Russet Lodge Custom Knits

It seems people like free things, and they like knitting socks, because my toe-up hose have now been downloaded 1766 times.  I am now on the main ravelry pattern page in the number 1 spot of "Designs that Ravelers are looking at today."  I never expected this pattern to do any better than my others did.  None of my other free or purchase patterns have been made more than a few dozen times.  I've also sold about five of my for-pay patterns since offering the temporary freebie, so I guess that's a bit of spillover interest.  Time will tell if this giveaway helps my pattern sales in the long run (i.e. if it gets enough buzz while it's free to make people want it after it's not). For now, here's another gratuitous screen shot with yours truly in that coveted spot...

I made the "hot right now" list of patterns in Ravelry's pattern database, and as of 8:30 this morning my kilt hose pattern has been downloaded a massive 499 times! I guess people like free stuff, and it looks like it's been shared in lots of different groups around Ravelry. Thanks to everyone for getting the word out. This has also seemed to generate a lot of interest in my other patterns too. For a free copy, visit yesterday's blog post and click the "buy now" button.  Discount applies automatically at checkout through 10/31.  Here's a screen shot, since this will probably never happen again...

I have another great pattern available now, and best of all it is FREE through 10/31/13!  I published my top-down kilt hose calculator pattern a little over a year ago, but I didn't have anything available for those who like to knit toe-up (as I often do).   This pattern is all you need to make toe-up kilt hose from any yarn for any size body from baby to big-and-tall. The pattern includes information on how to measure and fit kilt hose, choosing yarn and needle sizes, and how to plug in any cables, color work, stitch patterns, or intarsia your heart desires. This is an intermediate pattern.  Basic knowledge of toe-up sock construction and working short row heels and toes is helpful. Click the button below to get your free download any time until 10/31/13.  After that date it is available for $6.50  No Ravelry membership is required.

I have been intrigued by the free  stashbuster spirals  pattern by Janine Hempy for quite a while, and after looking at comments on the ravelry page I knew I wanted to use the technique I preferred (toe-up, gusset and heel flap, two at a time, magic loop) instead of the designer's choice of toe and heel.  As you can probably guess, this was a HUGE hassle.  The basic gist of the spirals pattern is that you split the round into thirds and knit a third with the first yarn, a third with a second, a third with the third.  If you do gusset increases, this kind of messes up your numbers, though you can't really tell.  The other issue is that two at a time means, in my case, SIX balls of yarn going at once.  I did it, but it involved a lot of untwisting.  I have yet to weave in all the ends on my (frankly, kind of fugly) first pair done this way, but I did eventually wrestle them into submission. My second pair, is much simpler and easier for me to knit...