The clocks change always seems to coincide with the ramping up of all the activities - Halloween, Village Barbecues, Bonfire Night, Parent Teacher Meetings, Village Christmas Fairs, Christmas Shopping (ugh), Thanksgiving Prep...the list seems to go on with every moment scheduled down to the minute and family and working life organised with such precision, I feel like we need to hire a logistics company to come in and tell us who needs to be where, what and when. 

And then of course comes the cold.  We've had a fog settle on the valley we live in and its been here for 2 days. Ugh. Have I also mentioned that my wood burning stove in the studio has been condemned? So, just imagine me sitting typing this wearing - a knit hat, a bulky weight crochet cowl, a knit + fleece lined jumper of Kevin's, handwarmers, a blanket on my lap and a hairy bearded collie sleeping on my feet...and it is only November!

A winter in this freezing place may not be possible, but I plan to hold out as long as I can.  Step 1: find something less wet and smelly than a bearded collie for foot warmth. I know I have been making all the socks, but in truth they are accounted for as Christmas gifts, so I needed something quick and easy for myself to make.

Fortunately, this need also coincided with our Crochet Project Release of Saunders - an aran weight sock pattern by Joanne! Its a lovely quick pattern.  I started my pair when I was waiting for potatoes to boil last night for dinner - 20 minutes and I am about half way through with the leg. I am making my pair in Libby Summers' Fine Aran and I think I will go for a contrast heel and toe. 

The pattern is super quick and sized from baby to size 13, so I may be whipping out a few pairs for Christmas for others as well. 

I can't wait to finish them...the beardie is cute, but did I mention the smell? 

If you need alternative foot warmth, you can buy Saunders here: