evening.

I still need to find a nice big button to finish it off, but it doesn't need it.

I've also recently discovered needlepoint! A guest at our inn happened to be the owner of the Needle Nook in LaJolla, CA and we are now friends on Facebook. (She is also a Wee Forest Folk collector.) I happened to mention once on Facebook that I was curious about needlepoint and the next thing I know my Needle Nook friend is sending me a kit, complete with painted canvas, fibers, scissors, needles, and instruction book!

Here is the completed piece.

I'm going to use is for a small pillow for one of the guest rooms. It was fun and relaxing to work on, but now I'm thinking of creating my own designs and painting my own canvases. The ideas are churning. It was my friend who got me thinking of creating my own designs when she saw my squirrel quilt and suggested that I turn it in a needlepoint pattern.