7 October 2009 · 1 Comment
I know I promised information about a new sock pattern in this post. Not only have I kept you waiting a shamefully long time, but it turns out I was full of lies about that new pattern bit. There is a new pattern (there are actually several) and I will natter on about it shortly, but something else simply must be discussed first.
That something is the illustrious Mr. Neil Gaiman and his astonishing proximity to my socks. I have photographic proof (and yes this is a shameless homage to Madam Harlot and her traveling photogenic socks – good ideas are meant to be stolen). Mr. Gaiman spoke this Sunday at a branch of my local library. Cleveland (and Ohio in general) has a fantastic library system, but this time they outdid themselves.
Despite still having a bit of a cold, Mr. Gaiman read from both Odd and the Frost Giants and The Graveyard book (both delightful), and took two rounds of questions from the audience. He followed the discussion with a signing, and was still quite cheerful an hour and a half into it when I made my way to get to the the front of the line. Instead of having a book signed, I asked if I could take a picture of him with my sock. I figured it wouldn’t take any longer than getting a signature, and would be ever so much more entertaining. The woman who was helping to direct the line was a bit flummoxed (she seemed concerned about the needles) but Mr. Gaiman simply asked “will it explode?” and then struck a pose. Completely charming. I assured him it wouldn’t (hopefully without babbling too much) and proceeded to blind him with the flash of my camera. Oops.
More about that new sock next time (and I might even mean it this time). Also, for those playing along at home the second part of Crenellation is live.
1 October 2009 · No Comments
The first part of my first mystery knit along pattern is up. It can be found here. The discussion thread for the project is here. Those are both Ravelry links. The pattern is currently (and will likely remain) available only on Ravelry. If you’re not signed up yet, shame on you. There’s no longer a waiting list, so you have no excuse. The next three parts of the pattern will come out over the next three weeks at roughly one week intervals.
You’ll note there is no picture in the pattern (hence the mystery bit). The truth is, I don’t have a picture of the the exact sock in the pattern, because I made a few changes during the testing and revision process. That means my sock isn’t exactly the same as the sock in the pattern (though of course my testers knit the one in the pattern, don’t be scared, I wouldn’t put it out untested). It also means that I’m on the hunt for an ‘official’ picture for this sock — a picture I can use in the final version of the pattern (the one with all the instructions as opposed to the partial ones being doled out over the next few weeks) and on the Ravelry page for the pattern. So, I’ll be paying special attention to the pictures people post of these socks. If you make them and take a really good picture, I may be in touch to ask your permission to use your picture (I wouldn’t use anyone’s picture without permission of course, and if I use yours I will give you credit for your work).
The next pattern to come out will be another featuring one of the lovely yarns I got to design with at Sock Summit. More information and a call for testers in the next post.
