sock 1 | sock 2 | sock 3

I used to think it was crazy that anyone would knit their own socks. Literally, totally insane. Then I knit a pair a while back because I felt like, in order to call myself a knitter, I needed to make one pair of socks if only to be able to say I did it. Of course since I had made socks, I wore them around and it didn’t take long for me to realize why people make their own socks. They are so toasty and comfortable and fit perfectly and last a long time. It’s sort of hard to find socks that fit right when you are an adult with a size 6 foot. So bunchy. Anyway, I found myself reaching for my one pair of navy blue wool handknit socks again and again. Well that and my one pair of SmartWool socks, but those have come and gone and my handknit socks are still going strong, so I decided that it was time to make a few more pairs.

I’m sort of not really into most self striping yarn, the stripes are so short that all the colors get pretty jumbled together and even though I love stripes, it’s just not really my thing. When I found this yarn, Felici Sport by KnitPicks, it was all I could do not to order every single color. Got to be responsible and pay the bills you know (zzzz…boring), but someday I aim to have a pair in every colorway. Besides the fact that the colors are pretty much the best, the yarn itself is super soft and silky to the touch but gets even softer after a run through the washing machine. Boo yah Knitpicks, doing it right, keeping my feet warm and cozy in style, with a little help from my knitting hands of course. I need some of the credit! The pattern I used for all 3 is Priscilla’s Dream Socks which I really like a lot because it’s easy to get a sock that fits your foot perfectly. I kept thinking that I was going to try a new sock technique, but I sort of figured, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it? I had memorized the pattern by the second of the 6 socks and that made it perfect for knitting while watching netflix, sitting in the car, at a bar and waiting for large PSD files to render. Next up on the knitting block is a hat and a tea cozy, but first I need to get some sewing done.

Can you tell I’m excited? Waaaay to many exclamation points, but oh well, sometimes they’re legit!

Either of these wools would pretty much make my dream blazers as well. It may be time to buy a lottery ticket, then I could have new fabric and a new tooth! Double win!

Anyway, as far as online fabric shopping goes is there some sort of comprehensive list of internet apparel fabric retailers? My main purchases of this sort come from Mood, B&J, NYFashion Center Fabrics (I get my interfacings there), Denver Fabrics and Gorgeous Fabrics. What’s your favorite online shop for fabric, notions, and other things you can’t find in your town?

I got this Marimekko breakfast set in Vancouver and it is transforming my breakfast! I like to eat oatmeal in the mornings packed with dried fruits and nuts but our regular bowls are so huge I always put way more than I could ever eat in them. This dessert bowl is the perfect size and I’ve been obsessed with the Siirtolapuuthara print for a while now. I go through phases where I’ll fill my shopping cart with an 8 piece dining set at Crate & Barrel or FinnStyle and get really bummed out that I don’t have a spare $2000 for a new dining set. Haha.

Working with all this paper and fabric has been tearing up my hands for years and I just finally found something that does the job thanks to a recommendation from a friend. I am now officially obsessed with YuBe lotion. I also stumbled upon the Rosebud Salve Menthol + Eucalyptus Balm which has been a godsend this year. I know everyone is enjoying all this warm weather and all but for me it has meant year round allergies. This is great for sore noses from too much kleenex.

Um…this was a good/bad discovery. Gluten Free Oreos! Woah woah woah, I did not need these in my diet. It’s a good thing I’ve been riding the trainer, boring as it is. They taste more like my memory of Newman-O’s than my memory of Oreos but who can really tell at this point. It’s amazing how quickly you forget what food containing gluten tastes like. I’m trying to imagine what real bread tastes like right now and all I can think of is starchy. Strange.

A huge stack of magazines (minus the bottom one, that one is from Luke) from a friend who’s wedding dress I am making. I started thumbing through last night and there are some good ones in here. It’s making me finally want to start buying magazines again after my years long magazine-less phase.

Luke is back in Champaign 3 nights a week now so in the evenings I’ve been popping on some Netflix and knitting socks. I sort of can’t believe how into making socks I am right now, I really think it’s all about this yarn. Love the stripes so much!

Well, back to work now for me! I NEED to finish something before I go insane. Literally.

▲ If you purchased a pattern anytime after Monday and were unable to download it, send me an email and I’ll send you the pattern. I know a few people had trouble with the patterns downloading as jibberish.

▲ I’ve also taken down the pattern shop for now while I finish the last stages of expanding the size range offered so if you’re looking for a pattern they’ll be back up hopefully within the week and ready for purchase. If you’d like to be notified of when this happens, I’ll be sending out an email to pattern subscribers which you can sign up to receive below or in the sidebar. You will also get notifications when new patterns are added to the shop and any special offers on patterns.

▲ If you’ve purchased a pattern and are worried about the recent site hacking, don’t worry. Not only was it not the sort of hacking where people take info, there’s no info stored on this site to take.

Okay, now hopefully this means back to regular posting and no more funny business!

After an 11 hour journey I made it to Victoria yesterday afternoon! Posting will be a bit light while I hang out and relax with Kari + Dave but I have a few things saved up and be warned, there will definitely be some vacation photos. Now we’re off to the park to check out the birds, see you later!