Next time someone asks you why you knit wool jumpers...

Check out this article from Mother Jones -- just adds some nice fuel to the anti-fleece argument fire. I reckon ditto goes for the plastic-based fleece-type yarns?

Ah well, there goes my guilty pleasure sleeptop -- the one I knitted out of microfibre. Then again, chucking that into a bin will pollute something for sure. Hmmm. Recycle it into what?

So when someone in your family or circle of friends says, really, what's with the woolly jumper knitting, you can say, well, it won't harm the oceans, it keeps Australian sheep farmers in business (buy it here please), supports local retailers, provides clothing for me and my family, and brings me hours of entertainment and relaxation as well. How many people can claim that for their hobby?

I've been cooking up an article about why I love sustainable man-made fibres from natural sources, like soy. Stay tuned for that after my next deadline this week!

Bye for now, Melf

December? Really?

Getting into the holiday spirit here at SIOz Central -- this means holiday orders amongst the usual juggling of painting, designing, and writing. Can't say much at present, as been busy restocking and tackling the monumental task of sorting out mill orders for 2012.

Check out the new gift category on the webshop if you are so inclined. I've been steadily planning what to put there for you fab knitters, crocheters, and spinners, and felters.

Back to the workpile, which includes some sorting for tomorrow's Port Market.
m

A word about TOES. Sock. Toes. Really.

A Sock For Helen

Sock Toes. Who'd think this topic would generate interest? Not me. But I was wrong. Especially after talking about socks with knitters in Adelaide this week.

As a dedicated sock knitter, the importance of toes, and heels, does not escape me. The topic first caught my attention around 5 years ago, when I was knitting Sister Socks by yes, my sister, Bitsy. The subject came up then as we discussed the virtues of round vs standard toes, as only sock designers are want to do.

Anyway, I fell in love with the round toe and made many a pair with it. But then, I decided I needed to knit it from the toe up. I hunted around both in books and online, but could find no reference to it at the time.

Then, later on, I found a reference to it in another sock knitting quest, in Charlene Schurch's Sensational Knitted Socks. Alas, she didn't elaborate, (just a few lines!) but it added a nice weight to my obsession. We knitters, for the most part, understand that knitting is a communal craft and that innovation is a risky word. I like to err on the side of caution and use the Elizabeth Zimmermann assumption that it's unvention. Thanks to Ms. Schurch, I wasn't the only knitter who thinks it's a good toe.

Anyway, years later and I'm still extolling the virtues of the toe up round toe. Why?

1. It's easy to get started – no fancy, special cast ons necessary
2. It's forgiving – only a few sts to get started and off you go. You can adjust the stitch numbers further up the toe if it gives you trouble
3. Because it's symetrical, you can choose where to insert a heel further down the line – very nice if you are a procrastinator and can't decide where you want your heel to go
4. It's teachable – for people who are scared off by casting on 64 sts for a sock from the top, it is easy to manage the limited number of sts for new users of dpns

 Baby Beantoes

I'm sure there are more reasons than those above, but suffice to say, I'll keep knitting socks with this toe. And yes, there are some limitations to it, but hey, I'm sure we'll figure those out too, or just embrace them as an excuse to try something else that's new.

 Dark Rainbow Socks

Melissa, where it's summer and that means sock knitting season

Moggy Doggy Bragging Rights from Stranded In Oz

Check out these beautiful socks from A. F. -- what a lovely surprise -- a finished pair of Moggy Doggy Socks in person! Thank you so much for showing them to us at the Fair. They are fantastic -- and her own take on where to put the moggy and doggy motifs.

The show has been so much fun thanks to the amazing knitters of Adelaide -- and sock enthusiasts!

If you would like to make your own pair of Moggy Doggy socks, stay tuned, the 4ply version kits will be available asap. I'll post a message or two and on Ravelry.

Bye for now -- it's been a long Saturday. See you at the Craft Fair tomorrow. Melissa

Adelaide Craft and Quilt Fair -- Nov 3-6

Hello knitters, spinners, felters, crocheters, and lovers of all things yarny. I'm home now after a marathon session of setting up my Adelaide Craft and Quilt Fair Booth. B17 -- come on down!

I must say, the booth is looking spiffy -- yes I have the camera ready to take a few piccies before the doors open at 10:00 am.

I will be at this fair all weekend. If you happen to get to the Port Markets instead, Richard will be on duty to assist -- the summer selection is there -- all the really great summer knitting bargain balls are out, including a rather delightful Mako cotton ribbon -- available to Port Markets shoppers only -- it's a crazy bargain at $3.50AU per ball. I'm so taken with it, I've naughtily stashed a few balls for summer. Shhhhh.

See you at the Craft Fair! Melissa

Stranded In Oz Glinda Sock Project Piccies on a Friday!

Here's Anna's version of the Glinda Sock -- shown in October Sock Club colorway, Fresh Lemongrass.

Thanks so much for the piccie Anna! She's done her own thing with the toe and heel (original uses diff. stitch and toe construction).  Looking fabulous Anna!

Keep those project piccies coming knitters and spinners!

Since I live in virtually a spin and knit-free zone most of the time, I treasure the projects you make.

Back to the woolpile.  See you at the Adelaide Craft and Quilt Fair, Nov 3-6, Adelaide Showgrounds. Check the webshop for details -- email or ring if you have questions.

The Week That Is Show Prep

Hello from SIOz Central, where I'm up to the neck in dyelots -- and the rainclouds roll in. Not to fear, as plan B is in progress.

The inevitable result of rain, dyelots, and normal orders is the feeling that I'm always behind on something. Situation normal.

I could pretend to be superhuman and have some magical backup stock of photos to share, but that would be complete fantasy. Nevertheless, the SIOz club packs went out as scheduled last week. And the highlight of that was the fibre that went out (well, it was a hard pick, as the socks put a smile on my face too).

I've admitted to a softspot for pin drafted fibre -- and the best of those are American Cormo and Rambouillet. So this month it was a special treat for the spinners -- the Pretty Good Green Rambo.

The Glinda Sock is the October Knitter's Project -- I've been alternating toe up and top down patterns -- as well as difficulty levels for the sock patterns throughout the year. This one is meant to be a good non-stress project after the tech-intensive Moggy Doggy for August.

The stitch in the Glinda Sock is a variation of the Embossed Wave Stitch -- it's zazzy without a lot of effort. I've added some texture to the heel and toe to integrate with the stitch. I hope those of you who are clubbies enjoy making this sock as much as I do.

It's Monday -- which is errand day in this household. So it's off to do the boring maintenance errands that suck the life out of a day off.

Til next time, Mel