where did 2017 go?

Seriously. It seems like yesterday, that I was at my dear friend's house, attending one of the monthly get-togethers for foreign women in Algiers. We chatted and laughed, drank copious amounts of coffee and tea ("English" tea in a country where milk and tea don't go together), feasted on snacks and cakes and conversed in English. But that was in December ... 2016! Somehow, a whole year and a bit has passed me by and I am sat here wanting to give my blog some attention. I am back in the UK, albeit in a new city. I am getting to know my surroundings once again. This time in Nottingham. I am missing friends and sensing a teeny tiny bit of reverse culture shock. After all, it has been almost 14 years since I've lived here. So I'm finding my feet again.

For now, I've kicked off this year with a finished object. A Half Moon Oracle shawl! 

It's a pattern by Kristin of Voolenvine, a wonderful yarn dyer and podcaster. I used 3 yarns that were hand dyed by 3 inspiring women. Last summer, my sister in-law met Sheena of Casual Fashion Queen in Florida and picked up yarn for me. Then, later in the year, I managed to get over to the Nottingham Yarn Expo and have a little chat with Amy Florence of Stranded Dyeworks and the Stranded Podcast. That was brilliant!  I also got to meet the dyer behind Dusty Dimples. I love that this shawl is made up of yarn from these 3 dyers! It was my first attempt at Brioche knitting. I love the squish factor!

I've started another project with my CFQ yarn. I think this shows the effect of the colourway much better.

I am having to deal with PROPER winter after quite some time. This has got to be the only way I can do that!

I was lucky enough to have a yarn wish granted over on Instagram, by a former swap partner. Once again, she spoilt me rotten!

And so my other more long-term wip is my Granny Stripe blanket using up all my mini skeins and scrap yarn.

Funny enough, I first crocheted a Granny Stripe blanket about 7 years ago!

And speaking of Instagram, I tend to post there more than anywhere else. Feel free to follow me!

I also have socks on the needles.

The Charade socks

And because I'm really appreciating hand knit socks this winter, I have cast on another pair for the Commercial Yarn-Along hosted by Amy. 

Smooth Operator socks

And if you're still reading this humble blog ... or perhaps you've just stumbled across it somehow, thank you for reading! How have YOU started this year? 

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socks

Warning: This post is all about socks. Yes, nothing but socks and knitting here. Feel free to move along if socks are not your thing. Can I say socks one more time in this disclaimer? 

I'm not too keen on winter! After living in Jeddah for so long, I did miss the seasons BUT I do prefer warm weather and sunshine to rainy, bone-chilling, windy greyness! So I tend to seek out things that will get me through cold weather and well, socks, not your ordinary bog-standard, shop-bought socks, but hand-knit socks, definitely make the list.

I'd tried knitting socks for quite a few years  ... and no, I never ended up with an actual pair. I'd get bored. And I had a funny relationship with knitting for the longest time,  but then who wants bumpy crocheted socks?! Fast forward to 2016 and I'd knit a couple of baby socks. By then, I had continental knitting and magic loop under my belt, so to speak, and then I came across the Knitting Expat Podcast. Mina was taking part in a sock-athon, where she was competing with another knitter to see who could knit the most socks in the month of January. I started getting that sock vibe! Then Kirsten of the Yarngasm Podcast started a Box-O-Sox KAL running throughout the year, in which you had to knit 12 pairs of socks and store them in a box of your choice. Fuelled with inspiration, I thought I'd give it a go. But then, yes, I had a baby, and things came to a bit of a halt on the sock front. 

I wore these socks for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I didn't think anyone noticed until my 15 year old daughter noticed and voiced that my socks don’t match. She knew that I’d want to hear that. She knows me well. They’re nothing fancy. No special ribbing. No lacy patterns. They don’t even “match” in the conventional sock sense. But I love them. I love that they are my first finished pair of socks. I love that they keep my feet so warm and toasty during the wintry days that we’re having right now. I love that I can make a little statement by wearing mismatched socks. Not the kind that’s in your face. Just the kind that peeps out from under a pair of jeans. And most of all I love that I made something that I can wear and feel this joy! Have you made something that just warms you right up and makes you feel fuzzy and warm?


My Sock Story So Far: 

1. Mina's Two At A Time Socks (free pattern) - A cuff down, two-at-a-time (duh) vanilla sock with a Fish Lips Kiss Heel. This was the game-changer for me ... no more knitting socks one at a time! My first complete PAIR of adult socks! 

2. Tennarisukka (free pattern) - A cuff down, ankle sock with heel gusset. I love the stitch pattern on the front and the heel.

3. Nurturing Fibres Vanilla Socks (free pattern) - A toe up sock with an afterthought heel.

My first contrasting heel! I'm a rebel, aren't I?

I loved trying the different heels. I'm not sure which my favourite is yet. But I did realise that with very little wear my socks are getting really, really baggy. So I need to reduce that 60 stitch count for sure! 

To be continued ...

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