Keeping Our Toes Cozy

As I put my knitting needles down after finishing my third pair of slipper/socks this season I felt extremely grateful for being able to knit things for my family to keep them warm this winter. It's a little thing but it blesses them in a tangible way and in turn blesses me. It fills me with joy to feel like I am able to clothe and care for my loved ones.

I've been making these slipper-socks for myself for years using a simple sock pattern formula. It can be adapted to use any size needles or yarn and sized up or down to fit tiny baby feet or big man feet. It's a very versatile pattern. It does require a bit of swatching though to ensure that you get a good fit with the yarn, needles, and sock size. I'm hesitant to share this pattern formula though as it might be a bit confusing. If you find yourself lost drop me a line and I'd be happy to help!

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Slipper-Socks Knitting Pattern Formula
Note: This method of socks requires knitting in the round with multiple needles. There is NO seaming (which is why it's my favorite go-to pattern).

-GETTING STARTED: To begin, I cast on the amount of stitches required to make an ankle cuff. This is where swatching is important. This number will change depending on the sock-size, yarn, and needles.

For the big socks above I used a chunky handspun yarn and big needles, so I only needed to cast on 36. I've made proper socks using this pattern for a small women's sock and cast on 56. So it just depends. Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! Once the ankle cuff is fitted the rest of the sock generally fits like magic.

-THE CUFF: Knit in 2x2 or 1x1 ribbing until the desired length of the cuff is reached. I like a medium-length cuff.

-THE HEEL: To work the heel I always do a short-row heel as it's easy to memorize and there is no seaming. I simply work the heel on HALF the number of total stitches.

-THE FOOT: After the heel is turned continue knitting the heel (now the bottom of the sock) in stockinette stitching and the top of sock in ribbing until the required length of the foot (minus the toes! We're getting to that!)

-THE TOE:
Note: Requires a set of 4 needles. The stitches are divided with half of them on needle #2 and one quarter each on needles #1 and #3. The division between needles #1 and #3 is centered at the back of the heel or under the foot, decreasing at the end of needle #1, the beginning and end of needle #2, and beginning of needle #3. (phew. Are you with me? Once the stitches are divided properly it's much easier than it sounds!)

Round 1: Knit to 3 sts from the end of needle #1, K2tog, K1. K1, SSK at the beginning of needle #2, knit to 3 sts away from end of needle #2, K2tog, K1. K1, SSK at the beginning of needle #3, knit to end of round.
Round 2: Knit plain.

Repeat these two rounds until you have reduced the number of stitches on each needle by half. Continue to work decrease round only until 6-8 stitches remain. Graft the toe together using a kitchener stitch or draw the stitches together.

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OKAY. So not as much a proper pattern than it is a formula. The trick here is that this formula is very versatile and not to fuss too much over the technicality of it. ;)

xo

Pomegranate: Finished Tulip Blanket

Nesting for me usually comes in the form of crafting. I need to create and make comfortable, beautiful, and practical things for baby, for me, and for the family. It's what I do. It makes me feel... ready. Prepared.

This blanket has been a long time coming. It started with some lofty merino and silk fiber that I spun into a useable yarn. It went onto the knitting needles and weeks later it took it's final shape: a wonderfully warm and drapey blanket knit in a simple tulip lace. Incredibly soft and snuggly it is currently folded up and waiting to be wrapped around fresh newborn baby skin.

I've made a matching hat with some leftover yarn and am currently working on some tiny baby booties as well.

I see the blanket sitting and waiting, much like my heart, and I can't wait to see our precious little one snuggled up tight in it.

We'll see you soon, my little Love! We can't wait to meet you, hold you, kiss you, and whisper beautiful things to you.
You are loved.


Follow along with the journey:

The beginning - Spinning Wool for the Baby
Spinning it up - Pomegranate Progress
The finished yarn - Pomegranate: All Spun Up

Dreaming Big

Yesterday I've sent off my entry form to enter my hand-spun hand-knit shawl into an upcoming exhibition. I'm extremely nervous as I've never entered anything into an exhibition before, let alone attend one, so I have no idea what I'm up against! It's a small dream of mine to have one of my knits on display so I've decided to go for it!

I've hand spun this wool and am currently in the process of knitting it up! I'm calling it "Nueva", which means "new" in Spanish. A friend of mine hand dyed this wool for me as a parting gift before I moved to New Zealand around two years ago. The deep greens represent new beginnings and the New Zealand countryside. I'm quite excited with how it's turning out!

Cross your fingers for me! I'll let you all know if it makes it to the exhibition.

xo
Check out more of my handspun projects HERE.

First Blanket

I finally finished spinning and knitting the blanket for Baby vdW! I love how it turned out and it's incredibly soft. I've put the blanket in the bassinet and I can't stop taking little peeks at it and imagining our little one snoozing in it.

Today marks 4 more weeks until the due date! One more week and I'll be considered full term. We are getting so close!








With the leftover yarn I made a little matching hat (Phil's idea) so when the Little is all swaddled up he or she has a little hat to match! CUTE! I think I'm going to work on some little booties tonight.

Total yardage spun: 646 yards 3-ply
Weight: fingering/worsted
Blend: merino/tencel

xoxo
Talia Christine

My Latest Spin

I've begun work on baby Dylan's second present. I'm hand spinning some special wool to knit up into the softest blanket imaginable (or close anyway).

Before:




After:



I'm about halfway done spinning the 8.5 ounces of Merino/Tencel blend.
This stuff is a dream to spin.
It spins up like butter.
It has gorgeous hints of baby blues, grays, and silver throughout the wool and spun up yarn. I'm excited to knit a swatch to see how it looks!

Now to on decide (again, because I keep changing my mind) which baby blanket pattern I will knit.

For those of you interested, I purchased the roving from Spincerely. I'm a repeat customer. She has excellent customer service and has always answered my hair-brained questions that I throw at her. What's most though is that her dyed rovings are ridiculously incredible. I dye my own wool typically, but when I splash out and buy something fancy I head her way.

xoxo
Talia Christine

A Very Special Baby Blanket

I have been working on knitting a baby blanket for my sister Jaime who is expecting her first in January. She is having a boy! Dylan James Overman. I can't wait to cuddle him and nibble on his tiny fingers and toes.

I love you, baby Dylan!

Here is your very first birthday present.




I caught Basil in an embarassing moment while taking photos of the blanket. Just thought I would share.



The blanket was hand knit with love and 100% New Zealand machine washable wool.

I have another project in the works for baby Dylan. It's amazing. Just you wait and see.


xoxo
Talia Christine

New Project: Sneak Peek!

I've begun work on a new project to keep myself busy (and warm)!





I have 1 and a half mittens finished! I love them so far.

What are you working on?

xoxo
Talia Christine

Just When I Think I'm Out...

I was just complaining to myself the other day that I was running out of a fiber and stuff to spin. Now, for honesty's sake, that's not even close to true but it's what I like to think when I run out of inspiration and umph. It makes me feel better. It's my own little justification in my own little crafty world.

Today a friend at work pulled me aside and told me he had a gift for me. I recently gave him some handspun yarn, him being a fellow knitter, and he went nuts over it. I really hadn't the faintest idea what he brought for me. Never did I expect this loveliness!

Four different colours of four alapaca fleeces:




The natural colours are sooo beautiful! There is about 3-4 ounces of each colour. I really didn't take good photos, the pictures don't do it justice at all. The two lighter colours are just _silly_ soft! They are so soft you just want to giggle because it doesn't make any sense. It is really wonderful clean fiber. I haven't decided how I will spin it up yet. I'm ridiculously excited and thankful for this wonderful gift!!! Thanks again!

After this I come home to find these two things in my mailbox:

My monthly installment from Spunky Fiber Club



Soul Windows

Corriedale with 10% nylon
Really wonderful stuff! It's a really delicate feeling fiber with a hint of strength to it. I'm thinking either a 3-ply (yuck I hate 3-plies but I'm determined to conquer) or a delicious worsted single. We'll see what becomes of it, I really can't decide.


Two pounds of undyed corriedale:



It's really soft and I can't wait to dye it all up. It also _really_ smells like sheep. That also makes me giggle!

LASTLY (I promise) here are the dried and braided versions of my last dying adventure:








Who's complaining about a depleted stash now?!

xoxo