I'm sure that every designer is different but for me, the best bit of the design process is when your new pattern heads off to the tech editor and for test knitting. It is taking it's first few baby steps into the world as you watch anxiously, waiting to see how it gets on.
It's also the first chance I get to share some details of the design with you.
Malala Socks pattern in Rusty Ferret, Doll yarn. Colourway: The Dark Below
This design is particularly special to me, as the yarn support was provided by an indie dyer I have wanted to work with for ages. Leona runs Fluph Shop in Dundee and is also the dyer behind the brilliantly named Rusty Ferret ranges of yarns. Her Doll yarn base comes in some fabulous hand-dyed colours and this one - The Dark Below really spoke to me.
I decided to use this yarn for a project for the UK Sock Knitters Group on Ravelry. A committed and dedicated bunch of sock knitters, every year they run a year long KAL with a theme for each month. This year their knits are along the theme of British Actors and July - the month I was asked to design for- is allocated to Emma Watson.
The Malala Socks were the result.
I wanted to create a design which moved on from the fabulous Hermione’s Everyday Sock - the very well-known design inspired by Emma’s character in the Harry Potter films. Emma’s confidence and assertive stance is reflected by the strong central cabled panel which gives the design structure and form. She remains at heart a down to earth and practical young women however and so the back of the leg is left fuss free and straightforward with a twisted stitch rib. This theme continues to the end of the leg - with no traditional cuff. The pattern ends with a stretchy bind off, the ribbed design giving sufficient stretch and structure to serve as a functional cuff.
All the details can be found over on my Ravelry Patterns page and if you would like additional notification of when the pattern is live - along with an exclusive discount off the purchase price, please do sign up to my newsletter - click here to sign up
