Emptyknitster

March ... Green...Gansey Pattern... Yes...   Happy Saint Patrick's Day!! Pattern: Herringbone Gansey Sock by Tempe Croke Yarn: Zwerger Garn Opal 4-fach/4 ply Colorway: Grasgrun Needle Size: US Size 1

I've enjoyed sewing two new quilts on my beloved sewing machine, Betty Singer.  When the first quilt was finished I realized there was almost enough material for second. Off to the fabric store I went making only a small purchase of fabric  - backing and binding. Soon it was back to Betty for another few days and the completion of that second quilt. I continue to make use of the book I received as a gift for Christmas, Quilt As You Go, Made Easy although both of these quilts have been modified and are slightly different from any in the book.  I have two more "queued up" and I hope to get going on them soon.

I was surprised at the fabric of these socks. While in the skein the yarn looked destined for a female member of the family but once the knitting began a was a very masculine feel and a  camo stripe became involved. So with a few slight adjustments the socks are now earmarked for a male member of the family! Pattern: Vanilla Socks with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel Yarn: Regia Arnie and Carlos Design Line Colorway: Siljan Needle Size: US Size 1

With this cold, snowy winter we've been having I got a hankering to knit up a pair of mosaic socks. They are much warmer than normal handknit socks because of the denseness of the fabric caused by using two colors.  A pair of socks knit in mosaic are much more comfortable than a pair knit in stranded knitting - no loose pieces of yarn to get your tootsies caught in. Once you figure out the technique they aren't difficult to knit but it is necessary to have the chart nearby for reference at all times. This particular mosaic pattern necessitated an adjustment in my normal stitch count. I knit an uneven amount of stitches on the front and back of the foot and then increased the number to an equal amount after knitting the heel so the pattern could be continued in the round. A hand dyed sock blank was used for the background color. Blanks are unpredictable in color and this sock blank was no exception. In the end I still like the mismatched socks and will wear them often. ...

CaliforniaDreamin’ Daughter loved her “Nevertheless” hat and so I wanted the CaliforniaDreamin’ Granddaughter to have a hat for her protesting adventures too! Pattern: She Protested by Mary Annarella Yarn: Patons North America Kroy Socks 4 ply Colorway: Winter Eclipse, hot pink Needle Size: US Size 1

Recently, I got a SCREAMING deal on yarn from Little Knits of Seattle Washington. I might have bought 22 skeins of sock yarn (shhh, don't tell Hubby!). The service was outstanding and I'll be buying more - for sure. Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fish Lips Kiss Heels Yarn: Regia Arnie and Carlos Colorway: TInn Needle Size US Size 1

I couldn’t knit anything too difficult during the Super Bowl, so I started vanilla socks during the Super Bowl. Great game and great pair of socks!   Pattern: Vanilla Socks with Fishlips Kiss Heels Yarn: Regia 4-fadig Colorway: 02265 Denim Needle Size: US Size 1