Speaking of Gifts: New Sock Patterns

Gifts. The word strikes terror in the hearts of gift-knitting enthusiasts everywhere. It's not the gift itself that causes stress, but the amount of time remaining to do so. No matter when we start, there's never enough time to finish all our gift projects without some panic.

As my gift to knitters, I have two new toe-up textured sock patterns: Molly & Hector and Golly. Many of you may recognize the names from the BBC series Monarch of the Glen. I invested in the entire DVD set a few years ago, and never tire of the episodes, especially beloved for their breathtaking scenery, kilt-y goodness, and knitwear. But I digress. Molly & Hector is a unisex pattern, with charts for making a broad range of sizes.
Golly was written specifically for mansocks, but you can do with it what you will, as it has charts for a 60, 64, 72, and 80 stitch socks. Enjoy!

 Molly & Hector

 Golly

Gimbiya's Headband

I've been doing a bit too much talking so far: Too much tell and not nearly enough show. So I thought this post ought to include at least one original creation and the pattern. I'm happy to have you make it for yourself or for a nice little present for someone else, but please do not make it to sell. That's a big no-no.

I made this headband for a dear friend visiting us from Washington, D.C. last weekend. She has incredibly thick and curly hair, and I thought she would like this. (I haven't sent it yet, so this will be a nice little surprise for her.) The back of the headband is finished in garter stitch, for stretch, then stitched together with mattress stitch, but you could join it any way you like.

GIMBIYA'S HEADBAND

MATERIALS
Shine Sport, by KnitPicks, 50g/110 yards per ball, 60% Pima cotton 40% Modal
1 ball in 'Coral'
Size 5 needles OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
One tapestry needle

MEASUREMENTS
Finished Length before joining: 19"
Finished width after blocking: 2-3/4"

GAUGE
6 stitches per inch in stockinette

NOTES
Note: this headband was made to accommodate African American hair. My daughter, who modeled the headband in the photo, said it could have been 1" to 1-1/2" shorter for her.
Each ball of yarn will make 2 headbands.
Headband is made vertically all in one piece.

Cast on 13 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): k1, p2, ssk, (yo, k1) 3 times, yo, k2 tog, p1,k1,p1
Row 2: k1,purl until two stitches before the end, k1, p1 last two stitches
Row 3: k1, p2, ssk, k5, k2 tog, p1, k1, p1
Row 4: k1, p1, k1, p7, k2, p1
Repeat rows 1-4 until piece measures 16-1/2" then:
Do garter stitch rows (knit every row) for 2"

FINISHING
Bind off and join. Block to 2-3/4" width.