A change of direction

Only in socks - nothing serious

Wolf Moon Socks

After I wrote this email I went back and reviewed it before sending - and realised that the heading might possibly be seen as a tad dramatic.

Please be assured that I’m not suddenly pivoting to being a bitcoin dealer or giving it all up to go and live in a yurt somewhere in deepest Wales.

Really, all I was talking about was the benefits of coming at something from more than one direction - with sock knitting specifically but as with anything I think it applies to life in general as well.

In praise of Toe-up socks

It’s no secret that toe-up socks are my sock knitting direction of choice. Give me a skein of self striping yarn, a long 2.5mm circular (for magic loop) and I am definitely in my happy place. There are several very strong advantages for knitting socks this way, namely:

• After just 30 mins you can have an (almost) instant sock toe - very gratifying.

• You can try out a pattern quickly as you are just working it across the top of the foot.

• I find it easier to pull it on and try it on as I go.

• For a short row heel, pulling it on as I go allows for optimal heel placement.

• No need to graft the toe closed - just bind off the rib and you are done.

• For larger footed persons, casting on with 2x50g balls ensures that you have enough yarn to knit both socks - adding a contrast colour cuff if needed. Knitting for my husband you’d be surprised how many socks he has where the toe of the second sock is a totally different colour to the rest 😂

I know though, that not everyone shares my love of the toe-up sock and so I do try to offer a mixture. Some of my patterns are also available in both versions.

Wolf Moon Socks - both ways

The Wolf Moon socks pictured above were released at the beginning of the year as toe-up, but a few people got in touch to ask if I could possibly do a cuff down version - so I did 😂

One lovely lady has already said that she intends to knit a cuff down pair and then, having got the pattern straight in her mind she is going to use the toe-up version to practice and overcome her toe-up fear, which I think is just a wonderful way to approach it.

Judy’s magic cast-on: the original and best way to start a sock toe.

What’s made me smile this week

🧡 Apart from socks, obviously. I have been having fun starting my Extra Lite Bright T - that I mentioned last week. I have just got to the part where you start fading in the first colour transition which is very exciting.

🧡 For our book club this month we are reading The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow and I am so enjoying it. I think it really helps that we are so familiar with the family and the setup, so there isn’t that transition normally at the start of a book where you are getting to know the characters. We already know everyone so we already feel right at home. You can find all the book club details below if you are interested.

We are starting our May book today

🧡 The post linked above also contains a link to our 2025 PenPal project - we now have over 20 people signed up and ready to send letters and I’d love it if you are able to join us too.

🧡 The Bullet Journal Method book by Ryder Carroll. I’m a huge fan of bullet journaling as you know but sometimes I can get a little off track. Reading the book has been really helpful in pulling me back to the core of bullet journaling and how it can be used. I tend to default to using it as a glorified to-do list and missing our the reflection and reviewing sections which is where the real value lies - in affecting meaningful change over time. So this month I am ‘going back to basics’ a little and I have to say I am really enjoying the simplicity of it.

🧡 Cold brew tea. As the weather warms up I do quite like a cold brew tea and my husband recently surprised me with a lovely kit from Bird & Blend. Whilst coffee will always be my first love I need to be caffeine free in the afternoons and this is perfect for me. The best bit is that they have so many different flavours, although I need to force myself to not try to buy them all at once.

What’s your favourite caffeine-free tipple?

Any top recommendations please do let me know.