The best way to get something done is to begin.
[Author Unknown]

I adapted this pattern to my weight of yarn and size of jacket from a pattern I received from Gloria Johnson in Dayton, Ohio. Now I’m knitting another. The inset photo shows the new colorway. I’m using a silk/wool blend yarn that is a bit finer than DK weight. The knitting starts at one side and is worked to the other side using the linen stitch. This stitch lies flat and drapes nicely using a larger than expected needle size—U.S.#9. This is a great project for times when I want to keep my hands busy but don’t want to concentrate on my work.

I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch.
[Gilda Radner]

Here’s the July sock from my CD book, …and a time to knit stockings. This is knit back and forth sideways except for the cuff and toe. The heel shaping is created by working increases on one side and decreases on the other. The tube that forms the leg and foot is joined by working Kitchner stitch.

I plan to celebrate our holiday by hanging wallpaper and trim in my bathroom. The ceiling and a drop down on the wall is navy blue. The wallpaper is textured like white beaded board. I’ve decided not to paint the floor red. I’ll save my pennies and replace the old lenolium someday. Okay, so this is a “love it” or “hate it” design. The blue reflects down on my silver hair and the white fixtures turning everything blue. It is a good thing I don’t wear makeup—only lipstick. The reflection isn’t conducive to doing an accurate makeup job. I decided to do this when I found myself apologizing every time someone asked to use my bathroom. It was looking pretty shoddy.

In the process of trying to keep my home from falling to pieces around my head, I found a rare treasure—a handy lady. She is skilled at all of the things I don’t know how to do and works in a tidy, careful manner. It is a blessing to find someone who does a job then leaves the place cleaner than when she started.

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting
and autumn a mosaic of them all.
[Stanley Horowitz]

Engravings by M.C. Escher inspired the pattern for the October sock. I’ve developed other variations in this design in the decade since I designed this sock and have worked it in other colors. Imagine what it would look like if you selected a variegated yarn of autumn colors for the dark leaves.

I have reserved October for finishing the eBook that will include this pattern. By the end of the month, I intend to have it in the form that can be sent to the company that does production and packaging.

I also plan to devote my October posts mostly to knitting. There is already a chill in the morning air — it is time to knit a new pair of socks for the winter. Starting October 1, I’ll post daily workshop notes that will give you detailed instructions for knitting a sock from start to finish. If you would like to download and print the PDF version of the workshop pattern, select this LINK.

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
[Mark Twain]

A mock-Argyle stranded-knitting pattern adorns the September sock. Although the pattern includes a replacable heel, any heel style can be used. For the folks who are waiting for this eBook version of …and a time to knit stockings — I’m clearing my October calendar as much a possible to finish production and get it to the company where it will be produced and packaged.

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing,
the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.
[James Dent]

The August sock sports a watermelon look right down to the seeds on the heel.

Progress report on the E-Book production—Feed back on the original published version includes comments about the use of charts for patterns. Some folks love them and some folks don’t. The revision of the pattern layouts will still include the charts but written instructions will also be beefed up for those who prefer words to images.

I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.
[Author Unknown]

The actual patterns for the socks in the e-book version of …and a time to knit stockings are in PDF files so they can be opened and printed nicely on both Macs and PCs. These pages were originally laid out for commercial printing with allowance for binding. I’ve come to a difficult conclusion. I need to redo the layouts so they will print nicely on personal printers. I am embarking upon this task today.

The photo above is the Cass Street Depot — our local yarn shop. It was built in the 1870s as a passenger station. Thankfully, this landmark was saved from demolition and is now in the registry of historical buildings.

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
[Chief Seattle]

Ten years ago, I self-published a book of sock patterns that I’d designed for handknitters. I sold two printing runs but the binding was complicated so the book has been out of print for a number of years. I’ve received so many requests for the book that I’ve been adapting it to an e-book format that would be packaged and sold on CD.

Currently, I have the user interface formatted electronically, the packaging designed and the patterns laid out in PDF files and ready for proofing. This process has spanned so much time that I have received many emails asking when I’ll have this on the market.

It has come down to a matter of priorities — my day job eats up my time and energy. I love my day job and it keeps a roof over my head. Since my work is often deadline driven, my priorities are frequently defined by that which is most pressing. I know that there is a way to get this project finished and still complete my client work in a timly manner. I am determined to finish this e-book so I decided, if I mention it on my web log, I can be held accountable for its progress — make it pressing as well.