A Non-Sock Swap

Christy and I have been chatting back and forth for quite a while now.
And we talked of doing a sock swap, but neither of us was very comfortable with actually parting with our hand knit socks, so we decided instead to do a yarn swap and then a knit-along.

As we chatted back and forth I really got to know her and had such a blast with this swap.

Look at the goodies in my box!

Wonderful Teas! - Christy is a tea drinker and has shared her favorite teas with me.
Home Made Whole Wheat Bread - YUMMY! Need I say more?
Gorgeous Red ShiBui sock yarn to make the Francie socks together.
Home made sock blockers! WOW! Her DH took the time to custom make these blockers, I'll bet they'll work better than the cardboard cutouts I have :-)
Pattern books with some lovely patterns. Lots of summer tanks, which I will certainly enjoy making along with some sweater patterns too. There is a gorgeous white sweater that is tempting me to frog my current project and make it instead!!!
A really cute note to go with each item AND
A gift certificate to the Loopy Ewe.

Here is another photo, I just had sooooo much fun receiving this package and then photographing it. The bread was so yummy it is already 2/3rds gone. Just enough for tomorrows breakfast.
Thank you Christy for such a thoughtful package and for sharing some of you in the process!

And of course I just HAD to use the blockers. These are some test knitted socks I made for my daughter, so they are kindof squeezed (stretched) onto the blockers, but they work Great!

Spring Pools

My new passion has become designing my own socks. It is more difficult than it looks, but the final product is reward in itself.

Pattern: Spring Pools by Linda Fisher
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Peach
Needles: US2 (2.75mm) Knit Picks Harmony circular needles
Construction: Lots of fun with something to do every row.

I love these socks.
You might remember these original socks done in Cherry Tree Hill SuperSock Merino with different colored toe/heel/cuff. These are so cozy comfy and warm.

This is my second pattern published, although it is my first pattern design! I put alot of work into this pattern and have even had some wonderful test knitters!
Christy and Tammy. Thank you so much for your support in publishing this pattern!
I hope you all will give it a try and let me know how you enjoy it.

Here are some comments recieved:
“I tried the sock on and I really like the way it looks! The foot part was the challenge for me since I’ve never done toe up socks before. But your pattern was easy to follow and now I feel like a pro! I love the way the toe looks!”

“The pattern is quite fun with stuff to do every row. No sleeping on the job here.”

My First Crochet - Giovanna's Cardi

It was Sarah's turn for a handmade sweater.
I saw this pattern printed and on my desk and remembered that I had printed it quite a while ago. Yesterday I was up to the challenge of trying something brand new. Thank goodness for online info!

Pattern: Giovanna's Cardi from Lion Brand
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Blush
Although this yarn is so yummy soft, I wonder if the crochet detail would show up better in a "stronger" yarn. I'll try again as this was a super fast knit, and I have 2 girls.

More Felting Fun!

Pattern: Knitting Basket by Lucia Tedesco

Yarn: Louet Riverstone worsted in white, pink, purples (dark and light)
Needle: Denise Circular US#10
What a fun knit. Just don't miss row 3 instructions, or you'll have to start again. LOL. I have been guilty of not reading ahead in patterns, but missing a line? That was a first!

Little Roses

I have caught the Designer bug now! Oh my what's next????

Pattern: Little Roses by Linda Fisher (that's me)
Yarn: The Jewell's Handmades Superwash fingering in Tea Rose
Needles: US1 (2.5mm)
Construction: Toe-up, two at once on one circular needle. Basic heel flap construction with a no wrap heel turn.
See side bar for link to pattern and PLEASE let me know what you think.
Note: This pattern has not been test knit, so please let me know if you run into any errors.
Thank you! and enjoy.

Baby Girl

Pattern: Ribbed Baby Jacket by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Shine Worsted by Knit Picks in Blush
Made for my neighbor Allison who's baby girl is due in 2 weeks!

End of summer socks

And while away at camp, as well as my return home, I finished a few pairs of socks. And baked some bread from a William Sonoma bread book I got at Auction (to benefit the rebuilding of the camp Chapel) at camp. It was in a lovely basket with 4 kitchen towels, hand lotion and hand soap. Made me smile!

Pattern: Citrine Socklets by Marilyn Webster in IK Holiday 2007
I made them into Stockings for my Aunt Gunborg in Sweden
Yarn: Socks that Rock Medium weight in Grimm's Willow Wren
Needles: US2 (2.75mm) 2 at once on one 40" circular
Construction: This pattern is just right to show off the lovely colors of the yarn and still add a little interest. I made them long with increases to accomodate calf size, and did a twisted k1, p1 rib. Finished off with an alternate rib BO.

Pattern: my own design, currently being test knit, currently named "Oval Lace"
Yarn: prototype knit in left over sport weight Cherry Tree Hill Merino.
Needles: US2.5 (2.75mm)
Construction: Pattern to be available in the near future - Great FUN to knit!

Pattern: Girl's Best Friend Anklets
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill SuperSock Merino in Nantucket Red. I love this yarn, it has such wonderful stitch definition!
Needles: 2 at once on one 40", US1 circular.
Construction: worked from toe-up. incorporated a k3,p1 rib on the instep. started the cuff at the ankle, so it is not a fold over anklet (anymore). Ooops, don't tell Mom about this sock, it is her Christmas gift! I think she is going to love them, they are just too cute.

End of Summer Fun

We spent the last week of August at Camp Spofford in Spofford, NH.

What wonderful, relaxing, fun week we had!

The girls loved the playground:
The slide,

The accessories,

All of the play structures!

The rope swing was a big hit.

And of course the lake!!!
We even managed to find time to go put put golf and have ice cream.

This is where we stayed, in what is called a tentel. Perfect for "in-between" camping.

This little garden and birds nest is in front of where the old Chapel burned down last fall. Currently the tent is working well as a temporary Chapel, with plans in the works to build new! I am thinking about designing a pair of socks to offer for purchase, with ALL purchases going toward the rebuilding of the Camp Chapel. I'll let you know when I get that accomplished.

This wonderful place is where I spent many a summer growing up, and I hope my children can experience all the wonders and joys that I did!

Gift socks for Mom

I was going to give these to her for Christmas, but I just can't wait. And besides my wonderful Mom has my children for the week. So I think this is a nice way to say "Thank you Mom!". And I'll just have to make her another pair for Christmas....

Pattern: Seaweed Socks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in colorway "Country Garden"
Needles: US1 KP 40" circular
Construction: I made the medium size and I think they will fit her well.
I also did a hemmed cuff, which I feel really finishes off a sock very nicely (if not alot of work)

Just a closeup of the pattern

Lemonade for sale

The girls are at Horse Riding camp this week. They came home one day and asked Daddy when they could get a horse. Daddy replied that they would have to get a job. So the next day before leaving for camp they asked me to buy lots of lemons. When they got home they went ahead and made Lemonade. Very enterprising little ladies. Although they still need to learn a few things about running a business, as it cost them $3 for the lemons and they brought in $2.25.
But the FUN is Priceless!

Oh and by the way we got the yummy recipe from here.