Rhinebeck

This past weekend was the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. I went up with my friend and her daughter, and we had a great time. So much beautiful yarn to pet! I came home with an autographed book and five skeins of lovely yarn. Two skeins will go to make a hat to match my new ski jacket, two skeins of lovely alpaca will go to make a shawl, and one skein will be set aside to make the Knotty Gloves featured on Ravelry. The only downside to this is that I bought all this yarn to make projects for me when I really need to be working on Christmas gifts right now. Only two months left, and knitting isn't the fastest craft in the world.

At the show there were sheep, angora rabbits, alpacas, llamas, and more. My friend's little girl got a real kick out of petting all the animals. There were kid's activities too, which she really enjoyed. It rained a bit and was rather chilly, but we dressed for the weather and didn't have a real problem with it. I can't wait to go again next year! I would recommend the show to anyone who lives within driving distance of it. There are Ravelry meetups and a party on Saturday night, too! What more could you ask for?

Snow in October? Really now?

It snowed two days ago. Seriously. The fifteenth of October. In New Jersey. This is getting rediculous. It snowed all day, though nothing really stuck to the ground, I assume because the ground was still too warm to handle the snow. Regardless, we had a very winter-like day. It got me thinking about winter and Christmas and how I really need to get going on the holiday knits I have planned. Mom's gift is done, Jimmy's is done, but nothing else really. So what do I do? Write a new pattern, of course. Why work on what needs to be done when I can play around and knit Christmas stockins my family doesn't need. The result, at any rate, is the pictured stocking. Simple enough to knit, with a ribbed cuff and stockinette body. Made basically the way one would make a sock, just with heavier yarn and bigger needles. Nice that stockings don't have to fit. At any rate, here is what I came up with.

Christmas Stocking
Yarn: worsted weight any style will do. I used two colors of Patons Merino, but something like Wool of the Andes or Lionbrand Wool-Ease would work. Even Red Heart would do the trick, if you can stand knitting something this big with 100% acrylic yarn.
Needles: US 7 DPNS set of five
Notions: tapestry needle and any applique's or bells or tinsel or whatever you might like to decorate with.

CO 60 sts, dividing evenly on four needles 15 sts on each)
Work MC in 1x1 rib for 4".
Change to CC and work 15 rows (2")
Change back to MC and work 15 rows (2")
contiue until leg portion has four color repeats done.
K 7 rounds in CC.
Divide for heel flap
Place 30 sts on one needle. This will be the heel. Leave other thirty sts on two needles, which will be the instep.
Work 20 rows of heel flap in MC.
Turn heel:
K to center (15), K3, sl 1, ssk, turn.
P to center, P3, sl 1 P2tog, turn.
There are now two decrese points set up. These points are the gaps in the sts. K to 1 st before gap, ssk over gap, turn.
P to 1 st before gap, p2tog across gap, turn.
Continue in this manner until you reach the edges of the heel. There should be 10 sts left on heel needle.
Pick up 14 sts on each side of foot. Needle 1 should have 19 sts, needle 2 15, needle 3 15, and needle 4 19. Knit 1 round in CC.
Next round: Needle 1: Knit to last two sts, k2tog. Needle 2&3: K. Needle 4 SSK, K to end of needle.
Next round: K
Continue in this manner, maintaining stripe sequence, until 60 sts remain on needles. Continue in stripe pattern, 1 stripe MC and 10 rounds CC.
Begin toe decreases: Needle 1: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: K1, ssk, k to end of needle. Needle 3: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 4: K1, ssk, knit to end of needle.
Next round:K.
Continue in this manner until there are 6 sts left oneach needle. Graft toe together. Weave in ends. Create a braid or crochet a chain to form a hanging loop. Stitch to inside of stocking. Decorate as desired. Hang by chimney with care for Santa to fill.