My First Pair of Knitted Socks

Hello!👋

Hope you have been keeping well!

My first pair of knitted socks are well on their way to being finished! 😀

I only need to finish the rest of the second foot and then shape the toes!

I have enjoyed sewing these, but I am not gonna lie. The second pair has not been as exciting. 🙃

My main concern was getting the tension the same for both. 

6 years ago I tried knitting some booties for my daughter before she was born and they didn’t turn out too good.

My tension was completely off and one boot was clearly larger than the other, hence my worry for my socks. 😂

They have turned out really well, I was just a bit bored sewing up the second pair.

Part of the issue may be that it is just one colour, not sure. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Whenever I make the second pair, I will definitely add more colour or use a colour changing yarn to make it more exciting!

I have also been thinking about the wearability of these socks. 🤔

I am a newbie to knitting socks and these feel quite thick to be able to fit into my shoes. I wonder if they will be uncomfortable to walk around in.

I will try to use a thinner strand of yarn for the next pair and see how it feels. I am so used to shop bought socks being thin that this new thickness may just be something I will have to get used to if I plan to make my own socks going forward.

I have also changed my mind about the colour yarn I am going to be using for the Alice Vest test knit from Rita Made This.

Last week I said I was going to use blue, but I have now decided to use black from the Yarnsmiths Create DK range.

I use another black vest I have so often, that I need another to change the scenery a little. 😂

The plan is to knit the whole vest in black, but the part I am still stuck with is the flowers.

They are definitely going on, just haven’t decided on colour. 

Cream or each one a different colour? 🤔

Remember earlier in the year I bought some silver beads to make a sweater?

Well the time has come!

I got new yarn from Wool Warehouse!! 🤩

They kindly sent out some yarn that they launched last week, the Yarnsmiths Merino DK Superwash!

And I have the perfect knitting pattern for it!

I am going to make the Gumdrops Sweater from Rita Made This!

Instead of creating the bumps with a purl stitch, I am going to put a bead!

The only thing to decide now is, which project to start first?

The Alice Vest or the Gumdrops Sweater? Or cast on both at the same time?

Having more than one cast on is not my usual modus operandi, but one can deviate now and again right? 🤭

Sewing wise, I managed to finish one of the gifts I had planned.

My friend’s son just turned 6 and I asked her if there was anything I could make for him.

She said that she had been searching everywhere for a beanie made from jersey fabric, but she couldn’t find any that would fit his head. She either found baby or adult sizes, not in between.

A quick google search later, I found the Banded Knit Beanie from Made For Mermaids. It’s a free pattern and comes in sizes baby, children, women and men.

I got 3 different coloured jersey fabrics from my stash, that are leftovers from other projects, and I had more than enough to make a beanie in each.

Another friend of mine also asked me to alter some clothing of hers, something I don’t particularly enjoy doing, but sometimes I find it hard to say no. 😟

She asked me to take a pair of trousers up and to shorten a puffer jacket! 😅

The trousers were halfway done this week, I cut, overlocked, pressed and pinned in place.

I have yet to stitch the hem in place.

As for the jacket, I am actually dreading it! 😂

I didn’t even finish my partner's jacket yet, and now I have to alter one for someone else. 🤒

I know they are completely different scenarios, one the instructions are hard to understand, the other is just a task I have never performed before. 😂

I have made jackets, just never reversed the process to unpick and redo. 😅

How hard can it be? And what’s the worst that could go wrong?

The other task that took up most of my week, is my second pouch design. In reality it was my first, but I set it aside to work on the quilted squares bag:

I just have one step left to complete the pouch, but a few more steps to go to get the pattern ready for testing.

I don’t think this one will be digitised as it is mostly rectangles, so I will be able to get it out a lot quicker than the quilted squares bag that I have been going on for ages about. 😅

I have shown you this new design previously, but I have since added and removed some features.

I removed the rectangle rings that I wanted to include on the sides and I added an extra side pocket to the inside and an elastic band to secure tools in place. I also played around with the shape of the side panel so that the back side of the bag would remain upright and only the front would lay flat when open.

Lastly, I need to make a gift for some friends of ours in Portugal who have recently had twin girls. 🥰

They are just under 1 years old, so crawling and lots of floor time is still in the picture. 

I didn’t think making a pouffy dress would be comfortable for everyday wear, so I thought the Penny Pinny from Waves and Wild would be a good fit. It can be used all year round with long or short sleeves underneath, the legs aren’t restricted with the skirt and a matching set will look super cute!

I pulled this beautiful cotton poplin from Rose and Hubble that has been in my stash for years.

I haven’t fully opened it up to see if I have enough for 2 pinafores, but it feels like there should be enough for 2 small sizes.

The task this week is to get the correct sizes traced off and see what else I have time for.

😎Confidence Corner:

Face your fears and doubts, and new worlds will open to you. - Robert Kiyosaki

Fear and doubt are generally barriers that keep us from going after opportunities, trying new things or stepping out of our comfort zones.

When we face these feelings, we grow stronger, learn and discover possibilities we never thought possible.

Taking the first step, even when it feels scary, opens doors to new experiences and achievements. It’s not about being fearless, it’s about moving forward despite the fear.

Each small win builds momentum, helping you unlock your full potential.

🧵Today's Sewing Tip:

As I have been doing a bit of quilting lately for my bags, I thought I would share with you the types of stabilisers I have been using.

Sew-in Foam

It provides excellent structure and thickness giving your project a firm, sculpted shape that helps it stand upright.

You can use a temporary basting spray on sew-in foam to keep your fabric from moving.

This foam is also preferred if you are using a fabric that can be easily damaged by heat while fusing it on to fusible foam.

Quilting on this base will give your project a more puffy look than with batting.

Fusible Foam

Just like sew-in foam, provides great structure and thickness to your project, but it has a layer of adhesive that bonds directly to the fabric when heat is applied.

When pressing the fabric to the fusible foam, take care to avoid bubbles or wrinkles.

Fusible foam should only be used with fabrics that can withstand the heat of the iron when fusing.

Quilting on this base will give your project a more puffy look than with batting.

Batting

It provides a softer, more flexible finish than foam, adding a bit of padding without a lot of thickness or rigidity.

It is typically sewn into place, often quilted, making it great for projects that are less structured and more quilted in appearance.

Each option has unique qualities, so choosing between them depends on the look and feel you want for your project.

⭐My Favourite Things This Week:

• Making progress on my socks!
• One step left to finish my sample bag for my new pattern!
• Receiving an exciting delivery from Wool Warehouse - Yarnsmiths Merino DK Superwash 🥳

🗓️Upcoming Plans

• Continue knitting my socks.
• Cast on for the Alice Vest test knit from Rita Made This or beaded Gumdrops Sweater.
• Finish up the PDF instructions for my new pattern.
• Make some gifts for friends and family - matching outfits for twin girls is all that is on the list for now.

🎉Upcoming Events

23rd of November 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 11:45h - 17:15h
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND011
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond011/

14th of December 2024 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event - in Gatley Hill House, South Manchester, 11:45h - 17:15h
Email bianca@beesilva.co.uk and quote reference: SEWBOND012
For more information: https://www.beesilva.co.uk/sewbond012/

2025 Dates!

18th of January 2025 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event
23rd of February 2025 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event
22nd of March 2025 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event
26th of April 2025 - Sew&Bond - Sewing Social Event

Question of the Week:

Are you planning handmade Christmas gifts?

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Thank you so much for reading it! And if you enjoyed it, please tell a friend about it to allow me to reach more people. 🥰

Bye for now,
B! xx