Well, if you haven't yet noticed, here is another proof of what I like to knit best -  another sock pattern of mine got  published, the Zinger Socks.

This pattern, too, was planned for the Love of Knitting magazine which now sadly is no longer published. Instead the pattern is available for indvidual download.

The socks are knitted cuff down, with one colour at the time. The vertical lines are created by slipped stitches which get carried over the stripe in the colour used. It is worked with a short row heel using German short rows with double stitches. An easy to knit heel variation and I love the effect when one half is worked in one colour, the second half then in the other colour.

The toe is also a basic version, which is done without any grafting but the yarn is pulled through the remaining stitches. All the techniques make this pattern perfect for a newbie sock knitter! Also, the socks require only 50g of each colour, so they are a great stashbuster project for all those leftover from other projects. I think for my next pair I'll reverse the colours for the second sock - don't you think that would look even more fun? Now, what colours would you choose your Zinger socks?

The pattern is availabe for download from the Interweave store, here.

Remember the Cube Socks published in Knitscene I told you about the other day? There are now kits available from the Interweave website which include the magazine with the pattern and a set of SweetGeorgia Yarns Tough Love Sock Party of Five. For me it would be the hardest part to decide which one to choose, lol.

I love the rich colours in the set above in  Blueberry Cobbler, but then, I have a soft spot for monochrome stuff, so the kit below with a Party of Five in Graphite would be right up my alley also...

Which one would you choose? Or is there a Party of Five colourway you'd like even better to use for your Cube socks?

So I told you the other day about my contribution to Knitscene Summer 2018, but in fact there is even more: a second sock pattern of mine. It is one of the bonus patterns and as happy as I am it is in there, as sad is the reason, because it was planned for Love of Knitting, another one of the Interweave knitting magazines which is now no longer published. But well, things change, so let's talk about happier things: my Accented Socks. :)

These socks are worked cuff down in starnded knitting, mainly in two neutral colours. The eye-catching feature is the use of a third, bright colour for cuff, heel and toe as well as for two 'accent stripes'. The socks are worked with a short row heel, which is worked with decreasing and increasing stitches rather than the usual wrap and turn technique. I, personally, consider it it a perfect heel for beginner sock knitters.

The pattern is included as a bonus pattern in Knitscene, which is available in print and for digital download from the Interweave website, here.

Look what is now available from the Interweave website:

The latest issue of Knitscene maganzine, summer 2018 and I am happy to share what I contributed to it. Well, it won't come as a big surprise... because it's my fave item to knit: socks....

... but these, the Cube Socks, are somewhat special! They are worked cuff down, using the intarsia technique. So there is no sewing or picking up stitches requiried (other than the gusset stitches), because the socks are worked in rounds, alternating between knit and purl rounds. The yarns get twisted at each colour change and voilà a pair of socks in patchwork look.

The technique is easier than it sounds and there is an accompanying article explaining in detail how.

I really enjoyed knitting these and I'll for sure make them again in differnt colours. Btw, they also make a great project to use up all the bits and bobs of yarn left over from other projects, since you could choose a different colour for each square.

The magazine is available in print and for digital download from Interweave, here.

Have I actually told you about the new big project I've planned? In one of my Ravelry groups we have year-long challenges and this year we called it the 'rainbow challenge' and the idea is to knit up yarns in certain colours in 2018. In addition, there are challenges for techniques like brioche or cables or just fun extra challenges like 'a project somehow related to the Olympics'. You get the idea. Now, it wouldn't be me to not tweak the challenge so that it is a challenge for me, so here's my plan:

I'd like to knit up all these beautiful skeins of Cascade Yarns Heritage and create my very own rainbow. And of course, these have to be my very own designs. And the work on my 'Rainbow of Socks' (which will be the title of the collection), is well underway... :)

I started with red because it felt right to start with red and now I 'm pondering on ideas how to name the socks. I want the word 'red' in it, but that's all I know at the moment. Any ideas?

A new Knit Picks collection was released on Wednesday, Everyday Wraps, with 14 colourful, wearable and comfortable shawls, all of them knit in fingering weight yarn. And I contributed to the collection too: Wild Vortex. :)

I chose the name, because the shawl is knitted in wedges which seem to spin around an invisible axis - like a vortex in the sea. The shawl is knit top down and all colours are cast on simultanously; instructions for the colour changes are given in the pattern.

The generous sized shawl forms a three-quarter circle. The main part is worked in garter stitch, but to emphasize the idea of a vortex even futher, the bottom border is a feather and fan lace pattern, which forms a wavy edge.

It could be worked in one colour, but also in up to six colours, one for each of the wedges. So why not pick your favourite colours and create your very own Wild Vortex version?

The pattern is available from the Knit Picks website as part of the Everyday Wraps collection and also for indidvidual download, Wild Vortex.

I do admit I am really lame with social media  even though I’m told all the time I should be more active and promote my designs and and and… Yes, I do write this blog (and sometimes it is hard work) and I'm active on Ravelry, but that's about it. So in an attempt to do better, I’m giving it a try this weekend and should you be on Facebook or Instagram this might be interesting to you, because - it’s giveaway time. :)

So… how about winning a prize? To celebrate the successful launch of my Irish at Heart collection, what better day is there than St. Patrick’s Day for a giveway? I am running a sweepstake on both, my Instagram account (@monemade) and my designer page on Facebook, so should you be active there, check it out. Lovely stuff to win…

Did a bit of spring cleaning in my knitting basket today and know now, why I always think I don't have enough needles... oops, quite a bunch of WIPs in there. And some are so close to being finished...

Why these Rockpool Mitts (pattern in Knit Now Magazine issue 62) ended up there, even though half an hour of knitting time would have been enough to finish them, I really don't know!? ! I really love how the pattern looks in this colour, so what made me stop working on them?. Seems I get distracted easily... Now to knit the last couple of rounds and free some needles and also finally finish the pattern files... Time the pattern got re-released, don't you think?