How's everyone doing? With scary message about the virus coming from all over the world, I hope you and all your loved ones are doing well during this difficult times. In my neck of the world life has come to an almost standstill with schools and most stores closed and all events, no matter whether sports, theater play or concerts, cancelled. But it can't be helped, the only way out is through this - and we are all in this together!

I've followed the advise of staying at home as much as possible right from the start and one postive aspect is that I knit way more than I usually have time for. Among other projects (which I can't share yet) I happily work on are my charity socks and here's a progress picture.

One down, one left to go. But I've started and I'm sure there'll be some more progress this weekend. Really happy how these turn out! I hope you, too, have something to keep you busy and that relaxes you in this stressful times! Stay safe, everyone!

I told you the other day briefly about the charity craft-along Knitter's Pride organizes this spring, but let's chat some more about it. The craft along is open to everyone who wants to knit or crochet a pair of socks (perferably for charity) within the next six weeks. You can use any pattern you like , but there is a brandnew knitting pattern available for those who sign up for Knitter's Pride newsletter: Warm Feet, Warm Heart.

And there are awesome prizes such as needle sets to win! All you need to do to participate is to knit or crochet a pair of socks by May 1, 2020 and share a picture in their Ravelry group or on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #KPCharityKCAL

Are you game? I'd be happy to see your socks!

I've decided to knit along (but of course I can't win), having thanks to the darn virus more knitting time available than usual. Here's a first picture of my Warm Feet socks.

I'm using Hedgehog Fibre Sock in a Potluck colourway and I love the cheerful springlike colours! It's the skein I picked up last year during our visit to the Hedgehog studio when we travelled Ireland - wonderful memories with every stitch!

There are so many things to love about my crafty hobby, but one thing that I particularly enjoy is the abilitiy to create handmade gifts for loved ones as well as for those in need. What I knit most often to donate to charity - usually to local homeless shelters - are socks. There are so many unfortunate people living on the streets, and it makes me happy to imagine that my craft helps a little to give them at least warm feet.

So I was glad to be chosen by Knitter's Pride for a cooperation for their first charity craft-along in 2020. I wrote up my go-to sock pattern for socks I knit I plan to donate and I called it:  Warm Feet, Warm Heart.

 The socks are knitted from the cuff down, almost entirely in ribbing patterns with an integrated heel. They have sufficient elasticity to fit differently shaped feet and even accommodate to the needs of people with swollen ankles. I developed the pattern  especially for those of us who enjoy knitting for  charity, having unknown recipients in mind.

The pattern is available for free from the Knitter's Pride website and there is a craft-along for socks running from now until May with awesome prizes to win. Please see this blog post for all the details.

One of  the patterns I absolutely enjoyed designing and that is still one of my favourites is Cube Socks, so I more than happy that it is finally available from my Ravelry store.

The socks are mainly worked in intarsia in the round and I know that not everyone likes intarsia, but it really is easy-peasy. There is a pictured tutorial in the pattern and I'm sure it enables even newbie intarsia knitters to manage the technique.

The socks as shown require five colours of sock weight yarn, approximately 25 go of each. However, when I started with the pattern, what I had in mind was to make use of leftover bits and bobs of yarn. Each block uses less than 5 g -  can't you just imagine these using different colours for each block?

I hope, others will like the idea just as much as I do. And if so, Cube Socks is now available from my Ravelry store, here.

It's leap day today and since we don't have it often (yes, I know, I know, every four years), how about one of my seldom post that are not craft related? In my Ravelry group we discussed the other day that it is sad that we all got so little nice mail, but that instead our mailbox is stuffed with bills and junk. So...

... we started a postcard exchange! No matter when, no matter what the occasion, but we all comitted to sending 2-5 postcards to all participants during the year. Above are my first three and each one made me smile when I took it out of the mailbox. For now they are at my pin board but who knows? They might turn into something creative at the end of the year. :)

I wasn't sure whether to turn it into a pattern at all, but now that I see the blocked shawl I know it's worth it! Love how the pattern pops in this gradient yarn.

The gradient yarn by Wollelfe jumped into my shopping basket last year when I bought a gift for a friend, ahem... But we all know how much I love green and how could I resist something called 'Radioactive Neon', lol. Now to get my behind into gear and work on the pattern!

My knitting mojo  seems to be taking a break, so almost all the knitting I do these days is some work on long neglected WiPs. And once again I've realized that I'm just not the person for endless rows in garter or stockinette stitch, lol. Anyway, I try my best to clean up my knitting basket, but I need breaks ever so often. So it's good I developed a severe new addiction...

... rock painting. Love the 'Deistersteine' idea I told you about the other day so much, that there are several rocks ready to be 'hidden' somewhere around. Okay, my drawing skills aren't something worth mentioning (that poor Snoopy lookls like it went through a severe diet), but it's the idea that counts, don't you think?

... since  I told you the other day about my cardigan design in Interweave Knits - but there is even more to tell. In the same issue there's a hat pattern of mine: Devonshire Beanie.

The hat, knitted in an oh-so-soft cashmere blend, is worked in sections: First the cable band is worked in rows from side to side and grafted. A tutorial on grafting knitted cable patterns is included in the magazin. Next stitches are picked up on each side of the cable band and the ribbend brim and Stockinette stitch crown are worked in the round. If desired, a pompom is added as the finishing touch.

Interweave Knits Spring 2020 is now available from the Interweave website, here.