Wednesday, March 19, 2014

New Release: Roger Ackroyd socks

 Roger Ackroyd is now available!

Classic cables wind down the leg, reminiscent of warm, cozy sweaters worn on walks over the moors or out on the fishing boat. At the ankle, the main cables switch to ribbing while the 1/2 side cables continue down either side of the foot, and add detail to the toe.

When planning this pattern, I decided to place the cables only on the leg for two reasons: 1) the foot cables would be hidden by shoes and 2) I feared that the cables would make the socks too thick to fit inside shoes comfortably. While this might be an issue with plump, rounder yarns, test knitters who continued the cables all the way down the foot found this not to be the case.

I love that the test knitters had fun with this pattern, customizing it to suit their preferences. Several knitters continued the cables down the foot (just keep following the chart!), which looks fantastic. Others used a plain stocking stitch toe instead of the rib and cables. Some preferred simple 1/1 side cables instead of the 1/2 cables, turning that extra stitch into a purl.

This captures the essence of what I hope to achieve with my patterns. I provide the base and make it easy for less experienced knitters to create a great looking sock. At the same time, more experienced sock knitters can easily make those tweaks to suit their feet and knitting preferences.

E-book Details:
This pattern is part of an e-book series, The Agatha Christie Series, Volume 2 (The Poirot Collection). Follow along as I create designs inspired by Agatha Christie novels featuring Hercule Poirot.

This e-book represents a savings over purchasing the patterns separately. And the earlier you buy, the more you save. Six patterns will be delivered approximately every 6 weeks, with all patterns being delivered by the end of July 2014. Your Ravelry library will automatically be updated with the new patterns.

Buy in March & April 2014: $19
Buy in May & June 2014: $23


Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Total & Totally Blown Away

Things have been a little crazy around here the past few weeks as I work on wrapping up some designs before winter's end. (Ha! It feels like the warm weather will never arrive.)

But I just have to share the final results of the Olympic fundraising campaign which started with Bristol Ivy pledging part of her pattern sales to Lambda Legal and Equality Maine. Other designers joined in, pledging to support their chosen organizations; some local, some national or international.

Bristol just published the final tally. Tears came to my eyes and I got a lump in my throat when I read the amount.

$3042.97.

That's what you all accomplished by supporting this effort with your pattern purchases. Thank you all so much. And I'm so proud that my supporters were responsible for 8.5% of the final amount. The very thought is humbling, amazing and uplifting.

Knitters are good folk. Thank you all so much.