That’s right! Not one, but two patterns in as many weeks!
And this one is maybe my silliest yet. Tiptoe Socks!
I mean, come on. Stupid little ankle socks with stupid little pompom bunny tails. They’re the best. (I mean “stupid” in the best way possible, but come on, what adult needs socks with puffy pompoms? Me, I suppose. But still.)
These li’l guys are your basic top-down ankle socks with some simple-but effective stripe/colorblocking detail, and a reinforced heel. But, of course, the best part is that ding dang pompom. You can use a store-bought pompom or make your own with leftover yarn. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
This pattern is part of Knit Picks’ newest collection of socks, Rockin’ Socks. If you’re a fan of colorful and cheerful socks, this book is definitely worth checking out.
So go pick up a copy of my Tiptoe Socks, and cheer yourself up!
It’s a super comfy cowl, worked flat and seamed, covered with a lovey nautical-inspired cable lattice. The pattern comes with two options: a tall-but-narrow cowl (think, turtleneck minus the rest of the sweater), and a longer looser version (shown).
I’m really excited about the collection that this pattern is included with, too. Knit Bits: Learn to Knit Cables is the first instalment in a new series of booklets that Knit Pick’s is working on that teach the fundamentals of knitting through actual patterns. I’ve gotten a peek at the book, and it’s great! Tons of super-useful pictures and really thorough instructions.
If you’re interested in upping your cable game, go grab yourself a copy over at Knit Pick’s website!
Hi folks. I’ve got a simple request to make to y’all. It’s not knitting-related, but it’s important. It’s also maybe not what you come here to see, so I’ve included some pretty pictures of my how my vegetable garden’s going these days.
Look! Some pretty leaf lettuce! I think the spotty ones are my favorite. So cute!
Here’s the request: If you haven’t done it already, please go get your Covid vaccine. (If you’ve already gotten your vaccine, YAY!)
Blueberries! It’s our first year trying blueberries and I can’t wait to see if we actually get any fruit. Fingers crossed.
Here’s the thing about the vaccine. Sure, it’s a personal choice, but your actions really affect everybody. For example, my kids are both too young to get the vaccine, so even though both my husband and I have been vaccinated, we have to continue to quarantine the way we have for the last year. My oldest kid is 3 years old, and he’s only interacted with 4 kids in the last year and a half (and two of those interactions were 1-time outdoor playdates with masks). That’s not healthy. My youngest is 6 months old and hasn’t met his grandparents yet, not to mention his aunts and uncles. That’s just sad.
A small forest of bok choy. We’re eating a lot of stir fries these days.
Once we have enough people vaccinated to create herd immunity, people like my kids (or other folks who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons) will be able to go out in public again. My boys will be able to… I don’t know… do something crazy, like go to school, visit the library or just go to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal.
Peas! Supposedly they’re going to have bright pink flowers and purple pods!
And, it’s super easy and free to get vaccinated! I got my vaccine at Walgreens. I signed up online and went in to my local pharmacy. There wasn’t any line, and I got a cool red bandaid. Win/win. And these days, most places are allowing walk-ins for people over 16. Just google “Covid Vaccine (your city)” and I’m sure you’ll find a place nearby.
One of my beds, soon to be overflowing with produce, assuming I don’t mess it up. Front to back: radishes, carrots, potatoes, kale, and sugar-snap peas.
And, finally, the vaccine is super-safe. Millions of people have taken it, with only minimal side effects. If you’re still concerned about safety, there is a ton of really great information out there. Sawbones is a really excellent podcast that talks a lot about Covid and vaccinations. And if you want to go straight from the horse’s mouth, the CDC is a great resource.
Sure, it’s not the most fun, after all, who likes getting shots? And, if you’re anything like the people in my family, you’ll be pretty under the weather for 24 hours. But it’s really important. It’s important to the economy, it’s important to schools, and it’s important to kids and other people who can’t get vaccinated.
OK, so. I need help deciding because… well… I’m indecisive.
Buttons.
This sweater has 3 button holes, but it turns out that I only have 2 of the buttons I had intended to use (these adorable little vintage stick-buttons from the button collection I inherited from my Grandma a few years ago). Bummer.
So, now I’ve got three other sets that could work:
Blue ceramic buttons I made years ago when I worked for a ceramics artist who let me put my own projects in the kiln when I fired the tiles we were actually paid to make:
Plain creamy sage(ish) green buttons that I’m pretty sure my grandma cut off of a blouse in the 90s.
These slightly shimmery caramel-colored buttons from (I can only assume) 1976.
Or, should I just go with the original stick buttons, and just pretend that I didn’t make 3 button holes? It’s not like it’ll ever be all the way buttoned-up anyway.
I think I’m currently leaning toward the caramel ones, but will they make my kid look like an extra from Laverne & Shirley?
I just love blocking. Of course it’s magical on lace and fancy cable projects, but it’s just as satisfying on simple projects. I’m always amazed how much even the simplest (for example) bulky stockinette sweater benefits from a good block.
Observe:
Looks fine, right? Nothing too rough about it. But give it a solid block (or even a half-effort one, like I did this time… because my pins were upstairs and I didn’t feel like getting them) and it transforms! Also, it’s still slightly damp, because even though I started it blocking several days ago, it is a very solid sweater, and is taking a million years to dry.
But look at the ruler- it’s grown a good 2″ across the chest (maybe more), and the drape and feel of the fabric has absolutely changed. The stitches are so much more even and the collar looks so much better. It’s gone from stand-up-on-its-own-stiff to smooth-and-velvety. Honestly, I’m kind of jealous of this sweater. I wish it was in my size!
What’s the best blocking transformation you’ve done?
On the Needles 