The Horror of Socks

Pinkie Adores Socks by Aqnichols deviantart.com

Making sketches for my next new series of hats- and they will be epic. At least I hope as long as I can afford to make all my plans come true. Like most artists, my budget rarely cooperates with my dreams.

I'm trying to push myself a little bit with my knitting. I've become too comfortable with it and haven't been challenged. I enjoy making hats, so I figure I should continue making hats, but try making them more awesome and more complex. Looking to branch out from My Little Pony (I will still make pony hats, but I'm just looking to expand).

Speaking of challenging and expanding yourself- I've come to realize that many knitters don't even attempt socks because they fear them. Apparently the heel fills many a knitter with dread. So,
I've got sock patterns for you people (yeah, you people, you knitters *disgusted face*). It's getting cold and what better way to say 'I spent more time on this then you'll appreciate' then knitting a pair of socks for a love one. Don't mind me, I'm a grouch, but seriously, more people could do to knit more socks and more people could do, to enjoy them. Contrary to what some people will believe, socks are actually quite easy once you break the steps down and the heel is not the intimidating once you'd screwed up your first pair, you'll rock and master your 2nd and third.

To get you started, here is a helpful link, but feel free to message me with questions on getting your socks going, or finished. http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/knitting-socks-101-heel-cuff-and-toe-tips/page-2.html

Here are some really cool sock patterns!
Window Pane Socks; I'm eager to give this a go with rainbow yarn: http://yarnfloozies.blogspot.com/2008/09/windowpane-socks-tutorial.html

Bagpuss Socks; A nice basic striped sock: http://misterhankey.blogspot.com/2009/08/bagpuss-socks_29.html

Super Bulky Socks; I love super bulky socks for around the house. I got so tired of people trying to force those granny house slippers on me and started making bulky socks instead. My grandma loves them, I love them and they can be completed in a couple hours: http://knitfreedom.com/free-patterns/super-bulky-sock-pattern

Selbudeath socks; this pattern is incredible. I haven't had the time to make my own pair, but I intend too; http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/selbudeath

Heart Socks; they socks are epic, so beautiful and just all around, cool. If you make these, please send pictures; http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=4530&lang=us

Live Long & Prosper,
 ~Antidaeophobia~

Winters coming...

What have I been up too? Well nothing much, besides tearing my fabulous green hair out because of all the prep for winter craft shows I've been doing and family get togethers. I’m making selbuvotter mittens this year for my closest friends and the rest of the family is getting socks. Let’s hope my show goes better than the November one I had to cancel due to health. My new business cards should get here any day now; I’m super excited about them. I feel so official.

Tis also the season- For fans everywhere to come out of there hibernation and prepare for new seasons of there favorite shows (and a few movies).

What am I’m looking out for besides the new, fourth season of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic- which I think is going to be the most epic season yet with fantastic new music and finally a story about what happened to Princess Luna. Well, how about the new, fantastic episodes of Supernatural, with plenty of Castiel (no spoilers please). I adore Castiel, I want to adopt him and feed him cookies and knit cute things for him.

As a Loki fangirl too, I’m super excited about Thor 2 The Dark World, with plenty of Hiddleston as my favorite god of mischief. I’m looking forward to seeing the movie, now I just need to find someone to go with.

What better way to celebrate some of this new chilly weather and the acceptability to put on 10lbs of winter weight, than to post some of my favorite free patterns for you all. Of course, please give the proper recognition to the wonderful artists that made these patterns happen.

Live Long & Prosper,

   ~Antidaeophobia~

Hey Listen!—this baby Link outfit is adorable! If anyone makes this, I please send pics of how adorable it turned out. http://www.happyseamstress.com/knitting/baby-link-outfit-free-pattern/

Guppie hat; I’ve made a couple of these for my friends and family for their children. Great to make with scrap yarn in many different colors. A few changes in the fins and you can easily make this pattern into a fan tailed goldfish or betta fish. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-guppie-hat

Wee Folk Hat; This whole hat is really cute, easily made red for the traditional gnome look or used with any super bulky yarn- which by the way, I’m eager to get an opportunity to try that yarn out in the picture. http://weefolkart.com/content/pointed-pixie-or-gnome-hat

Doctor Who armwarmers; for those of you without the time, or those of you who can’t handle the dent in your bank account for the yarn to make a full sized Who scarf. Try these armwarmers out instead. http://holynarfcrafts.wikispaces.com/Doctor+Who+Wrist+Warmers

However, if you've got the motivation ( I don’t LOL), knit yourself the 9-12ft 4^th Doctor scarf at this link. http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/s15.html

Follow all your Who knits up with a cute little Fat Baby, I've made three; http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-fat-baby

Yoga Socks; I’ve made a bunch of these with scrap yarn. Most of which are way to gaudy to wear in front of people, but they are very comfortable and it's easy to adapt a top on these. http://www.patonsyarns.com/pattern.php?PID=3867

Water For Elephants Socks; I haven’t given these a try, but they are so cool I really want to make myself a pair. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/water-for-the-elephants

More patterns to come, take care and if you have an interesting pattern you’d like to contribute, send it my way and I’ll take a look.

Stay Warm!

Kochoran Winter Hat

Kochoran Hat

By Antidaeophobia

(Copyrighted 2011; Do no resell this pattern or finished product. Pattern is for person use only)

Knitter Note:

For this project I used a round needle. I wanted the hat to have a tight weave and a looser fit. Also long enough it could completely over my ears when brim was rolled down. You could of course reduce your stitches and use a larger gauge if you wanted a wider weave but I prefer my hats to be warm.

Supplies:

#7 DPN or Round Needles

1-2 Skeins of Kochoran Yarn

Abbreviations:

DPN- Double Point Needles

RND- Round Needles

K- Knit +number followed (Knit 36 = K36)

P-Purl +number followed (Purl 36 = P36)

K2tog- Knit 2 together

* - Repeat action

Start:

Cast on 100 stitches (110 for looser fit)

*Row 1: K2, P2

(Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 3” inches)

*Row 2: Kall

(Repeat Row 2 until entire piece measures 6” inches)

Row 3: *K6, K2tog (repeat to end of round)

Row 4: Knit all

Row 5: *K2, K2tog (repeat to end of round)

Row 6: Knit all

Row 7: Knit all

Row 8: Knit all

Row 9: *K1, K2tog (repeat to end of round)

Row 10: Knit all

Row 11: *K2tog (repeat to end of round)

Row 12: Knit all

Row 13: *K2tog (repeat to end of round)

(Thread yarn through all stitches and pull tight to close. Secure yarn and thread inside and cut excess)