mailtime!

It's a real treat to be surprised with gifts in the mail! Earlier this year,  I received an adorable package from the wonderful Emma of the handmade shop TrinketsnTreats (which is on vacation currently, but do keep an eye on it, her work is precious!)

In this well-wrapped package was one of her lovingly handmade bat keychains, made with (if i recall correctly) a cruelty-free polyester felt, making the toy both vegan friendly and moth proof (such good news!) I also received The Craft Library's Knits for Fab Feet and Cosy Toes, a little book full of adorable sock patterns I can't wait to try. There's this one sock pattern with a little pocket you can place a hand-knit teddy bear in, god ugh that's too cute!!! The socks themselves seem to all be knit in a very fine gauge, so I'll have to finish a few wips before diving into these projects.

 Also! Just a few days ago I received a message from the lovely Triona of Triona Designs letting me know that I won her giveaway for the Knitpicks Bulky 2013 Collection pattern book! This is the first knitting-related giveaway I've won, so I was really excited!

The patterns inside area absolutely beautiful. I fell in love with the Maddie Hoodie the moment I laid eyes on it, and will definitely make one of my own soon.

Have you received any surprise gifts in the mail recently? Let's talk about it in the comment section!

my tiny sock repair

I found a tiny little hole in one of my hand knit socks and was pretty excited to repair it! Preeetty sure i won't feel the same way about any damage done to my socks in the future, but right now I'll go right ahead and embrace this feeling of opportunity.

It's such a tiny little hole too! Normally I'd just loop a bit of yarn on the purl side of the thing, tie a knot and leave it at that, but a little while ago I found that Jason's Hunter Socks came loose around the heel and is on the shelf waiting to be fixed and worn again. It feels like a good idea to put in some practice with my own pieces.

repairing socks reminds me that I don't need to worry about unexpected events or problems that may lie ahead in my life. as someone with an at times overwhelming problem with anxiety and withdrawal, it's a small but very important bit of assurance that sticking to and fixing things that you've spent a lot of time building and making with love is almost always a better option than just jumping ship or throwing it all away. The result is also often even more beautiful or meaningful than something that's gone on with no snags or problems.

tl;dr knitting is pretty cool, and repairing knits is pretty cool too.

fo: john's short footies

I took so long to blog about this mini sock project because I was just too damn busy wearing them around the house. Now they're all pilly and extra wooly and a little felted, just how they should be.

pattern : John's Short Footies by Rosemary Chapman
yarn : Patons North America Classic Wool Worsted in Dark Grey Mix
needle : US 4[3.5 mm]
size : 9.5

I am definitely planning to make about a billion more pairs of these. The pattern is clear and easy to follow, the project itself very quick and satisfying. Patons Classic Wool is a FANTASTIC yarn for warm socks and other accessories. So awesome in fact that I bought two more skeins for my "her" pair of Hunter's Socks to go with the ones I made for my boyfriend. :]

There's gonna be a whole lot of sock knitting going on this season. I've got 2013 resolutions to achieve!

stitchin

It's been a really nice Thursday night [and Friday morning]. I've been in the process of hand stitching labels on each of my Bapsicraftsknits tonight, and it feels good to know that nearly every piece made so far has my name somewhere among its stitches.

My second craft show [ever!!!] is coming up on the 16th,  and I can't be more excited to have another opportunity to meet face-to-face with people who understand how much love goes into my work.

When I'm not pricking my fingers by accident, this sewing job is meditative bliss. I promise.