dpn cosy

Many of my makes at the moment seem to be centred around the actual process of crafting  - project bags, notebooks and needle books for example.

dpn cosy

I've also been drawn into the world of sock knitting. I belong to this amazing sock knitting group on Facebook, where knitters parade socks knitted in the most beautiful yarns and it just tempts you and ensnares you, and what do you know .. there's a sock on your needles. There are several ways to knit socks - if you want to start can I direct you to this lady's blog, Winwick Mum who explains it all very clearly.

Keeping them safe and snug!

I like to use dpns or double point needles to knit mine and I needed to keep my stitches safe on the needles. My knitting goes everywhere with me and I usually have a couple (well quite a few actually) projects on the go, and I like to knit what my fingers feel like doing, so the knitting can get shifted in and out and about sometimes. So after a little research I found this tutorial for a dpn needle keeper by The Nome Knitter, and ta-dah I made my own to keep everything safe and cosy.
Being me I got carried away, so my extra ones are in my Folksy shop if you're interested!

dpn cosy

You may have noticed it's the same pair of socks on the needles for some time, and my challenge for the Easter holidays is to finish them!

Sock it to 'em!

Late last year, I went to the  Wool Sanctuary to spend the day learning how to knit socks with the fab-u-lous Suzie Johnson. During the course of a very long day - 9 to 5 - Suzie is very generous with her time, I learnt how to knit using four needles, a new method of casting on, a new way of picking up stitches, how to turn a heel and how to graft the toe together at the end for a lovely neat finish.

Charlie Chocolate socks

It was such a lovely day, just two of us sock newbies and Suzie, and a very focused and intense day.

The finished pair!

I did then come home and knit the other sock and I am very proud of them - far too good for wearing though!!
If you want to learn to knit - I can highly recommend Suzie, after all she was good enough for Kirstie Allsopp!!

Work in progress

Before I go - I'd like to wish you all - A very Happy New Year x.

Pass the Spotty Box ....

around,
box around,
box around.
Pass the spotty box around.
Who ...
will ...
get...
it?
(to the tune 'London Bridge is falling down'.)

and inside?

All last week, when it has been very hot and sweaty we have been outside doing the sock trail. This has kept little people (and some adults) occupied without getting hot and bothered.
Using old school socks (clean ones!!!!) I created a guessing game.
Each sock had a simple numbered label sewn on, but it doesn't have to be a sewn one, and inside is a mystery object. The children have to work out what the objects are by feeling them, although some smelling was also observed! I did sew the object into the sock to stop cheating! Pegged out on a line under the trees in the shade it was great activity.

 

 

To give you some ideas, this is what is inside the socks.

Key ring, pencil, Blutac. hair clip, battery, medicine spoon, toy dinosaur, bottle of nail varnish, tea light candle (they come up with all sorts of answers for this one - my favourite is a monster with no arms and legs!), cotton bud, bottle top, bouncy ball, elastic band (this one is usually thought to be empty - I like being mean!), 2p coin, whistle, 5p coin, marble and polystyrene packaging. You can probably think of lots more.

I'm joining in with Handmade Monday this week, as the summer holidays start on Wednesday, so hopefully I can go blog visiting as I've missed seeing what everyone else is up to.