Frustrated with the way the new sock design is going I’m doing what all good creators do. Working on something else.

https://flic.kr/p/SpCfSD

A day to make stuff

Pinky didn’t have school today. We did stuff

Did you know melty beads (Perler beads) came in mini?

Punky is making a chain mail piece for an elf costume for the Medieval Fair. Didn’t know there were elves during medieval times did you?

I also did some drawing. 

It’s generally been a great day.

As for the socks? I’m working on it. Really!

Welcome back me!

So it’s been a while. Stuff has happened. I went back to work, and that took my focus for a while. I had hoped to return to the blog last year, but as with many folks, last year was terrible for me. There were too many other things to get through, focus on and manage to hope to find the energy for blog posts. But, most of that is done, Spring is coming, so it seemed like a good time to start again. I’m still knitting and making stuff, that never goes away! I’ve been working on a new design yesterday and today, which is part of what inspired me to chat with you all again. Here’s where it all started yesterday.

Scrap socks, oh yeah, nothing ever changes does it? Sadly, after some knitting, some ripping, some more knitting, I came to the conclusion that the colours I had were not working out. Not enough contrast. So I set it aside – always a good rule to follow when things are not going to plan. I had a little think about colours, had a little dig through the stash and today I’m starting over with this.

I think it will work. I’m also going to fuss with my chart a bit as I wasn’t 100% happy with the way the pattern was going yesterday, so might as well start over completely.

So, what have you been up to?

Bubblesquish!

As promised, new sock pattern! Introducing Bubblesquish!

These socks looks kind of round and bubbly when they’re just lying around, but transform into a surprisingly square basket weave kind of texture when you put them on. Observe!
Before:

After:

Bubblesquish is knit top down, with a heel flap and standard toe. There is a chart, and written instructions, so hopefully everyone is happy! There are three sizes – 60, 66 and 72 st cast on – roughly ladies sm, ladies med/mens small and ladies large/mens med.

The super pretty purpley yarn I used is Indigodragonfly Merino Nylon Sock, and the orange used for the stripes is Sanguine Gryphon Eidos. You only need about 15 grams of yarn for the stripes, so raid that leftovers bin!

Of course, the pattern is now available on Ravelry. Since socks are perfect summer knitting and it’s hot today I’ve put this pattern AND all of my other sock patterns on sale! 50% off for the next week only (sale ends July 29 2014). No coupon coder required, just go get ’em!

Coming soon!

New sock pattern! Just in time for… really hot summer weather. Yay?
No, wait you want to get a head start on your fall wardrobe needs, don’t you? Of course you do! Squishy, soft, fun socks will be just the thing. In a month or two. The pattern isn’t ready yet, but here’s a preview. Yeah, the socks aren’t quite done either. Hello ends!

Joey’s Garage

Yes. I know. I promised you pictures a month ago. But then the sun went away, and it has been cold and raining. The garage not being the most well lit place it really requires a sunny day for pictures not to look like ass. Finally, today, it is sunny, my camera is charged and I had time to go out and nose around. Also time to edit and post! So here you go.

As you can see, today’s editing was fun with filters, shoo! I do love messing with my photos when I can.

Are you still there?

Ok, so I am a sucky blogger, no treats for me.

I’m still here, survived the long, long, LOOOOONNNNNGGGG OMGPLEASEMAKEITSTOPAUUUUGHGHGHGHGKILLITWITHFIRE winter. Seriously, we had over 6 feet of snow on our lawn and it only really went away about a week ago.

Yuk.

I’ve been doing a lot of socks lately. Here’s the most recent pair, just finished this morning.

I like these because I got the yarn on the cheapity-cheap from this bizarre little place (Cambridge Fibres if you happen to be anywhere near Cambridge Ontario). I had no idea what it would look like, but it was $3 and I’ve got loads left to make at least a scrappy pair or something. And they are crazy weird stripes, always fun. I’ve been stuck in some kind of ribbing rut. Not solid ribbing on every sock, but some everywhere. Not sure what that’s all about, but there you go.

It’s actually inspired a new pattern that I made for my friend Dennis, they are called (creatively) Dennis Socks (so creative Heather, way to pull out all the stops.) At any rate, it’s a free pattern, lots and lots of nice ribbing, including on the heels and toes if you are so inclined. Or not if you don’t want to. I’ve even done it in three different sizes, first time for that, let me know what you think ok? Good mindless stuff should you be looking for that kind of project. Also good for that really crazy coloured skein of yarn that you have that doesn’t go with any other pattern, you know the one I mean.

 

The yarn is Lion Brand Sock-Ease, the colour is called Taffy (really Lion Brand, where are you getting grey, yellow and orange toffee? Ew.) The cuffs, heels, and toes are just Paton’s Kroy, can never go wrong. Dennis really liked them, so yay!

Ok, kids, I’m going to be better about posting here. Really. Joey has some cool motorcycle stuff going on in the garage, so I’m going to go out and do some fun shots out there, you can see the new bikes and bike pieces. Assuming the sun stays.

Frankie Pie

Just in time for Halloween! Another new monster!

This is Frankie Pie!

The idea for him came to me as I was looking at some other knitted toys on line a while ago.  As I was mulling him over in my head I saw a tweet from Catherine of Blueberry Pie Studio about her new green self striping colour way.  That solidified what Frankie should look like, so I drew him up and messaged Catherine. She agreed – Frankie needed to be striped!  She suggested a second colour for him, and tossed the yarn in the mail. I got to knitting, and here we are!

Frankie is knit flat and in the round and has very minimal assembly – you only have to sew on his arms and legs. He uses basic increases and decreases, so he’s a good beginner monster. There is a very little bit of simple colour work on his head, but it’s optional.

As always, his pattern is available on Ravelry. Shall we have a little sale to celebrate? oh, yes, I think so! Enter the code besquare at the checkout to get $1.00 off your Frankie pattern from now until Oct 9.

Now get knitting and go scare some villagers!

Nerwin and Batmeanine

Last year, right around this time, I got to do something really fun. I designed a pattern for Indigodragonfly’s Smart-Ass Knitter’s Club. Club members get exclusive yarn colours and patterns over the course of the year. Many of the designers for Kim’s club have done very beautiful, elegant patterns.  For the October 2012 club beautiful and elegant went right out the window, and Joey’s House took over, full force.  Of course there had to be a monster for Halloween!  A  monster with not only a costume, but a secret identity!

Meet Nerwin.

Nerwin is the mild-mannered accountant of the Training for Really Objectionable Zombies (TROZ) school. By day he crunches numbers, counts beans, and serves as the office POIT (President of Inter-office Tea Time).

By night, however, he becomes BATMEANIE! International candy thief, suspected serial ant killer and founding member of the criminal organization NARF (Nefarious and Really Fearsome).

Nerwin and Batmeanie belonged to the Smart-Ass Knitters for a year, but now Kim has authorized me to let him loose on the world! His pattern includes both the monster and his costume. It’s now available on Ravelry for anyone who dares to knit it!

Lock your doors and hide your sweets – something squishy this way comes…

 

 

SALE TIME! From now until Sept 15 get $1.00 off your Nerwin and Batmeanie pattern! Just use the code moohaha at the checkout!

This morning, at Joey’s House

Tomatoes ripening on the porch

 

Plums from a friend

 

The cherry tomatoes are almost done

 

Why our neighbours like to walk by our place – our pumpkins grow in the front yard

 

Lunch!