bestillandknit's blog

I have seen several free and pay patterns for footie socks out there, but frankly, they didn't suit my needs. So, I took the best of each pattern and created my own. This pattern is a toe-up pattern on two circulars, but you could probably do it on dpns if you wanted. The catchy part is the cast on, but it can be done on dpns (or so I am told). This pattern is for a woman's shoe size 7.5-8, but it is easy to adjust to any foot. It does make socks that are about 1 full size large before washing as the Cascade Fixation yarn shrinks with washing. So, please keep that in mind as you make your own socks. Send me a pic of yours or post it on ravelry. I can't wait to hear from you!

Also, this pattern has not been FULLY error checked. You might find something that needs tweaking. Please leave a comment if you find something!

Well, my sock yarn has arrived! Here's a pic:

It's gorgeous, and quite nice yarn (and cheap, too). I am looking forward to knitting this sweater, but unfortunately, the needles I need are currently engaged in knitting a sweater for Mitch. Once I get that one done, I'm looking forward to starting this one.

Well, I am about to embark on a project that breaks one of my long-held rules about knitting. I am going to knit a sweater out of sock yarn. I have firmly held for a long time that garments other than socks should never be knit with sock yarn. So, here I go. I ordered up the yarn and buttons from Nordic Mart (great prices, by the way). I should have it in my hands in a week or so. At least it's all garter stitch and sock yarn won't be too heavy to knit this summer! I fear that it may take me all summer to knit this one. Anyone care to join me on a knit-along?

With the change in my business and personal life, this blog will change, too. I'm going to be adding more personal anecdotes and information to the blog. Not just knitting news, but news from me and my family.

One thing that's been weighing heavily on me is the story from a friend. Heather Ledeboer is the owner of Mom4Life, an online boutique for products for the journey of motherhood. This past weekend, she gave birth to her son, who was stillborn. His heart stopped beating over a week before his birth. I can't imagine how I would get through such a challenging situation. Heather has taught me the grace and strength she is sharing with the world comes from Christ. Her faith is amazing, and I just wish that my own faith is strong enough to hold me through whatever life brings. Her story is chronicled on her blog. I encourage you to read it - but have a box of tissues nearby.

As my newsletter subscribers know, I've been doing some soul-searching and life changing lately. I have decided to accept a position with the new NASA Orion program to return to the moon. No, I won't personally be going there. I'll be working with a group of engineers developing and testing the abort system so if there is a rocket anomaly at launch, the crew can abort and (hopefully) return home safely.

I don't foresee any major changes to be still & knit as you know it. The biggest change will be that I am no longer going to offer handmade items at craft shows and retail boutiques. If you are interested in a class or party, I am still available to schedule at your convenience. I will also continue to offer handmade items through my website.

I joined about 300 other knitters to see Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (the Yarn Harlot) at the Tattered Cover bookstore in Highlands Ranch. It was a wonderful evening, and to top it off, Stephanie signed my copy of her latest book.

Check out her blog entry and read about the great knitters who were there. Plus, you can see me in her famous "traveling sock photos." I copied the photo here with an arrow to show my tiny head....

I am so excited! I was featured on the Weekend Entrepreneur Magazine blog today!

Author Michelle Anton interviewed me and posted the story on her site. I am thrilled to be able to share my story with aspiring entrepreneurs.

Thanks to all my readers, students, and customers for all your support in making be still & knit a success.

I'd appreciate your taking the time to stop by the blog and add your comments about your experiences with me and be still & knit!

This pattern is a free one that I've had in the webstore for a while, but I wanted to get it out here on the blog so more people would take a look at it. I finally gave up my shawl to my daughter, but am thinking that I need to make myself another one....

Anyway, I designed this shawl with a rippled chevron pattern of purl stitches. It's originally made from JoAnn's Rainbow Boucle held double stranded, but any bulky yarn would work. It's supposed to be a shawl to wear around your shoulders during all those midnight feedings. I made it wider and shorter than the average shawl to keep shoulders warm and stay out of the way of little ones.

This shawl uses about 650 yards of Rainbow Boucle yarn. If you are subbing a bulky yarn, you'll need half that yardage.

Here's the pattern in .pdf

I was so inspired by the hat at Knitty that has the flower top, that I worked to create one of my own. I've put the instructions here for anyone to take a look. The pattern is written for baby size, but you should be able to resize it if you want.

This is a great hat for using up stash. It takes less than 25 yards per color! The top is made in a chocolate brown so that it looks like dirt, and the three flowers on top can be whatever color you like.

I think this is a great hat for boys or girls. Just choose the colors to suit the gender or the outfit.

These instructions have not been checked for errors, so please let me know if you find any!

With white, cast on 72 sts. Being careful to avoid twisting, join in the round.
Round 1: Purl
Round 2: Attach CC1, *K1 with white, K1 with CC1 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: *Sl1wyib (white sts), P1 with CC1, repeat from * to end of round
Round 4: *K1 with white, K1 with CC1, repeat from * to end of round
Round 5: Repeat round 4
Round 6: Repeat round 4

I was browsing the web today and ran across this pattern for the cutest little crochet basket. She has been using them for diapers and baby things, which is an absolutely perfect thing! This may become my next baby shower gift idea. Please go check out her blog and enjoy crocheting!