Blog

Socktober 2023: Becoming a Sock Knitter

**Disclaimer** I personally purchased this book this past year. I am not affliated with the author, publisher or yarnshop. This is not a sponsored post.

I love knitting and wearing handknit socks.

There is nothing like a handknit pair of socks, made with your special skein of 4 ply / sock yarn.

When I heard that my LYS were taking pre-orders for Ready Set Socks by Rachel Coopey, I jumped outta my shoes and submitted my order.

When I received the book, I quickly flicked through it. I’m really like the general layout of the book, which is geared for knitters who want to be Sock Knitters.

Starting off by choosing the knitting needles and yarn, then straight into the nitty gritty of top down sock basics.

I like the way the book is written, and typeface/font is easy to read.

There are 10 top down sock patterns which range from simple to interestingly challenging for Sock Knitters at any level. However,

There are tutorials on the variations in the cuffs and heels which appealed to my sense of adventure.

At this time, not one particular pattern is calling out to me. However, I do like that there is a hashtag for each sock. So, when I have more online time I will start looking thru the hashtags on IG to get some inspiration.

Overall, Pompom published a good reference book for Sock Knitters and any knitter who is curious about the Sock knitting experience.

*originally published on Dublin Knit Collective June 2023

Blog

Making in September

September is the beginning of a new season of making.

My planner is overflowing with amazing events that I am taking part in.

01 September

I’m launching the Autumn KAL over on the Dublin Knitwork. This season’s theme is INVESTMENTS. Knit or crochet a sleeveless body hugger as we transition to the cooler weather.

Keep an eye out on my INSTA stories for local meet ups during the KAL

02 September

I’ll be with the Irish Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers at this year’s Dublin Maker event at Richmond Barricks. Come by and say hello and try your hand at a drop spindle, spinning wheel or a weaving loom.

13 September

I’m excited to be hosting a Get to Know Your Sewing Machine with the the community based clothing reuse hub, Change Clothes Crumlin. Get your ticket for this up close and personal workshop here.

16 September

It’s World Wide Spin in Public Day. Watch this space, the Eastern Region of the Irish Guild of Weavers and Dyers is currently organising a venue for an afternoon of spinning and fibre.

23 September

I’ll be hosting monthly Knit & Stitch events. All will be revealed soon.

~ Feel free to Support me and the Dublin Knitwork by Buying Me a Coffee ~

Blog · Planner

One Book July 2023

It was no surprise to me that there isn’t a One Book July Challenge this year since the planner community hadn’t heard of any news of this summer ritual leading up to July.

The month of July really isn’t summer without #OneBookJuly. So, I’m just going to do my own thing this month.

I swapped out of the Filofax personal Original, and now I’m in this red Cuban. It’s another one of my charity shop finds.

The pen loop can only hold a slimmer pen, so I’ve chosen this Parker Jotter that once belonged to my Mum.

My highlighter of the month is Faber-Castell’s Shiny Silver.

I haven’t quite decided what will go in the card slots, however, the secretarial pocket is currently being used as my inbox of notes.

Surprisingly, I’m halfway through the year and still using the same Filofax inserts, so I can only conclude that this planner system works for me.

Blog

Life is too short to wear boring scrub hats

Surgical scrub hats, one of my favourite items I make and sell under the VillaMaker brand.

As a perioperative nurse, wearing blue scrubs everyday can be a bit mundane and get lost in a sea of blue amongst other OR staff.

My latest offering is a membership in It’s a Mystery! Scrub Hat Club.

Sign up by pre-ordering the exclusive VillaMaker “Scrub Hat Club” here

Receive a re-useable cloth Scrub Hat each month for 3 months starting in July 2023.

Each hat is made in the VillaMaker Studio in Dublin.

All hats are made from 100% cotton fabric with a one-off design or limited run pattern.

Also, to celebrate mid-summer I’m having sale on all in stock male scrub hats and female scrub hats.

Blog · KNiT

World Wide Knit in Public Day

Saturday 10th June 2023 is World Wide Knit in Public Day.

It’s the one day every year knitters celebrate the passion for knitting with fellow knitters around the world.

Since 2005, knitters world wide celebrate knitting in public and share each others company – or meet new knitters in your local area.

You can be a beginner or maybe you have been knitting for years – everybody is welcome!

This year, I’ve organised an outdoor knit social in Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens on Saturday 10 June 2023. Spend the afternoon (1pm to 4pm) knitworking with knitters, crocheters and stitchers on World Wide Knit in Public Day!