DIY Baby Sock Blockers + Hiatus

    Hello again! It's been over a month since I've posted here. Did you miss me? During my time away I traveled, spent quality time with my family, got back into my exercise routine, and I came to a major realization. I could have easily lugged my laptop around with me, blogged about my experiences, and shared my adventures in car knitting, but I didn't. I was purposely avoiding the blog. My reason for doing so seems completely absurd to me now but at the time I needed to distance myself. 

  Photos from my trip to William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach

     The reason for my absence was that I received my first criticism as a designer and I was not prepared for it. Again, I know it sounds silly but at the time it really bothered me. For those of you who don't know I was bullied and criticized relentlessly as a child and well into high school. My way of dealing with it was to avoid anyone or anything that reminded me of the constant disapproval. I went from being bright eyed, excitable, and friendly to being a distant, quiet, and heavily guarded kid. I never wanted myself or anything that I did to be broadcast. I was incapable of taking criticism. How does this relate to now? Well over the last few years I decide that I would no longer hold myself back from growth and success because of the opinions of others. I have come a long way and I'm proud of what I have been able to accomplish now that I've let go of my fears, or so I thought. Turns out some of it was still buried. I didn't realize this until I released my most recent pattern 'The "Perfect" Baby Sock'.

    This photo doesn't do that view any justice, it was so beautiful!

             I was overwhelmed with the positive response that I received after the release. I did however, receive one negative comment and that was all that was all that it took. The comment was that my pattern was difficult to read and not beginner friendly. This person chose not to contact me about  the issue which I could have easily corrected, but instead they decided to broadcast it. As an aspiring knitwear designer I thought for sure that this would be a major setback. After all of the time and energy that I've put into the design of my blog, the items that I've knit, and the plans and patterns that I have and am currently working on will have been for nothing because no one would trust my patterns enough to cast them on.

 

A seagull that has no interest whatsoever in being Photographed 

     I went over my pattern, corrected the errors, and made sure that everyone knew that if they had any questions or concerns I would be available to answer them. After that I put down my computer and have not been back to check on my blog until today. I'm sure to many of you this sounds like a silly sob story but it was so much more to me. For the first time in years I doubted whether or not I was actually going to be able to make a career out of my passion. I wondered if I was capable of writing easy to follow patterns that people would be willing to buy. This comment brought back the doubt that I'd worked so hard to get rid of. I went to my Mom and  told her all about and I'm so glad I did. She reminded me that there will always be someone who disproves of you and your work and you will always receive criticism, constructive and not, but it in order to move forward and grow you will have to decide whether or not the comments are meant to help or hurt, then take what you need and ignore what you don't. Long story short I'm back but with a thicker skin.

Now that that's out of the way, on to the tutorial!

    After releasing  'The “Perfect” Baby Sock’, I thought it’d be nice to share a tutorial on how to make a blocker small enough to fit those little baby socks you just (or are planning to) knit. Blocking baby socks may seem unnecessary but it can actually be beneficial. The benefits include stretching the leg cuff to prevent an uncomfortably tight fit, if you’ve knit lacy or intricately detailed socks it helps to flattens, stretches, and stretch them which improves the stitch definition, and it gives the sock a nice foot shape which makes them much more comfortable for your little one to wear.

The steps are very similar to those in my adult sized sock blocker tutorial and the same materials are used, the key difference is that you will only need one hanger which will block both of the socks at once.

To Make These Blockers, You Will Need:

*1 Wire Hanger

*1 Pair of Pliers

Instructions:

Step 1: Take your hanger and bend it as if to give it "shoulders"

Step 2: Grab both ends of the hanger and bend then down to create a pair of "legs"

Step 3: Using your hands bend out the rough shape of a babies foot

*Tip: Try to use your hands as much as you possibly can before you use the pliers, The pliers will create little gashes in the hanger which will catch and snag your socks

          

Step 4: Once you've created your general shape grab your pliers and round out any pointed corners you may have left

Repeat the last step on both feet 

and you're done!

So far I've blocked three pairs of baby socks and for some reason blocking those adorable little socks on this cute little sock blocker puts a big goofy smile on my face. I hope it will do the same for you!
If you happen to make one make sure to post a photo and tag me either on twitter @bydenine or on Instagram @by_denine

And if by chance you don't find my tutorial helpful then let me be the first to know,