Etsy Store

I've been considering opening an Etsy store and have decided to take the plunge.  My store will be called SSK Accessories, which stands for Simple Stylish Knitting Accessories.  I'll be specializing in stitch markers and project bags for both knitter and crocheters.  I'm thinking of other accessories that I can put in the store and I have a couple of ideas.  The store is not open yet, but I'm working on it, so stay tuned!

Sock Knitters . . .

 . . . and wanna be sock knitters, this is for you!  I have just finished the heel of my third pair of socks and I'm in love!  Yes, I love my husband (LOL!) but I have found the heel that I will be using for any future socks that I knit!  It's called Fish Lips Kiss Heel and can be found on Ravelry here.  I have no affiliation with this designer nor do I receive any compensation for sharing it here.  This is not a free pattern, but for only $1.00 (yes, you read that correctly) you receive 16 pages of instructions with pictures.  If you are a visual person like I am, than the pictures are a great addition.  Here's a picture of the completed heel.

 

I'm knitting these socks using Knitter's Pride Nova Circular Needles.  These are my absolute favorite knitting needles for lace projects and socks.  They have nice points on them for lace knitting and very flexible cables perfect for knitting socks two-at-a-time on 2 circular needles.  I'm using a size US 1.

 
Knitter's Pride Nova Circular 32-inch (80cm) Knitting Needles; Size US 1 (2.25mm) 100261

You may remember in an earlier post that I mentioned the yarn that I was using.  This is fun sock yarn to work with.  I love self-patterning  yarn -- what fun!  I'm using Coats Yarn Red Heart Heart and Sole Yarn, Faded Jeans colorway.

Coats Yarn Red Heart Heart and Sole Yarn, Faded Jeans 

If you have never knit anything with self-patterning yarn, give it a try.  I absolutely love working with it and will be knitting socks in the future with this yarn.

That's about it for now.  I'll post a picture of my socks when they are finished!

Happy knitting,

New Things to Try

I've been having fun being on a test panel.  In return, I've received gift certificates that can be redeemed at many different places.  I've chosen Amazon.com for all of mine.  I just love shopping there!  We are Prime members so almost everything arrives within 2 days of order!  That's fun.

Today, I received some fun new things.  I've been really wanting to get into knitting socks for myself.  I'm not one to pay huge amounts for sock yarn, however.  I have no problem receiving freebies, however!  I ordered Coats: Yarn - Red Heart Heart & Sole Yarn in the Faded Jeans colorway.  I love the self striping and designs it makes as you knit this up.

Usually I make my socks two at a time on two double needles and make them toe up.  However, I wanted to try something different.  I read on another blog about a 9" (23cm) ChiaoGoo Red (Stainless Steel) Circular Knitting Needles in a size US 1 (2.25mm) for making socks, so I decided to try that. It will probably arrive while I'm in Michigan (July 2-11).  I was hoping it would arrive sooner because I wanted to start the socks while I'm there, but that will have to wait until I get home.

The second item that arrived today was this:  American Weigh Scales Digital Stainless Steel Bench Scale.  This will be used for knitting, believe it or not but also in the kitchen.  I've learned that I have to weight my gluten free flour when baking.  There's a long explanation as to why and I won't get into that here, but I thought that this would be a good addition for both knitting and baking.

I'm looking forward to using all of these products, especially the yarn and circular needle.  :-)

I also ordered something else, but that's for another time.  I'll give you a hint:  it has to do with a Craftsy.com class that I took.  Ha!  That doesn't narrow it down, too, much!  Have fun guessing!

Until next time,

Testing It Out

My interest in knitting has been heightened within the last year, I've been soaking up so much knowledge through craftsy.com.  Their classes are wonderful!!

So, I decided to add a knitting blog to my list of things to write about.  I don't post a lot on my other blogs because I've been too busy knitting.  My hope, with this blog, is to post pics about the projects I'm working on and in the future post patterns of things that I have designed.  Whether or not those patterns will be free or for sale is yet to be determined.  I just want to get my feet wet in the knitting design world.

In the meantime, I'll be knitting in my favorite chair in the living room!

Until later,
Carolyn