Monday, January 14, 2008

Have a Heart....

I am feeling somewhat chuffed with myself....I have been designing!
I found this heart motif pattern in my copy of Vogue Knitting and immediately my mind went into overdrive.
You know from the last post that I just had to have some red yarn as I felt these would be a Valentines pair of socks. Alice came to my rescue and offered me several different red sock yarns, her advice was excellent and the final choice is perfect. Hand Maiden, Casbah. Thanks Alice.
These socks had to be made toe up, not my favourite method of sock making but I love a challenge. The reason they had to be made toe up was because of the direction of the knitting of the heart motif. Also, I had to convert the motif to be knitted in the round, upside down would have sent me to the funny farm! I loved the little nobble stitch too, it sort of broke up the monotony (nice word!)of doing plain stocking stitch. All that is left for me to do now is to finish writing this pattern up. The heel is very interesting, its a flap worked upwards and it works well. I have found the actual red to be a bit tricky to photograph, it is rather richer than you can see here.

*~*~*

We went to Ikea on Saturday, these gorgeous cushions/pillows inspired me.
We bought 5 of these baskets and two more of the plastic boxes to fit in our square holes...
I so need to sort this place out.
Look at that horrid wall and skirting board, it has needed painting since we moved in almost three years ago (where did that time go to?) We never thought we'd be here this long, we thought six months might do it! hah!!
Anyway, I thought I would share with you some before photos and then when it is painted and sorted I will post photos again so you can admire and be amazed at the difference. Just you lot try and give me a bit of thought when I am emptying all the shelves and cupboards so the sideboards and drawers and dresser can be moved away from the wall. Where on earth will I put it all? Then I have to wash it all down, good exercise for my shoulder! It will be great if visitors pop in when we are in such a state, usually I squirm at the chaos of this place in the presence of visitors, but I will just say casually 'Sorry about the mess, we're redecorating'....ahhh and relax!
More tea Vicar?

20 comments:

KSee said...

love the socks! Haven't tried toe up YET. They are so pretty. Ugh, redecorating. I'm still not over the one I started 2 years ago. Things still in boxes. Did I say I LOVE your new socks! pattern, please??
And it that a Dyson canister I spy. I want one and they are hard to come by on this side of the pond.

Faerynuff said...

Fantastic Socks! So pretty :)

I hate decorating and the mess it causes...

CG said...

Gorgeous socks :) It's good to do before and after pics of any home improvements or you soon forget how bad the "before" was (not that yours is!)

dutchcomfort said...

Good luck with the decluttering and painting stuff!
I love your socks. Great job!

hakucho said...

Love your Valentine socks! Very cute with the button 'n bow in the back :)

Good luck with your "redecorating" :)

Marianne said...

Look at you! Your Valentine sock design is Sweeet!
Love those cushion covers, the solid and the floral, lovely lovely colours!

....sigh.... redecorating... I hope not to have to even think about it for a loooong time!
Good luck with yours and I know it'll turn out fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Those socks are adorable!

Thimbleanna said...

Oooohhhhh Marianne! Love LOVE those socks!!! Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Anonymous said...

The sock is lovely! Yay - I love before and after home remodeling pics. Can't wait to see the after!

Faerynuff said...

I forgot to say - those cushions match our sofa!

love you xxx

Linda said...

I love those socks! Like you I always seem to avoid toe up, I must try it again.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, those socks are wonderful!

Probably Jane said...

Those socks are fabulous - I really like the bow detail on the back - I bet they feel as good as they look in Casbah!

Michaela said...

I LOVE those socks!!!!! Will you be making the patttern available to us mere mortals who can't design so much as a little square? Fantastic! And I'm not surprised you haven't decorated, far too much else to do isn't there? The other sock for example!

Alice Yu said...

GORGEOUS!!!! Yes yes, pattern?

Jodi said...

What a fabulous sock design, and the pairing of yarn and pattern is just splendid!

I think the Heartstrings smoke ring pattern would be lovely knit with the Alpaca Silk. Good luck organizing. :-)

PURLPOWER said...

those socks are sex on a stick...or rather, sex on four sticks. Yum.

sandra said...

Oooh, yes.Clever old you,pattern please,pretty please!
I don't envy the decorating, but you will be pleased afterwards.
Must buy red yarn....

Anonymous said...

I love those socks! Just darling!

Jen

Anonymous said...

The heart socks are gorgeous!

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