Burberry Inspired Sock Kit and A Shameless Plug

I've been busy knitting socks.  It's bitter cold here in the midwest and cozy hand knit socks have been the major knitting project lately.  I love knitting them in any sort of color changing yarn.  Stripes, variegated, gradient and solids with spots of colors in it.  

I've put together a Burberry inspired sock kit that is available in my Etsy shop.  I am down to 5 kits at the moment.  I love the simple, classic stripe goodness and colors.  Burberry has been around forever and for good reason.  It never goes out of style.

Here's the information from my Etsy listing:

Everything you need to complete the knitted, Burberry inspired socks! 

You get:
*One skein of fingering weight (1) yarn. 75% superwash merino/25% polyamide 
(460 yards/420meters) 
*One printed pattern in a plastic page protector 
*One project bag (style may vary)
*A coupon for your next order. 

No need to change colors to get this classic British look. The yarn does all the work for you!

This is a very basic sock pattern. You will easily get one pair of socks from this yarn. I have included a video link to show you how to complete the Kitchener stitch for the toe.

 

The classic Burberry stripes are nice and clean.  Black, white, red and tan.

 

I have these rain/snow shoes I wear and how cute are these socks with them?

On to my shameless plug.  I am so very honored to be featured in the Simply Knitting, February 2015 issue 129.  This is one of my favorite knitting publications.  Great projects, free patterns, stories, puzzles, reader projects AND free goodies.  This issue comes with a free knitting pattern and set of bamboo needles!  How great is that?  

If you live in the United Kingdom, I'm sure you are very familiar with this publication.  For us in the USA, I have found it in Joann Craft Store and Barnes & Noble book store.  You can find the issue number in the lower right hand corner of the magazine.  

 On page 78 is a full page article about my knitting/crocheting journey.  I love how it turned out.  Pics of my Missoni Inspired Crocheted Blanket, Fortune Cookie Baby Booties (which is a free pattern in my Craftsy shop), Knitted Arm Warmers, me in a rocking chair crocheting a crocodile stitch scarf, Technicolor Chevron Blanket, Giraffe Hat and my daughter wearing the Hitchhiker with charms (pattern by Martina Behm on Rav). 

My Christmas Hats Collection was mentioned a couple years ago as well.

Here are a few of my favorites in the February 2015 issue.  This Hot Water Bottle Cozy has great texture and the pattern is free in this issue.

Knitting God, Alan Dart has a free, exclusive pattern in every issue.  This Sugar Plum Fairy is just darling.

This wrapped cardi is so chic.  The pattern calls for DK weight yarn and the pattern looks to be for the intermediate knitter. 

This free pattern for a manly cardi looks oh, so cozy.  Would be a great boyfriend sweater for a gal as well.

Thank you so, so much Simply Knitting for a great publication!  Keep up the good work.  

Here are all the links for Simply Knitting

http://www.simplyknitting.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/SimplyKnitting

http://www.pinterest.com/simplyknitmag/

https://twitter.com/SimplyKnitMag

My Sock Kit is only available in my Etsy shop 

You can find all my patterns in my

Craftsy shop

Ravelry shop

Best,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

When I am knitting socks, I knit the 2x2 rib back and forth, on the double point needles, as if you would on straight needles. I then start knitting in the round and sew up the rib after the bind off when I fasten off the tails. So, cast on, knit the 2x2 rib, then start to knit in the round with the remaining needles. You will sew up that rib with the cast on tail after you have completed the rest of the sock.

Scarves, Mittens, a Purse and Some Exciting News!

I finally got some "model" photos of the Crocodile Stitch Scarf!  This is one of my favorite patterns.  It's from Bonita Patterns on Etsy.  I posted about this 50 Shades of Grey here, if you'd like to refresh. 

I added a big button to keep the scarf secure in the wind.  If you find the right one, I think it makes the scarf extra special.  No button hole, just poke the button up through the scarf.  I will be making these in all kinds of colors for "my girlies" this Christmas.  

I like that you can wear it either way, button in front or the back.  I also like to wear my scarves over my coat as apposed to under.  This one is 4 skeins of Prism Sparkle from Mary Maxim, in Cobblestone.  It's a DK weight (3).  I think I used a J hook to get the most out of the yardage.

This one is made using 4 skeins of Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Winery.  Very easy to find in your local craft store and is a worsted weight (4).

Great colorway for those of you who feel grey and black a bit bland.  Reds, pinks, purples and a bit of grey.  Ooo, add a bottle of wine when gifting this one!  This giganto button is the perfect color, but is too big to poke through, so be careful when choosing a button. 

Mittens by Susan B Anderson, in Classic Shades; Tutti Frutti by Universal Yarn Inc.  Great pattern from Susan and it's free on Ravelry!  You could easily make matching mittens for your Croc Scarf prezzies!   

I made the medium size and they fit my delicate daughter and my fluffy self!  I knit the cuff longer than instructed as I like the bulk and the ability to have them go up my coat sleeve.

Now, the purse is from Creative Knitting March 2010 issue called the Mallory Bag.  I'm sure you could find a back issue online.  It's an intermediate pattern, however, I think an advanced beginner could do it.  If you are new to cables, it's a great place to start.

Some exciting news!  I was contacted by one of my favorite knitting periodicals, Simply Knitting.  I've just finished an interview, sent LOADS of photos and can't wait for the October issue!  This is quite an honor for me!  I'm a huge fan of Simply Knitting and was thrilled to be a part of this United Kingdom magazine.  I live in the USA, however, I am half Scottish, so my love runs deep for the UK.  I'll proudly post about it when my issue arrives!

Also, I was contacted by the merchandising manager at Annie's Catalog (which has been around forever and is a great catalog) to sell 6 of my knitting patterns on their site!  You can read the interview and find 3 of my crochet patterns and 3 of my knitting patterns.

Have a great week,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

When I need a button for a knitted or crocheted item, I always take it with me to the store.  I'm amazed when I go in thinking of a certain color, only to find out the perfect button was something totally different.