FO: SFS Team Knit Socks

February 27, 2010| Lindy| 0 Comments | 11:31 am

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I have finally finished my second pair of SFS (Socks for Soldiers) OD regulation socks. This pair was team knit with another SFS knitter who knit the legs on her circular sock machine. I am amazed at how long these socks are when they are finished.

While I was finishing up these socks, the President of SFS emailed a request out to members for cotton washcloths. So, since I needed a break from knitting on very small needles, I knit up three cotton washcloths to go along with the socks.

In addition to the socks and washcloths, I purchased a few toiletries and some non-perishable goodies to send as part of my package to SFS. All of this will get pooled with supplies from other knitters and placed into a larger shipment that will make its way to one of the military units on our list. It feels good to know that a soldier serving somewhere outside of the U.S. will be getting special treats from home.

1 thought on “FO: SFS Team Knit Socks”

Amanda says:

February 27, 2010 at 5:56 pm

That’s exciting! I’m sure they will love them!

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Master Hand KnitterMaster Hand Knitter

January 23, 2026| LindyBeir| 0 Comment| 3:11 pm

2025 was a year of focused effort toward completing the Master Hand Knitter certification program curated by The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA.org). TKGA is a group of highly experienced knitters who work to help others learn and improve their knitting through various correspondence courses, certification programs, online conferences, in-person conferences and online reference materials. They publish an online magazine, Cast On, quarterly. A yearly membership is $35 and is well worth the price – giving you access to a wide range of resources and expertise.
The Master Hand Knitter certification program is a guided mastery learning program. One achieves mastery through a guided self-study process that includes improving various techniques through practice, learning to research and judge your work and applying new skills. You submit your work and it is reviewed by a group of Master Hand Knitters. You receive a written evaluation of your work along with suggestions on how to improve your work where it did not meet their standards for proficiency.

There are three levels in the program:
Level 1 focuses on basic skills such as determining gauge, making increases and decreases, and knitting some basic stitch patterns.
Level 2 focuses on finishing techniques. It covers different cast ons and bind offs and different methods for seaming and finishing.
Level 3 focuses on designing knitwear and pattern writing. Includes work on advanced techniques such as double knitting, entrelac, brioche, slip stitch and mosaic patterns.
Each level includes completing at least one project demonstrating the skills covered in the level.

This program is a journey – not a race. But it was, for me, a wonderful learning experience and a proud accomplishment. I achieved my certification as a Master Hand Knitter in August 2025.

Buttons! Who knew?Buttons! Who knew?

November 29, 2011| LindyBeir| 0 Comment| 12:36 pm

I am making significant progress on my Color Block Vest. In fact, I am nearly done! So Saturday, I realized that I really needed to go buy buttons for this vest. And off I went.

Now, I must admit that it has been some time since I ventured into a fabric store to buy buttons. And usually when I am buying buttons, I am also buying thread and fabric to match. What I discovered is that in the time that I have been absent from the fabric store scene that things have really changed. Changed in a good way, actually. Oh my! the selection was enormous! And really wonderful. In addition to the standard buttons in rather standard colors that come in sets of four or five — there are all these unique and stylish buttons available. Who knew? Obviously, not someone like me who hasn’t ventured into the button section of the fabric store in a good long while.

I was enormously challenged — I had so many choices! Wonderful choices! And then…I found them! The perfect buttons for my vest!

Aren’t these just wonderful? They have a lovely brown background with swirls of pink, green and darker reddish brown. They match the three colors where they will be placed nicely.

As wonderfully matched as these buttons are — I must also admit to sticker shock when I went to check out. They were on sale, fortunately, but even at that they were expensive. I paid $7.00 apiece for them. (ON SALE!) Who knew buttons could cost so much? Now, I was willing to spend the money to get these perfect buttons — especially since I have invested money in a high quality yarn for this project. Still I think that buttons should not be so expensive. Even if they are perfect…

Stitch Patterns – Seed Stitch, Irish Moss Stitch & Double Moss StitchStitch Patterns – Seed Stitch, Irish Moss Stitch & Double Moss Stitch

August 14, 2009| Lindy| 0 Comment| 8:30 am

These three stitch patterns create an allover textured pattern using a combination of knit and purl stitches. As such, these three textured patterns are great for decorative borders. Between the USA and UK there is some confusion related to the Moss Stitch – I have seen references to the Moss Stitch which are exactly the same as what I know as a Seed Stitch here in the USA.

Seed Stitch (Moss Stitch):
SeedStitch
This is one of my favorite patterns for borders with the stockinette stitch. It lies flat and does not roll or curl. It is reversible and I love it for front bands on cardigan sweaters.
This stitch pattern is a multiple of two and a repeat over two rows. The first row is the same as a 1 X 1 ribbing: K1, P1 across the row. On the following row, all stitches are worked the opposite of the way they face you – i.e. you purl the knit stitches and knit the purl stitches. Seed stitch tends to expand widthwise and is wider than the same number of stockinette stitches.

Irish Moss Stitch:
IrishMossStitch
This stitch has a diagonal texture. It is a multiple of two stitches with a repeat over four rows. The first two rows are knit the same as 1 X 1 Ribbing: K1, P1 across the row. Then the next two rows are knit the opposite: P1, K1 across. You repeat these four rows to make the textured pattern.

Just like the Seed Stitch, the Irish Moss Stitch creates a reversible fabric that lies flat and does not roll or curl. The fabric will tend to expand crosswise and the stitches may “seat” themselves after washing. If you are using this pattern stitch as the main body of your garment, it is best to knit the garment to the actual measurements of the chest of the intended wearer before the first washing.

Double Moss Stitch (Double Seed Stitch, Box Stitch):
DblMossStitc
This stitch pattern is a multiple of four stitches repeated over four rows. The first two rows are the same as 2 X 2 Ribbing: K2, P2 across the row. On the next two rows, you do P2, K2 across. It has essentially the same properties as the Irish Moss Stitch. This pattern is wonderful for knitting textured scarves that do not roll or curl on the edges.