On-Hold Socks, Knit from the Toe Up

This was the first time I knit socks from the toe up, and I must say that I probably will not make socks any other way. I can try the socks on as I make them, see how much yarn I'm using (so I know whether to make shorter/longer socks), and even better, there is no grafting or picking up of stitches. The socks knit up in one piece! I used a single circular needle (size 1) and the magic loop technique. I could have used 2 circular needles, and the method can be adapted to knitting 2 socks at the same time. The pattern for these "On-Hold Socks" can be found in Wendy Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. (There's a better picture of the socks in the book where the lace pattern is more evident.) It's available at the Dove Library. You can also go to her blog: WendyKnits.net where she first published a general formula for making socks from the toe up.

Clever Knits in Vista

Hey, Everyone!

This past Monday, Jim took me to Clever Knits, the new yarn shop that opened in "old" downtown Vista. I met the owner's mom--a very nice lady, but I didn't catch her name. It reminded me of a smaller version of Noble Knits. They don't have the selection of yarns that our more familiar local stores do, but I believe that's largely due to the fact that they're new. What they do have IS REALLY NICE and reasonably priced (for the amount of yarn one gets). I was even able to find a US 0, 40" Addi Turbo Lace circular needle (hard to find!), and it was about $3.00 cheaper than I've seen at other stores.

Here are the particulars on the store: Clever Knits, 214 S. Indiana Avenue, Vista; open 12-8 pm daily (although I think they're open until 10 pm on Tuesdays when they have a knitter's session that I've been told is packed); website is http://cleverknits.com/. The directions to the store are on the website. Jim took his usual roundabout way of going somewhere, so I couldn't give directions to anyone. It's hard to see the store as you drive down Indiana street, but it's just a store away from the Vista Yoga studio (on the same block). They've got classes posted, but I think the one that would interest most of us is the "Owls Sweater Class." It's a 6-session class beginning 8/19, and as long as materials are bought at their store, all 6 sessions cost only $40! From what I see, they go through all sorts of skills like waist shaping, bust increases, joining body and sleeves, etc.

Hope you guys are still knitting!

Mary