Over the holidays I challenged myself to try a different way of making socks. I’ve knit all my socks cuff-down so it was time to try toe-up.
I had a Zauberball that I’d been hoarding and I decided that the fun colours would keep me interested as I worked a plain sock. I had also picked up a set of Knit Pro Karbonz to test out in 2.25mm (US 1) so I threw them in the challenge mix. Continue reading
It was time to use up a stashed yarn that was bought without a clear purpose.
These socks were knit from the top down with the intention of using just the Regia Design Line “Garden Effects” yarn, but the more ribbing I knit the more I knew that this yarn needed help from a friend to make it interesting. I added in a ball of grey Regia that appears almost purple-blue next to the the pinks and reds from the Garden Effects yarn. Stripes to the rescue!
With all the knitting that’s been going on, I’ve also been concocting pouches and cases to store and carry my knitting needles. This has involved measuring, sketching, paper prototyping, and sewing prototypes.
On my travels I bought the 2.5mm sock knitting needles I knew I’d be needing at some point… and then I couldn’t help but start on another pair of socks with a ball of Regia yarn I’d picked up on my first few days in Helsinki.
I’ve returned to Sydney after a very crafty three week holiday to my home country, Finland. I lost count of the yarn and craft stores I visited but I’ve returned full of great memories of the things I saw and the conversations I had with the people running the stores and encouraging their customers in all things crafty. I visited craft museums and exhibitions, cafes and bookstores, immersed myself in the craftier side of Finland and was taught a few knitting tricks by my relatives. I also came back with a big stash of yarn and a smaller stash of fabrics that will take some time to get through but will make for some lovely projects.
I’ll write more about particular crafts, ideas, materials and experiences over the coming weeks, but to start with, I have become obsessed with knitted mittens.
