Ravelry...New Year

First, I just realized that I forgot to let you know that you can find me on Ravelry under the name SockPixie.
Second, it is time for me to wish all of you a Happy New Year. I hope that this year will be a good year, a peaceful year.

Fly Away...

As you all know, this week, SockPixie was lucky to find its inspiration in birds. It almost feels looking at my living room that flocks of bird migrated to my house this week. It was a lot of un to create these new colorways.
Here are a few of them.


Here is Painted Bunting, shimmering with bright colors.

And here is Rufious Hummingbird, with its needlepoint of colors.

I hope you will enjoy this week's new colorways.

Bird of a Feather Socks (Free Pattern)

This week's inspiration was all about birds. So I had to design something reminiscent of birds. The pattern reminds me of colorful feathers, so I decided to call it Bird of a Feather. All the colorwork is actually done using slipped stitches, which makes the pattern easy to follow and memorize. I used 2 SockPixie colorways, and I recommend choosing a dark contrast yarn. Have fun with it!



Bird of a Feather Socks

Materials:

2 skeins SockPixie Merino Sock Yarn: 1 in Pynion Jay (referred to as B), and 1 in a colorful contrasting SockPixie yarn (referred to as C).

Gauge: 8 sts/inch in st st on US 1

Stitch Pattern:

R1: Knit with B.
R2: Knit with B
R3: With C, *SL1, K7* Repeat from *. Be sure not to pull to tight when changing needles.
R4: Same as R3
R5: Same as R3
R6: Same as R3
R7: Knit with B. Be sure not to pull to tight on the black yarn which you are just carrying up from the previous rows.
R8: Knit with B
R9: With C, K4, *SL1, K7* Repeat from *, ending with K3.
R10: Same as R9
R11: Same as R9
R12: Same as R9

R1 through R12 form the pattern. Repeat these rows for pattern.


CUFF and LEG:

Cast on 64 stitches. Divide stitches: Circular method 32 on each for circulars// 4 dpts 16, 16, 32 // 5 dpts //16 on each Join round. Knit in K2P2 rib for 1 1/2" Continue in stitch pattern over the desired length for the leg.

Finish a complete pattern repeat before starting the short row heel. Knit 1 round with B. Then follow the directions for the short row heel using B only.

SHORT ROW HEEL SHAPING:

You will be working on only half the stitches 32.

R1: Knit to the last 2 stitches, wyif slip next stitch, bring yarn to back, and slip wrapped stitch back to left needle. Turn.

R2: Purl to the last 2 stitches, wyinb slip next stitch, bring yarn back to the front, slip wrapped stitch back to left needle.

R3: knit to 1 stitch before the last wrapped stitch, wrap the stitch as above, turn.

R4: Purl to 1 stitch before las wrapped stitch, wrap stitch, turn. Repeat R3 and R4 until 14 stitches remain unwrapped at the center of your heel.

Continue shaping the heel as follows:

R1: Knit to the wrapped stitch, knit the wrap together with the stich, and wrap the next stitch by wyif slipping the next stitch, bringing the yarn to the back and returning the wrapped stitch back to the left needle, and turn.

R2: Purl to the wrapped stitch, purl stich an wrap together through the back loops, wrap next stitch by wyib slipping the next stich, bringing the yarn back to the front, and slipping the wrapped stitch back to the left needle.

R3: Knit to the wrapped stitch, slip wrapped stitch to right needle, with left needle pick up the 2 wraps, and place the on the right needle. Slip the 2 wraps and the stitch back to the left needle, and knit the 3 together. Wrap next stitch as above, and turn.

R4: Purl to the wrapped stitch, slip the wrapped stitch to the right needle. With left needle pick up the wraps and place them on the right needle. Transfer the wraps and the stitch one by one back to the left needle, and purl the 3 together through the back loop. Wrap the next stitch. Turn.

Repeat R3 and R4 until all stitches are consumed. The first and the last stitch on the needle will each have 1 wrap, which you will knit together on the first round of the rest of you sock. Knit the rest of the round with B picking up the remaining wraps. You are now ready to continue the sock in pattern.

FOOT:

Start knitting in the round again over the 64 stitches, keeping the pattern going. Continue Knitting in the round in pattern, until the foot is the appropriate length.
Be sure to finish with a completed pattern repeat.


TOE:

Circular Method:

Knit toe in st st.
R1: K1,SSK, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, K2tog, K1. Repeat on next needle.
R2: Knit
Repeat R1 and R2 for 1 inch, then repeat R1 only until there are 8 stitches left on each eedle. Using the kitchener stitch, graft the toe closed.

4dpts:

Work stitches on needle 1. New beginining of round. Instep on needle 1, and sole on needles 2 and 3.
R1: Needle 1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1/ Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit to end/ Needle 3: Knit to,last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
R2: Knit
Repeat as for circular method until 8 stitces are left. Graft toe.

5dpts:

Work stitches on needle. New beginning of round.Instep on needle 1 and 2, sole on needle 3 and 4.
R1: Needle 1: K1, SSK , knit to end/ Needle 2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1/ Needle 3: Same as needle 1 Needle 4: Same as needle 2 Repeat as for circular method until 8 stitches are left./
R2:Knit

Graft toe.

For personal use only. Copyright Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.

Working, and Loving it!

I have been working a lot over the last few days. My husband is home, on vacation for a few days, and of course there is no homeschooling for a few days.

I have been creating the new colorways for Sunday's SockPixie shop update. This week's inspiration will be birds. The other day, it was snowing, and there sitting on a tree speckled with red berries, there was the most beautiful little bird. I grabbed our bird refences, and sat down in our school room. Originally, I was only looking for the little bird, but then, I stopped to look at every picture. There are so many birds, each as beautiful as the next. I decided that this week's creations would be an hommage to birds.

My other project this week has been a new sock pattern. I am so excited about it! Here is a little preview.

What a Nice Christmas Present!

For Christmas, I got a great gift. My pattern for the Sunshine Socks was featured in the Craftzine Blog! Thank you to Monique for suggesting my pattern to them, and thank you to Craftzine for posting it.

Happy Holidays

This post will be short. I just wanted to wish all of you a happy holiday season.
That's it!

Inspiration is Like the Wind...

Inspiration is like the wind, at times it blows softly, but then sometimes it almost throws you off your feet. That's what happened to me this week. This time the wind of inspiration came from the land of the Rising Sun. My husband and I rented Memoirs of a Geisha. I had never seen the movie, and I was mesmerized. I watched the movie twice. The first time I could only see colors, the second time I listened to the story.

Each night, this week, I fell asleep dreaming of colors. Flowers, settings, and even characters saw a new expression in this week's colorways .
Sunday, for ourSockPixie shop update, you will see new merino colors like Cherry Blossoms.






You will also see a brand new collection of yarns made of Bamboo/wool, which I call Bambino. Bambino has such a lovely sheen to it, almost remiscent of the beautiful silk kimonos. I created a whole set of colors just for it. Ceramic captures the rich colors and shine of Japanese ceramic dishes.




I hope thet you will enjoy this week's collection.

Sunshine Socks (free)

These are the Sunshine Socks. Why Sunshine? I don't know. Maybe because they almost seem to glow, with their bright colors, and their cheerful mock cable and chevron pattern. They were knit using SockPixie's Merino Sock Yarn.
So, ready...Here we go!

Sunshine Socks

Materials: SockPixie 100% Machine Washable Merino, 425 yards
Needles: US 1 DPTS or Circulars.
Gauge:7sts/inch

Stitch Pattern:

R1:*P1, SL1, K2, PSSO, P1, K2TOG, K2, [K1, YO, K1] into same stitch, K2, SSK* Repeat from *
R2: *P1, K1, YO, K1, P1, K9* Repeat from * (You will have to transfer one stitch from one needle to the next to complete pattern.)
R3: *P1, K3, P1, K2TOG, K2, [K1, YO, K1]into same stitch, K2, SSK* Repeat from *
R4: *P1, SL1, K2, PSSO, P1, K9* Repeat from *
R5: *P1, K1, YO, K1, P1, K2TOG, K2, [K1, YO, K1] into same stitch, K2, SSK* repeat from *
R6: *P1, K3, P1, K9* Repeat from *
R1 to R6 form the pattern.

Cuff:

Cast on 70 stitches. Divide stitches 35 on each needle. Join round.
Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.
Continue following the stitch pattern for the desired length repeating rows 1 through 6.
You should end with a complete pattern repeat before starting the heel, but do not knit the last stitch, transfer it to the other needle.

Heel flap:

Knit the heel flap on the side of the sock with the chevron at the center. (The front will have a cable at the center.)You should have 36 stitches for the heel, and will be working back and forth on these 36 stitches.
Follow these 2 rows for the heel:

R1(WS):SL1, P to end
R2: SL1, *K1, SL1 * Repeat from*

Repeat these 2 rows 19 times(total 38 rows)

Heel Turn:

R1: SL1, K until 13 stitches are left, SSK, K1, turn
R2: P until 13 stitches are left, P2TOG, P1, turn
Continue as follows:
R1: Knit till 1 stitch before the gap, SSK, K1, turn
R2: Purl till 1 stitch before the gap, P2TOG, P1, turn

Continue until all stitches are consumed and the heel is turned.

Knit 1 row.

Pick up stitches along the side of the heel flap. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the heel flap and the instep, P2tog, knit in pattern on top of the foot until you finish the first chevron. Put this needle to rest, and switch to needle 2. Continue the rest of the instep in pattern. From now on the instep will be knit in pattern always ending in P1. Pick up one stitch at the intersection of the instep and the heel flap. Pick up stitches along the heel flap, knit half the heel stitches.

Gusset :

You do not need to place a marker for the gusset. The purl stitches that separate the instep pattern from the sole of the sock will be your markers. To shape the gusset follow these 2 rounds:

R1: Knit until 3 stitches on the Purl stitch, K2TOG, K1, pattern on instep, P1, K1, SSK, knit to end.
R2: Knit, keeping the pattern going on the instep.
Repeat these 2 rows until 66 stitshes are left. Because the sole is knit in stockinette, the sizing needs to be adjusted by reducing the total number of stitches. (As your stitches are not distributed evenly on the needles, make sure that you have the same number of stockinette stitches on each needle.)

Foot:

Continue knitting, with the sole in stockinette, and the instep in pattern until the foot is the desired length.

Toe:


Redistribute the stitches on the needles evenly, 33 on each.
The toe will be knit in stockinette stitch.
R1: *K14, K2TOG, K1, SSK, K14* repeat on Needle 2
R2: Knit

Repeat R1 and R2 for 1 inch, knitting 1 less stitch before and after the decrease stitches. Then Repeat R1 still knitting 1 less stitch before abd after the decreases, until 7 stitches are left on each needle.
Rearrange the stitches so that they are not in profile any more.
Close the toe using the kitchener stitch.

Copyright 2007, Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer. This pattern is for personal use only.

Yet Another Storm

We have had 3 snow storms in 7 days! I have gotten plenty of indoor time, in between shoveling sessions. But look at the beauty Mother Nature creates for us when some melted snow finds a new expression when meeting Mysterious Night.



All this indoor time means that the new sock pattern is finished, at last, and that there will be lots of wonderful new colorways this Sunday! This is a little preview of a new colorway called Water Lily. But more later on what inspired me this week...

I still need to take pictures of the socks on my favorite foot model. I expect to post the pattern tomorrow, and as always the new colorways will be posted on the SockPixie site on Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

Christmas Spirit

Tonight was a really special night. My youngest daughter and I decorated our Christmas Tree. That tree is very special. It is an old artificial tree, which we bought 13 years ago, in San Francisco. It was our first Christmas ever in the US. This tree is part of our life. It has seen the birth of three of our children. It has been with us through our joys, and struggles.
Once more, we will share Christmas with it, and for the occasion, we have decorated it with its most beautiful jewels.

The New Colorways are up!

Yeah! The new colorways are up, as well the new cashmere sock yarns. I am really excited about this week's creations as I felt such inspiration. The snowy weather contibuted quite a bit. Look at this yarn! No wonder I called it White Christmas.

And then there were of course, the desire for sunny summer fruits like a Nectarine, with vibrant juicy colors.

There was also the sheer luxury of cashmere. Its beauty so natural, that even the purest semi-solid like Running in the Fields got my mind dancing.

This was a great week, and I can't wait to see what inspirations the coming one brings...

Christmas Classic

All this snow has put me in the mood for Christmas! I could not resist putting the Christmas spirit in colors. So here is a sneak peek at a new colorway called Christmas Classic. When knit on 64 to 68 stitches, stripes will appear like magic! The yarn will be available Sunday at 6p.m. on the SockPixie website, along with quite a few new colorways. So let's Jingle Bell!

Snowy Night, Magical Night

Just thought I'd share the magic. Doesn't it look like thousands of little fluttering fairies sprinkling pixie dust! Enjoy...

New Look for SocKPixie

Go check the new home page for SockPixie. Aren't these the most delicious colors?

It's Snowing, the Children are Playing, and I am Knitting

I know I said it last year, and I will say it again this year, I LOVE WINTER!!! Just the other day, I was dreaming of spending half the year in the northern hemisphere, and the other half in the southern hemisphere. And why? But to follow winter and possibly avoid summer alltogether,naturally!

The children are outside playing in the snow, and I can knit, occasionally staring at my perfect world, listening the music of my children's laughter in the softened city.



I am working on a new sock pattern. I am in the last testing phases, and hope to have it ready for Sunday's SockPixie website update. What an exciting time, new yarns, a new pattern, and all that snow!

A World of Colors

When I was 13 years old, I became near-sighted. My parents, taking this very seriously immediately fitted me with glasses. Needless to say that I hated them! I did not hate them because of the way they made me look, but rather I felt that they had robbed me of my world. My world is not made of geometric lines, but rather resembles a Monet painting, composed of myriads of dancing colors.
Every morning, I would kiss my mother goodbye with my glasses on, and as soon as she closed the door, I would bury them in their case at the bottom of my school bag.
To this day, I live my life without glasses. My mother knows! And have no fear, I do not drive!
When I go for walks I see colors, colors everywhere. When I come home, my mind is full of their merry-go-round. I am so grateful I have yarn and dyes to paint my world! This skein will be called crocus. Crocus are always such a surprise when they pop up through the absolute white, striking green, golden yellow, and blue purple.

As Promised the Kippah Pattern (Free)

Here is the promised Kippah pattern. Actually it is really 2 patterns in one. If you skip the lace portion and instead cast on the same number of stitches, knit 8 rows in garter stitch and follow the same directions for the decreases, you will end up with a beautiful man's Kippah!

Kippah Pattern

Materials: SockPixie's Sock Yarn In color Tea Rose
Needles: 16" US 1, and DPTS US 1
Gauge: 7 sts per inch

Loosely cast on 120 stitches. Join round, being careful not to twist. Follow the following lace pattern.

Lace Edging:

R1: K1, *YO, K3, (SL1, K2tog, PSSO) (this will now be referred to as dd for double decrease), K3, YO, K1* Repeat from *.
R2: Knit
R3: K2, *YO, K2, dd, K2, YO, K3* Repeat from * ending last repeat in K1.
R4: Knit
R5: K3, *YO, K1, dd, K1, YO, K5* Repeat from* ending last repea K2.
R6: Knit
R7: K4, *YO, dd, YO, K7* Repeat from * ending last repeat K3.
R8: Knit

Knit 2 rounds in garter stitch (Knit 1 round, purl 1 round).
Knit the next 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.

Decrease Rounds:

R1: *K8, K2tog* Repeat from *
Knit 2 rounds even
R2: *k7, k2tog* Repeat from *
Knit 2 rounds even
R3: *K6, K2tog* Repeat from *
Knit 2 rounds even
R4: *K5, K2tog* Repeat from *
Knit 2 rounds even
R5: *K4, K2tog* Repeat from *
Knit 1 round even
R6: *K3, K2tog* Repeat from *
Knit 1 round even
R7: *K2, K2tog* Repeat from *
R8: *K1, K2tog* Repeat from *
R9: *K2tog* Repeat from *

Continue with K2tog until 5 or 6 stitches remain. Gather the remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

New Colors are Here!

Mission accomplished! I have posted new colorways to the SockPixie Site. I am so excited about them. I gave them a new name. I call them the Impressionists. They remind me of Monet's paintings, all in delicate touches of color. No stripes, just shimmering impressions. I hope you like them.

Happy Hanukkah

It is the holiday season again, and as you all know this is my favorite time of the year. Tonight we are going to my parents' house to celebrate. Here is my gift to my mother.
The pattern will be available this weekend...

After a Long Absence...

I have not posted a single thing since September! I am sure you will believe me if I say I have been busy. I mostly tried to keep up with orders, and helped our oldest daughter reach her dreams. She always was a fabulous artist. I know I may be somewhat partial, but her paintings and sculptures take my breath away. Like me, she sees a world of colors and emotions. My husband and I decided to support her fully in her dream to become a painter and sculptor. We went through the college application process easily, but we sure kept busy! She has just been accepted to a wonderful art shool as a Junior with a Fine Arts major.

Overnight, life seems to have returned to normal. Homeschooling, dyeing yarn, and my favorite, creating new colors and patterns. I had to put a lot of my creative activities on hold during these busy months, but I am so happy to be back.

Sometimes, time pressures help you realize what it is that you really love, and miss. I missed creating. I missed creating new colorways so much, that I have decided to change things a little for Sockpixie's store. Every Sunday, at 6p.m. Eastern time, I will update the website with new colors. You will know how many are in stock and ready to go. So each Sunday night, it will be almost a surprise!
The first update will be this Sunday December 9.

The other part I missed tremendously was designing patterns. I will continue to post free patterns online, on the Sockpixie blog, and will also start publishing patterns for purchase.

That's it for the updates!