Off My Needles

Slow Fashion Socks

bethanngormong

Why I Knit Socks

People look at me like I’m a crazy old lady when I tell them I only wear hand knit socks. (I do have store bought athletic socks for working our and a couple pair of sturdy SmartWool socks for gardening. But other than for those special purposes, I wear socks I’ve knit myself exclusively.

Why?

  • They fit my feet perfectly.
  • I get to decide exactly what my socks look like.
  • No one else has socks exactly like mine.
  • The wool absorbs sweat better than store bought socks.
  • There’s a sense of accomplishment whenever I get dressed.
  • Sock knitting is easy, mindless knitting that I can do while reading, listening to a friend talk, watching a movie, or riding in a car.
  • Sock knitting satisfies my need to keep my hands moving.
  • I know who made my socks and what material went into them. (Although the worker did get paid $0/per hour for their work.) Ha!
Handknits, Yarn Haul

Summer Sweater Knit

bethanngormong

I’ve been making tons of market bags for others. As soon as I finish one, I start another. They are such fun to crochet.

But my hands were itching to knit a summer cardigan just for me. When I found this yarn at my favorite local yarn shop, The Farmer’s Wife/The Yarn Studio, in Casey, Illinois, I knew it was the yarn for me. It matches perfectly my odd colored, yet beloved pants. (Don’t tell my husband I bought more yarn!)

Then I went on a Ravelry search for a pattern and found the Solana Cardigan by Irina Anikeeva. The cardi is going to be so lovely…and soft. Watch for progress updates.

Etsy Update, Off My Needles

Etsy Update: Worsted-weight Socks

bethanngormong

Want a pair of thick socks? Size 7-9 womens? I have one pair knit and waiting for just the right feet. Leave a comment below or email me for details.

$25 Worsted weight socks

Also, if your not in a hurry, (it takes about a month) I can knit you a pair in your specific size and favorite color. Check out my Etsy shop to order.

Etsy Update

The Time I Got Sidetracked Knitting Baby Booties

bethanngormong

Sometimes you need a break from your crafty routine. You’ve been knitting or crocheting on one project for so long, you can’t stand working on it one more minute. That’s me. I’ve been working on an afghan for a friend. It’s turning out to take a lot more hours of crocheting than I thought it would. The same stitch over and over and over. My elbow needed a break. I needed a break. So…

I found myself scrolling through Instagram, and the cutest thing grabbed my attention. Just like that, I had to make it. I did. I had to. That’s how these adorable baby booties ended up on my knitting needles. Fortunately, they are a quick, easy project. So I made two pair, one white, one pink. They are available in my Etsy shop, GreenGableStudio. So I you have a baby shower in the near future. they are ready and waiting. (I can even make a blue pair, if you want.)

PInk Baby Booties
Etsy Update, Handknits, Off My Needles

Newborn Hand-knit Socks

bethanngormong

Knitters divide themselves into groups. There are the lace knitters, the sweater knitters, the shawl knitters. I’m a sock knitter. I’ve knit over 100 pairs of socks since I started knitting. One of my first projects was a pair of socks for a breast cancer fundraiser.

I’ve taught sock knitting classes. I’ve knit from the top down, the top up, the regular heel, the afterthought heel, the German short row heel, the fish-lips heel. I’ve knit plain “vanilla” socks, socks with lace patterns, ones with fair isle patterns, ribbed socks. Stripped socks, patterned, speckled, solid, tweed, socks with coordinating heels, cuffs and toes. I’ve knit four pairs of socks with the same sock yarn for everyone but myself in my family. (I have yarn for my matching pair…. but I’m a teeny bit sick of that yarn.) I’ve knit socks out of fingering weight, DK, worsted yarn. I’ve even knit anklets, dress socks, knee highs. Socks for men and women.

But I’ve never knit baby socks until now. And they are the cutest, quickest knit. I’m kind of addicted. So please feed my addiction, by purchasing a pair at my Etsy shop, GreenGableStudio