Aren't these adorable? I can't get over them. They're the perfect thing to help me cheer up out of my bronchitis funk.
I finished both pairs of August socks for the Socks from the Toe Up KAL on Ravelry by August 17th. What to do with the rest of the month? I didn't really care to make another of either pattern so I dove into the sock scrap box.
I've been wanting to do this ever since I saw the Blender Socks on Ravelry by Heather Sebastian. I used Wendy D. Johnson's Basic Slip Stitch Socks pattern from the Socks from the Toe Up book and scraps from 4 different socks.
I did the toes all with one yarn because it's just easier that way. I also tried something new. I rounded the toe slightly by doing the first 3 increases consecutively rather than on alternating rounds. That worked out really well.
Once the toes were done, I started using another yarn on every other round, carrying it up the side (I put that side on the inside of my foot). I did the heel turn with one yarn, then the heel flap and gusset join with another. I continued alternating on the leg, adding new yarns as I ran out. I didn't use any particular order and as you can tell, the socks are fairly fraternal, but that does not bother me one bit. I thought I had equal yardage of everything, but apparently I did not because you can see in the sock on the right that I had to use another yarn at the very top.
No big deal at all and I really adore these! They are comfy and cute and fun and everything a handknit sock should be. These socks are the ones that have made me decide once and for all that I need some clogs or some other type of shoes so show of my socks.
Best of all, I was able to take what could have been seen by some as throw away yarn and make it into something supremely useful!
On to the next!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Seaweed's - The Crap Sock
I shouldn't be so hard on the poor thing...it's really not it's fault. It's Wendy D. Johnson's free Seaweed Socks pattern knit from Patons Stretch Socks in Olive. The pattern is nice and well written and pretty, but I've decided I'm not the biggest fan of the stretchy yarn.
Normally, I don't have any problem with the purl bumps on the inside sole of my sock. No need for the "princess" sole around here. However, this stretchty yarn is not as smooth and soft as the other yarns I like, the woolier sock yarns. It feels almost like I'm knitting with dental floss and while not exactly uncomfortable, I can feel a difference with this yarn on the bottom of my foot.
That's not even to say that the yarn doesn't make a good sock. It really does. I know how to knit with it and get great results using the stretch. I like the colors too. But it's a bit uncomfortable to knit with and I think I'll be just fine taking a break from this stuff.
Now that I have a new pair of socks to wear!
Normally, I don't have any problem with the purl bumps on the inside sole of my sock. No need for the "princess" sole around here. However, this stretchty yarn is not as smooth and soft as the other yarns I like, the woolier sock yarns. It feels almost like I'm knitting with dental floss and while not exactly uncomfortable, I can feel a difference with this yarn on the bottom of my foot.
That's not even to say that the yarn doesn't make a good sock. It really does. I know how to knit with it and get great results using the stretch. I like the colors too. But it's a bit uncomfortable to knit with and I think I'll be just fine taking a break from this stuff.
Now that I have a new pair of socks to wear!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Diamond Ganseys for....what??? a KAL??? Really???
Yep, you heard right! I'm still rockin' the Socks From the Toe-Up KAL on Ravelry. Diamond Ganseys are done (love!) and I'm on the gusset of the second Seaweed Sock.
I think my plight is the same as for many knitters. The sure kiss of project death is a deadline or anything that in any way dictates how, what or when I knit my project.
However, this one is different. Firstly, I found it at the height of supreme sock mojo, right after purchasing Wendy D. Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. I'd been leary to try her method because I've had such success with Cat Bordhi's sockitectures, but there were a ton of prizes to be won and I still would like to fill my sock drawer by winter.
Interestingly enough, I was knitting the Lacy Ribs socks at the same time as the rest of the KAL. I was using Cat's Riverbed architecture because I thought that would be best. Yet when the sock was finished, the heel was too wide and there was too much fabric pretty much everywhere on the foot of the sock. Then I found the KAL, realized I was right in step and got started.
I found the KAL on July 20 and thought, what the heck, I'll do the July socks! So I actually finished the On-Hold Socks and Nanner Socks with a couple days to spare. I didn't win any prizes, but I'm so happy to have two more pairs of socks that fit so well!
I'm having an excellent time knitting socks and hope the mojo lasts. With the Ganseys finished, I'll get the Seaweeds done soon. I have some Lorna's Laces left over from the Nanners so I'm trying to get another pair out of the leftovers. I chose the Sprucey Lucys for those since that sock was already done by the KAL and I won't feel like I'm duplicating efforts later on.
Yay, socks are fun and what's better than a drawer full of comfy wool socks in a MN winter??
I think my plight is the same as for many knitters. The sure kiss of project death is a deadline or anything that in any way dictates how, what or when I knit my project.
However, this one is different. Firstly, I found it at the height of supreme sock mojo, right after purchasing Wendy D. Johnson's Socks from the Toe Up. I'd been leary to try her method because I've had such success with Cat Bordhi's sockitectures, but there were a ton of prizes to be won and I still would like to fill my sock drawer by winter.
Interestingly enough, I was knitting the Lacy Ribs socks at the same time as the rest of the KAL. I was using Cat's Riverbed architecture because I thought that would be best. Yet when the sock was finished, the heel was too wide and there was too much fabric pretty much everywhere on the foot of the sock. Then I found the KAL, realized I was right in step and got started.
I found the KAL on July 20 and thought, what the heck, I'll do the July socks! So I actually finished the On-Hold Socks and Nanner Socks with a couple days to spare. I didn't win any prizes, but I'm so happy to have two more pairs of socks that fit so well!
I'm having an excellent time knitting socks and hope the mojo lasts. With the Ganseys finished, I'll get the Seaweeds done soon. I have some Lorna's Laces left over from the Nanners so I'm trying to get another pair out of the leftovers. I chose the Sprucey Lucys for those since that sock was already done by the KAL and I won't feel like I'm duplicating efforts later on.
Yay, socks are fun and what's better than a drawer full of comfy wool socks in a MN winter??
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