18 March 2010 · 2 Comments
So this is still not it. There’s a good chance the ‘it’ will be discussed tomorrow or Monday.
Instead, I bring you some other news, this time accompanied by a photo. It’s been an unreasonably long time since there has been a photo of a new sock. So, with no further ado, a picture. This is a sock with a bit of back story. The story is rather rambly. The short version is ‘new pattern later this month.’ If you don’t want the long version, feel free to wander off now. I’ll never know.
Ok, now for the long version. Quite a while ago, I thought ‘I’ll write up a pattern and submit it to an online magazine, that will be fun!’ Turns out what it actually was was hard and frustrating. Headaches and heartaches ensued. Unladylike language was used. I set the pattern (and the partially knitted socks) aside. They slowly drifted ever farther down the mythical list of things to do.
A few weeks ago, I found myself thinking of them. I was thinking of them rather a lot. They’re actually kind of nifty. It was unfair to abandon them. They deserved better. The reason I started thinking of them was that fit of darning I endured earlier this year. That wouldn’t have been necessary with these socks. You see, these socks are made in such a way that, should the sole ever wear out, you can unceremoniously remove the feet and turn the lovely lacy cuff into fingerless mitts. It’s actually pretty clever (I’m biased, but it really does amuse me to no end). I’m starting to think more socks should be made this way.
And here was this pattern. Just sitting there. I took another look, and the things that had seemed impossibly difficult to describe a year ago were suddenly crystal clear. It turns out that a year of steady practice makes things easier (why did no one ever mention this before). I whipped the pattern into shape in no time.
Alas, I still had only 1.5 socks (which isn’t terribly photogenic) and no time to finish them. Also, in a fit of astonishingly poor stash management that still needs to be addressed, I seem to have misplaced the yarn needed to finish that second sock.
Enter the Knit Picks Independent Designer Program.
Now I know this program is a bit controversial. Some people say ‘oh it devalues designers’ work, you’re selling yourself short, you deserve to be beset by ravenous moths if you even consider it.’ Other say ‘it’s the keenest thing since cashmere, the exposure makes up for the low pattern price, it’s made of sunshine and butterflies.’ I think the truth is somewhere in between. It’s likely not the venue for your aran sweater masterpiece painstakingly graded for twelve sizes. But it’s also likely worth considering for some projects.
What sealed the deal for me, at least for this pattern, was the possibility of sample knitters. Knit Picks wanted a sample of the sock in their new tonal sock yarn. It’s lovely, and they provide the yarn. Some of my most trusted and gracious test knitters were willing to knit samples for me. Knit Picks would take the pictures (the picture up there is an old one of mine, the Knit Picks ones are much better). This seemed the perfect choice. I got to send my pattern (and my magical convertible sock notion) out into the world. I didn’t have to squeeze out time for one more knitting project. I got to send yarn to some of the people who’ve been such a help to me over the last months. It seemed too good to pass up.
So that was a (very) long way of saying that the pattern for these will be released around March 25th. Stay tuned for more details about that conversion bit and (hopefully) some more pictures.
17 March 2010 · 1 Comment
Yeah yeah. Accuse me of toying with you. This is not the big news. We’ll call it building suspense. It’s actually me needing a few more days to get all of my ducks in a row. Let’s pretend it’s an intentional and ingenious plan to string you along instead. It makes me sound much cooler and more diabolical.
There is, however, other nifty news to be announced. I bit the bullet and signed up for a design retreat in Chicago this Summer. It focuses on the “business and creativity of design,” and features instruction by Shannon Okey, Arabella Proffer, and Franklin Habit. It seems about time I learn how this stuff is supposed to be done, no? Perhaps it will be the next step on my path to world domination. At the very least it will give me a deadline for replacing my poor elderly car with a more reliable one in which to make the journey.
15 March 2010 · 2 Comments
It’s been an interesting few days at Chez Violence. Not the bad sort of interesting. Not even the ‘I’m saying interesting because I can’t think of a single other civil thing to say’ sort of interesting. Nope, this is actually the exciting and potential-filled sort of interesting.
The weekend was full of research and planning (and knitting). Much of the research and planning was actually focused on knitting and other fiber-y goodness. Alas, the details must all remain very hush hush for the time being. If all works out as hoped, I’ll come back in a little while with some good news. Consider this a place holder for the next few days.
4 February 2010 · No Comments
You want Graupel, Graupel you shall have. I will release it later this month and then release Caprice in March. A few people have mentioned that they’d like to have the pattern for some of the various Olympic themed knitting events they’re participating in. The pattern is done, so I can totally do that. I’ll plan to put it up Thursday the eleventh. Of course this does mean I absolutely positively must get pictures taken this weekend. If you see the sun, send it this way.
For any of you dedicated athletes out there who want to start training (ie swatching) now, I should offer a note about size and gauge. This sock is stretchy – astonishingly stretchy. It’s also written in 2 sizes. There are also a whole lot of sock yarn thicknesses floating around out there. Stretchy design + 2 sizes + variety of sock yarns means you can likely get these to fit just about anyone. In general, I suggest that you aim for a gauge of about 8.5 stitches per inch in thin sock yarn and about 7.5 stitches per inch in thick sock yarn. At those gauges, the small size in a thin sock yarn will fit a small woman’s foot, the small size in a thick sock yarn will fit a medium/large woman’s foot, the large size in a thin sock yarn will fit a large/extra large woman’s or medium man’s foot, and the large size in a thick sock yarn will fit a large/extra large man’s foot. I’m pretty darn confident you can make this fit.
Now go find a fetching track suit and don’t forget to stretch.
11 January 2010 · No Comments
Over the past week or so I have had three, yes three pairs of socks wear out at the heels. One of them is an early pair of The Boy’s (made during that period of deeply unsuitable yarns I mentioned earlier). The other two are mine and were made a bit later and with more suitable yarns. Alas, even with appropriate yarn, socks are not everlasting. In all three cases I caught the damage when it was just a thin spot and not a full-fledged blow out. This means darning them isn’t actually all that hard, and I have very little excuse not to do it. I even have remnants of all the yarns. I just need to collect the necessary fortitude and dedication and actually do it. If I waver, I’ll just have to compare the time to make new socks (at least 20 hours a pair) versus the time needed to repair them (about an hour a pair) and brow beat myself into doing the right thing.
I am, however, taking the spate of holes as a sign that I need to buy some of the mythic ‘wooly nylon’ reinforcing thread. I’ve heard it’s perfect for carrying along with the main yarn while working heels and toes. My socks (and The Boy’s too for that matter) always wear out at the ball of the heel. I think it should be fairly simple to reinforce that area in upcoming socks. I may even take the reinforcing thread and work it into our existing socks in that area to see if it helps stave off future holes.
I’ve got two other small administrative notes. First, Wednesday is the last day to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win one of three free patterns. Second, a new sock is coming out either at the end of this week or the beginning of next week. This is one of the (many) secret projects that’s been depriving you of pictures over the last few months. It’s finally ready to go and will be here soon!
7 December 2009 · No Comments
Now for some actual knitting. That empty box over there, the one under “On the Needles?” It’s a lie. The needles are not empty. They are, in fact, quite full. Alas, almost all the current knitting is secret, so I can’t show you pictures. I’m realizing now that this was poor planning. I can’t show you pretty pictures, but I can let you know a bit about the schedule and what you can expect to see over the next little while.
The next pattern you will see is part of Penny Rose’s Wicked Women yarn club. While only club members will be able to get the particular yarn I used, everyone will be able to buy the pattern. This one comes with its own fairy tale and a bonus history lesson. It will be out in early to mid January. I’ve finished my knitting, my marvelous testers have worked their magic, and The Boy spent a very amusing hour taking pictures of my feet yesterday, so this one is officially finished. Now I just have to wait to show them off. In the meantime, I’ll console myself by wearing them.
In February, you’ll see another sock club pattern, this time with Gaia’s Colours. These will be exclusive to the club for a while, but I’ll torment you with photos and try and try to talk you into putting the public release on your calendars. One sock is done, and the second is waiting for a few more yards of yarn. Testers have the pattern, and I’m lovingly fondling the existing sock (it’s a super thick and wonderfully warm) while I wait to finish its mate.
There are two more secret projects on the needles, one for publication (yay) and one for another sock club, but they’re for a bit later in the year and must remain unmentionable for a while longer. Some time very soon now (this week with any luck) the combined pattern for Crenellation will be available. It was up in pieces for the KAL, but I wanted to redo it as a single download with pictures.
Nope, no empty needles around here.
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