Knitting Squirrel

Beautiful Sock Yarn & Wool for Your Next Project

Header with squirrels
Home | 2013

Archives for 2013

Swirl Socks

By 5 Comments

Don’t you just adore frosty autumn leaves. I do. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. I went through a phase where I really enjoyed knitting patterns that swirled around my leg. I chose to end the lacy swirling pattern at the ankle as I find a smooth foot more comfortable for wearing. The Swirl Socks were finished and photographed last Autumn.

Lang-Swirl-Socks-1web

I have had bad experiences with second sock syndrome in the past and still have a few single socks on the backburner. Sometimes the reason a second sock isn’t made is because something wasn’t quite right. Perhaps, the wrong choice of yarn for the pattern chosen, or I wasn’t happy with the colour chosen.[Read More]

Creative Process

By 2 Comments

My creative process is the same for most of the projects that I choose to work on to a greater or lesser degree.

For example, I  decided to revisit the creative process used in designing my Amethyst Dreams Collection for Sasha Doll Style (made in 2010). I wanted to show my design process from my initial inspiration to the completed collection.

Amethyst-Process-1web

My Inspiration Box

The first step taken in beginning my Sasha Outfit Collections always started at least 2 years before I would begin my design process. I’d start with a plastic box, for storing everything that inspired me, for the project. This would usually evolve into more than one box over time.[Read More]

What is Utilitarian Knitting?

By 5 Comments

I have been pondering a comment that was made to me at a knitting group recently. While I was knitting a sock I was asked the question

“What are you knitting?”

“A sock” I smiled.

She looked at me took a sip of coffee and said,

“I don’t do utilitarian knitting, it’s a waste of time.”

I nodded and went back to knitting my sock.

Utilitarian knitting 3

I have been contemplating this small interchange for a few weeks since it happened.

So is life too short to spend my time doing utilitarian knitting?[Read More]

Leftie Shawlette

By 2 Comments

I loved the Leftie Shawlette as soon as I saw it. I’ve always liked asymmetric shawls and scarves and find them unusual and attractive.

“Leftie is an asymmetrical shawlette that was designed to show off your favourite little leftovers. The stripes will swirl around your neck in a very flattering way, and the cute tiny leaves are the perfect way to make your favourite colours shine.” Martina Behm

If you are looking for an enjoyable project that you will zip through this may be the one. It is a wonderful choice for a warm shawlette to keep you warm through the cold weather.

Leftie-1web

I had been waiting for the perfect project to use my precious skein of Wollmeise residing in my stash. I used all of the 150g of the navy yarn knitting Leftie.[Read More]

Conclusions – Rainbow Sock Collection

By 1 Comment

I have really enjoyed knitting this collection of socks and as I have created them they have all raised interesting issues.

As the Rainbow Sock Collection series has progressed I’ve thought about different heels, toes and cuffs that I like. Some were styles that I have knit many many times, others were ones which had made it onto my To Try list. This seemed like the perfect time to try all of them.

Discoveries-Rainbow-Collection-1web

There were some elements of the sock design that I also considered. How the sock looked when it was finished was important to me. I wanted all the elements, from the cuff, to the heel and finally the toe to look in the finished sock as though they belonged together. Balance. Elegance.[Read More]

Reknitting a Hand Knit Sock Toe

By 3 Comments

So is it worth the effort and the time required to reknit the toe of a hand knit sock?

Should I just accept that the inevitable has happened and a favourite pair of socks has worn out for whatever reason? Because they were a favourite pair of socks they were worn more often. Perhaps the yarn wasn’t really appropriate for knitting socks.

Can we really expect our hand knit socks to last forever when nothing else really does?

Reknit-toe-1web[Read More]

Indigo Rainbow Socks

By 2 Comments

I’m nearing the end of the Rainbow Socks Collection Series. Indigo Rainbow Socks are the seventh post in the series which began in the early summer with a search for the answer to my question ‘What is the Perfect Basic Sock Pattern?‘.

So far it has been an interesting journey. I’ve really enjoyed trying the different cuffs, heels and toes. I’d love to know which ones you have knit.

Indigo-Rainbow-1web[Read More]

Fair Isle Fingerless Mittens Moodboard

By 4 Comments

Have you ever considered whether you are a process or product knitter?

A couple of years ago, there was a lot of discussion on knitting blogs about product versus process knitting. Product knitters are the type of people who enjoy knitting so that they can enjoy the finished object. While a process knitter enjoys the process of the knitting more than actually having the finished object.

There isn’t really a question about this for me… I am a process knitter. Yes I really love having the finished object. I love seeing it completed and all the ends sewn in, blocked and sitting neatly, ready to be worn.

Fairisle-Alpaca-Mitts-Moodboard-1web

But ohhhhhh… the real joy comes from starting something new. A new knitting project to sink my teeth into. You know, that moment, as you open the bag of new yarns, in lots of yummy colours, and you lay them out on the table. Your mind starts whizzing at all the different things that could be made from this. (Yep, I suspect the more sensible product knitter may actually have bought their yarn with an actual knitting pattern in mind. But that isn’t really me.)[Read More]

Blue Rainbow Socks

By 4 Comments

The Blue Rainbow Socks are the sixth post in the Rainbow Socks Collection Series which started with the question ‘What is the Perfect Basic Sock Pattern?‘.

Blue-Rainbow-1web

Design Choices

I used a lovely Regia Hand Dye Effect sock yarn in shades of blue for the Blue Rainbow Socks.

These socks have a knit 1 purl 1 rib for the cuff, a wrap and turn short row heel and finish with a pretty star toe. I did a bit of reading on wrap and turn short row heels before I started. I wanted what the best way would be to give my heel the roominess it required and keep the sock the sock comfortable. I tried using a different percentage of the total stitches for knitting the heel. On a plain sock like this it has been successful. Not sure how it would work if you were adding pattern from the leg running down the top of the foot.

The star toe was really easy to knit and has a lovely look. It involved no grafting at the end so is a very easy toe to do.[Read More]