New pattern alert! New pattern alert!
I liked my new socks so much, that I decided to write them up!
Head on over to my Ravlery page, and grab yourself a copy for free! They’re a super fun, quick knit, perfect for when you have a not-quite-full skein of sock yarn looking for a project.
These li’l guys are knit from the top down with a simple 1×1 rib cuff, a heel flap and standard toe. The cute little lace zig zag is fully charted (not written out).
I’m Type A. Maybe even Type A+, if you will. If there’s extra credit, I want it. If I say I’m going to do something (even if I’m the only one who cares), I will do it. I don’t half-ass things. Basically ever.
I’m not going to lie, there are some upsides about being this way- I’m a very competent person. I don’t (usually) forget things or miss deadlines. I’m always checking things off my various to-do lists. I’m self-driven and self-motivated. All good things.
On the other hand, I’m also always functioning with at least a low simmer of anxiety. If I miss a deadline (hello gigantic wool blanket I decided to make in the middle of summer), I get real stressed out and down on myself. You get it.
I’m doing my best to start being a little easier on myself. Maybe I don’t have to be 100% perfect 100% of the time. Maybe I can start half-assing things and being a little looser on deadlines. Sure, there are some things that can’t be half-assed, but there are definitely some things that can.
For example, this Flax Light sweater was intended to be the first half of a pair of Weasley-style sweaters for a friend of mine. It was intended to be a “welcome baby” gift for the big brother and his little brother.
The little brother is now 5 months old, and I’m barely halfway into the first sweater.
But, you know what? It’s fine! She wasn’t expecting the sweaters, and it’s too hot for the kids to be wearing them anyway. I’ll just size-up the baby sweater and they’ll be done by the fall (probably). And if they’re not… oh well!
You guys! I think my mojo is back! (Or at least kinda back.) I’ve finished my little blue socks and I love them.
Did they take longer than I expected? Yes. Did they turn out nothing like I had intended? Absolutely. But am I pleased with how they turned out? Totally!
I think I really like this length. I usually (always) make socks with legs that are about twice this tall, but I kind of love how they turned out. They took quite a bit less yarn (so I didn’t have to play yarn chicken!) and were a much quicker knit. I think they’ll be a great fall sock, for when I don’t necessarily want a big, thick “middle of winter” sock, but I still want to pull out something soft and cozy.
Now I just have to wait for it to cool off enough to wear them!
What finished projects are you excited about lately?
You guys! I think I might have my mojo back! I’m beyond happy with this new sock!
It’s so cute and girly, exactly what I want to wear right now, but also different enough from the other socks in my sock drawer. I’m just tickled.
I mean, just look at it! It hasn’t even been blocked yet, and it’s adorable! (And also look at my garden! Everything’s growing like crazy- the squash are coming in like gangbusters and the cosmos are just about the prettiest flowers I’ve ever seen.)
In fact, I’m so pleased with these socks, I’m considering writing them up and publishing the pattern. It’s been a minute since I’ve self-published anything, and I think it might be time.
Gosh it’s a great feeling when your favorite activity starts to get fun again!
What are you feeling excited about lately?
This one’s been cooking for a while, and I’m so excited to share it with you! I just love how it turned out!
Introducing: the Riverbed Hat!
It’s a slightly-slouchy, super-cabled, extra-cozy hat, perfect for sipping hot cocoa after a day of apple-picking. The Riverbed Hat is just fancy enough to be a great gift, and gender-neutral enough to be appreciated by everybody in your family. This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up and the cable pattern is fully- charted.
The Riverbed Hat is part of the newest Knit Picks collection, Bakeoven Knits, which features beautiful textural patterns and lots of cables worked in their new High Desert yarn. This yarn is 100% American-grown and spun and really just lovely. I was lucky enough to get a couple skeins to try out a while ago, and it’s really become one of my favorite yarns. It’s squishy and springy and has just enough variation in width to give real depth and character to even the simplest knits.
So head over to Knit Picks and grab yourself a copy of my pattern, or the whole book, or you could really treat yourself and pick out some yarn, too!
On the Needles 