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 · 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!

Journal

The Inaugural Post

definition of inaugural : [adjective] marking of a beginning

Hello and welcome to my first blog post from the VillaMaker Studio.

I am no stranger to blogging, and took a hiatus from my musings on this particular platform. I noticed things have changed here on WordPress and I’ve had to re-learn the interface, vocabulary, and techie terms. All so new to me, that I asked my Google Assistant for definitions and examples.

The VillaMaker blog shell was created some time ago and I’ve been waiting for just the right moment in time to sit down and write.

This past Sunday afternoon, I had a lovely meet up with Evin and her friend, Ceci. It was an impromptu and very enjoyable coffee and meet up in Dublin. I was in the company of two amazing and awesome women who have found and defined their creative space.

Copyright Evin Bail O’Keefe

Coming down from cloud nine on my journey home, I sat down in the VillaMaker Studio (it’s really the box room in our home) and wrote in my neglected journal about my experience that Sunday afternoon in a coffee shop.

Midori Traveller’s Notebook, Filofax Clipbook, Leuchttturm 1917

Upon reflection, creative inspiration flourishes a sense of awareness and a perspective that I’ve never seen before. I knew today was the right time to write the first blog post under the VillaMaker banner.

Eyeball Shawl (Stephen West)

How many times do we focus on one thing, perhaps dwelling on the lack, absence, challenge in front of us…and not notice the beauty of the space, opportunity potentially on either side of us? ~Cecila Nelson-Hurt

Selfie with CreativeCeci

This is my perspective, mindfulness…my awareness of what I hear, what I see, what I smell, what I touch and what I taste.

Diane