Episode 68 - January week 1

[@rosered769]

the sock dance!!!!!! This is what the internet was made for 👍👍👍👍👍

[@sallyhart7652]

The sock dance! Best ‘footage’ ever 😂

[@ABramleyBee]

Oh my days that sock dance had me HOWLING! 😂😂😂 LOVE THAT!

[@pattigolden1]

Omg!! The sock dance was priceless!!! 😂😂

[@heidilockwood8542]

Love the sock dance! Think Mark should do a 'Jumper dance' when you finish it! 🤣 Love the channel 💕

[@sschoch2000]

Love the nutcracker. The sock dance - hahahaha! Love the socks!

[@carolcurley7840]

Martin the sock dance was fantastic really made my night 👍

[@shetlandlace]

The Sock Dance was perfect! Tell Mark his appearance was much appreciated. I love the Gramps Cardigan and as soon as my yarn arrives I will be casting it on. My daughter's brother-in-law and his wife are expecting! Can't wait to cast on baby things. Gramps cardigan, Penny Straker's Andy Pullover and some socks--that's my baby knitting queue.

[@karenmattingly362]

Love the sock dance! Mark is such a good sport 😂

[@karensmith2204]

Love. The sock dance and the music was perfect 😂❤

[@akorio21]

Omg the sock dance! You two are to adorable for words!!

[@devorah1961]

Loved the sock dance. Ingenious!🤣😂🤣

[@SofiaSanchez-io5xy]

Loved, loved, loved the sock dance!!!! 😂

[@sams_sew_scrappy]

More sock fashion shows!!! OMG that was fun! Noah’s little Gramps cardigan is ADORABLE! Your spinning brings you so much joy. Please keep sharing!💕

[@sandyevans4772]

OMG!! Laughed so much! loved the sock dance.👯

[@shellyko1058]

Happy 2024! Great job getting 80% of your list completed. You should be proud of your accomplishments. The cardigans for your niece and nephew are beautiful. I am thinking about getting the nutcracker too. I had so much enjoyment participating in the Toft 2023 Advent and it is because of your enthusiasm and joy as you share your experience creating Kerry’s creations. Thank you for sharing.

[@itsck834]

Absolutely LOVED the sock dance!!! Thank you for it.

[@TheFrenchSiana]

I love the sock dance!!! I'm new to the podcast, so far I've only watched the video where you made the list and this one. I have heard much about Mark's Jumper, but have yet to see it... I don't think it was your intention to keep it a mystery but I'm now determined to keep watching until I finally lay eyes on this elusive, dare I say mystical project! Well done on the (unintentional?) marketing for your future videos! 🤣 Joke aside, I love your videos so far and will definitly keep watching even after my Mark Jumper Curiosity has been satisfied 😄Looking forward to the next one!

[@helenravine5163]

More sock dances!!! (please) Well done on lots of progress. if I was doing those blue socks, then nothing else would be happening. They are gorgeous!

[@sheilamurphy9079]

😂 LOVED the Sock Dance!!!

[@ruthwinsor3801]

So many finishes. 🎉 You are an inspiration. Love the sock dance. It has an old time vaudeville vibe.

[@sueholubeshen9960]

Omg the sock dance😂😂😂 now that I've traumatized our new husky rescue...I really need to learn how to make socks....even with 30 plus years experience socks frighten me😅😅

[@knittingnut50]

I love the sock dance! Very provocative in spots! Lol!

[@thingingthings615]

Double sock dance and mirror ticks… 😭😂 so good

[@lorrainewalker9426]

My money would be that the socks will be finished for next week😉., love the sock dance , brilliant. Gorgeous completed projects ❤

[@nefraial]

I firmly agree with everyone here regarding the sock dance. I love the kids cardigans too. I put tassels on my MKAL. I gathered the ends of several strands that I wanted and made loops a bit longer than I wanted the finished tassel. I made sets of these loops like an assembly line and did not cut the loops until after I had tied them to my shawl. I used a large crochet hook to grab the multi-strand loop and pull it through the shawl. It was then easy to tuck the other end of the loop through and pull it tight. Having the yarn still in a loop made it faster to knot the yarn onto my shawl. Cutting the loops and trimming them after they were all on for a neat finish.

[@angelajackson9488]

Martyn please ask Mark to do a spectacular happy dance when he gets his long time on going jumper/ vest. I’d love to see him in it. As you are both doing happy sock dances. You will need to do happy finished items dances. Thank you both very much for sharing your life adventures. Western Australia 🇦🇺🧶💜🇦🇺

[@niknaiman5359]

OMG I love the sock dance! MORE MORE MORE!!!

[@junefrederickson5570]

You two are nutbars- fantastic sock dance 🕺 Bravo

[@miekevanreet2544]

Love the sockdance😂😂, Big hug

[@amelia13131]

I'm left handed too, but I do check marks the "right handed" way, probably because I've only ever seen them done that way by right handed teachers and whatnot. The gay frog shirt is so cute!! Loved the sock dance:D

[@nixkbing1192]

Your sock in progress is beautiful. Dancing socks are 😂!

[@kimbailey4785]

Love the sock dance. I always enjoy your content. Congratulations on so many finished objects.

[@julielowes5991]

OMG the Rockabunny socks are finished 🎉 I think you've been doing those all the time I've been watching you!! Some bab projects on the hooks and needles..looking forward to seeing them progress. Loved the sock dance...I need more of these in my life 🧦🧦 x

[@bethpaschal7859]

Loved the sock dance! Mark deserves a finished jumper for that. Just saying

[@Rebecca_TRZ]

I love the sock dance! And little cardigan! You do great work.

[@mpeacock7666]

omg. the sock dance made me giggle so hard. reminds me of Bernadette Banner's Only Fans of ankle pictures. Hand Knit Sock footsie!

[@marywalton6900]

Great work Martyn! I’m enjoying making two handspun projects - the Aster cowl and another cowl. Art yarn can look good in the right project! Having a cast on party too- I also blame Ange 😂😂

[@Liz.Green789]

Sock dance for the win!! Fun visit.

[@nokesbob2256]

Wow! You really got stuff done! All of it beautiful. I love the Grampa sweater.

[@meredithwodka2394]

Gotta say, I love the sock dance. This should be a staple from here on out. Such fun! Your video convinced me to purchase the spiral sock pattern. I love the blue contrast you chose.

[@SAP64]

Loved the sock dance, maybe a little cha cha cha or tango next time. 😂 Haven't started spinning yet this month, recovering from a wicked cold I've had from the holidays.

[@jillfoster6369]

😂😂😂 sock dance - brilliant 👏👏⭐️

[@saramerrick3539]

Your spinning looks like a great beginning effort -- it's fun to have a visual record as you begin to see subtle improvements. Thanks for sharing!

[@hebulanebula]

Haha loved the sock dance 😂❤🧶💫😁

[@sbroadhurst2003]

We need more sock dances 🕺!!!

[@cpaw13]

Oh My Gosh your nutcracker plush! He is just so cute! I love nutcrackers and never even thought about creating one!

[@jillpohren4801]

Yay for weekly videos/vlogs/pods 🎥 🙌🏾! Looking forward to seeing Mark’s pullover, that process is fascinating. I’m encouraged by your dedication to the WIP pile, I have about 14 and after your mention of it, I’m trying the Gideon method 🤞🏽🤞🏽. Your makes are lovely - congratulations on the cardigans, doll, sock, etc. And YES TO MORE SOCK DANCING 💃🧶

[@kittyrhyder]

Your Nutcraker is awesome.....just lovely x

[@Carly_C_Crochets]

Love your Nutcracker! You should definitely make an aran Head Elf, he would be fab. I went the other way and made him in Toft fine! Also, another vote for more sock dancing here!

[@vickibradley8418]

Love all your finished objects 😊. Your dock dance is fabulous and I can’t wait to see your dock dance when you finish the Steven West socks ❤

[@tarikovets5819]

The sock dance!!!! 💜

[@jennifertaffner8612]

Love love love the sock dance!

[@haich_loves]

1. The Nutcracker looks amazing 2. The sock dance was fantastic 3. Those socks by West are on my hope to knit this year list. Yours look lovely 4. Well done on completing so many things in the Twixmas period. I had similar plans and then my daughter wanted blankets for her new pram and dolls and the time disappeared making those 🙃 Had fab plans for the start of January too with some new projects and things out of hibernation, but have since seen two new patterns released and have put two of mine away so I can start those instead 😂

[@sarahpetersen1715]

Oh that sock dance was priceless! I wrapped my yarn around a 9.5cm coaster for the fringe of the Geogradient. I also attached with a crochet hook while on the blocking mat and trimmed the tassels at the same time. Worked a treat! Hard on the back and knees though 😊 looking forward to the weekly blogs Martyn

[@monika_rudnicka]

Thanks Martin and happy crafting to you ❤️❤️

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Love the sock dance !!! For my part I start a project as soon as I finshed one, no matter the day or time of the day. I usually wind a skein in ball in the evening though. I NEVER swatch for socks, the beginning of the sock IS the swatch. Your spinning looks real good, ART YARN for sure. Sunshine is so hearthwarming, we have very very grey weather this winter in Montreal Canada.

[@eijanvillat]

Loved the sock dance 😂 Extra points for Mark for doing it! Spinning: If your wool top is sticky to draft, try drafting from the other end. Combed tops usually have a "direction" - that is, the wrong way is like stroking a cat the wrong way. It goes less painfully from the right end. Wool has scales in it, so it's smoother to draft along the scales than against them. Another trick (instead of pre-drafting) is to split the top into several thinner slices. That also fluffs up the fiber nicely. Also, commercial tops often are condensed during storage. You can try to fix that by steaming the top, e.g. in a sieve above a boiling kettle. After steaming don't squeeze it or anything, just place it somewhere airy and let it dry.

[@pixypunkcraft]

Love the wikifeet entries! For the tassels, try using a hardcover book, the covers usually extend beyond the pages making room for tying up the center top of the tassel. Congrats on finishing all those projects! Managed to get mine done in time, and now have a commission from the grandma of the kid I made a Flax for! Working on that. Love the art yarn! Waiting for my drop spindle to arrive so I can join in on the fun!

[@betternpopcorn]

A designer recommended blocking before adding tassels because she sa😢washing tassels can make them uneven. I haven’t tried it, but thought you might consider. Thanks for the podcast. Entertaining as always!

[@jackiewalsh3869]

Loved the sock dance with the 2 of you. So glad you convinced Mark to join in.😂❤

[@beckyjohnson9917]

Always a joy when I see you’ve got a new podcast out❤ Thank you for all you do 👍

[@CraftyTeaLife]

I am participating in Spinuary as well and it has me back in my spinning groove! Yay! I started spinning with a Turkish spindle in November 2022, so I am still very new. My yarn looked just like your yarn, Martyn, in the beginning. It's far from where I want it to be, but it's getting better! I love the sock dance...that was THE BEST.

[@EllenaKirk]

🤣🤣🤣 that sock dance! Perfect music and choreography 😘

[@gr8twitch21]

Love the sock dance - and the Nutcracker! Weekly podcasts would be great. Personally, I’m not too worried about the amount of actual knitting - we all get busy, life gets in the way of our crafting - but staying connected is important too! Can’t wait to see the ‘Spinuary’ videos! 💜

[@clarewilliams5907]

I love the Sock Dance

[@ChemCath]

I love the sock dance!🎉 You must make it a feature when you do socks!! Kudos to Mark for joining in. 😊 Those Stephen West socks are gorgeous! Almost makes me want to knit them and I am not a sock knitter! If Stephen recommends a 2 mm needle, I would definitely need to go down to 1.75 mm or go down a sock size for the body of the sock and up a needle size for the cuff. I have large calves. 😢

[@pamelabastian7860]

Loved the sock dance !!!❤

[@marycase9352]

The Sock Dance was great!👏🏻👏🏻Huzzah to Mark for a terrific performance and being such a good sport for your Vlog!🧶💜

[@mandyrawlinson7687]

Loved the sock dance!!!!

[@roslynshappylife2022]

lol I love the sock dance ❤

[@AnnetteSaxman]

Love 💕 the sock dance

[@tericrane8343]

Love the sock dance! So happy to see those Rocker Bunny socks off the needles. LOL.

[@sarahadams6881]

Well done on your projects. The sock dance was the highlight of this vlog! Your splash socks are amazing too! I also signed up to the year of socks and will be trying these ones after I finish my current pair.

[@ThePigeonsNestCrochet]

Awwww thank you for the shout out m'love ❤❤❤❤

[@tracisumner251]

Love the nutcracker!

[@MelissaC1103]

Love love the sock dance!! Hope your 5 day week goes ok and band was fun. Looking forward to seeing how your spinning goes… I spin a little too but find it tricky… I make fun art yarn too😂 enjoy your week ❤

[@kathyclower8648]

Love the 🧦 dance. So ❤🎉.

[@marilynlongcoy9914]

OMG the sock dance!! Cracked me up. Loved your finish objects too! Thanks for sharing.

[@lauralongland6176]

You had me at sock dance. 😅

[@juliannefetheryarn]

Oh the sock dance!!! Please let that be a regular item! What a joy!! You are making fantastic progress on your wips. Inspired by you I started my own lists and it's so helpful, lots of love to you and Mark x

[@vickydowney2618]

👍👍👍👍💖from New Zealand. 😊

[@Hellen-pf7ts]

Such a fun sock dance, very funny, very classy, well done boys, really enjoying all of your makes Martyn, especially love Mark's Nutcracker - you've done a great job on him. Looking forward to seeing the next ones come along x

[@samanthacross3523]

I’m a lefty and definitely do backwards ticks

[@jenniemills5093]

Hi Martyn! Team Mark's jumper here! Can't wait to see it. I've joined Ange, I've got 6 new cast ons and six more to go! I've heard tell there is something called Finish it February. I might need to join. Happy crafting!

[@natashaburdall8898]

I'm trying a variation on your Gideon method! It's called 3 Things in the Bag (occasionally 4, don't tell anyone). I can spend as long as I like on each one but only things in the bag. When one is finished I swap it out for WIP one time, and alternate with a new cast on. I'll be at Unravel too, visiting with Mum who will hopefully be wearing her Ilha sweater that I started in August for her birthday in October (oops!). Love your videos, they always make me smile and inspire me.

[@fayelourenso4839]

Socks! After making 27 pairs last year, use whatever needles works for the yarn and for your knitting. My favorite pattern calls for a 2.0 and I use 2.25 - they fit fine. I am a magic loop, toe-up, two-at-a-time sock knitter. MKAL: I did not fringe mine. It’s just fine. I am almost on the last section of Hiberknitting 4 shawl “Glistening Snowscape” and loving it more than the MKAL.

[@deborahcherry1735]

Love the sock dance,am spinning every day ,some days it goes well ,others not so much,have moved on from a Turkish spindle to a support spindle.

[@fabulousjaxx]

Happy New Year Martyn and Mark Loved the sock dance always love your blogs xxx

[@VroniDi]

You did a great job on your wips plus creating a dance show-congratulations, also to Mark for his dancing, that’s absolutely stunning! I did fringes on my MKAL, it’s beautiful. I did it like Stephen shows in his video tutorial, wrapping the yarn around the hand. It’s giving a short type of fringe, which suits the shawl very well I think. Happy crafting!

[@claudiabettinawitt1311]

Hello Martyn and Marc! Your sockdance is a great show! I wish you both a happy and healthy 2024! I have two very long time wips. Arne & Carlos Adventcalendar 2021: 4/24 are done and Twists and Turns 2022: 25% from Clue 3. My plan is to finish them before I start a new project. But sometimes life will destroy plans.😉

[@pamsavanovic3004]

I started on a spindle and have mastered that with the draft and park method. Bought an Ashford Traditional spinning wheel at a swap meet for 30 dollars a year ago. It has been in time out since we moved from Illinois to Arizona. Brought the wheel out this past week and the spinning is really lovely. This last spin will be about a DK weight. Going to try for sock weight with the next spin

[@_KarenS]

I'm a (chronically) left-handed person as well - but I tick the 'normal' way. You do you, Martyn. That said, I have a right-handed friend who writes with her wrist curled right round. It's so weird.

[@katiab3548]

Loved the sock dance!🕺🧦 Happy New Year!

[@barbarapregger8526]

Thanks for doing the sock dance for us and a very happy New Year to you both 🎉😊

[@FontrellaCole]

😂😂 y'all have cracked me up with your sock dance feet! You made my morning! ❤

[@ChemCath]

So glad you did not finish your MKAL either. I worked on my HKAL instead and have gotten to section 16 out of 18. I MIGHT work on my fringe this Saturday….😬🤷🏻‍♀️ But I really want to finish all 18 sections and then tuck MKAL ends in (I have about 20 MKAL ends left) & do the fringe and then while it is blocking, do the ends of my HKAL. THE Grampa cardigan is sooo cute! I am making one this summer for my best friend’s nephew. He will only be one this August, but I think I will make the same size as you so he can wear it longer.

[@PPXman24]

Those socks are amazing, love them. I don't understand why you feel it is so wrong to be addicted to the socks (with the exception of Mark's jumper) I think that's fine. You have not deviated from the plan for January just delayed some of the cast-on's. Loved this edition, whilst I keep a log of projects on Ravelry, you've inspired me to write down my list of 2024 projects. P.s the sock dance is must every time now. 😂

[@lunardesignstudiolinda1256]

Ok sock dance too cool!,, lol

[@knit365blog]

Haha - he rolled his eyes when I asked him!

[@gabrielacanova4625]

Hey there and Happy New Year guys. Holy Cow, apparently you have been on a roll. WoW, 5 finished objects are a little treasure to gloat upon! My Geogradient didn't get any tassels bec I reckoned they would have been too time consuming. I simply doubled the last section and couldn't be happier with the end result. PS. I really need to learn how to knit socks. 😂