Rachel Coopey: Sock Goddess

Now my kittens, it is time for a closer look at Ginger Twist Studio's Designer of the Month: Rachel Coopey. 

GTS: When did you start knitting? 
Rachel Coopey: My grandma taught me when I was little, she would cast on for me and I would sit at her feet and churn out garter stitch. When I was about 16 I wanted to start knitting again, I got a refresher lesson from my mum and knitted an extremely long scarf.

GTS: When and how did this sock obsession start? 
RC: I fell in love with sock yarn before I fell in love with socks! I love the colours and the feel of sock yarn, I love that you can get a luxury blend without breaking the bank. Once I had acquired a few skeins I thought I'd give sock knitting a go. At that point I was knitting things to see if I could - I was more interested in the process than the end product, once I had a finished pair of socks that changed. There's nothing like wearing hand knitted socks, I never looked back!

GTS: Where do you gain your inspiration for pattern writing? 
RC: Everywhere! I take photos of buildings and patterns, even tyre tracks in muddy puddles! I carry a notebook, I have one by my bed, I scribble on the backs of envelopes and anything else I can get my hands on!

GTS: What is your favourite heel type, and do you like top down or toe up best? 
RC:I really like the way a cuff down sock with a heel flap, I find it much easier to get this type of sock to fit me. Occasionally I'll do something else or experiment but I always go back to it in the end.

GTS: What socks out of this most current collection are you most proud of just love? (I know, it is probably like picking your fav child) 
RC: I think it's Dawlish, I love the yarn, the colour and the pattern work well together

GTS: Any advice for budding sock knitters? 
RC: Knit your socks at a tight gauge and with some negative ease (smaller than your foot so they stretch to fit), you want your socks to wear well and last a long time!

GTS: And your most recent book is really lovely! What is next in the life of Rachel Coopey? 
RC: I'm working on a few things! My next big project is a collection of accessories (not socks!) and then there will be another sock book - I can't stay away from them for long!


Rachel's latest book, CoopKnits Socks, includes 10 fun and interesting sock designs along with a online download code. This is available in hard copy at Ginger Twist Studio for £15, where there is also an abundance of hand dyed sock wool. My personal favourite design, like Rachel, is Dawlish. I've now started on the second sock in Ginger's hand Dyed Delight 4ply in Gorblimey (delicious grellow).  Rachel's instruction is clear and her charts are marvelous. The book is also chalk full of lovely and inspiring socky photos. Which is your favourite?

SOCKTOBERFEST!

It's time to keep your toes toasty, and what does a better job than hand knit socks? Nothing, that's what.

October is SOCKTOBERFEST at Ginger Twist Studio!! What is better than a sock themed month? Nothing, that's what.

I've been working away on the window display, which is of course very sock orientated. Featured are samples from Rachel Coopey's most recent book, Coop Knits Socks. This sock goddess is GTS' Designer of the Month (more to come on her next week). So come take a look at these socks in the flesh, they really are works of art. And you can of course buy the book in the shop. :) 

 


















We will also be running a beginner house socks workshop with Vala. So if you would like a wee bit of tutelage, we are here to assist in your sockish needs. The house socks workshop takes place over 2 sessions and costs £30.




















So stay tuned kittens, for more coverage on SOCKTOBERFEST! 

Little Luxuries and Autumn

Ginger says, "You deserve a little luxury in your life."  I've just whipped up these wee wristees out of the hand spun Afghanistan Cashmere mentioned in last week's edition. The necessary cashmere and pattern will be supplied as a kit at GTS HQ to the tune of £20. I added a few buttons to mine, but then again, I like to add buttons to everything in my life. Do as you like. 

 The pattern is very beginner friendly and would also work great as a gift. There are a limited number of kits available, so get them while they are hott (I feel two t's is justified). 

 



















Onto other kitty business. 

This coming month (October) is very exciting. Not only do you move further into Autumn (aka wool weather), but GTS is partaking in a special theme for the month; connecting the workshops, Designer of the Month, and special additional woolly stock.

October = SOCKTOBERFEST!!!

So stay tuned for future happenings during this special month. And if you like making socks, or would like to learn, Ginger Twist Studio is the place to be.

Cashmere

Ginger has gotten an exciting bit of luxury added to the shop stock. It is something that greatly benefits the actual community that produces said bit of luxury. This provides a genuine reason (not that you need one), to be spending this much on a single ball of yarn. The answer is CASHMERE! 





This particular cashmere is hand spun in rural Afghanistan in women's cooperatives. There is a very limited amount (for the time being) available at Ginger Twist Studio. This super soft stuff comes in 50 gram hanks in natural shades. Take a gander. What would you make? 

And the lady behind this exciting project is Nora Kravis, creator of Chianti Cashmere in Tuscany, and producer of very fine and very exclusive Italian cashmere. Over the years she has become a master breeder of Cashmere goats, and you can even book a visit to go and stay on her farm (as one Ginger Kitten did just that this past season). Nora has now brought some of her own Cashmere goats over from Italy to Afghanistan to get this amazing project off the ground. 


Ginger Twist Studio is delighted to be supporting this project, and we hope you are all excited as well. Now come in and squish the cashmere! You know you want to.

Now, what to make as a shop sample...

Kittens Take a Road Trip

This past weekend, a couple of my favourite kittens and I went on a road trip to Dundee. We were participating in The Big Knit; raising money for charity and attempting to break the world record of the most knitters knitting together. The atmosphere of the football stadium was charged with knitty excitement, and I could not help from emitting an odd squealing/giggling combo. I was also wearing my kitty fascinator and newly knitted Taliesin Shawl, which was also cause for much excitement.

Shawl pattern by Lucy Hague

 




















As it turns out, we did not break the world record we were aiming for. Le sigh. But we DID surpass the police record for the most offensive weapons in a football stadium (I don't know how offensive my wee Hiya Hiya Interchangeable circulars would be if it came down to it). And we raised over £3000! Well done ladies and gents!

I knit one blanket square during our recorded knitting time (30 stitches by 30 rows). I really do pity whomever is in charge of sewing all those bloody squares together. Sure, I will knit till the cows come home, but I will avoid sewing up at all costs! 

All in all, twas a great day out and I even got some sun. And I even met Miss Leona of Dundee's Fluph, so that was an added bonus. 

Maybe next year we can beat the record? 

And just as a wee reminder, its not too late to bring some wee Innocent Juice hats into the shop. I had a lovely mystery submission posted through my mail slot the other day, and I've just uncovered who it was this morn. Thanks Kate from Awesome Folk! I shall submit all our contributions at the end of the month, so get knitting!

September!

September has arrived. This means the kiddos go back to school and the leaves on the trees will begin to change hue. But most importantly, wool weather is quickly approaching! This being said, September also sees a new WOOL OF THE MONTH at Ginger Twist Studio. After much anticipation, the wool deemed worthy is Exmoor Sock Yarn by John Arbon Textiles. This lovely light fingering wool comes in 6 shades. Which is your favourite?

John Arbon Textiles:
High Quality Socks, Textiles and Worsted Yarns Designed & Spun in Devon

Pattern: Edinburgh Spring Haze

I am just in love with John Arbon Textiles and all they do! This wool in particular has such a nice wee halo to it (85% Exmoor Blueface) with tons of hard wearing strength (15% nylon). Yes, it is great for socks, but I was feeling rebellious and made a cabled hat (pattern by Vala). 

And don't forget, there are 2 big events taking place this weekend. Saturday and Sunday afternoon (1pm - 5pm) is the Colony of Artists. Local businesses and people of the hood open up their homes and premises to host artists galore. Have a gander if you are in the Abbeyhill area!

And Sunday is THE BIG KNIT DUNDEE 2013! Myself and a few choice kittens will be in attendance. I'm leaving Vala to mind the shop for a few hours, so be nice if you pop round. :)


 

But don't worry if you cannae make it. There is still time for you to drop some teensy Innocent juice bottle toppers into the shop. Isn't the orb looking marvelous?!

 

A bit of Dyeing

I'm not saying that running a shop doesn't keep me super busy, but I somehow find time to be a sometimes hand dyer as well. I've been occupied creating a vibrant line of hand dyes deemed 'Ginger's Hand Dyes.' It must be said that I really look forward to naming the colour ways. This is one of my new favourites: Gorblimey. This word stems from the ol' British way of saying, 'God blind me.' Hence, Gorblimey.

 

Now for some project talk. August has flown by, and Lucy Hague's status as Designer of the Month in Ginger Twist Studio HQ is coming to a close. This being said, I still can't get enough of her lovely lace and cables. I've just started my very own Averin in candy floss coloured kid mohair (Marta's Yarns). I just have the nicest image of me spending the Winter months knitting up a storm in the shop, whilst wrapped in this pink cloud.

 

I'm also embarking upon some wristees knit out of something very special and soon to be featured in the shop: Ginger Twist Hand Spun. Check out this kitty-tastic shade. AND it's sooooooooooo squishy!

PS: I've just received September's wool of the of the month, with much squealing and excitement. All will be revealed soon my kitties.