Tag: socks

Chevron Socks - Forethought Heel

Chevron Socks, started December 15th 2007, finished January 22nd, 2008.
Pattern: Chevron from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.
Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Marathon Socks – San Diego (75% Wool 25% Nylon 100g 400m/437yds)
Needles: Hiya Hiya stainless steel 40″/100cm US1/2.25mm circs
Modifications German Twisted cast on, and Magic Loop.
Lessons Learned: German Twisted Cast On, Forethought heel.
Cost of Project: $4 for the yarn!
Would I knit it again? Unlikely.

Chevron Socks


Pattern Notes and Comments: This yarn was in clearance for only $4! I still have a lot left because I got very bored doing the first leg. It’s a rather short cuff as a result. I’m not crazy for the yarn colours which is why I wanted to use something like chevron to make it interesting. I hate provisional cast on. The forethought heel was not difficult, but it wasn’t fun either. The pattern is not a stretchy one which will be good to wear in these cold winter days as it really hugs my foot. It is rather mindless knitting for awhile which can be both good and boring. I love my Hiya Hiya needles though. Also, I love this book. It has so many wonderful sock patterns. I’m probably going to knit a pair of socks in February as well.

Monkey Socks

Monkey Socks, started May 25th, 2007, finished July 9th, 2007
Pattern: Knitty’s Monkey Socks by Cookie A.
Yarn: Regia 4ply Ringel Color 100g/420m (75% New Wool 25% Polyamide)
Needles: US#2/2.5mm bamboo DPNs (5)
Lessons Learned: Lots: heel flap, turn heel, short rows, kitchener stitch, all the goodness of making socks
Cost of Project: $13 yarn + $5 DPNs = $18
Would I knit it again? Most definitely. I would probably reinforce the heel next time because I wear my heels out often.
Pattern Notes and Comments: These are my first part of socks. It wasn’t hard at all! It only took so long because I actually finished two projects and started another one while knitting these socks. They didn’t actually take that long as the pattern is not that difficult. I really liked this pattern which is very well written and with the right details, perfect for a first pair of socks if you’ve already done simple lace projects as I have.

The yarn is from a LYS that was closing; there was not a lot of selection, but it was 100g, nice yarn, and less expensive than usual. The colours are crazy; much louder than I prefer, but I’ll just wear them indoors mostly in the winter. They’re clown colours and remind me of Fruit Loops. I still have a lot of yarn left so I think I will make a beret for a friend’s birthday.

I would block the socks if I had sock blockers because it would make the pattern stand out. I’ve become a sock knitter because I’ve already bought two skeins of 100g sock yarn. I want to try toe up socks and Magic Loop eventually. They are addictive to make. Just as with scarves and hats, I was never big on these items before, but now I love them because I can make them. It’s addictive in the bad way when I go to the yarn store and look for discounted sock yarn for no specific reason to possess it for possible socks. Overall, I have been very pleased with with my first socks and definitely look forward to making more.

New stash

Here I am spending money again on yarn. One of my LYSs is having a clearance sale on Meilweneit Cotton sock yarn (45% cotton, 42% wool, 13% nylon) at 50% off so I bought a skein of the Spirit (knits wide stripes) yesterday. Who doesn’t like good, discounted sock yarn on sale? As for the Misti Alpaca Lace (100% baby alpaca), I bought that today because I was  inspired this morning to start Swallowtail Shawl, I even joined the knitalong! The fact that it only requires one hank (must do centre-pull ball soon) and is affordable yet luxurious yarn sealed the deal. I got it in pink because I wanted a shawl on the pastel side and my wardrobe lacks the colour. I don’t know if it’ll be the best colour on me, but the woman at the LYS did say I could make just make another one. Will get the #4/3.5mm for it soon at the other LYS, but probably won’t start project for awhile. It’ll probably take some time to do since it’ll be my first lace shawl.

The socks are going very slowly as they should, but I had to recast on them a couple times. I’m very glad I got bamboo needles for them because they would have been slipping so much.

I actually have a lot of things to do offline and online this week which I’m not really looking forward to.

Sock me tools

Socks: essential and addictive to some knitters, a road to be crossed for others. I decided to try my hand at this last winter. These socks will be my first, and I’ll be making them for myself. I have been sort of putting this off since I finished the clapotis. First, I got the Regia yarn from a closing yarn store. It was only off by a mere dollar or so compared to the others. Sock yarn is not cheap I must say so even if I do get addicted, I’m not sure I can afford to make so many pairs. Yesterday, I finally went to my LYS and bought a set of five 2.5mm bamboo dpns. They’re like toothpicks. I tried doing a gauge swatch today, but I gave up. That may bite me in the bottom later, but I’m trying to decide which pattern to use. Should I just use a really basic pattern that shows pictures or try myself at some lace while at it so I can go head on in? I’m leaning toward the latter as the lace may help make them stretchier. I have many browser tabs open at the moment with pictures of turning heels and decreasing gussets as support. This seems very daunting, but I must be brave and plunge head on I guess.