In Progress: Vanilla Latte Socks

It's no surprise to any of my Instagram followers that I've fallen in love with sock knitting. To be honest, I never thought I'd be that person. I've attempted making socks so many times, an each time, it was a doable project, but I got bored. Oh-so-bored.

But after the success of my Rose City Rollers, I feel like I can't stop. Better yet, I can finally indulge in more beautiful sock yarn that will actually get knit up into socks (not shawls).

Which means I've also succumbed to the wonder that is Knit Picks Felici. I'll tell you what: there's something magical about self-striping sock yarn, in that it keeps you knitting. For someone who gets bored after x-number of stockinette rows, maintaining my interest is important. So may God bless Felici.

(PS: Knit Picks only launches Felici in special reserve colors once or twice a year, so if you'd like to pick up what's still left, you'd best head on over there now before they're gone).

I've knit these up using a 2x2 rib and an Eye of Partridge heel, which I think will be by new go-to heel because it's so pretty and will jazz up even the most vanilla of socks. The best part is it's only a slight variation on the standard slip stitch heel, so it's not like you have to fudge your way through a new technique.

Can't wait to have these done so I can stare at them until it's cold enough to actually wear them :)

In the meantime, I'm:

Knitting: Vanilla Latte Socks + Anne's Sweater
Reading: Lady of Hay
Listening: The Good Life by Cracker

In Progress: Anne's Sweater (Green Gables Knits)

After waiting impatiently to receive the yarn I needed (and after absorbing myself in the world of sock knitting), I was finally able to cast on my Anne's Sweater last Sunday morning while relaxing with a bunch of built-up knitting podcasts on my "Watch Later" playlist.

I don't want to get into much detail because I'm reviewing the pattern and overall book (Green Gables Knits) in an upcoming publication, but let me just say: WOOHOO!

Anne was my childhood hero and she still holds an important place in my heart, so I'm more than excited to knit a project that reminds me of innumerable days and nights spent reading her books.

In the meantime, I'm:

Knitting: Vanilla Latte Socks + Anne's Sweater
Reading: Lady of Hay
Listening: Jungle by Emma Louise

In Progress: Exploration Station

This picture of my Exploration Station is a bit dated (at least two weeks old), but I'm happy to say it's done. IT'S DONE!

Well, mostly. I still need to weave in the ends, but since I was knitting it while visiting friends, drinking wine, and biting my nails during Sharknado 3 this past weekend, I couldn't concentrate on anything so tedious as sewing in wee bits of yarn.

I'm not saying I'd buy more yarn and dive right back in, but I'd definitely make a second one just to experiment with more color combinations. The possibilities are endless and the pattern is straightforward enough that it's a fairly quick and easy knit. Except for that brioche section. Oy.

I'll be blocking it up within the next week, then taking photos on a new backdrop I bought. Don't get too excited; it's plain white. But it's larger than what I've been working with and will lend itself well to showing off the colors in my projects.

In the meantime, I'm:

Knitting: Vanilla Latte Socks + Anne's Sweater
Reading: Lady of Hay

Finished: Rose City Rollers Socks

And they're done! My first pair of finished socks. Turns out all I needed was a bad week full of frustrating experiences to make me focus on anything other than the axe wound that is my life. Oh, and it helps that the leg on these socks barely exists, so it's essentially just turning a heel and making some toes.

Indeed, Rose City Rollers is the perfect sock pattern for newbies. It's straight-up stockinette stitch, so you don't have to worry about purling if that's not your thing. Also, the pattern goes into enough detail that you begin understanding basic sock construction, and two toe options are provided so you can alter the sock to either fit your foot or visual preference.

I flubbed up a bit on the toe, but I'm pleased nonetheless. I even managed to almost perfectly match the stripes. As a result, I've officially been bitten by the sock-knitting bug, as I've already cast on another pair in some Knit Picks Felici that I scored from their latest limited stash release (which is nearly sold out, so get it while the gettin's good).

In the meantime, I'm:

Reading: Lady of Hay
Knitting: Vanilla Latte Socks
Spinning: More Hobbledehoy fiber on my new AaronMakesStuff spindle (review coming soon!)

Catch Me in the Bakery Bears Patron Newsletter!

Anyone who's spent a significant amount of time on by blog knows I've written a few posts that include mention of the Bakery Bears Podcast. If you haven't watched an episode by now, then you absolutely must pull out your latest project, hike your butt over to their YouTube channel, and binge watch until there's nothing left on your needles.

Which is basically what I do every Sunday morning after a new video is posted.

It only takes a few minutes to see why anyone who's anyone in the knitting world adores them: they're fun, they're talented, and the quality is professional. Plus, they throw in some fun segments that touch on other interests we knitters seem to have in common, like the love of books and travel.

And it's all free. But that doesn't mean they can't keep doing it all without our contributions. That's why they've set up a Patreon for fans to contribute toward exclusive segments, tutorials, giveaways, and more, that will help them keep producing the podcasts we crave (and if you've been a long-time fan of theirs, you'll know that "crave" is an understatement).

Okay, so why am I telling you this? Well, because they've launched a newsletter for their Patrons. A newsletter in which I will be reviewing a certain little something I recently acquired for my birthday.

I was extremely humbled and honored to be asked by Kay and Dan to write an article, and I'm so excited that the yarn has finally arrived so I can get started. I'm honestly surprised anyone reads this little synaptic misfire of a blog sometimes, and I still don't think my skills are up to par with my fellow crafters in the sphere. So I almost fell out of my chair when I realized this would be an option.

Of course, I'm not the only person to have written (or who will write) a piece for their newsletter, and they've mentioned who will be making an appearance in their most recent episode. BUT - the only way to read the articles is to become a patron. You can contribute as much as you want, receiving different rewards for each donation level, so you won't go broke. And you get to relax for two hours with your yarn every time new content comes out. It's not a shabby deal :)

So make sure to subscribe to their channel and, if you like them, become a patron for as little as $2/mo. You'll thank me later!