HRYC

In vibrant, beauteous colour, Lorna's Laces is once again gracing our shelves. It's like a unicorn threw up everywhere. The perfect yarn for happy happy happy socks, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock is 80% superwash merino, 20% nylon. 

I think these shiny rainbow skeins would lend themselves perfectly to super simple socks, or a nice garter stitch something or other. 

How do I feel about Lorna's Laces?

Yep. 

(I'm a bit obsessed with Despicable Me 2, it's the best giggle-out-loud fun movie i've seen in ages)

Here are just a few of the pretties. The best part? They're all up online too!

Hooray!

Indigo Dragonfly are the most fantastic indie dyers. Not only do they come up with amazing colours, they throw in the BEST yarn names. Honestly. Prefer Buffy over Twilight? 'And then Buffy staked Edward. The End.' is a colour for you (and me!). If you're a movie or Dr Who or any other kind of fan, there's a yarn name just for you.

I think our next order will have to include some of their other yarn bases - any special requests?

The pdf pattern is now available. 

After having a surprisingly tricky time finding a basic sock pattern for new sock knitters, we’ve written up our own. Knit from the cuff down, with no fussy details, this is a great sock for beginners and experienced sock knitters alike. The sample in the photos was striped – we used 2 skeins of Knitsch Sock ‘Caboose’ and one of ‘Plain & Simple’. Caboose was used for the cuff, heel and toe, and striped every 2 rows in the body of the sock with Plain & Simple. The pattern uses a short row heel – so don’t fret when it comes to the heel turn and you aren’t knitting across all of the stitches. By the end of this pattern section all stitches will be taken care of. You can find a pdf of the pattern and extra patterns notes on Ravelry. 

Yarn: 2 skeins of Knitsch Sock or 100g of sock yarn

Needles: 2.50mm 80cm fixed circular, or 2.50mm double pointed needles

Sizes: Small (medium, large, X-large)

Gauge: 30 sts x 44 rows = 10cm

Abbreviations:

CO - cast on
K – knit
p – purl
ssk – slip, slip, knit
k2tog – knit two stitches together
p2tog – purl two stitches together
sl – slip the stitch from the left hand needle to the right needle without knitting

Pattern:

CO 60 (64, 68, 72) stitches Set up row: k2, p2, repeat until end next row: k2, p2, repeat until end. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to mark the beginning of the round. Split the number or stitches evenly across 2 needles (the magic loop using the circular needle) or 4 needles (if using double pointed needles).

Next row: k2, p2, repeat until end repeat rib pattern until cuff measures 2.5cm

Next row: knit Work in stocking stitch until leg measures approx 17cm or is desired length.

Heel flap: This section is worked flat over 30 (32, 34, 36) stiches. The other half of the stitches are held on the cable of your circular needle or on two dpns and are not knit at all until the heel section is completed. You will be turning your work as this part is knit flat rather than in the round.

Next row starting from marker: *sl1, k1, repeat from * 14 (15, 16, 17) more times 30 (32, 34, 36) stitches have been worked

Next row: turn work, *sl1, p to end

Next row: sl1, k2, *sl1, k1, repeat from * to end

Next row: sl1, p to end

Repeat these four rows 6 (7, 8, 9) more times, or until heel flap is length required. End on a purl row.

Heel turn: The heel turn is the bit that gets most people unstuck. As long as you follow the instructions word for word, and don’t worry about the stitches you aren’t knitting, it’ll make sense in the end.

Row 1: (right side of work) sl1, k16 (18, 18, 20), ssk, k1, turn work row 2: (wrong side of work) sl1, p5 (7, 5, 7), p2tog, p1, turn row 3: sl1, k to 1 st before gap, ssk (1 st from each side of gap), k1, turn work row 4: sl1, p to 1 st before gap, p2tog (1 st from each side of gap), p1, turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked. 18 (20, 20, 22) sts remain.

Knit back along the heel stitches, on the right side of your work. 

Gusset: In this section the stitches along the side of the heel flap are picked up and knit, the top of the foot is now knit, the stitches down the other side of the heel flap are picked up and knit, and the sole of the foot is also worked.

Next row: Pick up and knit 14 (15, 17, 19) stitches along the heel flap, knit 30 (32, 34, 36), pick up and knit 14 (15, 17, 19) stitches along the heel flap, k9 (10, 10, 11), place new beginning of round marker.

Row 1: 23 (25, 27, 30) sts, k2tog, k30 (32, 34, 36), ssk, k to end of round Row 2: knit all sts

Repeat these two rows, knitting 1 less stitch before each k2tog on each repeat of row 1. Continue until 60 (64, 68, 72) stitches remain.

Knit in the round until the foot section reaches where your toes start (what I fondly refer to as ‘toe cleavage’).

Toe decreases: Making a space for your toes!

Row 1: k12 (13, 14, 15), k2tog, k1, place marker, k1, ssk, k24 (26, 28. 30) k2tog, k1, place marker, k1, ssk, k to end Row 2: knit Row 3: k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, knit to end.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 four more times.

Repeat row 3 until 30 (32, 34, 36) stitches remain. The beginning of round marker should be in the centre of the sole stitches. Break yarn and seam live stitches together using kitchener stitch.

If you like, you can wash and block your socks by laying them flat to dry. I’m usually much too impatient for this and put them on immediately. Enjoy! If you have any questions, please email tash@knitschyarns.co.nz.

 Okay, so I kept looking at colourwork patterns...I couldn't help it! Here are more to get excited over. I really am my own worst enemy when it comes to mentally queuing up things to knit. With all the spare I (really, really don't) have.

Kirkwall by Mary Jane Mucklestone

Wallflower by Stephanie van der Linden

Bumblebee by The Needle Lady

I'm done now. I think. Maybe...

 There are some seriously amazing colourwork sock patterns around at the moment. 

I really, really don't need to add new projects to my 'desperate to knit' list, but all of these have me hunting around in my stash and dreaming up colour combinations...

Hot Crossbone Socks by Camille Chang

Fireweeds by Rose Hiver

Garden Gate Socks by Emily Johnson (i've wanted to knit these since forever)

Butterflies are Free by Rose Hiver

Zirkel. by Stephanie van der Linden

I  really am never going to run out of things I want to knit. It's a little bit crazy! I know lots of people find stranded knitting a little bit scary - but it's worth a go. As long as you start with something that has no more than 2 - 3 stitches of a colour before changing to the next colour, you'll be fine. It's all about practice, after all.