Tara Jon Manning grew up as a “dharma brat” and has received many Tibetan Buddhist Teachings from meditation masters such as Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche and the Dalai Lama. A practicing Shambhala Buddhist, she has been exploring the use of spirituality in her own art and handwork. She is the innovator of the Mindful Knitting Movement and holds Mindful Knitting workshops and retreats across the US.
Tara has been captivated by all things fiber since she was a child, learning to sew before she can remember and learning to knit at age eight. Her designs can be seen in knitting magazines, books and collections of major yarn companies.
Tara has lived in Boulder, Colorado for most of her life, where she still lives with her family, enjoying the lifestyle of alternative everything, naturals, organics and holistic lifestyle. Her main sources of inspiration are her children, nature and the mystical.
Tara’s fifth book, Nature Babies (Potter Craft), is now available at bookstores and LYS’s everywhere.
Tara’s books include Men in Knits, The Gift Knitter, Mindful Knitting, Compassionate Knitting and Nature Babies.
Hi. I see you purchased two skeins of Mostly Merino. I think that is similar to Green Mountain Spinnery (”GMS”
“Mountain Mohair.” My Dad wants me to knit him some thick boot socks and I purchased 3 skeins of the GMS Mountain Mohair and I was wondering what size needle you would recommend?
I am a somehwat experienced sock knitter (8 pairs) - but only using the smaller needles (US1). I have seen everything from using US3-US7 for thicker socks and just wonder what size you would use. I know that I need to swatch but I want to have an idea of what size to use. I typically knit to guage.
Thanks for your help.
Claudia
Hi Claudia -
When I knit socks with a worsted weight yarn, I go down to a anything between a 4 and a 7. The needle size you ultimately choose will depend on the desired density of the finished fabric. I like a mid-range - maybe a 5 or six, a little softer on the foot. The tighter you knit, the more durable and wear resistant the sock will be - but do swatch around a bit - because on a smaller needle - depending on the yarn - your sock may be very stiff and stand up on its own- tough as iron, that one will be. Happy socks.
hey Tara,
Just discovered your site. I’m a knitter and Buddhist too (podcaster too). thanks for the great site and I will have to check out some of your titles at my LYS.
Take care!
Alissa
I may not have looked hard enough, but I did not find another way to contact you with this question. I have recently been reading about copyright as it pertains to knitting patterns. I knew that items made for sale are generally prohibited without permission from the copyright owner, but I had always assumed that items made for donation to charity were akin to items made to be given as gifts. However, I recently became aware that, if the charity is raffling, auctioning off, or selling the item, this is considered the same as selling for profit, even if it is not my own personal profit.
Anyway, here is my little confession: I knit a Kata “Felicity” Scarf last summer, and donated it to be included in a raffle basket to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My niece has leukemia, and this is a cause very near and dear to my heart.
They say that forgiveness is easier to get than permission. I hope you will forgive my failing to get your permission to use your pattern for a donated item. And should I choose to make an item from one of your patterns and donate it for a charitable purpose where it will be used to raise money, I hope you will let me know the proper way to ask for permission in advance. Thank you.