ALPACA MY SOCKS

This new sock design was inspired by our recent knitting group outing to a wonderful alpaca farm tucked away in the rolling hills of Magnetawan.
A meet n greet with a herd of alpacas is similar to the first day at a new school.  There is plenty of staring going on except its by a bunch of sweet-eyed charming creatures with the wildest mop tops since the Beatles!

ALPACA MY SOCKS

Pattern now available on Ravelry

If you have a chance, this is the link to view our outing to Bear Den Alpacas in Magnetawan. 
https://www.facebook.com/muskokayarnconnection/videos/1790258407695488/

SOCK SEASON

It seems to sneak up on us all too quickly...., that first moment in Autumn when we have the urge to pull on a pair of hand knit socks and feel the instant warmth radiate through our feet.  This month we have a N E W pattern that is curling the toes of our sock fans and it is surprisingly quick and simple to make in a lovely worsted weight washer friendly yarn that knits up as smooth as butter.

KEEPER OF THE WOODS is a top down design embellished with the iconic pine trees that stretch high above the granite rocks of Muskoka.  Sized to fit Women and Men in S, M , and L.  This pattern is available to purchase and download here on Ravelry or in store.   

We have some beautiful heathery shades to choose, denim, light grey, charcoal, linen, and hazy green....

as well as....aqua, pink, lilac, perriwinkle, taupe and cream. 

A Treat For Your Feet

Doesn't it seem as if we have had a winter's worth of snow in just a few days?  Yes, we survived the BLIZZARD of 2014, and the big question is now- "Where do we put all this snow?" 

While trying to solve the dilemma, take time to reward your feet with a special treat, a colourful pair of extra thick socks to slip on after all that shoveling.  The perfect way to warm up by the fire with a hot cup of tea.  These will knit up in a matter of a few hours!

BLIZZARD SOCKS
Size:  Women's Medium
Yarn:  4 balls KIKO by Sirdar
Needles:  8.00 mm double point set
Tension:  10 sts and 14 rows = 10 cm/4 ins

Cast on 20 sts loosely, divide onto 3 needles. 
Join in round, place a marker on 1st st. 
Work in K1/P1 ribbing for 6 rounds.
Knit 20 rounds.
Heel Flap:
K 5, turn, P 10 = Heel Flap
Leave rem sts on 2 spare needles. 
Work back and forth on Heel Flap sts as follows-
Row 1- [Slip 1 knitwise, k1] rep [to]
Row 2- Slip 1 purlwise, p to end
Rep these 2 rows until heel flap meas 6 cm/ 2 1/2 ins ending with a Row 2.
Shape Heel:
Row 1- K3, k2tog tbl (through back loop), k5
Row 2- P3, p2tog, p2, turn
Row 3- K1, k2tog tbl, k1, turn
Row 4- P1, p2tog, p2, turn
Row 5- K2, k2tog tbl, k2, do not turn.
Pick up and k 8 sts along side of heel, place a marker, k 10 sts from spare needles onto 1 needle, place a marker, pick up and k 8 sts along opposite side of heel, k 3 sts from top of heel onto same needle (this will now be start of each round), slip next 2 sts onto 1st needle = 31 sts.
Rnd 1- K until 3 sts from 1st marker, k2tog, k1, k to next marker, k1, sl1, k1, psso, k to end
Rnd 2- Knit
Rep these 2 rnds until 19 sts remain. 
Continue in Knit rounds until work meas 17.5 cm/ 7 ins from pick up row.
K 1 rnd, dec 1 st at centre of 2nd needle = 18 sts.
Shape Toe:
Rnd 1- K to 1st marker, [k2tog, k2tog tbl], k to 2 sts before next marker, rep [to], k to end
Rnd 2- Knit
Rep these 2 rnds until 12 sts remain. 
Cut yarn and graft toes sts together. 
Sew in ends.