Tag: socks

Socks are a good projects. Very straightforward and useful results. I have enough sock yarn stash for more than half a dozen pairs of socks. Even though I’ve stopped making my Barn Raising Quilt, I need to keep using sock yarns. I wear them a lot when running in the cold months. I actually need to darn some handknit socks at some point.

The pattern is interesting with the Guernsey pattern. I did not memorize it until the foot though. It’s a well written pattern except for a couple of minor bits. I would recommend it.

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Eternal Spring Socks

I am knitting a lot of socks lately and will continue too. I do have a lot of great sock yarn including this one that I one from a Ravelry group in 2013. The tweed and yellow colour is sweet. I do like some yellow socks.

Eternal Spring Socks

Eternal Spring Socks, started May 1, 2018, finished June 18, 2018. Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Eternal Spring Socks by verybusymonkey Ravelry Pattern Page
Yarn: Younger Yarn Shire String in Second Breakfast – 85% Merino, 15% Nylon – 401 meters / 100 grams
Needles: US 1 – 2.25 mm 100cm/40″ long circulars
Modifications & Notes: Surprisingly, very little. I did it two at a time on magic loop as usual. I did three leg repeats and a stockinette foot. I made the the foot a tad short. I stopped under 7″ but should have done a little over 7″.

Eternal Spring Socks

Cost of Project: $0 because I won this yarn!
Would I knit it again? Maybe. I found the lace repeat a tad too involved for me but it does look good. Pattern is well written too.

Snow Queen Sock

My second finished project of the year! This was suppose to be my 2018 Winter Olympics knitting project but I don’t think I can knit a pair of socks in two weeks like I use to back in 2010. It was a stretch, but I have learned my lesson. It’ll be easy scarves or hats for next Olympics challenge.

Since I bought two skeins of this yarn for P’s socks, I had more than enough leftover for a pair for me. I wanted a fairly easy pattern for the challenge and I prefer ribbed or plain knit socks now since I use my wool socks when I run outdoors. This pattern has been in my queue awhile and I think I almost made it earlier. However, I was not satisfied with the way it was written. The heel turn was unclear which would make it confusing for a beginner or novice. I was able to wrap and turn as I normally would, but it’s not a good heel. Secondly, the toe was not good for magic looping so I changed that as well. The stitch count after the heel also meant I had to shift the stitches too. Something I never like with magic loop, but that’s more on me than the pattern.

Snow Queen Sock, started February 9, 2018, finished March 25, 2018. Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Snow Queen Sock by Emmy Coplea Ravelry Pattern Page
Size: US 6.5/UK 4/EUR 36
Yarn: Lang Yarns Jawoll Aktion Color – 132.0370 – 75% Wool, 25% Nylon (420 meters / 100 grams)
Needles: US 1/2.25 mm – 40″/100cm long circulars for magic loop
Modifications & Notes:

  • Shortened leg
  • Modified heel turn
  • Changed toe to be standard dec 4 sts every other row until 16sts

Cost of Project: Each skein was about $12CAD.
Would I knit it again? No.

First Man Socks

Having knit almost 30 pairs of socks in the last ten years, I had never actually knit a pair of socks for a man. My father didn’t really want a pair and his wearing of the knit hat has been sporadic at best. Other than him, there was no man in my life to knit socks for until recently. This was the Christmas present I gave my partner. He selected the yarn in a wonderful wool shop in Toronto on a trip. I bought two balls of the yarn knowing that there was a good chance his socks would need it. The leftovers I will make another pair for myself and a sock yarn square too. He received these socks gratefully and wore them on Christmas day.

First Man Socks

First Man Socks, started October 19, 2017, finished December 12, 2017. Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Toe-up Socks by Leah Mitchell from More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts / Geschenke aus dem Wollkorb Ravelry Pattern Page
Made for: P
Size: US11/UK10 – Foot circumference: approximately 9.25”, Foot Length: 10.5”
Yarn: 1.05 balls of Jawoll Aktion Color by Lang Yarns – 75% Wool, 25% Nylon –
420 meters / 100 grams – each ball includes matching nylon thread
Needles: US1/2.25mm 40″/100cm circular

First Man Socks

Modifications & Notes: Lots of mods as I really only used the pattern for the stitch count and the ribbing.

  • Judy’s magic cast on 24 sts
  • Fleegle heel – Inc for gusset after 7”/18cm until 74 sts on it (37 on both sides)
  • Leg about 4”/10cm
  • Jeny’s Stretchy BO

Cost of Project: Two balls of the Jawoll cost $24
Would I knit it again? This is a basic toe-up sock with ribbing so not this exact pattern, but another similar one definitely.

Vanilla Latte Socks

These were birthday socks for a best friend. One of the only people I knit for. She received a pair of Thuja about seven years ago and requested socks again last year for Christmas.

Originally, I started this project January 2, 2017 and worked on it slowly until June using Marks & Kattens Fame Trend sock yarn. That sock yarn was terrible. It kept knotting itself and I had to keep untangling it as I went. When I finally reached half of the foot, the yarn broke and the knots became untenable. I binned it.

I restarted with one of the loveliest yarns I’ve used in a long time. I forgot I had used the Hazel Knits Artisan Sock on another project until I finished this. This particular skein was wonderful particularly after the terrible M&K yarn. The colourway is vibrant. It is soft yet tightly wound and durable. I can’t wait to make more of my own socks with it.

Pattern is easy and simple. It goes very well with self striping or variegated yarns. Very good knit overall.

Vanilla Latte Socks

Vanilla Latte Socks, started June 26, 2017, finished July 23, 2017 (probably not the actual day I finished them but I forgot to note the real one). Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes Ravelry Project Page
Made for: S
Size: US 8/UK 5/EUR 38.5 – Foot length is around 23cm/9 ¼”
Yarn: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock – 90% Merino 10% Nylon – 365.8m/400 yds – Braeburn – 1 skein
Needles: US1/2.25mm – 40”/100cm – 2AAT on Magic Loop
Modifications & Notes:

  • German Twisted CO 64
  • K3P1 fpr 1”
  • Leg for 3”
  • Slip stitch rib heel

Cost of Project: $28CAD
Would I knit it again? Yes.

Sport Spice Man socks

Sport Spice Man Socks, started June 12, 2016, finished July 20, 2016.Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Spice Man – Basic toe-up, all sizes Ravelry Pattern Page
Size: US 6.5/UK 4/EUR 36
Yarn: This is some clearance yarn I bought years ago. It had a simple label indicating that it was Needful Yarns Perform Sock Yarn – 50% wool and 50% CoolMax – a wicking fibre. No other info on gauge, washing, or yardage.
Needles: US1/2.25mm 40″/100cm circulars. My standard sock needles.

Sport Spice Man socks

Modifications & Notes: Since this is a basic sock pattern, modifications are necessary and encouraged. I wanted to learn this heel for the first time.

  • Using my standard 2.25mm for sock knitting; with this yarn, it results in a tighter gauge about 40sts over 10cm rather than the 32sts/10cm in the pattern – prefer tighter gauge sock yarn especially for my sport socks
  • 2AAT on long circular, but this did not work out as I had to do heels and heel flap separately
  • Really like the heel flap and the gusset; would definitely use the techniques again except I’d have to do it separately when I got to the heels
  • Knit leg for about 3” and cuff for about 1”

Lessons Learned: Another heel flap and gusset technique for toe-up
Cost of Project: $2 for the yarn!
Would I knit it again? Sure.

These socks took me eight months to finish and then I delayed photographing them for another three months. All in all, it took me about a year to get this post up. I am not knitting as much as I use to be. When I started these socks, I hoped it would get me back into it. In the past, I could finish a pair of socks in two weeks even while working full-time. I blame myself for picking this pattern. The twisted stitches made these socks very slow. It’s too bad as these were my first pair of socks from this book.

Katsura, started September 2, 2014, finished June 2, 2014.Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Katsuara by Judy Sumner from Knitted Socks East and West Ravelry Pattern Page
Yarn: Froehlich Wolle Special Blauband – 50g/225 yards – 2 skeins – #74
Needles: US#1/2.25mm – 100cm circular

Modifications & Notes:

  • Judy’s Magic CO 2AAT on ML using La-Rink and La-Link for toe increases.
  • Fleegle Heel
  • Yarn came with reinforcing thread so I used it for toes but forgot the heels
  • K2P1 ribbing
  • Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO

Cost of Project: Yarn was Random Act of Kindness gifted from Ravelry. Thank you. Cost of book was around $10-15CAD probably.
Would I knit it again? No.

Shell Pattern Socks

Nothing like an easy peasy pair of lace socks to get me through summer. I worked on most of this in August. This is at least better than the Girasole blanket of last year. I’m starting to become one of those knitters who does not really knit in the summers. I spent much of this summer outdoors which is great.

In any case, my third pair of socks of this year. I always like knitting socks. In some ways, they are the ultimate kind of projects for me: not too easy, not too difficult, comforting, not too big, not too small, and most of all, useful.

I went back to my favourite sock pattern designer for these. I love this Nancy Bush book. I’ve made more things from Knitting Vintage Socks than any other knitting resource. With the cashmere and wool in these socks, I think they will be one of my favourite winter house socks.

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Vertizags Socks

These were my first pair of socks in 14 months. I have a lot of handknit socks. I can churn a pair of my own socks in 2-3 weeks while working since I knit them two at time. I have over two dozen pairs of handknit socks so I stopped making them for awhile. Of course, I started up again because I have to knit more for my two scrap sock yarn blankets. Also, I do enjoy sock knitting. These were for two Ravelry groups: Sock Knitters Anonymous Sockdown February 2013: Underappreciated Patterns & Solid Socks Feb 2013: Mountain/Forest.

Vertizags, started February 1st 2013, finished February 21st 2013.Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Vertizags by Megan S. Wright Ravelry Pattern Page
Size: My size: US 6.5/UK 4/EUR 37 with 4″ leg.
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Heritage Solids & Quatro Colors – Moss 5612 – 100g/ 437yds – Have heard some good things about this yarn and knits up well for a sock yarn. Yarn bled green yellow water, but not too bad. It’s affordable so I hope it wears and washes well since I just bought more to make a cardigan.
Needles: 2.25mm/US#1 – 100cm/40″ long HH circs
Modifications & Notes:

  • Two at a time on ML
  • Toe increases made with La-Link and La-Rink from Cat Bordhi’s: k1, La-Link, knit to last stitch, La-Rink, K1. Repeat on second needle.
  • Note to self: Start gusset when feel at 6.5″ next time as 6.75″ is too long in a stretchy sock pattern. It’s been awhile since I’ve knit socks so I forgot about when to stop for my foot length.
  • Used Cat Bordhi’s W&T technique where you lift the wrap over the stitch and ktbl.
  • Bind off with JSSBO

Lessons Learned: It was my first time doing heel flap socks from the toe-up: Heel flap was alright, but the short rows didn’t work out as cleanly based on how it is written. Also, I wouldn’t use KFB on gusset next time as it leaves a small hole. Will stick to gusset style heels for toe-up socks from now on.
Cost of Project: $8 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? No, but it’s a cute pattern and a good way to learn a new toe-up heel.
Helpful Links: See Notes.

Have a good weekend! For more FOs, go to Tami’s Amis.

Project 174/365 - Vinland Socks

As much as I like toe-up sock patterns, this pattern bored me quite early on. The pattern is well written and charted though especially since it is designed for people for small and wide feet making it versatile. Sadly, I think it was the chart that made me indifferent. The foot is fine since half the sock is stockinette, but the leg takes forever as you do the chart on the front and back. Maybe it was all those purls and m1s; it did not make for mindless knitting. I just grew really bored with it, and rushed to finish the socks so I could move on to something else. Both the socks have a shorter leg than the pattern or I would like. For my size 7 feet, I did four chart reps on the leg, and four more on the leg.

I did a lot of my usual mods. I love the Judy Magic CO, learned a new method to do increases for the toe, and I used a different BO than the recommended k2p2 grafting (see below). Once again, I used misocrafty’s short row heel tutorial which claims hole less heels, but for some really strange reason, I always got holes on one side of the heel and not the other. Namely the side where you pick up wraps from the RS side. The other side of the heel is perfect. I experimented with picking the wraps in front, in purl, in the back, etc., but it still looked sloppy and holey. Next time, I am going to pick up the wraps on that side of the heel the “normal” way for a short row heel or learn another heel altogether.

Vinland, started August 17th 2008, finished September 3rd, 2008 Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Vinland by Becca Compton in The AntiCraft Ravelry Pattern Page
Size: 8.5″ foot circumference
Yarn: Regia Loop Color (75% New Wool/25% Nylon – 100g – 460 yards ) #5763 – 1 ball
Needles: #1/2.25mm 100cm/40″ circulars magic looping
Modifications: Judy Magic Cast On, misocrafty short row toe, and the following BO from Grumperina: “Work 2 sts in pattern (either knit or purl). Move yarn to back (if the last worked st was a knit, this is already the case). * Transfer the 2 worked sts to the LH needle, and k2togTBL. Work 1 st in pattern (move yarn to back if it was a purl), * repeat between *.”
Cost of Project: Yarn was on sale for less than $10/ball, but can’t remember exact price
Would I knit it again? If I did, I wouldn’t do the chart on the back of the leg. Otherwise, it’s unlikely.

More Stockings than Kilt Hose

This pattern has often been paired with Regia Silk, and I would not have used the yarn in particular if it was not on sale; it is nice and soft. This is my first Nancy Bush pattern, and while it was not a perfect project, I look forward to making more of her sock patterns. These are not quite knee socks or kilt hose, more like stockings. The turn down cuff takes a lot of yarn which made me doubt how much I could spare for leg length. I also wanted to do it in 2.5mm as many have, but I only have those in DPNs, and I really like knitting socks magic loop now. I finished these for WIPwrestling of Ravelympics 2008.

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose, started July 25th 2008, finished August 17, 2008 Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Highland Schottische Kilt Hose from Folk Socks by Nancy Bush Ravelry Pattern Page
Yarn: Regia Silk 4-ply / 4 fädig Solid in #091 (50% Wool, 25% Nylon, 20% Silk) 50g – 3 skeins
Needles: My faithful Hiya Hiya #US1/2.25mm 100cm/40″ metal circulars

Project 157/365 - Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

I am a little more than 5’4″, and my calves are not the most slim so I was worried about it slipping especially since I knit it on such small needles than originally called for. They do slip a bit, but not too much since I think the elastic threading I knit into the 2″ ribbing really helps. I knit the leg for 11″ (mostly because I was afraid of running out of yarn, the leg itself took nearly one 50g ball). It was all for naught though since I could have easily knit 1 or 2 inches more of the leg; the first (right) sock weighed in at 62g. I knit the foot 2″ before toe instead of 2 1/2″ called for due to fingering weight change.

Modifications: Yarn weight and needle change (pattern intended for a man), elastic threading in ribbing, 2″ before toe on foot, and magic loop as usual for me.
Tools/Notions: Elastic threading
Lessons Learned: Picot edging, and I finally did Russian Join correctly. I had tried learning it before, but this was the first actual successful time.
Cost of Project: $18 for yarn
Would I knit it again? Even though I do not seem to love the calf decreases as much as other people seem to, I would definitely like to knit this again. I’d knit the leg 12″ to 14″ next time and use 2.5mm, and keep the mods I had this time.
Helpful Links:

Grey Kilt Hose

Project 110/365 - Anastasia Socks

My first toe-up socks. Originally I started toe-up Jaywalkers but I ran into problems so I decided to just do those another day top-down. I like toe-up socks because you can try them on. This is a very easy pattern to knit as well. A good candidate for a first sock pattern. It’s also one of those patterns that goes well with all sock yarn. As for toe-up vs. top-down, I wouldn’t say I love one technique over the other yet, but I do love sock knitting in general. Same goes with the heels, I like the short row heel I used.

Anastasia Socks, started June 16th 2008, finished July 1st, 2008 Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh Ravelry Pattern Page
Yarn: DGB Confetti 100 Cotton (100g/418 yards – 35% cotton 49% wool 16% nylon – #15.04) 1 skein
Needles: US#1/2.25mm 100cm metal Hiya-Hiya circs – Magic Looping

Anastasia Socks Two

Magic Cast Oned 28 sts so I could avoid using a short row toe. I hate provisional cast ons where I must pick up from scrap yarn. As a result, I love the Magic CO and will use it for all my toe-up socks unless another good non-provisional CO comes along. A tip for increasing from 28 to the 60 is using a YO and then knitting it through the back loop in the second knit row. I find this achieves a better increase than M1A or KFB.

Modifications: Magic Cast On and miscocrafty’s short-row heel (which involves picking up two wraps and passing them over k st)
Lessons Learned: Magic Cast On, short row heel, and EZ’ sewn BO (which I think I learned before, but don’t know for what)
Cost of Project: $12 approx.
Would I knit it again? Maybe, but not for awhile. The pattern says to knit foot until 1.5″, I think one can start it at 2″ before heel. There is some room in the foot. I could have probably knit another 0.5-1″ of leg too, but I’m always scared of running out of yarn.
Helpful Links: