On the Horizon

Life is starting to get back to normal as I'm settling into the New Year - I do still have one gift to wrap up and send off, but it's almost ready. Almost. With the return of my "normal", this means I'm busy looking ahead, so here's a bit of what's on my horizon:

One of my favorite designers, Ysolda Teague, is hosting her very first Mystery Knitalong (a.k.a. MKAL)! I host Knitalongs for Firefly Fibers and rarely do I have time to actually participate in anyone else's, but this one was too much for me to resist. I couldn't say "no" to Ysolda for a few reasons:

• Designer: Ysolda is an amazing designer and her patterns are always well-written.
• Mystery: This will keep me on the edge of my seat and interested. FYI, I'm already there.
• Options: 2 options with each of the 5 weekly clues. It's not like I need to make any more decisions than I already do, but *this* got me.
• Will-Power: I have none. Especially when it comes to Ysolda. Enough said.

Some knitters at the shop are joining in the fun - thank you, ladies - and I can't wait to see how the shawls knit up! I selected this beauty: SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock in Silver for the MKAL. I swatched this morning and it's amazingly beautiful knit up. Now I'll just twiddle my thumbs until the first clue is released on Monday. Well, not really...

As I shared earlier this week, I've been knitting away on these socks. I've made progress and the second one is ready for the heel (read this as: they will be on my feet in the very near future) so I'm pushing myself to the toe of these socks by queuing up a pair of worsted weight socks for hubby! It might sound like I'm actually punishing myself by knitting a pair of socks to fit a man that wears a size 13 shoe, but Regia came out with a new worsted weight sock yarn and I've been dying to try it out.

The fabulous Churchmouse Basic Sock pattern includes versions for fingering and sport weight, but hubby needs bigger socks than the pattern sizing offers. So, I’ve been planning on knitting a larger sock by using sport weight yarn with the stitch counts for the fingering weight, but I want to knit a super fast pair of socks and Regia’s worsted weight fits the bill - remember, a men's size 13.

Along the same thought process of my previous plan, I’m using a worsted weight yarn (currently on a US 5 - the Blue Sky Alpaca's DPNs are a joy to knit with) and the pattern stitch counts for the sport weight version to produce a larger (and faster knitting) sock. Based on my math and current gauge: so far, so good. I’ll confirm as soon as I can have hubby slip the wee cuff over his foot, but I’m optimistic that this will be a simple adjustment for other knitters that need to knit larger socks - I know of one knitter that has some size 13's at home, too. I've raveled the project here if you want to check in on my progress along the way.

Now... Remember my recent post on Journey? Well, the pattern collection has been a huge hit in the shop, so I've got something special in the works! I'll share details in the near future and it's sure to be fabulous! Like, REALLY FABULOUS! 

In addition to all of this, I'm always thinking ahead, so I've been busy working on classes and some new Firefly Fibers Designs. Yeah, I'm surely keeping myself out of trouble.

As for my kitchen... my cooking time is minimal during the holidays, so I'm slowly trying to get back into a kitchen routine. But, I did make this for supper last night and it was amazing! If you like grilled cheese sandwiches, bacon and eggs, it's a must try!

Cheers!

Sock Weather

It's cold here in the Midwest. Currently it's 19 degrees below zero. Yes, -19. It. Is. Cold. Logan is hanging with me today as I work from home. Something outside is apparently stare-worthy - I saw nothing beyond the frost covered window, but I didn't ask questions.

Each summer I hope and dream of heading into winter with stacks of hand knit socks for myself and hubby. Over the last year, Susan B. Anderson began posting tantilizing photos of her overflowing sock drawer and it's impossible to not be sucked into the world of socks after seeing all that beauty.

I was inspired, motivated, and I had dreams... I also have a job and it takes time to knit a full drawer of socks. Winter is obviously here (remember, -19) and I'm down to only a couple pairs of hand knit socks, so I'm frantically clicking away between other projects. I cast on a new pair of socks while we were in the car heading to hubby's Grandma's for Christmas, completed the cuff on the way back, and I turned the heel that night when we got home.

Nice long cuff on the finished sock, right? Yeah, about that... I was knitting on a 9" mini-circ in the dark on the way home and had no idea of how much progress I was making. Upon our arrival home, I was pretty excited to see it was nearly 10" long, then... I cast on the second sock and realized I would have to do it again. LOL! It's okay, I'll get there. Eventually.

A couple questions have come up since my last post with the darning poll (results are coming, just keep reading...). The questions were:

• How did I knit that much so fast? Well, it's a sport weight yarn knit on a US 3 (3.25mm), so they knit up really fast. This particular yarn is Regia's 6-ply that comes in 150gr balls and they've really expanded their 6-ply line over the last couple years - with our shop inventory expanding proportionately. *eek*
• What pattern do you use? My "go-to" sock pattern is Churchmouse's Basic Sock. Not only is it my personal "go-to" for socks, it's also the pattern used in the Top-Down Sock Workshop that I'm teaching again in just a few weeks and the pattern I recommend at the shop to new and seasoned sock knitters because it's just simply a good basic sock pattern. Churchmouse dubbs it, “The sock we return to again and again.” This is SO true!

This pattern is the closest to a "perfect" top-down sock pattern that I've found in my 12+ years of knitting socks. I knit and teach these socks exactly as the pattern is written, with ONE exception:

• I pick up ONE extra stitch at the top of the gusset. I've always done this on top-down gusseted socks and it really helps to close up that pesky little hole that can appear. Picking up one extra stitch really makes a HUGE difference for me and it really helps the students in class, too.

I've taught a variety of sock classes at Firefly Fibers from the beginning and as luck would have it, a little over a year ago, the timing worked out that I would solely lead the sock classes (sock/sole, get it?). I decided then that I wanted to offer a sock class of some variety on every class schedule and each of those classes have been a huge success! I just really love hand knit socks of all varieties and I love teaching sock knitting - check out the Top-Down Sock Workshop details and contact the shop to register if you're in the area and interested in joining me in the upcoming class! It's a good time with plenty of tips and side-by-side assistance along the way.

So, before I get back to work on my cuff or get distracted by something else:

The results of the darning poll (which I'm leaving open in case anyone else wants to add their input): 

Sock Knitters, what do you do when hand knit socks are in need of repair?

• 57% Knit a new pair
• 38% Darn them
• 5% Other

I'm a wee bit surprised that so many of us do the same thing and just knit a new pair - I'm also a wee bit comforted that I'm not alone. Granted, there are variables with darning: quality of the remaining sock, repairs needed, etc... I have some socks that I have darned and some that really just aren't worth it. But still, my first inclination is to just knit a new pair.

I'll be back soon with a couple more sock tidbits as I get ready to cast on another pair!

Cheers! Alisa

Journey | A Review

At Firefly Fibers, I hand-select our pattern lines from the perspective of knitter, knitting instructor, pattern designer and yarn shop owner. I look for patterns that are well-written, clear and easy to understand, include quality photos and are full of potential for a positive knitting experience - yeah, I know, I'm picky.

Jane Richmond is on my short list of all-time favorite designers and her patterns made a permanent home in the shop shortly after we opened. As an added bonus, she's an absolute joy to work with!

Last fall, Jane released her first book Island and I fell in love with each and every single project. I have - in fact - knit each and every single project in the book at least once. Island is stunning and was a huge hit in the shop with multiple re-orders and it's still selling out. Jane's friend, Shannon, played a huge role in the creation of Island (she's also a wonderful designer) and I had hoped there was more to come from this fabulous duo... 

Since Island, Jane had been pretty quiet... Then, the news on Journey was released and it all made sense - pattern writing is no easy task and I can't imagine what goes into creating an entire book. I was giddy with joy for a new book with designs from both Jane and Shannon! Of course, I was instantly emailing Jane asking about pre-ordering for the shop and she handled my enthusiasm (and endless questions) with her usual grace (I told you she's a joy to work with).

A collaboration of hand knits from designers Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook inspired by the journey of self-discovery, independence and the path back to yourself. This gorgeous collection of garment and accessory patterns forms a special book filled with beautiful photography by Nicholas Kupiak - let the pages take you away on your own JOURNEY.

After seeing the designs in Journey, I was again in love and quickly mapped out shop sample projects for all six designs (I admit that I first played a quick guessing game with myself on which designs were Jane's and which were Shannon's. P.S. - I won.):

They're beautiful, aren't they?

Firefly Fibers shop yarn suggestions for all six designs from left to right and top to bottom:

• Climb: Spud & Chloe Fine, Shibui Sock, Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock
• Onward: Rowan's *new* Pure Wool Worsted Superwash (due for arrival in mid-January in all 50 colors), Spud and Chloe Sweater, Misti Alpaca Tonos
• Spate: Spud & Chloe Sweater (sample on display), Malabrigo Rios
• Swift: Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight Alpaca (sample on display), Malabrigo Arroyo
• Antrorse: Spud & Chloe Sweater, Lamb's Pride Worsted
• Inland: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Chunky (available for special order), Cascade 128

The six gorgeous designs are presented in beautiful photography in the first 70+ pages (yes, seventy) that breathe life into each project. Following the photo journey are the project patterns in Jane's signature 'white space' style with additional pages including abbreviations, stitch guides and special techniques. Really, this book has everything.

The balance of design and texture between Jane and Shannon's designs is perfectly executed and I will knit each project at least once. I promise. Spate and Swift are currently on display front-and-center at the shop with Climb up next in the queue.

Journey is truly a "coffee table book" that flows through each of the projects - a huge thank you to both Jane and Shannon for creating this beautiful book. Journey arrived ahead of schedule and is now available at the shop - print copies include a downloadable eBook with individual PDF patterns.

The video for Journey is below. Grab a cup of tea and get ready to take your own journey.

Cheers! Alisa

Thank you very much to Jane for providing the beautiful photos!