Let there be gussets! #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

Sometimes you just have to stop and breathe. We’ve had exceptionally pleasant weather for the beginning of July… breezy, misty 63° weather, even a little rain. I finished turning the heel on this short sock during ferry knitting, so I took an afternoon to continue with the gusset.

Merrily I knit along. This second pirate sock for the Easy Peasy Scrappy Socks KAL 2026 is coming along very nicely. The heel flap is almost finished.

Pickled mushrooms 😮 They won’t last long. Thanks to @joreytessier.bsky.social my refrigerator will contain a murky jar of these for the foreseeable future. #RefrigeratorPickles #EasyRecipes

Much as I enjoy ferry knitting, it's not good for documenting a new sock pattern. It IS a good (?) that I've only knit one of four short socks from a ball of Filly. I cast on a new sock last night so I could knit the heel flap and turn the heel on the ferry today.

Here comes the second pirate sock! I’ve grown to love helical knitting with leftover yarn. Colors look different next to each other. Colorways show unexpected subtlety when they’re spread out a little. Ah, the magic of yarn and color.

I wasted no time casting on a second sock for the Easy Peasy Scrappy Socks KAL 2026. It'll be easier than the first one, but I'm still excited. See, the original pattern stitch uses a slipped stitch left twist. I thought including a right twist version would be fun,

Reposted • @darthred.bsky.social And the moon said to me, -My darling, you do not have to be whole in order to shine. 🌙. Playing with some Jody Long yarn, knitting #HallgrimScarf by Jamie McCanless. Yes the sweater has been put down momentarily while I play with this 🤭🤪 #yarnaddict #handknitscarf

Be glad that I didn't post every iteration of this sock toe. I like how it turned out, though. The pattern stitch extends to the end of the sock, and the purl triangle on the sides echoes the gusset. #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

The moment of truth. I finished the gusset and knit a bit farther along the foot before trying on the sock. It fits! It fits so comfortably that I'd almost say it's the most comfortable sock I've ever knit. That could just be relief. The rest of this sock - foot and toe - is straightforward.

Sock gusset in progress. Again. 🙄 While I work on that, I thought I’d mention I have an approach to socks that prevents that pesky hole at the corner of the heel flap and gusset. It will be explained in the pattern. 😬 #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

See this ONE row of alternating green and orange stitches? 🤔 It’s the beginning of a sock’s heel flap and took hours of charting, calculating, and adjusting before I was satisfied. 😋 I’m rather pleased with the result. #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

I dream of summer solstice picnics, colorful lights at dusk, and laughter in good company. That was my vibe while plucking bits of color in the warm sun. I transplanted 2 root bound pots of grocery store oregano, sowed a pot of basil, and repotted 1 of 4 little rosemary plants. By summer's end,

So far, so good. Time for a heel flap. #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

From the San Juan Island WA Fire Dept site 20 June 2026 Fire Danger: MODERATE Residental Burn Permits: CLOSED Commerical Burn Permits: CLOSED Recreational Fires: San Juan County: OPEN Recreational Fires: State Park & DNR: OPEN Recreational Fires: National Parks: OPEN #FireSafety #BurnBan

Proof of life. 🤪 I reworked my #PirateSocks. I can pull this much comfortably over my heel, DPNs and all, so I’ll keep going. The pattern stitch is more restrained than the first all-over version, but it still shows up nicely.

"Let us never forget that Black history continues to define American history." — Yvette D. Clarke "Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. Instead, it’s a celebration of progress."" — Barack Obama

Ferry Knitting and the Easy Peasy Scrappy Socks KAL 2026. Last night I had a “nope” moment, realizing that the sock I’ve been knitting just wouldn't work. I started over today. Again. 🙄😋 I’ll use the same yarn and pattern stitch but in a more planned, intentional way. The orange ribbed cuff gave

The gusset is… better. 🤔 I added a row to the heel flap and picked up one more stitch at the top and bottom, for a total of six more stitches. Next time I'll also add a couple stitches to each end of the instep. Maybe add stitches along the sides of the heel flap. #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026

I finished this gusset in the wee hours. As nice as it looks, the fit just isn't right. Not too small, but kind of skewed. I've ripped back, reknit the heel flap, and turned the heel. Again. Tomorrow is another day. #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

Today I worked the entire heel flap of my pirate sock and turned the heel. Yay me! Now I'm faced with a quandry. I've been asked to write a pattern for this sock. (You know who you are 😋) I have a few sock designs that I think are pattern worthy.

From the San Juan Island WA Fire Department site 13 June 2026 Fire Danger: LOW Residental Burn Permits: CLOSED Commerical Burn Permits: CLOSED Recreational Fires: San Juan County: OPEN Recreational Fires: State Park & DNR: OPEN Recreational Fires: National Parks: OPEN #FireSafety #BurnBan

I liked this yesterday, but I love it today! Doesn't look very scrappy, but that's okay. #EasyPeasyScrappySocksKAL2026 #PirateSocks #ScrappySocks #Craftivism #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter #MenWhoKnit

I thought “I’ll just keep it simple” for the Easy Peasy Scrappy Socks KAL. Silly me spent yesterday trying various stitches and yarn. 😜 I was determined to have something I like before calling it a night. At 12:34 I succeeded. This is the Twill Stripe Pattern from Barbara Walker's 2nd treasury,

Jen a.k.a. @everything.shapes.us (IG) bade me join the Easy Peasy Scrappy Socks KAL 2026, running now through August 31. I'm certainly not one to resist knitting another pair of pirate socks (knit with leftover yarn). I used my scraps of colorful self-striping yarn during #ScrapAlong2026 but these

How much do I want you to knit my #FurrowCap? Pattern: www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib... I’ll make you a deal. • Add Furrow Cap and any of my other patterns to your Ravelry cart • Use coupon code FURROW • Get Furrow Cap for free! 💃 #RibbedCap #KnittingPattern #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit

My Furrow Cap knitting pattern is now live on Ravelry! Pattern: www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib... I didn't start out to design a hat. Everything about my Furrow Cap is the result of tinkering with the details of many knitted hats that came before.

I don't have any new knitting to post today, so this is a UFO that sits to one side, mocking me. They're a pair of pirate gloves; that is, they are knit from leftover yarn. It's been a little more than a year since I stalled at the point of dividing for fingers. Why, I don't know. I'm comfortable

I have to make myself stop working to enjoy some personal knitting. I enjoyed knitting this short sock so much today that I sped past the beginning of the toe. Fortunately it was just three rounds. • Universal Yarn Filly, 101 Bloom #ShortSocks #SockKnitting #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit

Paused the pattern process to post pretty pictures. It's the pattern sample of my Furrow Hat. To think that after knitting a ribbed cap for the first time, I said “Never again.” 😆 • Coats & Clark Red Heart’s Heart & Sole 3960 Spring Stripe #FurrowCap #RibbedCap #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit

Knitting on the interisland ferry is still one of my favorite things. Instead of sitting in a fluorescent-lit room somewhere, I happily knit as the ferry makes its loop around the four largest islands. The view never fails to impress… islands behind islands, faint and misty in the distance…

Pride Thirty-four and one-half years ago. This is the only Pride shirt I’ve ever gotten at a Pride event. I had just finished my twenties, and I was thoroughly, comically excited to be planning my move from one of the most dismal places I’d ever lived to Madison WI. Even there, however…

Spring Knitting: The finishing of things: Slipper socks Slipper socks, my last spring knitting project. Obviously, they're a pair of short socks knit in bulky yarn to fit my sock-clad feet. Still, they are perfect for chilly rooms and sore soles. #SockKnitting #MenWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit

Spring Knitting: The finishing of things: Ribbed Cap The last ribbed cap I knit this spring. The colorway seemed dark and murky until I looked and saw gorgeous eggplant colors - stem, flesh, seeds, skin, calyx. The yarn is heavier than usual, so it's wonderfully thick and squooshy.

Spring Knitting: The finishing of things: Short socks My first short socks of the year. Top down, heel flap, and gusset. They're 100% cotton, a little heavier weight than usual, and a little stiff (for now).

Spring Knitting: The finishing of things: Ribbed Cap I've knit ribbed caps from leftover yarn for practically every mood. This one merges subdued colors of the Pacific Northwest — misty shades of blue, green, gray, and purple — into cozy comfort for chilly days of early spring and late autumn.

Spring Knitting: The finishing of things: Ribbed Cap I sometimes knit things personally that I'd never put into a published pattern. I liked the K3p2 right side of this hat's brim much more than the k2p3 wrong side. When the brim is folded, however, the wrong side is what normally shows.

WIP Wednesday This week's work in progress is the first of a pair of short socks for summer. Socks are still my favorite knitting to bring along when I may be waiting or biding my time. I'm about halfway through the gusset on this sock. Time for some ferry knitting!

I tried my clip-on lens kit for the first time today. Imagine my glee and "d'oh" at finding that I wasn't holding my phone close *enough*. These are my attempts with plants and yarn and geodes and a bit of pottery.

Spring Knitting: The finishing of things: Ribbed Cap This is the first of four ribbed caps I've quietly finished. I was "meh" about the first pass at this one in early March. This time I used helical knitting with a second strand except for the red stripes. I'm very happy with the result.

Most of the 14 ribbed caps in this pile reflect changes I made for fit and aesthetic. The rest are nice enough but not quite what I was aiming for. My designs are usually things I can't find. It might be a matter of size, yarn weight, or practicality. Sometimes I wander into surprising projects

WIP Wednesday Sitting on my porch, knitting the pattern sample of my #FurrowCap. I knit at least one project from my instructions before publishing to check that they’re correct and usable. This time that means inches and inches of ribbing in fingering weight on DPNs. 🤪 #RealMenKnit #GayKnitter

Monochrome Monday #MonochromeMonday #Karma

I’ve stress knit a dozen ribbed caps this year, settling into shaping and decreases that work for me. Knitters have asked for my tweaks, but they amount to an entire pattern. So, my idea is this. Publish the hat as my Furrow Cap for some price with notes about using leftover yarn, but make it free

Swatchy swatchy. For a new pair of slipper socks. I've always knit them in acrylic to use yarn I don't otherwise knit, but they wear in ways that my wool socks never do. I hope that a pair made of wool will last longer.

I am loath to discard pieces of plants that could take root. I thought this bit of Dieffenbachia had died, but last night I found a small, pale leaf at its tip. This morning I spied a second, teeny tiny leaf on the side.

Spring Knitting: Short socks Time for toes! I'm glad this first pair of 2026 will be finished soon. I have two more 50g balls of the DK cotton yarn, but I think I'll use them for wash/dish cloths. Yarn: Scheepjes Granada Colori 7481 #ShortSocks #MenWhoKnit #GuysWhoKnit #GayKnitter #RealMenKnit

Here, have a snail. Found this one on one of my iris. #IslandLife #MyIslandLife #IGetToLiveHere

Maybe I procrastinated today, but I've been wanting to paint the wall of my stairway for years. It's as drab as this graphic. First step: a scale diagram. Lately I've been inspired by the murals of @katdieuxart.