When you get up in the dark on a January morning, and it is 5* with a wind chill of -12* and you look at what socks to put on, how do you choose?

I have a slew of hand knit socks. Some are from handspun yarn. Some are made with Kroy, Tuffy, Durasport, Peace Fleece, Peace Fleece Sport, Bearfoot, Step, Berroco Sox, Inca Alpaca, Mini Mochi, Naturespun, Lamb’s Pride. Lush,  and Cascade 220. Some are knit with 2 strands, some with one, one pair felted.

Do you know what? The warmest AND most versatile pair of socks I own are knit with Peace Fleece Sport and Durasport. The above TALL TREE SOCKS were featured at the Sock retreat last year and the pattern may be downloaded by clicking on the BUY NOW button. After 30 years of making socks, I think I have found the perfect fiber combination for wear and super warmth.

I am working on a new pattern with these yarns this month in anticipation of the Rip Van Winkle Sock Knitting Retreat next month. SWEDISH SOCKS will feature a heel I had never done. Necessity is the mother of invention, and it was created to fit the needs of the color stitch pattern.

But, aside from wearing good socks made from warm natural fibers in this weather, I highly recommend legwarmers knit with Lamb's Pride, Peace Fleece or Lanaloft Worsted. Legwarmers can go on over tights, over jeans and get you through any blast of frigid air. If you do yoga in chilly rooms, these will save your muscles. I manage a 3 mile walk daily in any weather in comfort with these on. The mentioned yarns are simply fabulous and hold up while holding warmth in. Lamb’s Pride is my go-to yarn for January and February socks, mittens, hats, sweaters and legwarmers. Peace Fleece is a little more rustic, and Lanaloft much softer, filling the needs for all knitters.

Want a simple pattern that I make and wear?

Weigh a skein of yarn with a kitchen scale, and mentally divide that # by 2. Write that weight on the label. Grab a 16” circular needle size 5, or 6, or 7. Cast on as loosely as you can: 40 stitches. Join to work in the round. Work in K1, P1* ribbing until you have knit through almost half the weight of the yarn. Bind off VERY LOOSELY.  Make the 2^nd legwarmer to match the first.

 Enjoy the winter by getting outside in it and BREATHE.

Happy knitting and spinning!
Claudia

Do your remember last winter? I don't know about you, but I froze.
I am beefing up my sweater, sock, and neck warmer plans.
I discovered the wonderfulness of an extra layer across just my shoulders,
so shoulder wraps that aren't fussy are on my designing radar.

BERROCO SOX will be discontinued
If you like that yarn, get it while it is still here!



   Countrywool has expanded hours this month for Rhinebeck Week
 
Are you feeling creative? Need to jump start  your holiday gift knitting list?
Come and share and Sit 'n Knit/spin/crochet/weave with us. Want to help victims of Hurricane Irene? Come make them a hat with donated yarns.
EVERYONE is welcome on
 Saturdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 this month, from 12-3.

And, how about a little cash off your next purchase?

  Lanaloft Worsted Monochromatic Colors
will be discontinued here at Countrywool.
It's a great value at $7.95/skein for 100% wool. And the colors!
If you have been interested in this yarn, get it while it's still here.

• Felted Shopping Bag Oct 2
  
• Learn To Spin October 8
• Sweater Workshop Oct 22
  

Hurricane Irene and then Lee have dumped devastating amounts of water on our lovely New York mountains and valleys, flooding out many towns and displacing families who have lived there for generations. The fall and winter comes early to these hills and heat will be an issue very soon. We can warm them with a scarf, a hat or a cozy shawl.
Please join our effort! We want to send boxes of warm stuff to the town halls of
Prattsville
Windham
Margarettville
and Middleburgh/Schoharie (although we need a contact for that town)

Join us  in
KNITTING FOR THE FLOODED FOLKS
on Saturdays in September (not 9/24) and October
12-3 pm

BRING: your needles and any WARM yarns you can spare
(there are some donated yarns here aready!)


  Countrywool
IS OPEN 5 DAYS A WEEK
Monday 4-8
Wednesday - Saturday  12-6

BULLETIN: I have had to cancel the Lace Knitting Weekend Workshop,
but in its place is a SUNDAY September 19 CLASS:
Knitting a Lace Shawl


NEW SOAPS are ready: Lavender, Aunt Bee's, Orange and Sweet Annie

New BUNNY BALMS in stock


hand sewn needle cases for sale - just 2 left!

• LACE SHAWL CLASS Sept 19
  
• LEARN TO SPIN Sept 23
  
• ADIRONDACK FIBER FESTIVAL Sept 24 & 25
• FELTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP Oct 1 & 2 (sign up by Sept 21!)

  BEARFOOT
will be discontinued here at Countrywool.
If you have been interested in this yarn, get it while it's still here.

• LACE WEEKEND WORKSHOP Sept 18 & 19 (sign up by Sept 9!)
  
• LEARN TO SPIN Sept 23
  
• ADIRONDACK FIBER FESTIVAL Sept 24 & 25
• FELTING WEEKEND WORKSHOP Oct 1 & 2 (sign up by Sept 21!)

•  SHOP HOURS 5 DAYS A WEEK
• LACE WEEKEND WORKSHOP
• LEARN TO SPIN
  
• ADIRONDACK FIBER FESTIVAL