It’s Fiber Festival season and time for our first show of 2025. I have also completed the first half of a new pair of hand knit socks.
Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival
I am off to Chattanooga, TN tomorrow for the brand new Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival. I am excited, that there is another show in my home state.
I am making the drive and setting up the booth on Friday. My booth numbers are 61-62 which is in the middle and towards the front of the hall ( I think) . The market is open on Saturday Feb. 1 from 9-6, and Sunday Feb. 2 from 9-5. There are lots of things going on besides the vendor market too. Please to a moment to check out the website for more details.
I have also updated my Event Calendar on the website. I have at least 20 festivals booked for 2025. Oh and by the way, can you believe this is our 20th anniversary year? Crazy!
Sock Knitting
As I stated above, I have finished knitting the first of my 2×2 rib socks made from the sock blank. I love the way the colors played out. I took some basic notes to remind me of details for the second sock. I will probably get the second one cast on for occasional breaks from my other main project, the vest.
I am going to get back to work on that this weekend. It should make good booth knitting. I may be too busy but I usually like to have something with me for slower lulls. It is also great for sharing what I am working on at the moment with other knitters. You know how that is.
Birthday
My birthday was on Sunday. It was a nice quiet day at home, which is just what I like most of the time. I made a carrot cake and spent some time reading and knitting. I also did a bit of book shopping the weekend before for my birthday gifts.
The rest of the yarn dyeing is done and I managed to make some knitting progress too.
Yarn dyeing
Thursday was set up day, and Friday, and Saturday were the Middle Tennesse Fiber Festival, as I told you in my last post. We had another fabulous show! It was great seeing all the attendees enjoying the day and having a blast.
I took Sunday off to re-cooperate, but we were back out at the dye pots on Monday and Tuesday. We got all of the remaining yarn dyed. We had some wet and windy weather on Monday and early on Tuesday. We were able to work because of the covered area we built but we had to forego drying the yarn until late Tuesday and Wednesday. By yesterday afternoon it was all dry and ready to await labeling.
I spent some of yesterday and today working on labels and updating the inventory. I still love my office space!
Knitting
I got some knitting time while in the booth over the weekend. I tried to work a bit in the evenings too, but some nights I was too exhausted. Nevertheless, I finished the first Glittering Snowscape Sock. I am very happy with the fit. I like lacy socks and these are going to be fun to wear!
The Dora Cardigan is getting so close to the finish line that I am expending all my knitting energy on it. I was not totally sure that the color would show the lace but I like it. It’s the Classic Merino Superwash Sport in Damson Plum.
I am also getting to the part of the pattern that I will be revising. It will be easier than I thought to make the changes I want to make. I may also end up re-knitting part of the other two sizes after I make the changes so that I know they work and to update them to match the revisions. I can unravel the top of the yokes and just re-knit that part I think. That is the plan, anyway.
I think I may have this finished by my next post. See you next time!
Let’s get started with some finishing, then move on to some frogging and some new beginnings in my knitting.
Sorrel (Finishing)
I mentioned in my last post that Sorrel would be done very soon and here she is! This is the smallest of the three sizes in the pattern. All three of the sizes can be knit from one skein of Classic Merino Bamboo. I used 65g, which is about 320 yards, to make this size.
Sorrel front (color more accurate here)Sorrel back to show the button and keyhole opening
It is quick to knit and fairly simple for even newer knitters. You need to be comfortable with knitting in the round. The shaping is simple and the stitch pattern is only knit and purl. What I think the most special attribute of this design is that the range for wearing is flexible. It can be made a bit larger and be worn as a dress, but later as the baby grows it can still fit as a top.
Spiral Splash Socks (Frogging)
There is a story here.
When I began the Spiral Splash Socks in late January, I had a hard time choosing the size to make. My foot size was in between sizes 2 and 3. Size 2 began with 60 stitches and size 3 with 72 stitches. I know that socks that fit me best are 66-68 stitches but 64 can work too. It was with trepidation that I went for size 3.
Here’s the next problem I was worried about: the leg stitches increase after the cuff to 80/88 respectively for sizes 2/3. This is to account for the slipped stitches, I assume, to prevent them being to tight. This was feeling very wrong to me all the time I was knitting them. You know how it is though. You’ve already invested the hours and you hope if you keep going it will work out. Hint, it usually doesn’t. Trust your knitter instincts.
After I knit the heel flap and turned the heel, I tried them on. You can see how huge that leg is. My ankle was swimming in there. It was a little painful to do it, but I frogged them. I considered casting on the size 2, but I really don’t see how 8 stitches less was gonna help that leg section fit. They were way more than 1 inch too large. So, that brings me to the new beginnings part of my post.
Knitting Glittering Snowscape Socks and Dora (Beginnings)
I am using that same Dark Rose Classic Merino Superwash Sock yarn to make the Glittering Snowscape Socks by Stephen West. I am making the size 2 this time which begins with 64 stitches. I thought about going with a three color gradient, but then changed my mind. I am not in the mood for the extra fuss of color changing so I am just using the one color throughout.
Glittering Snowscape SockSleeves for large size Dora Cardigan
My other cast on project is the Dora Cardigan in the large size. I showed you the yarn in my last post. I like to begin this sweater by knitting the sleeves. These are small and quick and work as a swatch too. I am spot on for the gauge on size 3 US (3.25mm) needles.
The sleeves are knit flat and then joined to the body stitches after that piece is knit to the underarm length. The raglan shaping forms the top section. The button bands are knit along with the body. When the knitting is complete, the sleeves are quick to seam and you stitch closed the underarm stitches at the same time.
I knit about 1-2 inches of the sweater body but I didn’t take a picture yet. I’ll show you next time. It will be big enough by then to see that lace better. I hope I will get some time to finish it while I am in Raleigh, NC this weekend.
I am leaving on Wednesday for the Carolina Fiber Fest. I am setting up the booth bright and early at 6am on Thursday. I received by booth number today, so if you are planning to come, look for me in booth 21.
Two more knitting projects are done this week. I cast on for another and I am still working on my sock in progress.
Knitting Projects Done
My large Classic Baby Cardigan is all finished, even down to the buttons. I ended up using almost 460 yards of Classic Merino Superwash Sport for this sample. In the Earl Grey I used about 105g and about 30g in the Garnet. This is the second time that I have knit this size and I am glad to find that my required yardage in the pattern is accurate. I recommend 450-475 yards total, and I stayed within that range.
Classic Baby Cardigan Large sizeClassic Baby Cardigan Trio
The other knitting project that I have completed is the Spiral Effect Cowl. I used about 353 yards of Classic Merino Superwash Sock yarn in Heather to make this cowl. The first time that I knit this pattern, I knit it with US 6 needles, but the last two times I went down to a US 4 and I prefer that size. The lace is very open anyway, and I think the texture comes through better with a smaller needle.
Spiral Effect CowlSpiral Effect Cowl on me
Current Projects
I am still working on the Spiral Splash Socks but they are progressing slower than I would like. I think I only pick them up to work on them about 2-3 a week, so that is part of the problem. What also slows me down while knitting them is the stitch pattern. It’s pretty simple but I find changing colors every other round is just not as fast as using only one color. I hope that by the next knitting session on them, I can get to the heel flap. That always feels like a milestone to me when knitting a sock.
Spiral Splash SocksSorrel Small
Here is the other reason that my sock in progress is languishing. I started a re-knit of another booth sample that I designed about 12 years ago. This is the smallest size of Sorrel made in my Classic Merino Bamboo, also in Heather. This skein of yarn was already in my stash. I pulled it from inventory last summer when we dyed it, but I can’t remember why. I judged it slightly irregular, and I think it was that the color was off a bit from the rest, for some unknown reason. It works fine for a booth sample though. :-)
This project is a simple and fast knit. I am also highly motivated to have it ready for my first festival in a couple weeks. That is probably why I am making much more progress on this than on the sock.
My goodness! I have barely had time to breathe and finally a little break. Since my last post I have been to three fiber festivals. On Memorial Day weekend I was in Wooster for the Great Lakes Fiber Show. The weather was so nice and there was good turnout. I wasn’t going to bore you with more booth shots but I changed my mind since it’s what I have. Posts with pictures are more fun, right?
The first weekend in June was Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival in Franklin, IN. The weather was pretty warm this year but that’s not unusual. This show has really grown and improved so much over the 16 years I have been vending there. I am very impressed with it’s progress and look forward to it every year. The organizers do a great job with every thing, from vendor communication, to classes, to promotion.
This past Friday and Saturday, I was back in Ohio. For the third year, I went to the Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair in Newark. This festival is currently one day only. I have given it a few years, and it’s a nice one for what it is, but it may be the last year for me. It’s mainly because it’s all in the one day. I drive up on Friday and then on Saturday I arrive at 5:30 am to set up the booth for the market which opens at 9 am and runs to 5 pm. Then it’s tear down time. I put in a long 13 hour day and it’s just a bit too much. Attendance has dropped off too, which makes it hard to make enough to be worth the effort and expense. If it wasn’t 400 miles each way requiring two nights away I would keep it, but as it is, for me, it’s probably not one I will keep going forward. It makes me sad to do it though. One bonus is that I have my trailer and truck right there behind the booth. Saves some time and energy during set up and break down.
So, not a whole lot of knitting happening lately. I did finish that first sock and the cuff if the second one. I am ready to start the heel flap when I get back to it. If you recall, I am making these with some remnants of discontinued colorways of my Classic Merino Superwash Sock yarn.
shorty socks for summer
I have also been working on my shawl design. I am ready to join on the third skein at this point. It is measuring about 45″ unblocked. I am probably around the half way mark now since I want it to be generous for wrapping.
We have put in a huge yarn order to get started dyeing when I return from my next show. I am home this coming weekend but am back on the road for one more festival, Houston Fiber Fest, before the summer break. More on that in my next post. See you later!
I have been knitting on my Gridiron sock. I am almost to the toe decreases on this first sock. I have not cast on yet for my two booth samples but as you can see I have wound a skein of each of the yarns and put them in my knitting bag. I brought them along on my trip to Wooster, OH in hopes of a bit of time to start them.
I will be setting up the booth this morning for the Great Lakes Fiber Show but if I get done early enough I can squeeze in some time to knit tonight.
In other news, while I am away this weekend, my husband is busy upgrading our yarn drying lines. Here is what we have so far. I am excited about this. Not only will there be more room but they are right next to our work area instead of on the other side of the yard. It’s going to be great!
He took this picture yesterday. I’ll update when I get home with the progress.
I returned from Minnesota last Tuesday. I have been trying to squeeze in time to get my gansey blocked and write a post. I have been working hard to get my website rebuilt plus other stuff. So I am happy to report that the website is done. I will probably do some more tweaking but it’s functional and I am pleased with it so far. My blog is now part of my shop which I have wanted to do for a long time.
So now on to my gansey and current knitting. I have the gansey blocking at the moment. I blocked it out quite a bit so that when it relaxes it will be closer to the finished dimensions I was planning for.
I only got one project started. It’s another Gridiron sock.
I really enjoy this pattern. It’s just interesting enough to be entertaining but not enough to be distracting if you are watching videos or something like that. They are also comfortable to wear. My last pair are my favorite socks.
Ok gotta go for now. I am going to be going to Lexington, KY on Friday for the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Festival. I don’t know if I will have time to post again before that. We’ll see. Have a great week!
I just love these socks! They are so comfy and warm. The fit is perfect and they are definitely my new favorite pair of hand knit socks. I’m not sure if it’s the pattern or the yarn. I’ll probably be making this pattern again though. It as fast, interesting and easy.
I have been wearing my hand knit socks a lot this winter. I tend to wear them only when I am home for the winter since it’s hard to properly wash hand knit socks while traveling. I just save them up for the week and then just throw them in the sink with some shampoo to soak for awhile. When they have finished their bath I toss them in the washing machine for a rinse and spin cycle and lay them out to dry on the dryer or a table in the work room. Easy enough at home but more challenging in a hotel room. :-)
I have only one project left going at this point. I’m plugging away on my DeBussy shawl and have switched over to a longer needle. I have completed 4 of the chart repeats and joined on the second skein. I will see where I am on yarn supply and size when I complete the minimum of 7 repeats. I am thinking I would like it on the large side and I would rather use as much of the yarn as possible, so I may be going for the 10 repeats if I can.
I haven’t forgotten that gansey I want to start, so that may be happening soon now that I have only the one thing going.
Does it count as a FO if it’s just halfway to a pair though? 🤔
I have also made some progress on my DeBussy shawl since finishing the first Gridiron sock. It’s not alot different from last time but I am on the main chart now that gets repeated 7x or 10x, depending on what size you want. I’ll see how my yarn is holding out once I get 7 repeats done. I am currently on the second repeat.
We have had a spell of cold, grey, wet days this week. Thankfully we didn’t get much ice overnight from the storm. There may be a slight glaze but we have power and internet. It’s a good day to get in some knitting I think. 😉
I finished my Spiral Effect Cowl on Friday. I love how it turned out. This is going to be my go to scarf for those times when you want a bit of color . Also on days when you just need a little something around your neck but it’s not cold enough for a heavier scarf.
I have been working mostly on my Gridiron Sock since then. I am past the heel trn and gusset decreases. It’s just a straight shot until the foot is long enough.
I’ll be getting back to the shawl soon I think but I may at least finish this sock first.
