Socktoberfest - Right Around the Corner

One of my knitty pals, Susie, aka Knitting Knoobie, just reminded me that it's almost time for Socktoberfest, a month long festival of knitting which you can find on Ravelry.  I've been looking for some patterns on Ravelry (and I've been looking at Susie's project page on Ravelry because she finds great sock patterns!!).  Here's some patterns that I'd like to knit.

Diagonal Lace Socks by Wendy D. Johnson



Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Leuder



D-Man Socks By Karen Lauger

Now to go through my stash and select some yarn to use! What sock patterns have you run across recently that you are planning on knitting soon? Share with us here! 

Block Party!

I think most knitters would agree, a knitter's idea of a block party is significantly different than what most people would think...I finally blocked some finished knitting projects.  I had so much to block that my small set of Knitpicks foam blocks wasn't enough to get the job done.  I had my mind on completing this huge task and so last week I went to Target and found these children's foam blocks:

And, now, some blocking progress!

I finally cast-off Romney's Kerchief....I couldn't get myself to do the recommended cast-off...it seemed like it would be just too time consuming. Last week, I decided to go up to size 10 needles and cast-off.  A bit of a risk, as I was almost out of yarn but it all worked out fine.

My Not At Sock Summit Socks...I loved knitting with The Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga yarn although I was "meh" about the pattern....size 1 needles too...a never ending project but very nice results!

My Rose Lace Stole!! I love this! I love the lace pattern! I really love rectangular shape! I want to knit another rectangular shawl ASAP!

Andrea's Shawl - Loved this pattern too!  Such a pretty combination of green! And, surprise! Look!  The lace looks mostly like the pattern photos! (I thought I was making all kinds of mistakes!)




What did I learn from my block party? Wow, blocking can really accenuate lace patterns! And, all of my shawls blocked to the correct size.  Even the Rose Lace Stole which I was soooo worried about.  Now, to get some photos of all these finished projects onto Ravelry! 

Crimson Tide! A New Pattern on Ravelry




Crimson Tide Socks on Ravelry

 

I cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoy knitting colorwork projects! And, now, just in time for fall (better known around here as Football Season!), I've designed a sock pattern called Crimson Tide.  Priced at $2 US, I am going to contribute all of my proceeds from sales of this pattern through January 9, 2012 (date of the College Football National Championship) to the Red Cross Disaster Fund.  Originally, I wanted to raise funds for the Red Cross to help with Disaster Relief from this Spring's tornadoes in the Southeast, particularly in Alabama (hence, my design inspiration!).  With the recent hurricanes in the Northeast and along the East Coast, I have decided to contribute to the general disaster relief fund to help wherever funds are needed most.


About Crimson Tide...a basic sock pattern really with an easy to memorize pattern that repeats around the leg of the sock and across the top of the foot.  The colorwork striping on the bottom of the foot adds extra interest to the look of the sock (and minimizes the need to weave in loose ends!).  I've used KnitPicks Palette in Pimento, Garnet Heather and White...perfect for all of you Alabama fans out there!  This pattern would also be pretty in blues and greens for a more aquatic look.