February Sock Challenge

Following on from the success of January's Brioche Challenge, February is going to be all about the socks - a subject that pleases me greatly.

Obviously we are all at different stages in our sock journey and so the type of challenge you pick is entirely up to you. As long as it involves socks or sock yarn it totally counts. Some ways that you might participate include (but are not limited to):

• A new type of sock construction for you - toe-up if you're a cuff down devotee
• A new type of heel/toe
• A new technique such as cabling, lace or even (dare I say it) brioche?
• Challenge yourself to use up a long term resident of your sock yarn stash
• Use a new type of yarn in your socks - alpaca maybe?

The choice is yours. There is always the option to 'double dip' and join in with the Ravelry UK Sock Knitters group who have a sock KAL starting shortly. And of course, with spring not quite making its presence felt here in the Northern Hemisphere, February sees the return of last year's seasonal #knityellowsocks project- because whose day isn't cheered up by seeing a pair of sunny yellow socks?

So, in short, grab your needles, chose some yarn and get ready for a sock cast on. There will be lots of links and resources over in the Facebook Everyday Knitter group so hop on over and join us if you haven't already.

A little bit of politics there...

Winter morning in Seatoller, Cumbria

The photo has nothing to do with today's blog post but I was in need of calming thoughts this week and reflecting on my peaceful start to the New Year in Cumbria is always a good way to calm myself.

I'd like to share an anecdote with you prior to this mornings mini rant. A few days ago I posted a link to a newspaper piece about the Pussyhat initiative in the USA and the fact that some yarn shops there had run out of pink yarn.

Lighthearted, humorous and fun - I thought.

I was a little taken aback to receive several comments from readers of my Facebook page asking me to remove the link as it was, and I quote "Too political".

One helpful commenter went on to explain to me that my FB Page should be "All About the Knitting" and that there was no place for politics on the page of a knitter and designer. I followed my usual tried and tested method of dealing with unhelpful advice be it from relatives, readers or health visitors: Smile, Ignore, Repeat (and in the case of online advice - delete).

But the comments continued to niggle me and I couldn't let it go. I also saw others on social media having such comments made on pieces they had shared and it got me thinking.

I am the first to admit that I am pretty single minded (some less kind souls may say obssessed) about my knitting. I won't say that it consumes my every waking thought - but my needles are never far from my person and I frequently dream about knitting (is that just me?). But since when is a knitter only allowed to express an opinion as it relates to knitting.

As knitters we are a diverse bunch.  We are a diverse bunch with diverse opinions on a whole range of topics. Some of us feel passionately about the environment, about parenting, about the Great British Bake Off. It's what makes knitters such a great group of people to hang out with and to interact with, whether it be online or in person.

Now I for one, am thrilled when I see any piece about knitting in the mainstream press that doesn't conform to the usual patronising knitting stereotypes. The tone of this particularly piece was light hearted, funny and talked about the way that a variety of communities had come together over the 'Hat Which Must Not Be Named' project - getting people knitting and talking together who may otherwise have never met. It talked about local yarn stores and the importance they can have in local communities and was pretty well researched as far as I could tell. The link to the article is here - just so you can read it for yourself. 

It was upbeat and it showed knitting (and knitters) in a positive light and I think that is something to be celebrated and shared whatever your beliefs and opinions on politics, climate change or Battenburg cake.

*The title is a reference to the glitter-suited 1980s stand up comedian Ben Elton (now well known author too) who used to finish some of his slightly edgier jokes - it was the Thatcher years - in his set with the words... "a little bit of politics there".

**Since I drafted this article yesterday I listened to Jo Milmine of the Shinybees podcast whose latest episode (104) touches on this very thing - Knitting as more than just craft. It's a fabulous and thought provoking episode and I really recommend you give it a listen.

Thinking ahead

I have to admit that I am really enjoying the process of blogging a little every day. And I'm starting to enjoy my morning ritual of coffee (always coffee) and sitting down to write before the rest of the house wakes up. Just 15 minutes of peace alone with my thoughts  (and coffee) to write about whatever is on my knitty mind is a really great start to the day.

As the end of January approaches I'm not sure whether to keep up with the daily posts or not but I'm also thinking about my next monthly challenge.

I really enjoyed the brioche challenge especially all the camaraderie and friendship over on the Everyday Knitter Facebook group. I'd love to keep the momentum going with a new challenge although there is absolutely no pressure and I'm more than happy for people to pick their own challenge or to continue with the brioche.

I think a sock related challenge could be great fun - lots of people would class themselves as sock beginners and would like to start to build their skills. More experienced sock knitters could challenge themselves with a new technique. Or the stash busters amongst us could challenge themselves to use their oldest skein of sock yarn or join in with the seasonal #knityellowsocks theme that will shortly be starting up again.

For myself I have a new sock class that I am putting together so my challenge would be to finely hone it and work on my sock samples for it. For those keen to know it is a 'knit socks 2 at a time, one inside the other' class. Although I really need to come up with a slicker title than that. 

I'd love to hear what your views are on the next monthly challenge. Please leave a comment here or on the Facebook group and let me know. I'm keen to build a community that supports and challenges its members but I don't want it to be too pushy or stress inducing. We are all at different stages in our knitting journey and I want to be mindful of that.

Blacker Yarns KAL

I Heart Stripes

Today marks the start of the Blacker Yarns KAL - an event which celebrates the wonders of the Edinburgh Yarn Festival. Running from now until EYF itself, participants can knit anything they like as long as they use Blacker Yarns. 

All the details can be found on the Blacker Yarns Ravelry group - a fabulously chatty thread with lots of ideas for patterns and yarns.

I have been lucky enough to design 3 shawls with Blacker Yarns including I Heart Stripes- above - which was knit out of the first batch of Cornish Tin. To celebrate the KAL I am offering a 50% discount off any or all of these 3 shawls to KAL participants- just pop over to the Blacker Yarns group for all the details and see what everyone else is up to.

In my head

Rusty Ferret Doll 4ply sock yarn

In my head this is already the most fabulous pair of socks. I can envision exactly how they will look, the type of heel and the smooth stocking stitch on the sole and toe will look amazing in this slightly semi solid yarn.

All I have to do is actually knit them and write the pattern. Sounds simple but so many times what is in my head doesn't translate to the finished item. Either the stitch count won't work out as I need it to or the yarn and pattern fight with each other. Or sometimes, for no good reason it just looks wrong.

Such are the perils of designing but also of knitting in general. All too often we start off a fresh project with such excitement, already picturing ourselves wearing the most fabulous finished garment. About a third of the way into the project though things can be very different. We worry about gauge and the texture of the fabric, maybe we aren't happy with some element of the construction or we start to question whether we really need a lime green bulky yarn cardigan in our lives. In short, there is often a mismatch between our excitement at the start of a project and the reality of said project once it starts to take shape.

But as knitters we have control over what we produce. We can stop and assess - or flinging it into a corner is also a good option. There is nothing wrong with ripping back and starting again - and as a designer that's something I've had to get used to.

A stiff gin helps with the frogging process though 

Toe-up Tuesday

Sometimes you come across a hashtag idea and can't believe that it isn't more of a thing. So it was with #toeuptuesday. I thought of it whilst I was shopping for groceries (oh, the glamour of my life) and I couldn't wait to come home, get online and see who was using it.

I was a tad surprised to find that very few people were using it apart from a few random dancers/gymnasts. It seemed to be as though if ever a day of the week was made for a hashtag then this was it. I am a little bit biased however, as toe-up is by far my favourite way to knit a sock.

I would love to spread the word for this fabulous hashtag and get some serious love for #toeuptuesday going. Wouldn't it be fun to check in on Instagram and see a parade of fun, colourful sock toes staring back at you.

So why not share a picture of your toe-up socks in progress, or maybe a photo of your favourite finished pair. Let's spread the word and give #toeuptuesday the fame it deserves.