F.O. Voolenvine Vanilla Latte Socks

Pattern:  Vanilla Latte Socks
Designer:  Virginia Rose-Jeanes
Yarn:  Voolenvine Yarns Wolke
80/10/10 blend merino/cashmere/nylon
Colourway:  Deck the Halls
Needles:  2.5 mm 

Voolenvine Yarns Wolke Base

I bought this skein of Voolenvine yarn during Rhinebeck weekend at Indie Untangled.  I was quite taken by this colourway when I saw it in person.  I tried a couple shawl patterns first but I decided the colourway looked best knit as socks.  There are so many sock patterns to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming for a new sock knitter.  I decided on the Vanilla Latte Socks as I saw there were over 7000 projects using this pattern.  After knitting them now I know why this pattern is so popular.  This sock pattern was great, not only because it was a free pattern, but because it offered the knitter a few options. First there were three heel flaps to choose from:  Stockinette, Slip Stitch Rib and the one I chose which was the pretty Eye of Partridge. Then there were the Toe Shaping choices: the Rounded Wedge Toe (that's what I did) or the Star Toe.  I was quite happy with how the pattern turned out and the fit is great.  This is the first time I knit a sock with 56 stitches and it really helped me get the proper fit.  I think I have been knitting my socks too big in the past with 64 stitches.

The second sock is much lighter than the first

Notes:  I knit the first sock from the outside of the skein and the second sock from the inside out.  I am not sure why I did that.  However, the first sock is much darker than the second sock.  Lesson learned when knitting with hand dyed yarn.  I won't do that again.  However, the sock feels so lovely on...perfect socks to wear on Christmas Day.

This is my fifth pair of socks that I have knitted.  Although I absolutely love wearing knitted socks and prefer them over store bought ones, I still question if it is worth it. I am not the fastest knitter and with limited knitting time one pair takes me a couple weeks.  I think I would rather invest my time in other kinds of projects.  For the next while I think I will focus on knitting some patterns that are not fingering weight.

p.s.  That's not quite true.  I just cast on a shawl in Sweet Georgia's Cashluxe Spark which is a fingering weight yarn!  But my other projects will not be fingering weight. I swear!

Sweet Georgia Cashluxe Spark in the colourway Shoreline

Rhinebeck Weekend: Part 1 Indie Untangled

I have dreamed of going to Rhinebeck for a long time, and this year I finally had the chance to go.  It was an incredible event and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was amazing to be around so many yarn obsessed, enthusiastic knitters. Listening to conversations about patterns, yarn and stash was so entertaining. Most people were wearing knitted items, everything imaginable from shawls, sweaters, cardigans, hats and even a few knitted skirts.

My first stop was the Indie Untangled Yarn Show located at the Best Western Hotel in Kingston, NY.  This event is held on the Friday night before Rhinebeck featuring many indie dyers and other artisans.  From 4-5 p.m. people that had paid for V.I.P. tickets had one hour to shop undisturbed before the event was open to the public.  Then from 5-8 p.m. the customers standing in the long line were allowed in.  Once the doors opened there was a mad rush to many of the booths.  One popular booth was Voolenvine Yarns.  People had armfuls of this yarn and the booth was so crowded that I couldn't even get near it.  I went back a bit later and luckily was able to scoop up a few skeins without waiting in a huge line.  I have long been a fan of Voolenvine and Kristen's vlog but it wasn't until I saw her skeins in person that I could see what all the fuss was about.  Her dyeing is incredible and I had a difficult time choosing what skeins to buy.

Voolenvine Yarns:  Wolke-Colourway:  Faeirie Hair

Voolenvine Yarns:  Wolke-Colourway: Deck the Halls

There was so much yarn to choose from - it was overwhelming!  I almost forgot to take pictures, as I was trying to see everything.  Some booths were hard enough to get into due to the crowds, let alone have time to snap a picture.
Here is just a small sample of what was available:

Canon Hand Dyes:  This yarn company was featured in the new quarterly By Hand.  I was interested to see this yarn in person and it really was lovely.

Skeinny Dipping:

 The Uncommon Thread:

A Hundred Ravens

White Birch Fiber Arts 

While I was browsing look who walked right by me...the infamous Stephen West!  Unfortunately this was the best photo I took of him:

There were other famous knitters there that night too.  For example, I saw Deb of the Periscoping Sisters, a very popular podcasting team.   The designer, Laura Aylor was there with all her knitted samples which were gorgeous.

This event was wonderful as it showcased talented indie dyers and I was so happy to have the chance to see their yarn first hand.  What a great night!

Next time: My experience at the NY State Sheep and Wool Festival