"Roses For Margaery" - Finished Object Fridays a.k.a. FO In Knit Lingo

Has it really been that long since I've had a finished object to share?  Oh my!
Does finishing the write up of a new pattern count?  Let's say that it does... 'cos man, this was hard work!

As we all know, I love the Song of Ice And Fire book, and HBO's original mini series bases on them call Game of Thrones.  These socks took a long time to come into fruition, with little hiccups along the way and loads of designing challenges.  Those hair pulling moments were worth it, because I'm very proud of the finished product.  My most prettiest socks so far, if I may so bold to say!

These socks are based on the character Margaery Tyrell, a very pretty

and very determined young woman who wants to be the queen of all of Westeros.  Without giving spoilers, I can tell you Margaery is a woman that seems to do what she is supposed to do, confined to the wishes and rules of family and state.  But is she really?  Margaery intrigued me.  I thought it interesting that her House sigil is a golden rose on a field of green.  "Growing Strong" is their words, and interestingly enough, so is Margaery.  Roses are beautiful, but can overtake a garden if left unchecked.  The undulating strong lines confining the rose bunches represent her set role, but notice how these lines don't meet.  They are really guidelines.  I also took the roses down into a very common heel flap.  Margaery is all about making the commoners love her.  I think she knows this is the real source of a rulers' power.

So here it is!

Roses For Margaery by Nin Leavitt
an original sock pattern inspired by R. R. Martin's Song Of Ice And Fire
Part of the “Game of Thrones” Sock Series By NinDesigns 

Doing the photo shoot was a lot of fun and I learned so much about my Olympus E500. 

Trying something new... Video blogging about my sock designs

Thought I'd try something new!  My Mac has a nice little video cam... fun :)

Talking about designing new Game of Thrones inspired socks for the Hound and Margaery Tyrell.

Who Taught You To Knit Or Crochet?

So who taught you how to knit or crochet? 

Mother's Day has come and gone, (BTW, Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!) and it got me thinking how thankful I am for my mom.  Among all the very cool and wonderful things my mom has taught me, how to knit was one of them.  Knitting and designing knitwear is a huge part of my life that I love.  It relaxes me, stresses me out and challenges me in fantastic ways.  I love it!  Would I have learned to knit without my mom teaching me?  I'm not sure.  Maybe.  But I'm glad momma did! :)  Thanks Mom!

I've got a poll going over on my facebook page collecting data for a future post here with a contest attached on the blog.  If you all would be so kind, I'd love for you to add your vote. 

http://www.facebook.com/KeswickArtsAndCrafts

Oh, I got the knitting for Melisandre's Flames finished!  Sneak peek:

Update: Melisandre's Flames Socks

to get this sock pattern done and released!!!

One sock done, and half way through the second sock.  To get this pattern published in the Keswick Arts and Crafts Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy stores, I've got to:

1. Finish knitting the socks
2. Plan photo shoot and take pictures
3. Chart out stitch pattern used
4. Write up pattern final charted pattern
5. Write up pattern with final written instructions
6. Send it out to test knitters and wait for any mistakes I missed to be caught
7. Update pattern
8. Create pdf of final pattern
9. Upload to Ravelry, Etsy, and Craftsy
10. Tell the world through blog, facebook, ravelry and etsy forums

Yikes!  I better get my needles a-clack'!

And as a side note, I was wondering, who taught you to knit or crochet?  Visit my facebook page to answer this poll question at http://www.facebook.com/KeswickArtsAndCrafts ... I've got a blog post brewing in the back of my mind about this...


By the way, hubby totally loved Troll Hunter.  :)

Socks for Stannis Are Published!

Yay, the pattern is finally live on Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy!  I'm grinning from ear to ear because I really love this pattern.  It's my first ever sock pattern and it is Game of Thrones related.  LOVE it!  My testers did a lovely job and were invaluable in making the pattern go live.  Thank you!  If you've got a moment, check out my designs page on Ravelry.  You can see the socks the testers knit too.  It's so neat to see something that was just an idea floating around in my head made by knitters from around the world. :)