On The Needles: Vertical Eyelet socks in St. Elias

Socks are such a great summer project, aren't they? They're portable, so they're perfect for taking on vacation. They're small, so you can work on them without being smothered under a big project in the summer heat. And when the weather finally cools off, BOOM, you've already got yourself a nice cozy new pair of socks to wear.

Carole is working on this pair, using the Vertical Eyelet stitch pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks (one of our sock bibles--currently in stock).  The yarn is Pagewood Farm's St. Elias (80 % wool, 20% nylon) in the Bird of Paradise colorway.

Carole had originally chosen a different stitch pattern, but she found it too annoying because each needle started with a purl stitch and it was leaving ladders. We know a lot of people who have a hard time starting a needle with a purl stitch--how about you? Sometimes you can rearrange the needles to avoid that, but sometimes it's easier to do what Carole did and just pick a new stitch pattern!

Notice Carole is knitting both socks at the same time, using two parallel circular needles. For those of you who suffer from Second Sock Syndrome, this technique is a great way to beat that problem--when you're done, you're done. Don't know how to knit on two parallel circs? We can teach you! Give us a call at 404-377-6875 to book a lesson (one hour for $25) that fits your needs and schedule.

Pagewood Farm yarns and fibers

Well, look here--some exciting yarns from Pagewood Farm!  This is our first time ordering from them, and we hope you like what we've picked.

Are you drooling yet?

What you're looking at is an assortment of three fingering weight yarns: Denali (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon); Yukon (70% Superwash Merino, 20% Bamboo, 10% Nylon); and St. Elias (80% Blue-Faced Leicester Wool*, 20% Nylon).  Denali and Yukon are both priced at $22 per 450-yard skein, and St. Elias is $27 per 450-yard skein.

Just think of the stunning one-skein shawls and scarves you can make from these, not to mention SOCKS of course.

We also have a treat for you needle felters: these adorable mini-bundles of Pagewood Farm's hand-dyed roving.

Assorted colorways, $3.50 for half an ounce

Pagewood Farm is a U.S. company based in California. They hand-dye their yarns and fibers in small batches, and as you can see, they do wonderful things with color.  Come see for yourself!

* Those of you who are spinners probably already know about the wonderful softness and loft of BFL wool, so you'll understand why we were so excited to see it available in this hand-dyed fingering weight yarn.