Little Feet

Sock knitting is at an all time high. They are one of the most portable projects and loved by all recipients. I just can't believe how long this phase has lasted, its great to hear the comments from knitters- "my family loves handknit socks and won't wear anything else", "everywhere I go, people compliment me on my colourful socks", "I am knitting for next Christmas, stashing all my completed socks in a basket until I have enough to wrap up and put under the tree."

From each and every ball of sock yarn, leftovers appear and start to pile up. If you get in the habit of dividing these bits into two equal size balls, eventually you will have enough to knit a full pair of socks, think of them as 'Joseph's Sock Of Many Colours'. The most mismatched and wildy patterned socks will be loved by all.

Don't forget Little Feet, they need all the warmth they can get too. Here is a simple pattern for baby sizes. It takes about 25 grams of sock weight yarn or use up those leftovers. They make great baby shower gifts as well.

BABY SOCKS

SIZE: 6 MON (adjust foot length for larger size)

NEEDLES: 2.75 MM NEEDLES DOUBLE POINT SET

YARN: 50G BALL OF KROY SOCKS

Cast on 36 sts. Divide sts evenly onto 3 needles. Join in round. Work in K2/P2 ribbing for 6 rounds. Cont in K rounds only, until work meas 4".

Make Heel- K9, turn, P18. Leave rem sts on spare needles and cont on these 18 sts only for heel as follows-

Next Row- *SL1, K1*, rep *to* across row, turn

Next Row- Slip 1st st, P to end, turn

Rep last 2 rows until heel meas 2.25" ending with 1st row.

Shape Heel-

SL1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K5, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K7, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, turn

SL1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn

SL1, K9, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1 = 12 sts

Instep-

Pick up and K 8 sts along side of heel, K across 18 sts from spare needle, pick up and K 8 sts along opposite side of heel, K 6 sts, slip rem 6 sts onto 1st needle and divide sts as follows- 14 sts on 1st needle, 18 sts on 2nd needle, 14 sts on 3rd needle = 46 sts. Dec as follows-

1st Rnd-(1st needle) K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, (2nd needle) K across, (3rd needle) K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, K to end

2nd Rnd- K

Rep these 2 rnds until 36 sts remain. Cont even until foot meas 3" from picked up sts.

Shape Toe-

1st Rnd- (1st needle) K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, (2nd needle) K1, SL1, PSSO, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1, (3rd needle) K1, K1, SL1, PSSO, K to end

2nd Rnd- K

Rep these 2 rnds until 16 sts remain. Cut yarn and graft rem sts together.

Gazing At Spring

Its our January thaw, temperatures are hovering at zero and above, it is feeling a bit like Spring! Although the new yarns and patterns for Spring have not arrived yet and are not due in until mid-March, there is a tingle of anticipation in the air.

This week I have been previewing some of the newest collections and picking my favorites. There is a definite shift in colour to the softer pastels from seasons past. Look for pale pinks, watery blues and aquas, buttery yellows, lilac and mauve to make an appearance in women's clothing and knitwear. The new styles are soft, and flowing, with gentle pleats and gathers, ultra feminine with ruffles on necklines, sleeve cuffs, and front edgings of cardigans.

Debbie Bliss shows off her softer side in the new Amalfi collection- with a long and graceful A-line jacket knit in a shade of sandy beige. The subtle texture of the yarn is highlighted in a simple seed stitch. Amalfi is a brand new dk weight yarn in a blend of cotton, linen and silk.

This sweet and sassy ribbed cardigan is knit in a soft shade of Nile, look at those those flounced edges with picot detail.... gorgeous!

Another pretty cardi for sunny days, a simple A-Line design knit in Vieux Rose, with just one button to close.

From the Louisa Harding Collection, here are a few highlights of her fresh and modern approach to Spring 2010-

Knit in a rich shade of Aubergine, this lace panel vest looks stunning, in Merletto, a linen viscose blend yarn with a natural slubby texture and just a hint of silky sheen.


Team up this chic summer top with a pair of linen walking shorts or capris and you are ready for a walk about town. Knit in Merletto contrasted in eye-catching stripes of Indigo and Sand.


A real show stopper, this cap sleeve tunic is knit in Jasmine, a dk weight yarn, made with a combination of cotton and bamboo fibre.

A Bright And Shiny New Year

Welcome 2010! And a new decade brimming with possibility. I hope your holiday season with friends and family was all that you wished for. Already we are halfway through the winter months, just ten weeks to go until Spring shows its perky self. There are plenty of things to do in Muskoka this winter, we have an over abundance of snow which makes outdoor activities, snowshoeing, sledding, and cross country skiing all the more enjoyable. For those of us who prefer indoor activities, well, knitting is always number one on my list.

Now that the Christmas ornaments are carefully packed away and the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows have been tucked in a closet, its a great month to finish off the old projects of 2009, take inventory of yarns, needles and pattern books. Organize your knitting stash and simplify your life. Get inspired with the new Spring patterns that are showing up. A little bit of temptation goes along way in motivating us to finish off a project. If its still a bit early for warm weather knitting, there are many ideas for knitting away the cold.

Sarah is wearing the Nepal Hat and Scarf combo, an easy to knit kit in a splashy colourful bulky yarn. This set takes only three balls and knits up in a jiffy on big needles. Finn models our little Penguin Flap Hat, knit in soft and cosy machine washable merino boucle. Isn't he a cutie!

Sarah models our Faux Isle Hat (our first Knit-A-Long project) and little Finn is showing off his colours in our Merino Baby Hat and Scarf Set. Next week we begin our Winter Classes with Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon sessions, all levels are welcome, its a great opportunity to enjoy the company of other knitters, and learn a few new techniques. On January 23rd, we host a Needle Felting Workshop for beginners, very easy to learn and fun for all ages. Our Faux Isle Hat Knit-A-Long will be held on January 30th. Come in and choose your colours, there are so many possibilities.