Hiya Hiya, Toe-Up Socks and a Small Mystery

I was down in Cincinatti around Christmas time and picked up the most adorable little circular knitting needle made by Hiya Hiya and designed with knitting socks (one at a time) in mind. These little cuties are only 9" and are a great alternative to double points for sock knitting. If you have trouble with your stitches falling off or laddering they are well worth trying. They are steel tipped so you can knit at a nice little clip and get a beautiful tension.

Tiny circulars perfect for sock knitting!

I have been working on a pair of socks (using a toe up technique I learned from Liane at Knitomatic). The yarn by the way is Noro Kureyon Sock. We have all the best sizes for sock knitting in stock for 9.99 -- here is the link for online shopping: Hiya Hiya Needles

Meanwhile we have a small mystery. Sandy bought a vintage sewing bin and inside was this Olfa Maru fabric cutter. Our best guess is that it is a first version of a rotary cutter. Has anyone seen one before?

Hey Little Kittens .... Have You Lost Your Mittens?

Earlier this week my mother-in-law and I were walking out to a parking lot when she noticed she was missing her glove...we walked back inside where we quickly found two other single gloves (one on the reception desk, one on top of a garbage can) but neither were hers. That started me noticing all week all the single gloves hanging out in the city. They are everywhere ... on the ground on mailboxes, on fences, just look and you will see them too. And that got me to thinking ... this is the perfect time of year to knit up a couple of quick pairs of mitts for yourself or your favourite kiddies.

Why not grab a ball or two or Universal Chunky and make up a super easy pair ... it will only take an evening (or two at the absolute most)! Here are a few good free pattern links...

The Forty Five Minute Mitten

Chunky Weight Mittens

Gifted Mittens

Naturally once I got on my mitten kick I started cleaning out our hats and mitts basket at home and found a rather large collection of single mitts there too. I have been on a tear making mittens for the whole family...including the bears!

If you need more help than that I highly recommend calling super teacher Liane Schwartz down at Knitomatic and registering for her mitten class on Tuesday Mar 24 & 31, 6:30-8pm. She's a marvel!

Inside Outside Scarf - Just in Time For Christmas!

There is a new book, Knit One Below by Elise Duvelot. XRX provided a free scarf pattern to introduce the knit one row below stitch. It is called the Inside Outside Scarf.

This is a simple and easy to learn stitch and a scarf can be easily completed in a day or two! It uses just two balls of Jojoland's exquisite Rhythm yarn. Even though it is simple, the fabric it produces is attractive on both the right and wrong sides.

It is fun, easy, and quick to finish ... just in time for Christmas gift making and giving! Hilma will be in Tuesday afternoons for drop-in knitting class if you have any questions ... I'm hoping to talk her into giving it a go tomorrow!

There's one more reason to give it a try: it is affordable even with the current economy ... 7.99 per ball ... two balls per scarf and the pattern is a free download!