Fiber Fool

I have one last class at My Sister Knits this summer. Every time I am at the shop I see at least one person fondle the Siren Socks and exclaim they could never knit them. So, if you have been one of those persons here is your chance to prove yourself wrong! Learn tips for knitting lace into socks and keep track of pattern placements. Some sock knitting experience is recommended, but no lace experience is required for this class. There are three sessions on Tuesday mornings from 9-11 starting next week!

Siren Socks - Tuesdays, August 5th, 12th, and 26th, 9-11 am - Have you admired these gorgeous lace socks displayed in the shop these last few months and thought you couldn’t knit them? Guess again! The Siren Socks are not difficult to knit and the designer will help guide you through the process. The lace accented sock has enough body to still keep your feet warm and will make a terrific addition to your fall sock wardrobe. Sock knitting experience recommended, lace experience not required. Must be able to knit in the round on double pointed needles. $65 + supplies (instructional hand-outs included).

To sign up, stop in or call My Sister Knits at (970) 407-1461 and reserve your place with a credit card.

Pssttt, Kristi’s has added her fall class schedule to the Fiber Art Classes page, so go get a sneak peak! And don’t forget to sign up for the class newsletter.

Just a quick note to say that the Two Toe-Up Socks on Two Circulars class starts this Saturday, May 10th. As of mid-day on Wednesday there were only two slots remaining in the class. See full details on the Fiber Arts Class page.

If you haven’t taken a class from me before, you get full color handouts illustrating the new techniques used in the projects of the class. These handouts include room for you to make additional notes to help jog your memory when you refer to them at a later date. This class also includes a multi-sized and multi-gauge pattern with guidance on working with two socks on two circs and tips on sizing and adjustments for special fitting needs. The pattern also includes four stitch patterns you can plug right into the sock as you go.

Pattern: Triple T Socks (2X2 Rib, and Mock Mini Right Cable versions) (Ravelry)
Designer: Designedly, Kristi
Size: 5″ Circumference, Toddler
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Lullabye
Needles: 2 - US2 (2.75mm) 16″ Circulars
Gauge: 8 sts/in
Knit For: My Sister Knits Class Sample

I call this a “sorta FO” because they are a pair of socks, that were knit together toe-up on two circs, but they don’t match. I have another non-matching “pair” on the needles as I type. They are all four samples for a class I will be teaching in May at My Sister Knits. It’s a Two Toe-up Socks on Two Circulars class.

For me, the big advantage (besides minimizing yarn waste) of knitting toe-up socks is not having to swatch. You can start the toe and take it up to your “usual” stitch count, measure your gauge and make any adjustments to stitch count that may be required. Because of this, the pattern for the class (included with class enrollment) is going to be multi-sized (4″-11″ circumference in 1/2″ increments) and multi-gauged (7-10 sts/in in 1/2 sts/in increments) with tables similar to Budd’s Handy Books. I am also including four rib-based stitch patterns that can be plugged in, hence the need for four sample socks!

If you want more info on the class, I’ve added a link to the menu bar at the top - “Fiber Art Classes.” Just click on that anytime and get the latest info on classes I’m offering. There is also info there if you are interested in scheduling private knitting or spinning classes. I have also set up a mailing list for both class updates and knitting pattern updates. So go sign-up! And add patterns (AT) designedlykristi (DOT) com to your address book so you are sure to get all the messages.

Okay, back to the socks :-) I absolutely *hated* this yarn when knitting it in my size. I tried it four times and couldn’t stand it. I’m so glad I pulled it out for these as the 36 sts at 8 sts/in makes it do a very pleasant spiral stripe. I actually like these little socks! I have to admit to having my doubts, but it was one of the few yarns I had in my stash that the shop was currently stocking. I do think 8 sts/in is a bit loose for Lorna’s, especially when ribbed, but I know that is the preferred gauge of many a sock knitter and for me time is of the essence so the small number of stitches was welcomed. If I ever knit with it again in adult sizes it’ll be at 9 sts/in or so I’m guessing.

Speaking of gauge, several of us have over the weeks discussed gauges for socks. In general, I like my socks nearly able to stand up on their own so that they hold up well to lots of wear. But, are you afraid of sock patterns that call for 9 or even 10 sts/in? What is your preferred sock gauge? Do you knit the same gauge no matter the sock yarn? For example, I find Lorna’s to be on the lighter side of the fingering classification, but others like Fortissima, for example, are heavier - do you use the same gauge for those? Myself, I change needle sizes and gauges depending upon the yarn most of the time, hence my patterns running anywhere from 7.5 sts/in to 10 sts/in (in a forth coming pattern yet to be published, or scheduled just yet).

I’m not sure I really blogged about this sock back when I knit it. I knit it while on “vacation” in October. It was my break from all the deadline knitting and spinning I was doing. But, because there was plenty deadline stuff waiting at home it meant I haven’t even started sock 2 yet! But, that works in my favor now. Why? Because now I have a class sample sock and a sock to work on in a class.

Due to the high demand for more sock classes at My Sister Knits I am teaching a last minute addition to the class line up on Saturday morning. It is the Jeweled Steps sock from Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways for Sock Knitters Book One (p 106). Because we need to get down the figure-8 cast on and get enough toe knit to measure both stitch and row gauge, the first class is 3 hours and runs from 9am to noon. The following two weeks will only run until 11am.

In the class you’ll learn:
- The Bordhi sidestream architecture, including using the master tables and doing any calculations
- The figure-8 cast on
- Bordhi’s preferred increase of LRinc and LLinc
- Bordhi’s no stitch pick-up heel
- EZ’s sewn bind off

You’ll need ~400 yards of fingering weight sock yarn, two circulars in size needed to obtain 8 sts/in (preferably of two different lengths between 16 and 24 inches), 4 unique stitch markers, row marker, tape measure, gauge measure, tapestry needle, pen or pencil, and a calculator if desired.

The class is $75. We meet March 1st from 9am-noon, March 8th from 9am-11am, and March 15th from 9am-11am. You can reserve a space by calling the store at (970) 407-1461. The last I knew there were only two slots left, but I thought I’d let any Fort Collins area lurkers know. Don’t worry, this won’t be my last class. I’ll be teaching some of my designs there come late spring and summer.

Speaking of my designs, you can now get print versions of *all* of my patterns at My Sister Knits! And there are a few more places coming soon!

I wasn’t the only one to recieve some nice gifts last week. DH didn’t want me spending money on him, so I made his anniversary gift.

With next month bringing NaNoWriMo and NaSoAlMo I thought DH would perhaps enjoy having a nice handbound blank book to take down his note ideas and such when he is away from his Neo. I knew from last year that he liked something slim enough to fit in his jacket pocket, but was a little disappointed that he couldn’t use his fountain pens in the standard Moleskiens. So, using that information I set about binding this book for him.

The final book is roughly 4 in X 8 in X 1 in. The inner pages are an ivory 28 gm linen resume paper that should have enough heft and sizing to allow the use of the fountain pens and still be able to write on both sides of the page. I put an elastic around it because I know I find that quite handy. I did not put a pocket at the back like the moleskeins, though if he decides he would want one, that is easily added later.

Because I both glued down the elastic and put long shafted grommets through to ensure a long life, I also put in grommets at the stitching stations on the cover. I think it adds a nice touch, especially with the concentric circle print of the cover paper.

I hope he finds his muse alive and well between the covers of this book!

---

Today also marks the first day of Printmaking for the Home Studio! The first week is big on reading and light on the actual doing to allow for people to get accustomed to using the classroom area and to order any supplies they might not have on hand. Because of this you can enroll anytime through next Wednesday and not need to be worried about starting off the session behind. The classroom has been open for a few days and I have to say you would be missing out if you pass up the opportunity to take this class with these talented textile artists! Sign up here today!