Online Knitter of the Year

It’s lovely to be able to sit down at lunch time with a new magazine to look forward to reading, isn’t it?

I was particularly looking forward to reading this magazine, and now I can tell you why!  For a couple of weeks now, I’ve had secret.  It’s been a very nice secret, the sort that fizzes up from time to time like bubbles in champagne and makes you smile when you remember, but it’s been a secret nonetheless and I’ve not been able to tell anybody.  And when you’ve got such a nice thing to share, that’s very difficult!

You see, this secret is all about you too.  Yes, you!  The ones who have read my posts, commented, asked questions and knitted socks.  And for that, I am immensely grateful, and that’s why what I’m about to write next is extra-special because it’s shared.

There was a competition in this magazine.  Knit Now were looking for Knitters of the Year. There were four categories – Designer of the Year, Charity Knitter of the Year, Online Knitter of the Year and an Open Category.  You can see where this is going, can’t you?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful, I thought, if they published a list of people who entered?  It wouldn’t matter whether I won or not, it might just let someone else know about the Sockalong, point them in the direction of short (or long) circulars and the joy of letting your mind disengage as you rhythmically knitted round and round.  I thought hard about how to describe my blog in just 100 words and sent off my entry email.

And this is where the fabulous, fizzy secret comes in.  I won!  (We won!)  I am one of five Knit Now Online Knitters of the Year, and now everyone who reads the magazine will know about the Sockalong!  I’d like to say thank you to you all, for reading my blog and keeping in touch through the comments, and for making it a blog worthy of an award.

Not only that, part of my prize is a trip to the Sirdar mill in Yorkshire (I’ll see where the Heart & Sole sock yarn comes from – I’m very much looking forward to that) and I’ll be able to tell you all about it.  You can come with me as I get to see the yarn from sheep to socks – I’ll be taking plenty of photos!

There’s also going to be a photo-shoot with Knit Now which I’m rather nervous about but it will be fascinating to see how it all works and what goes into the professional photos that we see in the magazines.  I might even get my socks professionally photographed which will feel very grand!

And that magazine with my lunchtime sandwich?  I get to read it for a whole year as I’ve also won a subscription and that will be great.  It’ll certainly make me sit down for a while as it’s good read, packed not just with patterns but interesting articles that keep me connected to what’s going on in the yarn world.

I’m very pleased and proud to have won.  I love to imagine how many new pairs of socks there might be in the world, and hopefully now there will be even more pairs!

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51 Responses

  1. Unknown says:

    Congratulations Christine and so very much deserved. I hope you mentioned your sock knitting book, simply the best one ever written. Thank you x

  2. Unknown says:

    Congratulations Christine, thoroughly deserved, you have inspired so many people to start knitting socks. xx

  3. Unknown says:

    Huge huge congrats Christine! You sooooo deserve this. I've been knitting socks for a while but love the FB page and belonging to such a wonderful group. The friendship and camaraderie is so special and it's all down to one woman who took the time to put it all together to help people knit socks! Am very jealous of your trip to the Mill and the photo shoot ….. can't wait to see the pics! Enjoy this, swan about like Lady Muck and tell EVERYONE you know (and even people you don't) cos this is your moment! Much love. xxx

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Oh, you did make me laugh, Laura! I think the family would have something to say if I did swan about like Lady Muck, but I like the idea of that – a LOT! 🙂 xx

  4. Shelagh says:

    Congratulations! Your Sockalong was a fantastic idea and it shows that you've put a lot of thought and effort into the tutorials. You thoroughly deserve your award 🙂

  5. Jennyff says:

    Very well done, enjoy your lovely prizes.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Hi Christine, many congratulations, very well deserved. Through your tutorials I'm the proud owner of 4 pairs of super warm socks. I'm so very pleased you have been recognised.

  7. Unknown says:

    Well done Christine, well deserved. I love reading your blog and seeing all your pics. I have not yet started a pair of socks but I have all the kit ready…..just not sure when I shall 'dip my toes in the water' so to speak. You really are inspirational. Thank you.

  8. AnnieOBTextiles says:

    Many congratulations, you really deserve this recognition for inspiring so many people and also for your fantastic book. After being very nervous about attempting socks I treated myself to your book and have just completed my first sock today! Enjoy your prizes and looking forward to seeing the photos.

  9. eclectichomelife says:

    You so very much deserve it and I'm delighted you win. You've taken us all on a journey with you and do many of us are extremely grateful of your time, patience and enthusiasm Christine. Enjoy your moment. Xxxxx

  10. Caz.P. says:

    well done. Enjoy your time at t'mill. I enjoy sock knitting too, but only on 2 needles. Get tangled up with 4.

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Have you ever tried knitting socks with a circular, Caz? It's much easier than DPNs and there are no seams at all so you're finished faster than with 2 needles. It's always worth a try! 🙂 xx

  11. Miss Marple says:

    Well done. I have nearly finished my first pair of socks using thr Magic loop. I can't get my head round how it works but love it. Enjoy you prize.x

  12. Life in the Extreme says:

    Congratulations. Here on my Finca in Spain I have to hand, needles and Sock yarn ready to try the sockalong, its those circular needles that get me!

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Thank you! Circulars are great once you get going – no hedgehog wrestling involved at all! Just shout if you need help 🙂 xx

  13. Unknown says:

    I'm with Laura M. Surely you could manage just a bit of a 'swan'?!
    Enjoy your prizes – richly deserved! X x

    • Winwick Mum says:

      I can do the "swan" in so far as the mad paddling beneath the surface goes … 😉 Thanks, Elaine! xx

  14. Amy at love made my home says:

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a VERY well deserved winner!! You have done so much to promote knitting and are just all round wonderful!! I am so very pleased for you!! Well done!! XXXX

  15. Anonymous says:

    Congratulations! You deserve it. I will look forward to hearing more about the prize.

  16. sustainablemum says:

    Many, many congratulations! An accolade well deserved. Enjoy your day out and I look forward to hearing all about it. 😉

  17. Perpetua says:

    Oh, wow, that's wonderful! Heartiest congratulations and enjoy the photo-shoot. 🙂

  18. Lilly's Mom says:

    Congratulations! What a wonderful achievement. You deserve it for all the hard work you have done to accomplish your goal and help others along the way. Pat xx

  19. PixieMum says:

    Like maybe a few other knitters I found your helpful blog through your friendship with Lucy of Attic24, too recently to be able to vote in Knit Now's competition.

    My next aim is to learn to make toe up socks with magic loop, so I can use all 50 grams of yarn by making each sock longer in the leg. I understand the casting on, having made 400+ hexipuffs, but need guidance around the heels for the socks I wish to continue making for DH. He doesn't want to wear shop bought socks anymore, apart from them being tight around the leg he says hand knits are more comfortable.

    Many thanks, PIxieMum (aka Knellergal in Ravelry)

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Your husband is absolutely right, hand-knits are far more comfortable! My husband calls his hand-knits his "proper socks". I can't offer much help with toe up, I'm afraid, but if you join our Winwick Mum Knit n Natter Facebook group there are plenty of toe up knitters there who might be able to offer some advice xx

  20. linda says:

    Congratulations Christine!. 🙂 xx

  21. Unknown says:

    Well done to you👍👍. I will be following your very well explained tutorial on socks. Congratulations once again.

  22. Leanne says:

    Hey Christine,
    That's a fantastic achievement, well done!!! No wonder you feel all fizzy inside.
    Leanne xx

  23. Sarah says:

    Congratulations. Well deserved! You talked me through my first ever pair of socks recently and I've just bought yarn to start my second pair! Thank you!

    • Winwick Mum says:

      Thank you! And congratulations to you on your socks too! It's very hard to stick at just one pair … 🙂 xx

  24. Anne says:

    Well done!

  25. Coastal Ripples says:

    So well deserved Christine. I would NEVER have thought I was capable of knitting socks until I read your tutorial. Now I'm on to mittens. Look forward to hearing about your visit. Barbara x

  26. Sian says:

    Congratulations!

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