I have been knitting still, but with less consistency given we’re thick into the silly season…
Here is my latest finished project; socks, of course. Knitted using the Morris Empire Superwash Merino 4 ply, in Olive Twist. You’ve probably noticed a commonality cropping up in all the new socks I’ve knitted using this Morris yarn from Melbourne… they all sport the Beluga heels and toes. This is because over the first two pairs of these I worked out the perfect length of sock that uses up but exactly half a ball of the yarn… meaning ZERO LEFTOVERS, satisfying my thrifty desire for absolute minimal waste in any project…
Do you like my son’s ugg boots? Yes, his feet are pretty big; they make even mine look little…!
They just happened to be lying around in our bathroom where I took this photo, so I decided to put them alongside for fun in the photo, and because the colouring went well with my new socks. You might be able to just read the label, “Made in Australia”. These are of course REAL Australian ugg boots, made by REAL Australian manufacturers, and no American company naming itself the Australian Ugg Boot Company can EVER take this away from us. The legal action attempted by US companies to prevent Aussies using the ugg name caused huge controversy here in Australia. I mean, how would they like it if Aussies started up a company calling itself Genuine US Cowboy Boots, trademarked the term, and subsequently threatened to sue any US manufacturer who was using the term “cowboy boot” as a selling point?
Exactly.
Not nice…
Hehe, OK sorry about that, ranting now over…
Socks; based upon the Ladies Sockettes, from Patons Knitting Book C11 (a circa 1960’s publication), using Morris Empire Superwash Merino 4ply in Olive Twist (col 439) and with heels and toes in Beluga (col 430)
As always, I am in awe of those tiny little stitches.
Hello Carolyn,
http://www.marfy.it
Marfy are not easy to get hold of. They put out a catalogue once per year. You can order it from their site, but with exchange and postage it works out about $60, so I have only bought it once. The catalogue comes with 10 patterns in 3 sizes, so if you like what's on offer, it would be worth it. They show a small selection from the catalogue on their site, and the same images appear on the Vogue site under "other brands" (Vogue won't ship them to Australia, but it can be eaiser to find past pattern numbers on their site). If you like any of the selection offered, you send them an email saying which numbers you would like to order, they email back an amount and a paypal number and you pay via Paypal. I email in English and they reply in Italian but it all seems to work. You can order patterns from previous catalogues if they still have them in stock. They will put several patterns in a single envelope, so if you are thinking of buying several patterns, get them all at once. Patterns are only issued in a single size, already cut, with no seam allowances. There are no instructions and no pattern illustration. I think if you just buy one pattern, it works out about $30. This makes for an expensive pattern, but for me, the pants pattern fit way better than any other brand I have tried. I just make them with wide side seam allowances and that is the only thing I have to alter. I have bought a blouse pattern, but have not made it up, so I can't comment on those.
I am impressed that you can knit socks so quickly. I have been working on the one pair all year.
Nice socks, Caroline. I like making socks, but I am not very good at it. Come to think of it, that is the story of my life. I love a lot of things, but not expert at any.
I LOVE your rant. I would not dream of buying Uggs from the U.S. I have two pair and am giving Big Bear a pair of slip on's for Christmas. Shh!
Guess I should pay attention when I go shopping for "feet warmers". I just assumed that all UGG boots were made in Australia. The socks are really cute – bonus if you've come up with a way to have no waste!
huh. I had no idea about the uggs. I thought they were all the genuine real deal made in Australia … I'm curious, how many of your socks are made by you? I think yours are wonderful, … but I don't think I would ever bring myself to make them … 🙂 that is talent!
Thanks for sharing the info about UGGs, I was not aware. I find trademarks laws appalling sometimes.
If you or any reader need any help communicating with http://www.marfy.it in Italian I'd be glad to help you.
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