Police Box Sox

It's been some time coming, but I have a new pattern out: Police Box Sox. I've knit several pairs of Tardis-inspired sock patterns, but each time I had to add many modifications to get them to fit my foot. I thought it was high time I write my own version.

These socks feature a 60 and 72 stitch count. But around the stranded color work portion of the sock, the stitches are increased to help accommodate how tight stranded knitting is compared to stockinette. The sock is knit top down with a heel flap, but other heel styles can be used in place of the suggested heel.

And the best part is the price: Free! The pattern can be found on bear-ears.com or on ravelry.

Also, I want to give a shout out to my buddy, Kiwipurler for the Knitsch yarn she gave me for my birthday that went into these socks. It is aptly named "Tennant."

Sock Report

I haven't had any finished project news in quite some time. I'm pleased to share that I have finished not one, but two pairs of socks! First up is the Haleakala. The pattern is by Cookie A and I found them quite enjoyable to knit. I chose to make mine out of Tosh Sock in Nebula. I will note that I had to make my heel flap longer than normal because the tops of the socks are a little tighter due to the pattern, but that was easy enough to do.

I also finished my Days Of Wine And Roses socks, named after the Canon Hand Dyes yarn. It's just a 64 stitch vanilla sock. I had hoped to finish them in time to wear for Valentine's Day. No such luck. I'll just be sure to wear them next Valentine's Day.

As always, Scooter decided to help out during the photo shoot.

At this point, I had run out of projects, so I've started up some new ones. This yarn is Alexandra's Crafts Diamond Lake in the colors Blue Pacific and Navy. They will become a matching hat and mitt set. After a few false starts, the hat is coming along nicely.

Then I decided that I needed a new pair of Tardis socks. The black and white are Koigu. The blue is Knitsch in the color way Tennant.

I've decided to write up my own pattern for these ones. So many of the patterns for Tardis socks have either really large sizes (72+ stitch socks) or are a chart with the instructions "plug into your favorite sock pattern." I don't have a problem with that kind of instruction now, but one of the first pairs of socks I ever wanted to make was Tardis socks and fixing a pattern was way beyond me. So I thought I'd try to make something that a beginner sock knitter might have a shot at. It will have a 60 stitch size and 72 stitch size. So far so good.

Has anyone else knit up Tardis socks?

Rainy Day Solution

What do you do when it's raining out? Why, watch Dr. Who and wear TARDIS socks of course.

What do you guys like to do on rainy afternoons?

I'm A Timelord

I haven't had a FO to show you guys in awhile. Not that I haven't finished things, but a fair number of finished things are for the book or other secret things. Anyways, I finally finished my own pair of TARDIS socks. The last pair I made was before I understood much about sock sizing and whatnot, so my Dad got them. But this pair is mine!

I did make some adjustments to the pattern. I put in a short row heel and did some extra decreasing. The specifics are on my ravelry project page. I might have to watch some Dr. Who now.

Tardis Yarn

I'd been waiting to see if we would get Spud & Chloe Fine Sock in color 7809 again. I've seen the color way is listed as Navy and Snorkle in two different places. But really it should be called Tardis, because it matches the Tardis just right. Well, it came in and I made a little deal with myself. If I finished the second sleeve of my Oma's cardi, then I could buy two skeins. (The last pair of Tardis socks I made fit my Dad due to my lack of understanding with sock fitting. My knowledge is much improved now.)  And I did it! I finished the second sleeve within my self imposed deadline.

Then I did the unthinkable. I resisted buying the yarn. At least I did for three more days. I covered a shift today and left without the yarn. Actually, I was going to buy it, but I forgot. As I walked back to the car, I remembered and kicked myself. I figured it was meant not to be. At least it wasn't until I reached the car and I realized that I left my water bottle at the shop.

It was meant to be. Does anyone else make little deals with themselves? It doesn't have to be yarn related.

Where Are They Now? - 2KCBWDAY4

Whatever happened to your __________?

Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.

My Mum has been the recipient of several scarves. I hate making scarves, but I would knit just about anything for Mum. She currently has three. One crocheted, two knit. And I'm sure, come her birthday, there will be another to add to the collection.

Dad has not asked for any knits. But when I was knitting Dr. Who socks for myself, he was happy to take them off my hands, or feet, rather. They are his happy socks, worn on special days. Or days that he wants to be The Doctor.

I Was A Teenaged Kitten

The kittens have been slacking. They missed a mouse in one of the buildings. (Warning: the next picture is going to be a bit graphic)

This is what happens when a mouse gets carded. The kittens have been eating many mice, so it hasn't happened in awhile. But apparently they have become teenage kittens and enjoy snoozing.

We also have a foxtail problem around the mill. So far we have found foxtails in a lamb's eye, one of the kitten's eyes, and now this poor guy. At least he still has one eye left. After Marcail pulled out the foxtail, he refused to leave her hand.

I've been knitting a bunch too. I finally found some yarn for my Mr. Tumnus scarf. I've been dreaming about making a scarf like Mr. Tumnus' from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe movie for some time now. The yarn is by Touch. It is called Alpine on the label, but it also referred to as Brushed.

I also have started my very first sweater. The pattern is called Iceland from Rowan 42. The yarn is Tui by Zealana.

It's been a busy week, but I still managed to meet up with Brennan. He had a surprise for me. I've been told it does something cool when the mug is hot.

Timelord

No more moleskine passport for me. I now have my very own New Zealand passport.

And a whole trunk of New Zealand yarn. I didn't realize until I got home that:

1. I had bought only New Zealand made yarn.

2. I might have (gulp) enough yarn.... for now.

I managed to finish the TARDIS socks. Unfortunately, they are too big for me. And no, I can't shrink them. I bought superwash wool with the intention of being able to throw the socks in the washer without shrinking them.


They fit my Dad though. He is quite pleased to be a Timelord.

I got to see Scooter in between New Zealand and heading back to my place. He is still cute and cuddly.