Boxing Day Give Away: SOCK ANATOMY

Happy Boxing Day! The shop will be reopening tomorrow, and in the meantime, I thought some bloggy bits were in order. Today consists of sock chat (I know, I know! I just can't stop talking about them). I don't even consider myself to be a serious sock knitter. But enough about me, let us move onto someone who is a serious sock mistress.

Clare Devine is just too clever! You may have already heard some hubbub over her e-book on the interwebs. SOCK ANATOMY is an e-book priced at £9.00, which is a fantastic deal. It's 53 pages on sock techniques and methods, and includes some adorable baby sock patterns. This allows you to practice different techniques on a smaller scale (with less pressure), and you can then implement these techniques into your adult sock knitting. It does not matter if you do not have a baby to knit for.

My favourite pattern from this book is Flexor. I've whipped up these teensy things using scraps from the shop stash; some Ginger's Hand Dyed Delight 4ply and King Cole Merino Blend 4ply.

Flexor by Clare Devine

This particular pattern uses an afterthought heel, which is a fantastic method for those beginners who may be terrified of heels. There are also instructions for both top down and toe up, take your pick. I used to be a toe up sort of gal, but have been converted to top down over the past couple years. 

Use up your wee scraps for wee socks!

Now we come to the GIVE AWAY bit. Which sock pattern out of Clare's new book is your favourite? Post your answer in the comments section below,and be entered into a drawing to win a copy of SOCK ANATOMY! The winner shall be drawn next Thursday the 2nd of January. Start your year off with socks!  

Alternatively, if you don't win or you just can't bear to wait, Clare is offering a discount to all you Ginger Twisters out there. Use the coupon code 'ginger1' in your Ravelry checkout cart, and this will give you 20% off SOCK ANATOMY (coupon code is valid until the 14th of January, so get on it like a bonnet)!

If you fancy reading more about Clare, please take a gander at this interview with her on a previous GTS blog post. You can also find her on Ravelry as knitsforklipskaap.

Yarny Christmas

We are now in the thick of the holidays, and last night was spent outfitting the button eaters in their Christmas jumpers, wrapping presents and decorating our dainty tree. With my Christmas Day dress all knit and blocked, I am feeling like I can actually start to enjoy the seasonality of it all.





















Now if you are feeling a bit panicky on your preparation level, and are in need of some yarn related assistance, GTS can assist.  Gift vouchers for GTS are available in £5 increments, if you are looking for a gift for another crafter or yarn appreciator. These can be used on yarn, patterns AND workshops.

Gift Vouchers from Ginger Twist Studio

WoolyKnit Lofty

Or if you are looking at actually making a gift (and time is short) go for a chunky accessory. Woolyknit's Lofty is a soft bulky yarn (80% super soft merino & 20%    nylon).




I've recently made the Smock-Top Jacket by GTS' Designer of the Month, Kristen Orme. The chunkiness of the wool made this a quick project, and only took 4 balls. You could easily make a unique and original hat or cowl out of a ball or 2. 

Smock-Top Jacket

Last on the agenda are GTS' holiday hours:

23rd December: 11-5

24th - 26th: Closed. While the kitty is away·..

27th - 30th: Normal hours

31st December - 2nd January: Closed

3rd January: Back to our regularly scheduled programme

So here is hoping the holidays allow everyone the opportunity to be merry and the time to craft! 

Have yourself a knitty little Christmas!

 

Designer of the Month: Kristen Orme

Word on the grapevine is that Kristen Orme is Designer of the Month at Ginger Twist Studio. Yay! We are delighted to feature such a talented individual. So let us dive into a bit more depth with the lady herself.

Ginger Twist Studio: Thanks again for taking the time to answer a few questions. I know you must be super busy with the upcoming holidays, work, teaching, designing and making the big move! Anyhoo, onward we go. So, tell me about your knitty beginnings? Who taught you an what did you make?

Kristen Orme: My first start was with my mum.  But I didn’t like the way she knitted (jamming the needle in her lap!) so I passed – until my aunt taught me.  Then it stuck.  I did two super-long scarves and then dove headfirst into a poorly-planned shawl cardigan.  Bright orange.  Without swatching.  Needless to say, I didn’t fancy holding onto it and I’ve learned a lot more about knitting since then!

Ginger Twist Studio: When and how did you get so involved, turning a hobby into a career?

Kristen Orme: Working at a knitting shop inspired me to start designing smaller patterns for the unique yarns we sold.  That got me hooked onto designing and after much more knitting, I decided to pursue a Masters degree.  I chose Heriot-Watt University and immersed myself in the facilities there.  I learned a lot about the knitwear industry while experimenting with hand and machine-knit and was able to put that to good use while starting my career with an internship with Di Gilpin Ltd.  Now I’m working with Eribé Knitwear in the Hand-knit Production department.  Along the way, I’ve been developing my own designs and knitting patterns for sale and also teaching classes – I just love knitting and have to get involved in every way possible.

GTS: What is your favourite thing to design or technique?

KO: Ever since I learned 2-handed fair isle with weaving the floats, I can’t get enough of stranded knitting!  My fair isle used to be either too tight or too loose, but with weaving the floats in, I find the knitting to be perfectly even!  For designing, I just love garments.  If the deadline isn’t too tight, the challenge of writing a pattern for a garment is such a joy!

GTS: What inspires you to design?

KO: I wish I could say that it’s the colours in the sky or the texture of the hillside but really, it’s mostly techniques.  If I learn something new that I really like, I’ll try to think of how I can innovatively incorporate that into a design.  One of my recent designs from Knit Now magazine, the Bustier Tee, explored the effect of knitting with 1 and 2 strands together to create a fabric that is sheer and opaque in different places, specifically the line of a bustier top.

GTS: Now your next move to Florida moves you into a completely different (and hotter) environment. How will you cope? Cotton? Lace?

KO: I’ve been chewing on this for awhile.  I might move back into machine knit for the fun of it. Finer garments will be more wearable there, and I have so much more to learn with my trusty Brother knitting machine (yes, I plan to ship it to Florida!).  However, I love hand-knitting with wool so much that I might have to continue designing and knitting for the Scottish weather, even if I won’t be able to wear my knits.

GTS: Any advice for budding designers?

KO: Experiment and have fun! I also really appreciate a well-written pattern, so I tend to study other designers’ writing styles to see what I do and do not like about it. Then I am more informed about the pattern-writing style I would like to achieve. If you want to get involved in the industry, contact companies.  If you can manage starting with an internship, you can really learn a lot from the right company in that capacity.  If you work hard and have a good attitude, you will get noticed for the good job you do.

GTS: What is next? Could a book potentially be in the works?

KO: I wouldn’t rule it out, but I’m not sure I’m ready just yet.  I’m working on a few exciting patterns that will be coming out in the next year.  I’ve really loved working in hand-knit production and would love to continue in that vein, being involved with a great company that loves knitting!  The future is a bit hazy at the moment, but I love what I do and cannot wait to see where it takes me.

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Never fear Ginger Twisters! A selection of patterns by Kristen Makes are available at Ginger Twist Studio. And we also have some of her lovely pieces on display. I've just finished one meself. Is that smocking I detect? Stay tuned!

 

The Holidays Are Coming

The start of December saw me running about like a chicken with its head cut off. But there was a lot to organize! Parties, workshops, window displays, advent calendars...and then there's knitting. But aren't the holidays known as a stressful, yet exciting time? I know its true for me.

Let's start with the first of December, the day the first window of an advent calendar is opened. I've decided to knit one for the shop, adding 1 ornament for each day of the month. It's hanging on the door if you are interested in coming by for a peek.

December also means there is a new Designer of the Month in toon! And that certain someone is of course the very kind and lovely... 

Kristen Orme, aka KristenMakes!

She has so generously loaned some samples for the shop display, and GTS is now stocking a selection of her single patterns.


 


 




















And I'm delighted to have a Designer of the Month be teaching a workshop in the month they are featured. There is one slot left in Kristen's Intarsia Workshop at GTS on the 14th of this month for some lucky lad or lass. Kristen created these lovely hats as samples for the workshop. Aren't they just too cute?! If you already know the ins and outs of intarsia, then this pattern is available for purchase in the shop.

Now I've got my gifts all made (still needing wrapped), I'm a few days ahead on the advent calendar front, and I'm' gearing myself up for the knitting club Christmas Shindig. It looks like the rest of my year is basically booked up. :) 

More to come next week on the Kristen Orme, Designer of the Month. 

The Funky Chicken

A few weeks back, a man approached my group at the pub during our weekly knit night. "Who is in charge here?" This was presented in a gruff tone, and thought I might be in some sort of trouble as I meekly responded that this would probably be me. He then presented me with a bulging bag of wool. He went on to explain that his wife had passed away a year ago, and this is what she left behind. As he just wanted to see it go to a good home, I accepted the bitter-sweet bag of goodies. 

After arriving home and dumping out the contents of said bag, I found what looked to be the beginnings of a jumper. She had gotten maybe 3/4 of the way through one sleeve. I wondered if this was meant to be for her husband? It was a lovely honeycomb pattern. It seemed such a shame to let her hours of work go to waste. There was no pattern included, so I couldn't just finish the jumper for her. But I thought maybe this sleeve could be useful as...a...tea cosy? I ripped it back till it was a suitable width for my pot. With the spout poking out of what would be the cuff of the sleeve, I crocheted the edges to give it a bit of finish, as well as closing up the sides to leave suitable holes for the spout and handle.

And there you have a tea cosy.

But something was missing. I thought it kind of looked like a hen?? So I did the logical thing and added buttons for eyes and wee headdress of yarn. Finishing touches can make or break a piece. Say hello to Hilda the Hen. 

I am well acquainted as to how it feels to loose someone incredibly close. It's nice to have something that serves as a reminder of that special person. And that folks, is the reason I named the mascot of The Town Mouse Knitting Club, Rachel. That way, I've got my best gal pal with me at the pub, and she's always keeping me company in the shop. Thanks Rach.

The Funky Sailor

I am the biggest procrastinator when it comes to writing up patterns. Usually I am just a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-sort-of-knitter, and don't bother writing it down. I know, I know. For shame! Well, I like to think I'm improving. Maybe a New Year's resolution for me? Anyhoo, in preparation for Christmas, I made my Dad a man cowl. The results were fantastic! The only problem was, I liked it so much and wanted to keep it for myself. Gasp! So...I just made another one for me. Fingers crossed he is not reading this, and discovered what his present shall be! Now presenting the Funky Sailor Cowl.

Photo by Bartek Furdal

Since creating this cosy cowl, I've had a few requests for a pattern write up. Procrastination be gone! 

For this cowl I used grams of 100grams of Aran weight yarn in two contrasting colours (so 200grams in total). Brigantia Aran would suit nicely. 

Using a provisional cast on method and a 6.0mm circular needle (40cm) cast on 82 stitches with colour B, and join in the round.

You will now be following striping pattern 1:
 
Colour A: Knit 6 rounds
Colour B: Knit 2 rounds

Repeat Striping pattern 1 a total of 9 times, then work another 6 rounds of colour A.

You will now follow striping pattern 2:

Colour B: Knit 6 Rounds
Colour A: Knit 2 Rounds

Repeat striping pattern 2 a total of 9 times, then work another 4 rounds of colour B. 

 


















You will now need to put the stitches from the provisional cast on, onto another circular needle. You will now graft the stitches from either end together using kitchener stitch. This essentially connects either ends of the tube, leaving you with a cosy loop. Weave in ends, block, and wear proudly.

The Boys AKA the Button Eaters

Meet the boys: Casper and Ozzy aka 'The Button Eaters.'

Casper

Ozzy

In the spirit of Movember, I have knit them some very studious looking jumpers. These wee treats were intended for their Christmas...but they were just too excited to wait. Can you believe it? Okay, actually it was ME that could not wait. Just look at those faces!

 

 


I used the Bucalicious Sweater, a free pattern on Ravelry. And let me just say that I love this pattern. It actually stays on my pups. Other models have proved to be easy to wriggle out of. But in this case, the combination of polo neck and front leg sleeves make for a garment as secure as a chastity belt! 

With more Movember spirit, I have been going a bit mad over man cowls. I made these 2 over the past week (Mainbow and Shades of Grey), and there are more to come. A must have for all the important men in men in my life!

 

 

Mainbow

Shades of Grey

Wee Socks and Clare

GTS has a special technical workshop occurring Saturday, focussing on that bit that makes a vast majority of newbie (and experienced) sock knitters a bit anxious; the elusive heel. The gal running this workshop is a new pal of mine, Clare. She is loads of fun, and a bit kooky too (takes one to know one). She was kind enough to answer a few of my questions, so continue reading if you would like a peek into this lovely knitter/designer/teacher's thoughts.

GTS: So you have recently moved to Edinburgh. How are you finding it? Does it suit your love of knitwear?

Clare: We have been here for almost two months and I love it here. I had never been to Edinburgh before and only visited Scotland once. I was not what I expected, but Edinburgh has not disappointed me one bit. This city is magical! The city is beautiful, the people are friendly and the yarn choices are endless … what more could I ask for?

Since arriving I have been rolling out the knitwear on a grand scale! I started knitting in Australia and became even more hopelessly addicted when I moved to South Africa. Neither of these countries however is famous for their knitwear weather. I have been storing up socks, cardigans, shawls and hats … and now I finally get to wear them. Sometimes I have approached this task with a little bit too much gusto and may often be seen wandering down Easter Road dressed head to toe in knitted items.

GTS: Where do you find inspiration for your knitting and designing?

Clare: I am new to the designing world but I find inspiration everywhere. At the moment my main driver has been technique as I have been working solely on technique driven sock designs. I have a little girl so designing for her is a major inspiration too. I love clean lines and little details but not too many frills.

GTS: What are you working on now?

Clare: I am on a major hat kick at the moment. With the colder days drawing close, our heads have been feeling the chill. I have just knitted an Aviatrix hat by Justine Turner– this is my desperate attempt to make a very determined young lady keep her hat on.

Recently I cast off the Common Ground by Elizabeth Smith – it is warm and squishy and perfect for wearing in my rather chilly flat.

I also have big plans to take part in the Woolly Wormhead mystery KAL that started on the 1^st of November.

Lastly, I have plans for an Owlet by Kate Davies for the little one. We even popped in to see Jess and pick some yarn last week. I just need to find time to cast on.

Aviatrix baby hat

Common Ground

2013 Mystery KAL

Owlet 2

GTS: Tell me about the e-book!

Clare: My current project was born out of my passion for knitting socks. When I started knitting I always swore I would never ever knit socks – I couldn’t have been more wrong. Over the last year I have been devouring information about sock knitting techniques and over coffee one morning a close friend and I discussed the beginnings of this book. 
 

The e-book offers you the chance to try a wide selection of heel and toes without committing to knitting a full size sock. Each technique is featured in a baby sock that has been carefully designed to give you lots of opportunities to try new techniques on a miniature scale.

The socks are available in four sizes and are perfect for the little ones in your life. They make great gifts too and if you have no little ones who need socks, they are super cute decorations for the Christmas tree or merely a wonderful technical learning tool.

The book features nine detailed patterns with socks knitted from the top down and the toe up. Each sock features a different heel and there is a wide selection of toes.

The heels covered are:

The standard afterthought heel

The star afterthought heel

Dutch / square heel

French / round heel

Half hankerchief / V heel

Band heel

Faux heel flap / toe up heel flap

Stocking stitch short row heel

Garter stitch short row heel

The book will be launched at the start of December and then the patterns will be gradually added to the book, once a fortnight, to give you time to get to grips with one sock before the next arrives.

Samhain and the close of SOCKTOBERFEST

Samhain has arrived. I've kinda gone with an attempt at being Merida from “Brave” this Halloween. This involves teasing my already curly red hair and wearing one of my fav dresses, along with a lack of forward planning. Och well, there is always hope that I can manage to get bow and arrow set together for next year.

But I promise I HAVE been being productive. My needles have been busy finishing my Candy Floss Cloud. This pattern is called Averin, by the amazing Edinburgh based designer Lucy Hague. I'm super pleased to have finished this and looking forward to cuddling up with its super soft self in the chilly days to come.

Ginger Twist Studio's first ever Socktoberfest has been an utter delight. You may even see some sock related plans leaking over into this next month. I just can't contain myself! It has been an absolute pleasure to feature Rachel Coopey's sock designs this month, and I'm quite saddened to be returning her samples. :( As a small consolation, I will be knitting a pair of Emlyn Socks for myself. And there is now the new window display to focus on!

And here is a lil' clue as to what next month entails.

Is that a Ginger Stache?

 

Socks are Swell

Socks, socks and more socks. 
This has been my life for this month, which has been swell. And I'm very proud to announce that I've finished Dawlish. Hurrah! I love that feeling of sweet satisfaction after finishing a project. 

But aren't these just too pretty to wear on my feet?! Maybe I will take up sock puppetry instead, and go sockless for the rest of my days.

Och, don't be ridiculous. Of course I will wear them! Done in Ginger's Hand Dyed Delight 4ply (shade: Gorblimey), they are super soft and squishy, as well as durable. 

I've been so focused on SOCKTOBERFEST that I forgot Halloween was quickly approaching. Situation remedied! I've got some wee lights and a pumpkin, that I thought looked a bit chilly.

I shall also get some sweeties to hand out on the day...just a little closer to time, as they will be in danger of disappearing. Hmmm...is it too late for me to knit a costume?

Hats Off!

My hat is off to all the ladies and gents who helped with the Innocent Juice Hats knitting project. Said wee hats have now been counted up and posted off. I am happy to announce that we made a total donation of 131 hats. 

These are keeping a lot of juice toppers warm, and helping out Age Scotland by proxy. You think we can make it to 200 hats next year? I better start knitting now.

You may have heard me mention that whomever handed in the most clever wee hat would win a skein of Ginger's Hand Dyed of their choosing. Here are some of the runners up:

 














I may be biased on the winner, as this amazing knitter is my pal, but she is an amazing and super creative knitter nonetheless. Two entries tied for most clever...and they were both hers. 

Meet the Cowardly Lion & 

Jack Sparrow!

Och the details! I adore the button in Mr. Sparrows hair, obviously, as I am a well known button addict. Congrats Miss Sylvie!! And here is a shot of her with her well deserved skein of Ginger's Hand Dyed Delight 4ply  aka Melon Balls on Fire! I've heard rumour that they may become a pair of Rachel Coopey socks.
















Speaking of buttons, time for another woolly announcement. I'm sold out of the Cashmere Wristees kits. :( As an alternative for those still interested in claiming their bit of luxury, I've done up a sample of some equally fun and easy wristees with a rainbow of buttons. 

 
















These used about 23 grams (less than half a skein), so feasibly you could make 2 pairs out of 1 skein or just make yours twice as long (oooo lush). The pattern is available in the shop complimentary, along with a luxurious Hand Spun Afghanistan Cashmere purchase.