Tuesday 13 August 2013

Skills swap?

I'm really keen to do a skills exchange with someone who would like to swap a pair of hand knitted socks for a quilted item made by me.

Yarn Pirate - Ozone 

Ideally I would like to swap with someone who is already an experienced sock knitter, who has a pattern they think I might like, and who even has yarn in their stash that would work for this project.

Owlie_013 

In exchange, I will make a quilted item using fabric from my stash and a design of the other person's choice.  I'm thinking that a quilted pillow/cushion cover or two would be a fair swap for a pair of socks, but I don't really know how long it would take to knit a pair of socks so I'm definitely willing to negotiate on this point.  By the way, I'm using a pillow/cushion cover as an example to show the scale of the project I have in mind - if you wanted to swap something different (for example, a mini quilt, a table runner, a laptop sleeve etc) just let me know.

Noro Striped Socks

I've included the pictures to give a flavour of the types of socks that have caught my eye.  I am by no means set on any of these patterns or yarns, but I can tell from the pictures that caught my eye that I like a bit of interest either in the texture of the knitting or the colour and variegation of the yarn.  I also love these socks, and these and these, all knitted by Amanda at hey porkchop.

Socks Rick

All of the pictures should take you to the flickr page of the maker if you click on them - these are definitely not my own work.

If you are interested in this skills exchange, drop me an email at adrianneonthewindyside at gmail dot com!

Gördes

P.S. If you're wondering "why don't you ask your mum to knit you some socks - clearly she has knitting skillz?", I have, and she has agreed to have a go even though she's never knitted socks before. I just thought this would be fun too!

15 comments:

Laura C @ littleandlots said...

What a fabulous idea! I'm NOT your gal, being sort of a baby knitter, but I've recently been pondering offering that kind of a trade (only I think I'd offer the knitting!)

Handknit socks are delicious. It's worth doing whatever it takes to get them. ;)

Kelsey said...

Oooo pick me! This sounds like an awesome exchange of skills! I'm a new-ish knitter but I've made 4 pairs and would be up to make a fifth :) looks like you like cables (which I have been dying to try but haven't yet). Maybe trade for a hexie pillow? By all means though do look for other offers with more skill sets than my own lol I won't be offended if you hire a pro knitter :)

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

Very cute socks. I wish I could knit :-(

Taryn said...

I knit and sew/quilt so in no need of a swap. But here's some info: I know that it takes me at least 10 days of evening knitting (+ other grabbed moments) to knit a pair of socks - 24 - 30 hours worth of knitting. I knit mine two at a time from the toe up, so it is as quick as you can get. Sock wool is $20 to $30 for the decent stuff. It could cost you about the same for the fabrics to make a cushion cover - but there would be less time involved. I could cut/patch/quilt/and back (with more quilting) a cushion in way less than 24 hours. But then how much could you do in front of the tv and/or blazing logburner like you can with knitting?
Hope that gives you some more info to go on - a reasonable swap tho'. Good luck finding your perfect pair of socks - they are blissful. :-)

dutchcomfort said...

I’ve never knitted socks. I did a skills swap once and made a knitted scarf for what I thought was a blogfriend. I would receive one of her art prints, but I never received my part of the deal.

Adrianne, I don’t think you should calculate all the hours for sock knitting into something quilted. Two cushion covers sound like a really great deal to me!
I hope you find someone and have a fun and wonderful swap!

Julie said...

What a fabulous idea - wish I could help. Good luck with finding a swapper. You have good taste in socks too.

Susan said...

What a clever idea! I look forward to seeing how this develops! I'm a bit like your Mum - I can knit but I have never knitted sox...it could take some time!

beckydear said...

I've followed your blog for a bit, and have loved everything you create. :) I've recently branched into sewing and quilting, from my world obsessive knitting. I'm a bit inundated with Christmas knitting atm (in August, yes! :P), or I would HAPPILY volunteer.

Anyway, I just wanted to leave a note and say that judging by the sock patterns you seem to like, you would LOVE some Cookie A patterns - [url=http://www.cookiea.com/shop/knit-sock-love/]Knit. Sock. Love.[/url]. [url=http://www.cookiea.com/shop/knit-sock-love/marilinda.html]Marilinda[/url] is my current favorite, knit in a lovely teal by Cascade. :) Also, have you been to ravelry? It has an [i]amazing[/i] compendium of knitting / crocheting / other patterns that I'm able to get lost in for pages and pages, hours and hours. :P

Would you also be interested in a future crafts swap, say after Christmas time? :P

beckydear said...

And clearly my url tags didn't work or code properly, but you get the gist above! :P Oopsy.

Amy Given Sewist said...

I should do this too. I used to be a sock knitter, but medical issues have made me have to give up knitting! I am worried for the day my socks wear out...

Carla said...

Seeing all these socks has me craving my needles. I've had one sock on the needles for a year now. They were for my mom in law but until she loses a foot.......

Tamie said...

Wish I could knit! Great idea.

Erica said...

What a great idea! I'm no help. I actually tried knitting before I started quilting and it was a total disaster, but I am very excited to see how your bartering ends up!

Unknown said...

I will swap with you. I have made dozens of socks. I love, love, love to knit socks - they are currently my passion. Let me know if you'd like to swap with me.

Nat at Made in Home said...

I would say yes, but I have never knitted socks... if you ask me to show you how to knit a hat, then I am your girl!