Pssssssst! Get your sneak peek here!

Hey you. Yeah, you! Want to get a sneak peek at something new and exciting? Great! Listen up and keep reading.

I'd like to unveil a working photo of one of my new designs called "Michigan Two-Season Boot Socks". This design will be featured in an upcoming book-- 50 Socks - 50 States. This huge multi-sock, multi-designer book will be released ONLY on CD, with special previews at the June TNNA show.

The publisher is Dr. Laura Andersson of Sirius Knitting Publications, also known as the Sock Guru of Crystal Palace Yarn. And not coincidentally, Laura is collaborating with Susan Druding of Crystal Palace Yarns, who will distribute the book.

50 Socks - 50 States is Volume 3 in the Friendly Socks series of books. If you aren't familiar with this series, it features multi-designer compilations and I know you will find some of your fave on-line designers within there. If you are familiar with these books, then you already know what a wealth of sock designs they contain.

The new CD will include sock designs covering the full gamut of imaginative sock fun including ribbing, beading, cables, cuffs, fair isle, intarsia, and lace. It will feature novel sock construction, directions for various sock knitting methods including top-down, toe-up, double-pointed needles, Magic Loop, and 2-circular needles. The designs encompass diverse sizes too! There are socks for babies, toddlers, children, teens, women, and men, as well as at least one holiday stocking!

Soon, you'll be able to find more pictures and details at the Crystal Palace Yarns Socks and More with CPY Blog, on Laura's blog, and on the Crystal Palace website. I'll keep you posted here on my blog as well as this project develops. Oh, and there just might be a blog tour as well! and you know I'll want it to make a stop here.

The CD-only release will run $19.95 (plus shipping, where applicable) and will be available at many yarn shops as well as directly from Dr. Laura.

The Shawl

All blocked and ready to show you . . . my Adamas shoulder shawl.

I got no WIPs, I got no UFOs

I got no projects on my needles at all. Not a needle in the house with any yarn on it. Can you believe it? I just finished my Adamas Shoulder Shawl/Scarf . . . a downsized and modified version of the original triangular version. It's blocking and I'll post a photo of it when it's finished.

I ended up frogging 3 long-neglected projects . . . all scarves. I don't like knitting scarves and I don't know why I always think it's such a good idea to start one. So, there aren't any languishing in bags any more. I keep having to tell Clapotis to shut up every time it begs me to cast on . . . it's just too much like a scarf and I'm afraid I wouldn't ever get it finished either.

It feels good to start a new year with nothing hanging over and the vast potential of fresh projects laid out before me. I've made a list of some of the things I want to make this year. Two things I'll be starting soon are Amused and the Mystic Star circular shawl KAL.

I finished my Curve of Pursuit Blanket this week as well, and over the holidays completed Vaila from Twist Collective. Here they are --

Oh yeah, and I also did a little shrug . . . a modifed version of One Skein Wonder, adding some 3/4 length sleeves. This is fantastic for wearing around the house on these very cold days we're having this winter.

So, off to finish up blocking Adamas and browse through the latest Verena magazine.