I’m teaching a very simple baby sock pattern that I designed.  I’m calling it “Quick Wick Baby Socks” because they’re fast to knit and they’re made from Knit One, Crochet Too’s Wick yarn.  I’m going to be using this simple pattern to teach the technique for knitting socks two at a time on two circular needles.

I’ve assisted with classes teaching this technique in the past, but this is the first time I’ll be running the show.  I just hope I can answer everyone’s questions and that everyone will learn a lot!  We’re doing the class in two parts, so my goal for tonight is to get the students cast on and knit the cuff, ankle, and heel flap.  I’m going to wait till our second class for the most complicated part: turning the heels and picking up the gussets.  I think that will be a good way to break up the class.

And just in case I stink as a knitting-teacher, I’m bringing along some good old fashioned bribery: cupcakes.  I baked them last night and man are they yummy (Nick and I had to sample a couple).  I made them using my mom’s “No-No” cake recipe and topped them with homemade buttercream frosting and red, white, and blue sprinkles.  I thought it would be fun being that our Independence Day holiday weekend is coming up soon.

Anyway, wish me luck.  Hopefully I don’t arse anything up.   And if I do, I hope my students like chocolate enough to overlook it… heh.

I’ve come up with a few goals for SOS’08:

1. Knit up all my sock yarn stash that has already been wound into center-pull balls.  (That’s 13 pairs worth.)
2. Knit at least one pattern that involves cables and learn to do cables without a cable needle. (‘Cause I’m obsessed with all of Cookie A‘s patterns but avoid lots of them due to the cabling.)
3. Knit at least one original design and then write up the pattern and make it available to other sock knitters on Ravelry.  (I already have some ideas for lace and fair isle designs!)

I think that’s a good start, right?

Other fun news, related to socks: I’m going to be teaching a couple of sock knitting classes at my local yarn shop!  I’m so excited!!

Once class will be baby socks, knit two at a time on two circular needles.  We’re going to be using Knit One, Crochet Too’s Wick yarn.  I’m working on writing up a simple pattern for that (you can see the progress I made today during my lunch hour).  It’s going to be a nice easy, quick-knit so that the class can focus on 2-at-a-time technique rather than the pattern.

The second class is going to be Cookie A.’s Monkey socks.  My LYS was able to get permission to do this pattern, and I’m thrilled.  I think it’s a great “next step” pattern for people who’ve knit one or two pairs of plain stockinette socks and are ready to take the next step.  It’s also a great opportunity to learn to read knitting charts in the round. We’re going to be using TOFUtsies sock yarn for this class.  The sample sock I’ve been working on is in color #861 “TOEpaz” — isn’t it pretty!?

So anyway, knitting these sample socks and making sure I have all the patterns/handouts I want for my classes is my main goal at the moment.  Then I’ll be getting back to my other socks on the needles as well as all my Summer of Socks projects.  I think by autumn I’ll be ready for a nice sweater and perhaps some scarves and mittens… heh.

Oh, and P.S. — This is off-topic, but I’m WAY excited ’cause the husband and I are going to see Eddie Izzard tonight!  *SQUEE!*  I just love him.