Where's Rachel?

If you're off to a show over the next few weeks, you'll probably bump into Rachel.

This weekend (26th and 27th September) the Coop Knits stall will be in the Auction Mart at Yarndale. 

Next weekend (3rd and 4th October), Rachel will be at Swiss Wulle Festival in Zug. She'll be teaching a couple of classes on the Saturday on basics of sock knitting and more advanced techniques. 

After a couple of weeks to catch her breath, she's then off over the pond for the New York State Sheep and Wool Fair at Rhinebeck (17th and 18th October). Merritt Bookstore is hosting Pom Pom at Rhinebeck and Rachel will be there alongside Bristol Ivy, Joji Locatelli, Olga Buraya-Kefelian, Allison Jane, Kiyomi Burgin and Caarin Fleischmann. 

Rachel's latest book Toasty 2 is now available for pre-order, or as a download from Ravelry.

With all this travelling, shop orders may take a day or two longer to process.

Friday Favourites: Kettle Yarn Company

This week, we caught up with Linda Lencovic from The Kettle Yarn Company about her loves and influences.

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Jetty by Linda from The Boardwalk Collection in Islington DK in 'Purple Reign‘ © Juju Vail for Kettle Yarn Co.

What is your favourite colour?

This has always been a really tough question for me as I don’t think I have one! I do love my blues and greys, though…and have a serious weakness for yellow.

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ISLINGTON DK –British Bluefaced Leicester / silk – colour ‘Purple Reign‘ © Kettle Yarn Co.

What is your current favourite yarn/fibre? 

That is tough... a bit like asking which child is your favourite! They all have their own wonderful qualities and strengths.

 - The Bluefaced Leicester in ISLINGTON, TWIST and WALTHAM absorbs colour deeply and reflects it off long, lustrous strands subtly creating gorgeous tonal colour;

- WESTMINSTER’s gentle baby Camel/ Silk has a shimmering, silky depth like no other, the light shifting on the strands creating a jewel-like sparkle;

- Beyul’s unique heathered blend is completely different again, as its exotic mix of baby Yak, Silk and Merino creates multi-tonal colour with richness and deep saturation.

 I couldn’t possibly choose! Though I do prefer the many amazing qualities of natural fibres and stay away from synthetics altogether.

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Pavilion by Renée Callahan from The Boardwalk Collection in Islington DK ‘Marigold ‘ © Kettle Yarn Co.

What is your favourite season?

I was born in summer and have always been a bit of a sun-baby…as long as it doesn’t get too hot. Sunshine just makes me bubbly and happy! Late August and early September are always my favs, especially as the autumn knits get released and cozy jumpers move back up the knitting queue!

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Arcade in by Isabell Kraemer from The Boardwalk Collection in Islington DK ‘Verdigris’ © Juju Vail for Kettle Yarn Co.

What is/was your current favourite knitting/crochet project? 

I am currently knitting a Sibella Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge in Beyul, my Yak/silk/Merino blend. I’ve chosen the Steppe colourway as can’t resist yellow and the lace is looking divine! I can’t wait to wear it.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

I’d love to meet Clara Parkes! She is my yarn hero and I imagine having a woolly chat with her would be amazing.

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Sibella Cardigan by Carrie Bostick Hoge in Beyul, Steppe © Kettle Yarn Co.

Where do you feel most inspired or get most inspiration?

I love living by the sea again! We moved to Hastings last year and the natural beauty of the area never fails to inspire me. The faded British seaside and historic cobblestone lanes never fail to thrill me.

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Shades of Westminster baby camel/silk and my Talavera by Amanda B Collins with Bagatelle cowl by Rachel C. Brown from The Boardwalk Collection in Islington DK 'Peony' © Kettle Yarn Co.

Quick fire questions! Your favourite: 

Film? Amélie

Book? The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Quote? No pressure, no diamonds – Thomas Carlyle

Cocktail/drink? Gin and tonic

Cake? Salted caramel/Chocolate from Michala’s Cute Cakes in St. Leonards

Cheese? Brebirousse d'Argental from Lyon

Links
W: KettleYarnCo.co.uk
R: www.ravelry.com/groups/kettle-yarn-co
T: https://twitter.com/KettleYarnCo
I: https://instagram.com/kettleyarnco
P: https://www.pinterest.com/KettleYarnCo
F: www.facebook.com/KettleYarnCo

 

Seaward Hat

I'm the final stop on the Boardwalk Collection blog tour! I designed the Seaward hat for the collection with clean lines and some lace and texture in the most spectacular pink yarn that ever existed from Kettle Yarn Co.

You can see the whole collection here:

I do love twisted rib and the Islington DK gives PERFECT stitch definition which makes the rib really stand out. The hat has a beanie version (picture here) and more slouchy version.  

The yarn really is a delight and Kettle Yarn Co put together such lovely palettes, I was torn between marigold and old smoke when I was trying to decide which colour I wanted my own Seaward hat to be but I finally decided on marigold, I can't wait to wear it!

If you leave a comment with the colour of Islington DK you would choose to knit the Seaward hat I will choose winners at random to receive a copy of the pattern.

You can find the patterns for all the lovely pieces in the collection on Ravelry here.

Friday Favourites: Whimzy

This afternoon we are catching up with Ling from Whimzy! She dyes beautiful yarns from her studio in West London. Rachel has used Whimzy's Sokkusu O for a number of her designs.

What is your favourite colour?

Grey!  I have a business selling beautiful, colourful yarns and I love plain, ole, grey.

What is your current favourite yarn/fibre?

Anything soft and squooshy.  I do love Sokkusu O, maybe I'm biased!

What is your favourite season?

Summer, although that's not very good for the knitting!

What is your current favourite knitting project?

I have the attention span of a gnat, so I have 500 WIPs.  If I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be something mindless!

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

What, just one person?! This would show how shallow I am - it would be anyone good looking and hot!!

Where do you feel most inspired or get most inspiration?

The world around us!

Thanks for sharing your favourites with us Ling! We're looking forward to seeing your new adventures with Whimzy.

All images are © Whimzy and used with kind permission.

Friday Favourites: Eden Cottage Yarns

Many thanks to Victoria Magnus, the brains behind Eden Cottage Yarns, for sharing her favourites with us this week!

What is your favourite colour?

I honestly don't have one - I love - really love - a vast range of colours. Everything from pale, wispy shades to rich jewel tones. I adore neutrals, but then love the rest too, so... I just can't pick a favourite! 

What is your current favourite yarn/fibre? 

This is also hard to answer but at least there's a bit less to choose from! I think it's probably the superwash Polwarth wool - Oakworth 4ply and DK. It ticks all the boxes - it's crisp, smooth, soft, bouncy, takes colour well, machine washable, hard wearing.. I'm knitting my Threads sweater in Oakworth DK at the moment, but also have socks and a beautiful shawl in Oakworth 4ply.

What is your favourite season?

I'm very eclectic - I love all the seasons for different reasons. I love winter's crispness and bleakness. I love it up on the Yorkshire moors in the rain (so atmospheric!), or in the fields in sparkly crispy snow. But then in spring you get the fresh little buds sprouting and the sun shimmering through the rain. I love summer - hot weather, long light nights, the scents of flowers, the late summer sun, being able to be outside without a jumper on, not wearing socks.. and then you have autumn which is not only spectacularly colourful, but you start to get that lovely crispness in the air and the promise of a good winter! 

What is your current favourite knitting project? 

That's got to be my Threads sweater. I do have several WIPs!

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

Alive or dead? Alive - Sean Bean. I can't get enough of hearing him speak, and I like to think he'd be interesting to talk to! Dead - my Grandad. He was a master leather tanner, but he died when I was about 11. I'd love to talk to him now. 

Where do you feel most inspired or get most inspiration?

Outside. Anywhere.. just outside. My kitchen where I work looks over my garden so I keep it very inspiring - I have a lot of wildflowers and plants out there. It's colourful and there are new colour combinations popping up all over the place all the time. We back onto orchards and fields too which is helpful!

Quick fire questions! What's your favourite: 
Book? Harry Potter
Film? Hot Fuzz
Quote? "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live" (Dumbledore) OR "decaffeinated???" (Nicholas Angel in Hot Fuzz). 
Cocktail/drink? Elderflower gin with elderflower tonic, or a herbal tonic.
Cake? Victoria sponge (nothing to do with the name)
Cheese? Wensleydale with cranberries

Thanks Victoria for sharing your selections with us! You can purchase the stunning yarns that Victoria dyes at Eden Cottage Yarns.

All photographs are © Victoria Magnus and used with permission.

Looking forward to Fibre East!

This weekend I will be at Fibre East with my books and project bags, it's a lovely show with lots and lots to see and if you can make it there, you totally should!

I'm looking forward to seeing all the other stallholders and I've been planning/day-dreaming about what I want to see and buy, these are top of my list:

The Knitting Goddess is one of my best fibre friends and alongside her amazing hand dyed yarn  she's got some gorgeous brand new project bags she'll be taking, I'm going to do my best to grab one.

I really want to pick up a skein (or two) of Kettle Yarn Co Islington DK to make my own, not-a-sample, wear-all-the-time version of my Seaward hat pattern for their brand new collection (more on that at a later date). I think I've narrowed it down to Marigold or Old Smoke.

I've been REALLY enjoying crochet recently and so I'm looking forward to seeing the amazing Jane Crowfoot. She has been patient and supportive of me asking total beginner questions while working on her Lily Pond blanket CAL and if there is one thing I have learned it's you can never have enough blankets-in-progress (I think I'm in double digits at this point). She is launching a new crochet Blanket called Persian Tiles and a new knitted fairisle cushion kit called Norwegian Wood, I'm excited to see them in real life!

Are you coming? What's on your wish list?

Friday Favourites: The Knitting Goddess

This is the first in a new series of interviews with some of Rachel's favourite yarn dyers. Rachel often gets asked about her favourite sock yarns, so we thought it would be fun to ask some of her favourites, about their favourites!

We caught up with a firm Coop Knits favourite, The Knitting Goddess, for a virtual cuppa and chat about some of Joy's favourite things.

What's your favourite colour?

Blue - any shade of blue and any combination of blues together. When I look at what I pin to my colour board on Pinterest there’s blue in most of the images.

What is your current favourite yarn/fibre? 

Our Britsock blend which is custom spun for us by John Arbon is a real favourite - it’s the perfect combination of hard wearing and soft to the touch. I also love that it’s 100% British.

Image © Joy McMillan

Image © Joy McMillan

What is your favourite season?

Autumn. I love being able to stomp through piles of leaves. Harrogate where I live has lots of green areas and it’s gorgeous watching the colours change.

What is/was your current favourite knitting/crochet project? 

The linen stitch cowl I designed is a real favourite - it was the first thing that I'd crocheted and that came about because so many crocheters thought it was a pattern for them and were disappointed it was knitted. It reminds me of being on holiday in Egypt and watching the design appear and being so pleased that it was actually doing what I expected.

My favourite of Rachel’s designs is the Forks socks which is the first club pattern she designed for us. I was so excited when the first pattern arrived because I knew how much everyone was going to love her designs.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

Nigel Slater - his cook books have played a big part in my life, and it would be lovely to be able to make something for him and tell him how much he’s inspired me while keeping me well fed.

Where do you feel most inspired or get most inspiration?

I feel most inspired when I’m in the workshop - it’s such a luxury to have a space where I can make a mess, try things out and experiment. Most ideas come to me when I’m doing something where my hands are busy and my brain has time to put odd connections together - so when I’m knitting or working with glass or baking I tend to find ideas come to me then.

Image © Joy McMillan

Image © Joy McMillan

Quick fire questions! What's your favourite: 
Book? What Do I Do When I Want To Do Everything? by Barbara Sher

Film? Field of Dreams

Quote? It always seems impossible until it’s done - Nelson Mandela

Cocktail/drink? Negroni’s and tea. Lots of tea.

Cake? Lemon drizzle

Cheese? Seriously mature cheddar

Thanks for sharing your favourites with us Joy! Head over to The Knitting Goddess to indulge in some of your favourites...

SUMMER of Socks 2015!

Where does the time fly to? I can't believe that it's the SUMMER of Socks again already! I'm nearly ready to cast on a new pair. I just have a mystery shawl pattern to complete first...

If you haven't taken part before, just dive in! It's really easy, all you need to do is to finish knitting a pair of socks designed by Rachel at some point between now and 31st August 2015. Post a photo of the finished socks in the thread on Ravelry: SUMMER of Socks 2015 and you will be entered for prizes! You can complete a WIP that's been on the needles for a while, or start a new pair, the choice is yours!

We are only a few weeks in to this year's knit along, and already there are some lovely finished pairs. How about these for some pattern inspiration?

Hautecontre (aka Diane) knitted this beautiful pair of Sapient Pearwood socks using some wool, cotton, nylon blend sock yarn - perfect for summer!  You can favourite any of the pairs of socks here by heading over to the relevant Ravelry project pages: Hautecontre's Sapient Pearwood socks.

For a more recent design, how about these lovely Woodcutter's Socks? Knitted here by Debbie135 using some Knitting Goddess sock yarn. Check out how quickly Debbie knitted these up! Debbie135's Woodcutter's Socks.

Deb (Tinkhickman on Ravelry) hasn't finished her socks yet, but her photo was so beautiful I couldn't resist sharing it here! She's working on Renesmee from Rachel's Twighlight-inspired eBook, When Vampires Knit Socks and she's using some Hazel Knits yarn in a gorgeous shade! We can't wait to see how they turn out! Tinkhickman's Renesmee Socks.

This is such a fantastic shade of blue from the Sunrise Fiber Co. that Writergirl3 (aka Gail) has chosen for her Ernestine Socks. Ernestine is one of the patterns from Rachel's latest book of fab sock designs, Coop Knits Socks volume 2. Gail knitted them two at a time, and again, she was SO speedy: Writergirl3's Ernestine Socks

These are Octarine, one of the patterns that Rachel designed for the When Granny Weatherwax Knits Socks Club, first published back in January 2012. This pair has been knitted by crossroadsdemon, and you can find out more over on her Ravelry project page here: Crossroadsdemon's Octarine Socks.

If you have some coordinating sock yarn leftovers, then how about copying cmflame (aka Charissa) and using them in a pattern like Bockleton (or Mixalot or Otis). Charissa has made this splendid pair using Cascade Yarns Heritage Sock for the main yarn, with leftovers for the colour work sections. Cmflame's Bockleton Socks.

One of my favourite thing about Rachel's sock knitalongs is seeing all the patterns knitted up in different yarns - I always choose some new favourites and mess around with my pattern queue after browsing that thread! I do hope that you have found some inspiration here. Let us know which design you will be casting on, then join us in the Summer of Socks thread to knit along.

Happy knitting!

'Where did you get your socks?'

It is wise to pick the recipients of your hand-knitted socks carefully, in my experience once they have one pair, they will never stop asking for another and another and another.

One of my sisters, Megan, was a very early enthusiastic recipient of socks I knitted. The rest of my family joined her over time, one by one they were converted to lovers of the hand knitted, but she really was the first and as a result she owns by far the most pairs. She probably has more pairs of (wearable, not samples) hand knitted socks in her possession than I do.   

My name is Megan and I’m the one who doesn’t knit (or sew or crochet or use colouring books). 

 

There are two questions which I get asked repeatedly in my life: 

 

                1. Is your hair naturally curly? 

                2. Where did you get your socks?

 

The first question is simple to answer (yes), however the question of my sock's origins undoubtedly leads to a long conversation. I normally open with a simple response of "my sister made them", this is never the end. After a short period of disbelief, I normally follow up with "she's a professional knitter", which sometimes helps, although that normally leads to questions about where she sells the socks. To the knitting-illiterate population (including me), "you can't buy the socks, just the patterns” is an odd concept. The discussion is not normally easily resolved without me resorting to the internet to display a webpage where you can buy knitting patterns.

 


So I go through my life answering questions about my socks, it is however a small price to pay for the privilege of wearing beautiful hand-knitted socks. I love the way they fit your feet in a way that normal socks never can, I love that each pair is individual, I adore the bright colours and matching my socks to my clothes, I love seeing my washing line in summer with a row of knitted socks. In fact the only disadvantage (apart from the long sock conversations), is reserving enough space in my suitcase for all the socks I want to pack. ​

New patterns in Vivacious KIDS

Rachel has 4 new designs in the latest collection from British yarn company, Fyberspates: Vivacious KIDS. See below for a 25% discount on purchases of the eBook and single pattern downloads from Ravelry.

In fact, not only does she have patterns in the new collection, but also her two gorgeous boys can be found modelling the knits. You can see the mischievous fun they had on the photoshoot...

Rachel's patterns include socks (naturally!), hats and mittens, and are sized from ages 2 through 10. The collection supports the Fyberspates Vivacious yarn range, which comes in both 4ply and DK weights and is a 100% super wash merino yarn. It's a joy to knit with, and has a pleasing bouncy hand.

Jack-Be-Nimble is a striped hat in Vivacious 4ply - perfect if you have some leftovers from other CoopKnits projects...

Next up are the Margery Daw socks, with a pretty mirrored cable down the leg and foot. These socks have a short row heel and are sized for foot circumferences of 4-7in [10-18cm].

Knitted in Vivacious DK, Rachel's Lickety-Split Cabled Hat would make a perfect quick gift, and the sizes would work for both kids and adults. I can see myself making a few for various family members...

And to round up the accessories, there are these cute Tickety-Boo Mittens, which are also knitted in the DK weight yarn. They just need a ribbon to keep them in your winter coat!

If you like the look of these, and the gorgeous garments designed by Ella Austin, then help your self to a discount on purchases of any of the single patterns from the collection or the complete eBook, available through Ravelry. Simply add the patterns you desire to your cart on Ravelry, and then use the code CoopKnitsVivacious to receive a 25% discount on the price. Be sure to click on the "Use Coupon Code" button before heading to PayPal to complete your purchase. This promotion is only available until the end of the day on 26th June 2015 (British Summer Time).

All the details:
Vivacious KIDS is published in print and eBook formats. To purchase a print copy, head to your local Fyberspates retailer or ask in your local yarn shop. Print copies are RRP £10.50 or US $22.00.
The eBook is available through Ravelry for $16.00 or approx. £10.53
All of Rachel's accessory patterns are also available individually to download through Ravelry for $6.00 or approx. £3.95 (just click through the links above).
Ella Austin's garment patterns are also available individually to download through Ravelry for $7.50 or approx. £4.94.

A fortnight in pictures

It's been a busy few weeks for Rachel, with a visit to the USA's largest needlework trade show, TNNA, followed by an amazing time at the Squam Art Workshops in New Hampshire (I'm SO jealous!!). Here's her trip, and what she's been up to since her return, in pictures...

The kits for all 3 of my collaborations with @vickibrowndesigns are in the shop now (link in bio) - you will get 2 skeins of Socks Yeah, a beautiful hand dyed mini from Vicki and a pattern for knitted and crocheted socks
SO EXCITED to be teaching at the inaugural FYBRE 🔥 FEST - from the organisers website: The world&rsquo;s most exclusive knitting festival. A private island in the Orkneys. Luxe accommodation in custom built crofter&rsquo;s cottages. Your very own
I&rsquo;m at H&amp;H in Cologne with @fyberspates and @chesterwool until Sunday so if you&rsquo;re coming don&rsquo;t forget to say hello!
Ready for day two at @edinyarnfest , here&rsquo;s another of the kits that @vickibrowndesigns and I have collaborated on, don&rsquo;t forget - if you can&rsquo;t make it to EYF the online shop is open and if you use code EYF shipping is free on order
If you can&rsquo;t make it to Edinburgh this weekend, the online shop is open and if you use the code EYF you&rsquo;ll get free shipping on orders over &pound;10 (link in profile to shop)
I&rsquo;ve got amazing patterns from @knittingandgin including VOLT and VOLT MINI ME - knitted using Socks Yeah DK #edinburghyarnfestival #eyf2019
so excited to unveil my collaboration for @edinyarnfest with @vickibrowndesigns - we&rsquo;ve put together these kits with 2 skeins of Socks Yeah, a hand dyed mini from Vicki and both a knitted and crocheted sock pattern - come and see us A9 and J1
If you&rsquo;re a self patterning sock yarn collector like me, it might interest you to know that Opal have launched a range inspired by Monet paintings and they are amazing (I bought mine from @woolwarehouse in the UK)
Got distracted from unpacking after @unravelfestival by these @violaemily minis in my stash, maybe winding them is the perfect way to decompress after such a busy, joyful weekend
If you&rsquo;re at @unravelfestival this weekend you MUST go and see these incredible jumpers by @katiejonesknit - completely inspiring and amazing (come and see me too, I&rsquo;m in the Great Hall)
I have spoken about this in my stories but I&rsquo;m making a less ephemeral post. It really does feel like we have seen a sea change in past few weeks, the knitting community exists in wider society so everything that exists in that society is also
Grellow 4 life. Want some warm, cosy DK socks? Book and yarn bundles are in my shop, this is Zlonk

Don't forget to enter the CoopKnits in Public competition over in Rachel's Ravelry group, where you can find the full details. The competition closes next Monday.

Squam - where the magic happens

Last week I went to Squam Art Workshops, I was on my back from TNNA (The National Needlearts Association trade show in Columbus - more about what I saw there later) and the timing of the Spring Squam retreat was too perfect not to take advantage of. Jeni and I hired a car and drove up to the lake from Boston.

Arriving at a place so beautiful and peaceful was like taking a long breath, stress and tension just left my body as soon as we arrived. The lake and the woods are full of life, we saw huge luna moths, tiny chipmunks, squirrels and even a skunk (it didn't see me though, luckily!). We saw fish and loons in the lake.

My cabin and classes were full of amazing women who were warm and friendly and welcoming. The food was delicious and the evenings were spent knitting by the fire.  

The classes were incredible, I would have been more than happy to be in any one of the many that were on offer. Jeni and I decided not to take any knitting classes (although the knitting classes on offer were perfect and teachers among the most inspiring people I know.) I took Drawn Together with Kerry Lemon (who is unbelievably talented) and Writing Your Own Myth with Elizabeth Duvivier.

Elizabeth created Squam Art Workshops and I have never met a person so insightful and warm, she has put together an experience which seems to adapt itself to each individual, offering just what that person wants or needs and allowing them to create their own unique experience while still being part of a community.

There is magic in those woods, my science loving brain is working hard to process that but it's still true, Squam IS where the magic happens.

If you ever get the opportunity to go there, grab it with both hands, I'll definitely be going back.

Knitting in Public Competition!

Hi Rachel!

Are you knitting in public tomorrow for World-Wide Knit in Public day (WWKIP)? I'm not going to a special event - everyday is a knit in public day for me! - but I will certainly be out and about with my knitting.

Wouldn't it be fun to see all of the cool places that people are knitting in public this week? I've started a thread in your group: CoopKnits in Public Anyone who posts a photo of a public knitting of a Rachel Coopey pattern in that thread will get an entry to win two pdf patterns of their choice from your Ravelry Store. I can't wait to see where people are out and about to! Head over to the thread on Ravelry if you'd like more information! And in the meantime, get knitting!

Now, please tell me all about Squam!

Jen xx

 

Have you seen these?

Hey Rachel!

I'm sure you must have seen these, but just in case...

Orla Bobbie shoes, designed by Oral Kiely for Clarks. £120. Click on image to go to Clarks website.

Orla Bobbie shoes, designed by Oral Kiely for Clarks. £120. Click on image to go to Clarks website.

Gorgeous shoes! Designed by Orla Kiely for Clarks - and not all high heels! This is my favourite pair, and it comes in patent coral pink, and pale blue as well as the navy above.

I wish I could wear either of these as well, but me and heels don't really go well together - it always ends in a sprain...

Enabling alert... You can click on the images to go straight to the Clarks website...

How fantastic would any of these look with hand-knitted socks? Hurrah for pretty shoes to showcase amazing socks!

Speak soon, Jen x

Why I love green, and particularly green socks!

Rachel, I think I might have a bit of a problem...

I noticed a while ago that I seem to always knit in the same colour yarns... Green, green-blue, forest green, grass green, teal-y green, but always some sort of variation on that theme!

Above is a rogues gallery of just some the green socks I've knitted in the past 5 years! If you click on an image it will take you to my Ravelry project page, where you will find all the yarn information as well as pattern links that you may need! Not that I'm enabling you in pattern or stash acquisition here... Ahem!

I'm not sure that I can adequately explain my attraction to this end of the spectrum, but I can promise that it's not going to stop any time soon... You only have to look at my stashed yarn to see that!

Happy knitting! x

Otis & Phyllis Knitalong - March & April 2015

Oh, how I love a Knitalong (KAL)! Casting on the same pattern as a group of other knitters, and sharing pictures and advice as you go. It gives a real sense of camaraderie! Over on the Ravelry thread, you'll see that knitters are sharing pictures of the yarns they are planning to use, as well as a few "in progress" photos already (some of these knitters are QUICK!).

So this is how it works...
You choose your yarn and cast on either Otis (left) or Phyllis (right), both of which are from Rachel's new book, CoopKnits Socks Volume 2. Then you need to head over to the CoopKnits Ravelry group (have you joined yet? You really should!) and share a picture to tell us what you're up to in the Otis & Phyllis KAL thread.

Once you've done that, you will already be entered for one of the spot prizes of a free Rachel Coopey sock pattern download (you will be able to select from the single sock patterns in Rachel's Ravelry Store)! Rachel will be giving away a few pattern prizes as we go through March and April. You simply need to cast on and post a picture to the the KAL thread! You don't even need to finish your socks to win a pattern prize (great for us slower knitters...)

Keep knitting, and do chat along with the other KAL-ers! And then, once you've finished your pair of socks, post another picture to the KAL thread. Then you will be entered for one of the wonderful yarn prizes...

These gorgeous skeins are up for grabs for knitters who finish their Otis or Phyllis socks before the end of April 2015. West Yorkshire Spinners, Three Irish Girls and The Knitting Goddess! What beauties!

Happy knitting!

Have you seen this?

Rachel... Rachel... Rachel... (in the style of Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory...)

Have you seen this?

Click on the photo above to go to the Charley Harper Studio online shop, but don't blame me if bankruptcy results...!

Click on the photo above to go to the Charley Harper Studio online shop, but don't blame me if bankruptcy results...!

I think it might just tick every box for things we both like! Birds! Colouring in! Charley Harper! What more could you want? There are all sorts of his colouring-in books available, but I particularly like this one as it comes in a tin (gotta love a tin!), with cards, envelopes and crayons.

I know how much you enjoyed the Benedict Cumberbatch colouring-in book that I sent you, so I hope this makes you smile too. :)

Happy colouring!
Jen x

Leftovers

Here are all the little balls of leftover yarn from the single colour socks in Coop Knits Socks Vol 2. I'm going to try to use them all up, every last little bit and I'm formulating a plan to do this.

1. A pair of Mixalot socks. For my size each sock will use 14 colours (3 for cuff, heel and toe, 6 on the leg and 5 on the foot) and there are 14 colours, so thats serendipitous (I'm awarding myself bonus points for using my favourite word in context). The balls with larger amounts will be used for the cuffs/heels/toes because they use more yardage than the stripes.  

2. A pair of Otis socks. This will be one of the first patterns we kick off the official knit-a-long with. I need to decide on a main colour that will work with all these colours, I think maybe dark grey or possibly navy blue. 

3. I want to make a small crochet square with as many of the yarns as I can, it probably won't be possible with all of them. I'm going to try to make a square from the yarn of every pair of socks I make and eventually join them in to a huge blanket. 

4. Anything that is left after the first 3 projects will become a pair of stripy Dave socks, I'll keep making Daves until I run out of yarn, maybe there will be 2, possibly there will be 3, we'll have to wait and see!