Slow-Poke Socks Knit Along

Sleepwalker Socks

2008-06-01T06:34:00.001-07:00

Smooshy Sock
Originally uploaded by Infiknit

I finished a pair of socks! This is the best picture that showed the stitch definition, but if you wish, you can see the finished pair on my blog.

I used Dream in Color's Smooshy Sock yarn in Punky Fuschia. Not coincidentally, I also used a Dream in Color pattern called Sleepwalker Socks.

Yay for socks!

Slipped Stitch Rib Socks

2008-03-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Slipped Stitch Rib Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Fearless Fibers' superwash socks in the Prosperity colorway
Size: 7 wide
Modifications: Heel was made with slipped stitch rib and garter stitch edging
Start: February 14, 2008
Finish: March 6, 2008

Waterfall Lace Rib Socks

2008-02-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Waterfall Lace Rib Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Fearless Fibers Superwash Sock yarn in the Imagine colorway
Size: 7 medium
Modifications: Stockinette heel
Start: February 3, 2008
Finished: February 13, 2008

Bluebell Lace Rib Socks

2008-02-05T15:49:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Bluebell Lace Rib Socks from SKS
Yarn: FearlessFiber's Blue Violet Superwash sock yarn(My camera hates me... the purple looks blue)
Size: 8 medium
Modifications: Stockinette heel
Start: January 15, 2008
Finish: February 2, 2008

My First Toe Up Socks

2008-01-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Lace Ribbed Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Madeline Tosh's Somewhat Solid Sock yarn in vermillion
Size: US 8 medium
Modifications: I used Judy Becker's Magic cast on for my first toe up socks
Start: November 28, 2007
Finished: January 8, 2008

Knee High Firestarter

2008-01-16T03:12:00.000-08:00

Gosh these seemed to have taken forever. Almost 3 months ekk. But they are super comfy so it was well worth it.

More info on my blog if you're interested. Have a super day! :)

Five pair!

2007-12-31T08:13:00.000-08:00

These were giftie socks, started in August and done by Thanksgiving. No one read blogs, so I *could* have posted sooner, and in fact had every intention of doing so, but the picture sat on my camera until last night!so, without further ado, I give you five pair:
From left to right

Louet Gems Sport in Linen, Cat Bordhi's Riverbed Master pattern, for the FIL's size 9 feet
Louet Gems Fingering in Champagne, Cat Bordhi's Cedar Master Pattern, for Mom's size 8 feet
Louet Gems Fingering in Teal, Beaded rib with short row heel, for the MIL's size 5s
Louet Gems sport in Charcoal, Cedar Master pattern again, for grandpa's size 11s (!!)
Lang Jawoll Color in faded lime, Embossed leaves pattern, for grandma's size 7s

I learned quite a bit making these. The Embossed leaves were the first, and I used the Italian Tubular cast on, which I plan on using again and again. It's fiddly, both to learn and use, but it looks so professional and doesn't bind AT ALL. Plus? Using Cat Bordhi's new book is so much fun! Really makes you think about how the sock can be put together. And they feel heavenly, what with the heel flap that doesn't need stitches picked up. And either of the cuff downs feel really nice on the ankle, too!
So, that makes eight pair completed for me this year. Not one every two months, but at least I met the total count! (I'm not counting the pair of Sockotta mit Bambou that I made over Thanksgiving and I can't locate in the laundry to photograph!) Thanks for the KAL! I had fun everyone!

Down to the Wire Christmas Socks

2007-12-27T18:04:00.001-08:00

A special bonus edition of the December socks. (A Christmas special, even.) I finished these in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Giant men's socks do tend to go on forever and ever...

I did these with the magic loop (US size 3 needles, I think) and two entire skeins of Regia Color 4-ply yarn.

Sundara Basketweave Socks

2007-12-17T07:40:00.001-08:00

The first of (hopefully) several socks for December. (Specifically, December 25th.) These are the Basketweave socks from Sensational Knitted socks. The yarn is Sundara Sock yarn in Marina over Icicles from her permanent collection. The yarn is really soft and her colors are lovely. I used the magic loop method for these. I don't think I like it as much for thin yarns, even though I find it appealing in concept.

Cable Twist Socks for December

2007-12-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

You can't see it because I didn't get a good enough side photo but the heel flap is also green. These are for me and they keep my feet toasty! The only thing I wish I had done differently is make the entire toe part out of green. I like this pattern it's easy to get the rhythm of it. I'm sure to make more. I still have some sweater yarn and other worsted yarn that needs using up.

Specs:
Cable Twist Sock pattern from Hello Yarn
cuff down/heel flap
ww cascade 220 heathers in purple and green from my stash
US4/3.5mm 32" cable needles for magic loop

Tiny Fixation Sock

2007-12-04T09:48:00.001-08:00

I recently picked up the keychain sock blocker from the Loopy Ewe, and it came with a pattern for a little sock to fit the blocker (of course). Naturally, I had to make the sock. It was adorable (though I did decide to modify the pattern little to use 18 stitches around instead of 16). It was also a very quick knit, so I made a couple more.

I am thinking that some of the people I wanted to make Christmas socks for may get little placeholder socks while I finish their actual socks (since I want to make more pairs than I have time for). I am also considering making a little sock souvenir from each pair for myself, but perhaps that is too crazed.

Secret Pal Socks

2007-11-29T15:17:00.000-08:00

I knit these socks for my last gift package to my secret pal.

Pattern: Apple Harvest Socks from Northern Sunshine Designs
Yarn: SnapDragon from White Willow Market
Size: 11 1/2 US shoe size
Modificatons: Casted on 84 stitches and added k1p1 to heel flap
Start: November 3, 2oo7
Finish: November 27, 2007

Sockotta Shortrows

2007-11-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

I finally finished another pair of socks. I got stalled on the short rows so these lingered for a while. I finally decided to crack the short rowed heel code and didn't do too bad. I followed the instructions from More Sensations Socks.

Specs:
Sockotta most of the skein
32" US1/2.25mm circ needles

I did lots of first for this sock:
First short rowed heel
First toe up
First time using magic loop for socks - Instead of doing two at a time on one circ, I used two circs one on each.

November Socks

2007-11-27T07:21:00.001-08:00

Another pair of Christmas socks finished. If only Christmas were six months away, rather than one, I might finish all the socks I'd hoped to finish.

These are Nancy Bush's Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks. The yarn is from Fearless Fibers in smoke. Needles were US size 0.

FO: Apple Harvest Socks

2007-11-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

Apple Harvest Socks
Yarn: White Willow Market's Superwash Supersoft fingering weight merino in Prairie Grass colorway
Size: 8 wide
Modifications: I casted on 72 stitches instead of 60 and added a few k1p1 stitches to the heel.
Start: October 17, 2007
Finished: November 3, 2007

This pattern was easy to knit. I'm making it my quick and easy female go to sock pattern.

October Socks

2007-10-31T13:11:00.001-07:00

Made from Fearless Fibers sock yarn in Infatuation, with the heels and toes out of Lorna's Laces in Manzanita.

(More Christmas socks finished, hooray!)

Finally!

2007-10-18T14:22:00.001-07:00

I have finally finished a pair of socks. Since starting them MONTHS ago, I got pregnant and then really sick. Now, I am in my 5th month and hopefully knitting again. I wish I had a nice summary that included the type of yarn, but I don't know where the ball band is. Okay, but the big news is I finished a pair of socks. They are for by son, who is quite pleased with them. I ribbed the leg this time and they stay up a lot better than the last pair I knit for him. Sorry I've been so silent. I hope I am back in the game.

Happy knitting.

Thuja Socks for my bubba

2007-10-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Thuja Socks by Bobby Zeigler
Yarn: Fearless Fibers Thoroughbred Superwash Sock Yarn (550yards per skein)
Size: 13 wide
Modifications: I used fingering weight yarn instead of the DK weight that's in the pattern
Start: September 20, 2007
Finish: October 17, 2007

The simple, classic Thuja socks are a great pattern for men's socks. The socks are a size 13 wide. I had 1 yard left of the yarn when I was done.

September Socks

2007-10-08T11:33:00.001-07:00

I actually didn't finish these until October 1, but there was a small delay due to running out of yarn. (I had enough for a pair for me, but not for a pair for a man with wide feet oops.) Fortunately one sock got made out of each, so there's no issue with dye lots.

This is my third pair of Christmas socks, and I have a fourth nearly done. It's going to be tight though.

Finally a pair of socks

2007-10-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

I'm way behind on posting these, but here are my Move Your Fanny Socks from Socktopia.net done in Tofutsies. This is a great pattern for people with narrow feet. I remember the good old days when I was able to finish a pair a month. Now I'm lucky if it's every two months :(

Twist & Shout Socks

2007-09-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

Finally after almost 2 months of knitting, ripping, reknitting and a bout of second sock syndrome, I'm done with the Twist & Shout Socks. It was the first time I knitted lace socks and used a short row heel.

Pattern: Twist & Shout Socks by Amy King
Yarn: White Willow Superwash Sock Yarn in Medicine Woman colorway
Size: Women's 8 medium
Needles: US 1 on 2 Addi Turbo circs
Modifications: 68 stitch cuff 1.5 inches, 66 stitch leg and 72 stitch heel and foot, standard toe decreases
Start: July 23, 2007
Finished: today!!!

If you want to read more about me knitting these socks, go to my blog.

August Socks

2007-08-24T12:01:00.001-07:00

Sideways Socks Supreme

Finally finished the Sideways Socks out of Cascade fixation. They make thick socks, but the stretchiness really helps this style of socks fit right.

Thanks to a tripod and a swiveling LCD monitor on my camera, I was able to take this picture of myself in the socks. (I am sitting in a chair, not balancing on my toes.)

Jaywalkers

2007-08-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

I finished the first pair of socks that I'm gifting to myself :-)

Jaywalkers! This is also the first sock pattern I've followed that wasn't plain stockinette or ribbing. I think I am going to go onto bigger better sock patterns now.

Growing Toward the Sun

2007-08-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Fleece Artist "Autumn" from my Practically Perfect Secret Pal

Pattern: Toe-up Beaded Rib from "Sensational Knitted Socks"

Comments: this was my first toe-up and my first short row toe/heel. Not certain I'm a fan of this way round. It's also the first time I've split a ball in two and seen how far I can knit - so these socks are a good 8cm/3 inches longer than I typically make my socks. I think I might like them the shorter length, but we'll see what wearing them teaches me.

Here's a picture of both socks with my feet firmly on the ground.

I lost my mojo for a while and now I'm behind my loose 'one pair per month' plan to get the 12 pairs knitted. I'd better catch up. Good think I'm so enamored with the new Bellatrix socks pattern.

Finally photo-d

2007-08-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

These socks.
Pattern: Undulating Rib socks from the Favorite Socks book
Yarn: Woollyboully in the Red Robin colorway
Needles: Size 2 & 3 (I probably should have used 2s and 1s)

Fun pattern and I loved the yarn colors.

Right now I'm working another pair from Favorite Socks and a pair for my husband in a worsted weight yarn (KP Swish). The worsted weight one are going fast - love that!

next pair(s) down

2007-08-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

This is my newest pair (that actually fit!!) They're ONLine Beach Color, but I don't remember the color number (again. Call me lazy, it would fit.) Also? Another pair of toddler socks from the leftovers. Just imagine the same thing, with wider color repeats, on a very fast little girl.

July Socks

2007-07-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

I finally finished another pair of socks. I had been trying to get a pair done a month but it hasn't worked that way lately. I made them with Seacoast Yarns Royalty colorway, using the Garter Stitch Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks on No. 1 Knitpicks circulars.

2007-07-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

I've been silent for a bit, but I have (!!) two pairs to show off!
First:
Toddler socks for my daughter. I swore I wouldn't make her socks til she stopped growing, but that was before I found out how fast these little things are to pop out! It only took me four hours to make the pair, weaving in the ends and everything!
Specs:
Yarn - ONline Walking Colors #848
Size - Toddler
Needle - ML on size 1 addi turbo
Started - yesterday
Finished - today!!!

Second -
This is the first pair I've every made for myself that actually fit! It's a variation of the Gentlemen's Rib pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks (I didn't have the book on hand and remembered it wrong...) Done in Paton's Kroy Sock, but I don't remember the color offhand, and toddlers and husbands are calling for dinner, so that's all you get!

That makes two whole pairs so far, unless single socks can combine into mismatched pairs, which would make four.....

Charade Socks

2007-07-26T12:49:00.001-07:00

Hi, I'm Cheryl and this is my first of many FO for this KAL. I learned to knit in October 2006. In January of this year I learn to knit cuff down socks by reading Sensational Knitted Socks and looking at the Nenah Galati's Sock I dvd.

Let's call this pair my April pair of socks....
Yarn: Prince of Tides, Unwind Yarn Co.
Needles: Addi Turbo US 1
Pattern: Charade Socks, a herringbone pattern
Modificatons: none <---- beginner mistake (let's hope they fit who I'm giving them to)
Started: July 1,2007
Finished: July 23, 2007

Anniversary Socks

2007-07-24T20:26:00.001-07:00

I have finished the first of (hopefully) several pairs of Christmas present socks. (I know Christmas is half a year away, but I have notions of making perhaps half a dozen pairs.) Now, will I be good and finish one of my other partly complete pairs before starting a new pair. Hmm...

This pattern was pretty straightforward, though I wound up doing a more normal toe with a Kitchner stitch graft rather than the one in the pattern. Hopefully my mom will like them.

Yarn is Fearless Fibers Superwash Sock yarn in the "Infatuation" colorway.

Finished and Unfinished Socks

2007-07-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Remember my first post about my current socks projects? I had five pairs in progress then, exactly three months ago. Well, since then I have...

...finished two of the five unfinished pairs
...frogged two pairs for new patterns, resulting in one an entire sock (Sideways Sock Supreme from Socks, Socks, Socks and about two inches of the Bed Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks
...started and finished a whole new pair for which I didn't even have yarn when this picture was taken
...turned the heel on the last pair, but didn't finish it.
...started another new pair (the Anniversary Socks from Favorite Socks) with some other new yarn
...made a mate for a sock that lots its mate almost ten years ago

I guess I still have a problem, but at least now I only have four pairs on needles.

Finally, another pair!

2007-07-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

I am so behind on my sock knitting and this blog! Looking forward to checking out all your socks, now that I have some to share. I have another pair finished too - just need to weave in the ends.

Pattern: Yarnover Cable (I think) from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Tofutsies in 728 Three Feet Short Colorway
Needles: Crystal Palace Size 2 DPNS
Notes: eh. I wasn't crazy about the Tofutsies. It's really soft, but splitty and I probably should have knitted on 1s instead of 2s like the company suggested. This was my first pair of toe-up socks and my first short row heels and my "purl 3 togethers through the back loops" look like crap, especially in this splitty yarn. I also made them too short (which is not the yarn's fault, of course). The yardage was great though and I probably have enough left over for another pair of small socks.

Opal Tree Frog Socks

2007-07-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

I didn't think these would ever be done. I made them for my 11 yr. old son. He chose the yarn and I hadn't realized how tiny Opal Rainforest was. I was seriously concerned his feet were growing faster than I was knitting.

Yarn - Opal Rainforest, Tree Frog
Needles - KnitPicks size 0
Pattern - 84 stitches, toe up, heel flap, with 2x2 rib, magic loop

He loves the socks and if it weren't 97 degrees, he'd probably wear them now. I'm happy with how they turned out, but I wouldn't chose this yarn again!

Becca at Forward Motion

Long Awaited Opal Socks

2007-07-05T16:38:00.001-07:00

Here are the socks I finished right at the beginning of July. There's a long, drawn-out story that can be found here:

Pattern: Basic stockinette socks, no pattern
Yarn: Opal sock yarn (about 5 years in the stash)
Started: January '07
Completed: July 3, 2007
Modifications: every one in the book

My First Pair with the KAL

2007-06-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I just joined the KAL a few days ago, and I was already working on these, but just finished them today:

Very happy that they're done and that I actually knit the second one too, hehe. My attention tends to wander from project to project, but I tried to stay focussed and it got me a complete pair :-)

Shauna

June Socks that won a prize!

2007-06-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

I didn't do much sock knitting this month at all. I've been vacationing with my daughter and grandbaby in Indy. But, I did sign up for a knit-off the last weekend I was there. We didn't really have any plans and I figured that I could give the socks to my daughter as a gift when I finished. So, started knitting on Friday afternoon and finished on Sunday afternoon. I spent a lot of time knitting, but did make dinner (yummy chicken burritos with red chili sauce) on Friday and we went out for lunch on Saturday. I really didn't think that I had a shot to be the first finished, as the first knit-off (this one was to defend the team title!) was won by a lady who knit a pair in 12 (or was it 14) hours straight! Without further ado, Clementine by Momma Monkey from Socktopia. You can click on the picture to get the yarn info.

new additions

2007-06-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

My apologies--I got behind on a lot of other things and have been neglecting the KAL administrative stuff. I had a bunch of people email asking to join that I didn't get around to adding until today. I think I have everyone added that requested it--please let me know if you have asked to join and didn't receive notification from blogger that you now have permissions on this KAL today.

Thanks!
-Traci

I finally finished a pair for myself!

2007-06-22T16:54:00.001-07:00

does six months count as 'slow-poke'? ;)

details and full-size photo on my blog

Erde Austermann Jaywalkers

2007-06-19T05:18:00.001-07:00

I finally finished the second pair of Jaywalkers (after making a pair and a half of sideways-ish socks in the middle). Here they are. I love the feel of the Austermann yarn and wish it also came in solid colors.

Summer Socks

2007-05-31T06:19:00.001-07:00

These are the socks from The Loopy Ewe sock club. The yarn is a merino/bamboo/nylon blend from All Things Heather in the colorway called skinny dipping. The pattern is summerfield from Wildhorse Farm designs. I used size 1 DPN's and followed the pattern exactly. These are great for summer because the bamboo makes them feel cooler then pure wool. I actually finished two pairs of socks in May...so I guess I'm getting faster at knitting them. That's a really good thing because I have a LOT of sock yarn.

Shipwreck Socks

2007-05-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

I was motivated to finish these socks for my mother's birthday today. I loved knitting with this yarn and can't wait to find more of it. It's a bamboo, wool, and nylon blend and it felt fabulous sliding through my fingers.

Details:

Yarn - Yarn Love in the Shipwreck colorway bought from The Loopy Ewe

Pattern - Plain

Needles - KnitPicks size 2 32' circular

Method - toe up, one at a time, heel flap, Magic Loop

When Mom received the socks today, she said she needed a pair of brown or tan Crocs for the perfect look.

Just in time

2007-05-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

for the end of May, a finished pair of socks that were started and completed in this month. Which is pretty good for me.

really liked the pattern when I saw it as a serial pattern on Susan's blog. The fingering weight pattern is available through membership to the Six Sox Knitalong.

Pattern: Horcrux socks
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug in the Castagna colorway
Project date: May 2, 2007 through May 24, 2007
Mods: none, I was a bit concerned that the pattern called for 60 or 70 stitches, but because the pattern utilizes a k3,p2 ribbing, the socks are quite stretchy. And it fits just fine. The only I would have done differently is the heel and the heel flap. In fact, on the second sock, I did change the heel because I didn't like how the first turned out. The pattern uses a stockinette heel flap which I didn't care for, but that's a matter of personal preference. The Dutch heel didn't fit my foot properly, but it's wearable. It may be just fine for others.

The yarn was really nice to work, although I was a bit worried about the yardage. Since these socks are relatively short, it worked just fine and I still had a bit of yardage left over. I could have easily made them at least 1 inch taller, but that's again a personal preference. I would think this pattern would be good for those yarns with low yardage, such a Koigu or Colinette. I followed the pattern initially b/c I really didn't think about how tall it was, but it's not too short, but I'd prefer it be a *smidge* taller.

Pair #3:French Socks

2007-05-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

These are the most comfortable pair of socks I've knit for myself thus far, although I wouldn't have known it by the way the pattern looks. It's so stretchy though, and fits perfectly. This project did have it's share of headaches though. I don't think I really blogged about it, but I had to knit the toe on one of the socks 5 times, and twice on the other. This has never happened to me before. Maybe I'm distracted, maybe my row gauge is WAY off, but in the end, I knit 4 extra pattern repeats, didn't knit any of the 4 plain rows before the toe decreases, and now they fit like a dream. Just like that. (BTW, my feet are size 8-1/2, so similarly sized knitters, be forewarned.)

Let's take a little closer look at that pattern:
This picture is exactly true to color -- the one above is just a bit dark.

PROJECT SPECS

Pattern: Child's French Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Grapevine
Needles: Susan Bates, aluminum DPN's, set of 4
Notes: 5 extra pattern repeats, for a total of 25 from cuff to toe. Did not knit the 4 plain rows between last pattern rep and decreases for toe.

~Faith from The Needle And The Damage Done

Pepto Pink!

2007-05-28T06:33:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Broadripple from Knitty
Yarn: Cascade Fixation in an alarmingly pink colorway
Needles: Lantern Moon Size 3 Blond DPNS
Notes: Not crazy about the pattern when knit up. Really not a fan of the yarn. I screwed up the kitchenering of the last toe and had to rip out and redo - think that is why the one sock has a shorter toe - I must have ripped back too far. But they're done!

Next up: Second sock of my daughter's Tofutsies. Then something for me either with the Koigu I got at Maryland Sheep and Wool or my new yarn.

Footies

2007-05-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

I didn't actually do sock-socks, but these were fun. :)

Opal Hundertwasser Socks

2007-05-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

Sideway Sock and The Magic Loop

I finished off my Opal Hundertwasser Socks last night, in a miss matching pair in the style of the socks on the label. The first sock (right one in the pair) was a sideways sock using something like the pattern on the inside of the label as I mention in my previous post. I think I overdid it on the short rows on the sideways sock, though and the foot is just plain too long. It makes for a very slouchy, floppy looking sock, especially next to the lean, well fitting "normal" sock. The sideways sock looks a little bit better on my feet (below), but still isn't great. I ran across someone's discussion of her attempts to devise a better sideways sock, and so perhaps I will wait and see what her outcome is and reknit the sideways one. I'm going to track down a copy of Socks, Socks, Socks too and see what that take on the sideways sock is.

The second sock (left side of first picture) was just a plain sock made using the Magic Loop technique. I'm don't I'm a convert yet, but I see some benefits. I used 32" (80cm) size three Addi turbos. They are smooth enough that you can knit pretty fast (it was a pretty simple pattern too), but I found I would occasionally accidentally pull my needle right out of the stitches when there were only one or two on the needle. The other thing I didn't like was that I had to knit the first and last couple of stitches of each needle pretty tightly to keep ladder from forming. Plus, I am kind of a sucker for the way really nice wooden needles feel; they're just so luxurious.

But there, socks for May. (And sock blockers too!)

My Socks for May

2007-05-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

I finished my May socks and my 2nd pair of knit socks so far. I love the colors of these but this yarn is fiddly. I just might up my needle size but I do like a tighter gauge in socks to make the knitting easier I hope and 'cause the socks are a bit snug.

yarn: Gedifra Fashion Trend Sportivo, color #5768
needles: #1 dpns
pattern/tutorial: www.cometosilver.com/socks/SockClass_Start.htm
method: cuff down sock

I'm still trying to get the hang of toe grafting and still not quite succeeding.

Now I'm off to check out all the other great socks and figure out which pair to make next.

Green socks

2007-05-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

I just completed these, and they are really comfortable. The yarn is Austermann Step color 3, and the pattern is the seed-stitch rib from More Sensational Knitted Socks. I did them toe-up using a provisional cast on and a short-row heel. I was planning to take a break from sock knitting and actually make a sweater, but now I'm feeling edgy about not having a pair of socks on the needles. Maybe I will break my own rule and work on 2 projects at once...how horrible that would be!

2007-05-13T01:37:00.000-07:00

Yay! Finally! I finished MY pair of Fanny socks from Socktopia!

Michigan Socks

2007-05-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

This pair knitted up quickly and are nice and thick. Thankfully, they fit!

Yarn - bought on eBay from KimiK Yarns (from Michigan)
Needles - KnitPicks size 2
Pattern - plain stockinette and 3x2 rib
Method - toe up, heel flap

I did these two at a time on two circulars for the foot. When I separated them for the heels, I never put them back together and finished them one at a time. More details at Forward Motion.

Opal Sideways Socks

2007-05-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

I went away for the weekend and took with me a ball of Opal Hundertwasser #1437 and a copy of the translation of the sideways sock pattern that comes inside the label. I was intrigued by the pictures of the yarn knit up as two different socks from their publicity material (image at right) and hunted down a translation on the internet. I am a bit dubious about some of the translation though, since the pattern for the leg does not seem like it would produce a garter stitch cuff and the rest stockinette. Wherever I saw "K70" in the pattern, I substituted "K30, P40," and wherever I saw "K40, Gst30" well, that's actually the same as K70. (Gst=Garter Stitch) Due to lots of time in airports and on airplanes, I am almost ready to sew up the back seam (I'm on the second half of the heel now.), though I haven't taken a picture yet. Once I finish, I'll have a better feel for the sizing, though I think it will be a fairly tall sock. I was worried it would be too long, but from the pictures the toe looks pretty short, so hopefully it will be all right.

Update 5/9/07: I got within a few rows of the end and tried the sock against my foot and realized it was far too narrow across the widest part of my heel. I see now that what I should have done was to check the size when I got to the midpoint (i.e. right after row 27) and add more rows as necessary. Since I didn't do that, I ripped it out to there and added some rows, including a few short rows because my ankle and leg have a slightly larger diameter than my foot. Hopefully this will be better.

April's sock, a bit late

2007-05-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I never introduced myself here. I'm Wanda and I blog
here. I've been knitting socks for the past 4 years. While I've always enjoyed knitting socks, lately I've becomed even more obsessed with them. It might have something to do with listening to the Lime & Violet podcast. I know some people are knitting 52 pair of socks for a year, but while I'm obsessed, there's no way I could ever finish that many pairs of socks unless I didn't knit anything else. Hence when I heard about the Slowpoke Socks KAL, it sounded right up my alley.

I didn't finish the April socks on time, but they are done and thought I'd post them here. The toe on the second sock hasn't yet been grafted, but it will done later on today.

The socks are the Monkey pattern by Cookie. The yarn is Austermann Step.

I'll post later with new socks hopefully to be finished by the end of the month.

New to the KAL

2007-05-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hi I'm new to the KAL and new to knitting as well. I'm a crocheter first and struggled to learn to knit but it finally clicked and I jumped right in and knit my first pair of socks. I'm a SAHM mom and we homeschool. I'm also learning to spin. I have a blog where I share about all things fiber, talk about my kids, dh too sometimes and the books I'm reading. You can check it out here

These are not the greatest looking but they fit.

I'm counting thees as my April pair. More on my blog here

I have a much prettier pair on the needles right now. Using #1 dpnsand Gedifra Fashion Trend sock yarn. I'm following the same tutorial/pattern from my previous pair.

Sorry about the pics it's a bit blurry.

Thanks for letting me play too

Belated April Socks!

2007-05-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here are my April socks- the photo was still hiding in my camera. I knit these socks out of Elann's Esprit (similar to Cascade fixation) in the Incan Clay colourway. I had two balls of the yarn with enough left for baby socks too.
I knit on 2.75mm Bryspun needles, 48 stitches to the round. Perfect fit and ease. The heel is all garter stitch, comfy!

FO - Java Ribs

2007-05-03T05:23:00.000-07:00

Java ribs are finished. I know I know...I said I was going to work on them only 15 minutes a day until they were done, but honestly when I got back to them I realized I quite enjoyed doing the pattern and now that they are finished....I love them. The yarn from Fearless Fibers is quite fine and I knit them on 2mm needles, but they feel fabulous on the foot! They are going to my daughter however I thought I best try them on just to make sure they fit ok and feel ok and nothing caught up in the yarn to poke her ;) Now back to the Fleece Artist Sea Cell and the River Rapids. I should have those done over the weekend and hopefully be able to cast on the Cookie's Monkey Socks from Knitty. Too bad I have to do a day or two of O/T this weekend. It looks like it going to rain and DH has to work.... It could have been a knitting frenzy.

Judith

2nd pair!

2007-05-02T06:47:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, I completed the socks for my 3-year-old, Sparky, that have been hanging out on the needles all month. (Do socks for little people even count?)
PROJECT SPECS

Pattern: Based on Easy Toddler Socks (PDF) by Karen Coron. I extended the ribbing down the instep, because it helps the socks to fit even better.
Yarn: Online Euro Yarns, Green/black/brown from the Sierra colorway line (I bought it down the street, but you can get some of the other colorway lines at The Loopy Ewe)
Needles: Knitpicks Classic Circulars, size #1. Knit two socks at the same time with Magic Loop technique (nothing magic about it kids, once you start a pair, it just makes sense and it's very simple.)
Notes: I really like that this pattern uses a heel flap. The socks fit Sparky very well, and I don't think they'll slip right off of him like the short-row heels that I've knit for him in the past.
Thoughts on the yarn: I bought this yarn because it was inexpensive, accessible (down the street!), and I was in the mood for some self-striping mindlessness. As it turns out, this yarn not only knit up prettily, but it's also softer than I would have thought. I can tell that this is going to wear very well, similar to Lion Brand Magic Stripes, but with none of the stiffness. I will certainly knit with this again. (I've already got a purple color for myself.)

Cross posted from my blog, The Needle And The Damage Done.

Nothing to see here.

2007-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Oops. Meant to post on my own blog. Sorry!

Didn't finish my pair...

2007-04-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I didn't actually finish a pair of socks this month. :( But does it count if I did do another sock, so two single socks = a pair? Maybe, hehe, me being sneaky. The good news is that I'm in love with this colorway and will definitely finish up this pair. The other sock will have to wait for its mate.

+ = A Pair?

The colorway is: Fortissima Colori Socka Color #2419
I've been bloggin' about it's awesomeness on my blog.

What to do with leftover sock yarn

2007-04-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Using some leftover yarn from a pair of socks for myself, I made these baby socks by knitting an adult sock pattern on needles that were 4 or 5 sizes smaller than called for. (It was a pattern meant to used with heavier than normal sock yarn.) Not having any babies on hand, I had to guess at the length, and it turns out a 10 month old has much longer feet than I realized. These probably should have been an inch to an inch and a half longer than they are. Well, no doubt another smaller baby will appear before long. :)

Finished - entrelac socks

2007-04-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

I just completed these socks - they took me about two weeks. This was my first pair of toe-up socks, so I learned a lot of new techniques including entrelac. They were fun to knit and they fit! I'm wearing them today even though it's a bit warm for wool socks! There are details on my BLOG

Intro

2007-04-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hello! thanks for letting me join this KAL. I may be able to "keep up" with this one. I've been having a bit of trouble finishing the 2nd sock lately and thought being in this blog may help me out. Currently I have this one on the needles, Its River Rapids from Sock Bug and I'm knitting it in Fleece Artist Sea Wool Sock yarn. The Sea Wool is really gorgeous and nice to knit with. I think I'll probably cast on the 2nd one as soon as this one is off the needles later today. It knits up really fast as the yarn is a bit thicker than what I am used to using for most of my sock projects. I've knit from the heel flap to the toe since yesterday AM.

Although my mind is whirling with other projects I could start, however I'm going to try to finish these socks as well as the ones below before starting another project (well besides more socks). It hard because I have a huge stash and a six month old grandson! There are so many cute cabled sweaters out there that Bronson must have.

Then there is this...

Its Java Ribs knit in the throughbred colorway by Fearless Fibers. The yarn is really, really, fine and I just can't bring myself to start the second one. It looks kind of funny in this picture, however it does fit pefectly. I guess its the rib pattern that pulls it in so much when it isn't on the leg. Well no worries about it falling down I guess. I made the leg a little longer than I usually do as the Fearles Fibers come in huge skeins and I had no worries about running out of yarn for the second one even with Size 10 feet!

I guess it will have to be one of those projects where I work "15 minutes" a day on just to get it finished. I've also signed up for the "Monkey" knit along as well and it starts May 1. So tomorrow after my 15 minutes on the Java Ribs I best cast on the Monkey socks. But first I have to decide what yarn to use. Lisa Souza Gendarme? STR... I guess I'll have to swatch as well. I don't want anything too busy that will take away from the Monkey Socks pattern.

The "mardi gras" socks

2007-04-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

(as named by my husband)

These would have been done in under a week (hurray!!!) but I broke two of the DPNs so I put the project on hold while I awaited replacements...and ended up getting bored waiting (they were backordered) so I bought a set of Crystal Palace #2s and finished that last sock off so I could be done!

These are my absolute favorite pair so far--I love the way they fit, I love the short-row toe...LOVE them.

Pattern: adapted from the Priscilla's Dream Socks pattern in IK's Favorite Socks book (I used a heel flap to help them last longer and cast on 56 stitches but then decreased after the gusset down to 60). Next time I'll probably carry the ribbing down the instep.

Yarn: mediumweight Socks that Rock in Scottish Highlands (lots more purple in them than the thumbnail really shows)

Needles: Sox Stix #2s (and then supplemented with the Crystal Palace DPNs)

This was my first pair on DPNs and I actually really enjoyed it. I prefer the Crystal Palace needles, but do wish they were only 5" like the Sox Stix. For some reason that extra inch makes a difference!

Hello from Germany!

2007-04-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, this is Faith from The Knitting Cook podcast. I am an American living in Germany with my husband and three small-fry (3 year old Sparky, 2 year old Max, and 12 day old Baby L, yet to have a bloggable nick-name. Check out my blog for baby naming contest!).

Mostly, since my time is very precious, I knit small projects like socks and accessories. I also love to spin, although my brand new baby has been making that kind of difficult. This knit-along is a perfect fit for me. I enjoy meeting new people in the fiber arts community, but find most knit-alongs to be a little too high pressure for me, since I already have so many demands on my life as a mother. Thank you to Becca for posting about this!

I don't know if this counts, but here is a pair of socks that I spun and knit at the beginning of this month, right before my baby was born.
PATTERN SPECS
Pattern: my own. 40 stitches for foot, increased to 44 on ankle because I wanted to wear them immediately after the birth, when I always get the chills, and my ankles were generously sized at the time. Knit toe up with short-row toe, backwards heel-flap, 2x2 rib on cuff.
Yarn: my handspun Navajo-plied (a 3-ply) Dandy Lion superwash merino from Spunky Eclectic fiber club. Approximately sport weight.
Needles: Size 3 Knit Picks Classic Circulars to get 5 1/2 stitches per inch.
Notes: These are thick-ish, cozy, and soft. I love that the colors are so "spring" yet they're nice and warm for wearing around the house when it's chilly outdoors. This colorway is so cheerful.

Currently, I'm working on the Child's French Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.

~Faith

Introduction

2007-04-29T02:08:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm new to the KAL and I've just read the entire blog to catch up! My name is Nadine and I knit and blog from a little village in Germany. I graduate from the trainee teacher programme in June and will be a "real" teacher soon. It also means that my knitting time is limited and something like a pair of socks a week is out of the question. I'm 30, have knit for most of my life but I prefer small projects and am actually scared of adult sweater knitting.
I need about 12 pairs of socks a year to keep the family happy- they expect socks every birthday and Christmas.
Last year I decided to investigate US sock yarns but since I don't do the laundry at home it is safer to stick to superwash and the wool/nylon blend of most German sock yarns- we've had some felting accidents. I do have US yarn that works fine and currently I'm knitting up some sneaker socks with Cascade fixation and Elann's Esprit- I love them.
I do knit self striping socks- not all my recipients like patterned or lace socks and the men in my family have huge feet- knitting a solid sock yarn in ribbing in that size? I'd go insane. Color repeats make me happy there and keep me from falling asleep. :)
I love knitting podcasts and audiobooks and right know I am knitting my way through Grey's anatomy.

Pair No. 3 - AKA, the "I Hate Sockotta Yarn and Finished These Socks Out of Pure Spite" socks

2007-04-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

Catchy title, eh? This yarn was the first sock yarn I bought. I do still love the colors, and as I've mentioned before, I'm big into stripeys on my feet. :-) But I hated working with it. The first sock attempt I made with this yarn (my first sock ever, for that matter) was a total disaster. Well, unless you are Shaq. It probably would have fit a pro basketball player's foot. So I bought some different yarn and tried again. Then I came back to the Sockotta and made a different sock pattern, thinking maybe the pattern was the issue. It turned out OK. So I had a bigfoot size sock, and a slightly better sock of a different pattern. I ripped out the bigfoot sock and set the yarn ball aside because I had bought my lovely Austerman Step yarn and wanted to knit with it. After I finished that pair of socks, I picked up the Sockotta again to make the second sock of the pair. And I still hated it.

Yarn: Sockotta (in case you haven't noticed) in an unknown colorway.
Needles: Brittany DPS's, size 2
Pattern: Retro Rib from the Interweave Knits book. Love the book, Tracy!

Now I am going to cleanse my sock palette and knit some pretty pink socks with Tofutsies. I actually made a gauge swatch and everything. :-)

PS: No offense meant to anyone that loves Sockotta. I just personally didn't like it. :-) But that won't stop me from wearing my slightly oversized socks on a regular basis. Ha!

Intro, and April Socks

2007-04-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hello, all, my name is Charity, and I've been knitting for about a year and a half. I have a blog at Knitting In The North. I've been making a pair of socks a month since August, but most have been either baby/kid socks, or gifts for someone else. I'm looking forward to getting a few pairs into my own sock drawer, and watching all the great stuff you all come up with!

These are the Rainy Day Socks from the most recent Magknits, knit from RYC Cashsoft DK on 3mm DPNs. I love this yarn, it is so soft, and the socks are wonderful to wear. This is my first attempt at any kind of lacy pattern on socks, and I'm quite pleased. I also found that using the lace pattern helped get rid of/disguise any laddering, which I sometimes fight with when making "vanilla" socks. Anyone have any great tips for getting rid of ladders?

Finished pair! (1/6 done with the challenge)

2007-04-27T16:20:00.000-07:00

Pattern: Diagonal rib from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Denim from Oldfield Creek Sock and Yarn

I originally planned to make these for my husband, but I was worried about running out of yarn, so they ended up a bit too short for him. He also wanted thicker, wear-around-the-house socks, so these are mine. I liked this pattern because it was different on the right and left foot, thus helping with second sock syndrome. The yarn is a pretty colorway and they feel nice on my feet.

Up next: my younger daughter Meredith convinced me to knit up my Tofutsies yarn for a pair of socks for her. Planning to try a toe-up pair.

Sock Follow-up

2007-04-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

This is a follow-up to my previous post about the modified Jaywalker. I don't know how well you can see it in the picture on that post, but because I didn't put the ribbing on the top, there was some curling. On the second sock, I've started with a knit row, two purl rows, and a knit row, but it's too early to tell if that did the trick. Meanwhile, I decided to go ahead and try a crocheted edging along the top. I grabbed a copy of Knitting Loves Crochet from the library and put the simple shell edging along the cuff top. (Basically, it's a row of single crochet, with a couple of extra stitches at each point to turn the corner, followed by *3 double crochets, skip one stitch, single crochet, skip one and then repeat that sequence from the *.) I put it on my foot again, and it seems to have done the trick. Hooray.

A Couple of WsIP

2007-04-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

I finished the "papa" pair of these socks earlier this month. Now, I'm working on a matching pair for his son.

These "Seduction Socks" (IK, Spring 2007) are just for me. They are being knit out of 100% Merino superwash wool, colorway Deep by Sunshine Yarns.

Lessons Learned

2007-04-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

Not only am I a slow poke knitter, I specialize in ill-fitting socks! I love the way they look and this pair was my first attempt at stranded knitting. I learned a lot and I'm happy with them even if they are unwearable.

Yarn - Regia

Needles - KnitPicks size 2 circulars

Pattern - they were going to be the Mosaic Maze socks from SKS, but I just kept going with the stripes

Method - toe-up, one at a time, Magic Loop

More details at Forward Motion

One Sock Down

2007-04-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

I have finished a sock. This is another pair of Austermann Step Jaywalkers, only I have made some modifications to the pattern based on my experiences with first pair. With them I found the ankle slightly tight and the foot slightly loose, so I went down a needle size and made the ankle in the larger sock size. When I got to the foot, I just did the double decrease on the first knit row to get down to the right number of stiches. I also carried the zig-zag pattern about halfway down the heel flap for better shaping. My last modification was to replace the ribbing with a ridge that would bend with the zig-zag. Initially I was pretty pleased with this change, but as I got farther along, I noticed it was curling too much. For the mate, I am trying a second row of all purl to see if that helps. In the meantime, I am contemplating the merits of a simple crochet edging to keep it from curling.

Yarn is Austermann Step in Erde (#12). Needles are size 0 Sox Stix. Pattern is Grumperina's Jaywalkers.

Pair No. 2

2007-04-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

I love the colorway of these, but I don't think I'll be doing plain stockinette stitch for the body of the sock again. I got bored and was tempted to not finish the second sock. I love the self striping, though. I have another sock done in self striping yarn and did the retro rib pattern from the Interweave Knits book, and it got lost in the stripe. Thus, the reason for the stockinette socks this time. And this yarn has aloe vera in it - is that typical? The yarn is super soft and feels nice, albeit a bit slippery.

I am still getting ladders where I pick up the stitches on the gussett area ... any suggestions?

Needles: Brittany DPNs size 2 (3 of them)
Yarn: Austermann Step (I think this is the name?? the label is mostly in German) in Dune (11).
Pattern: The Yarn Harlot's "sock recipe" from diynetwork.com (also handy to have the episode tivo'd and be able to watch the parts that I have trouble with!)

Blue Fleece Artist Socks

2007-04-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Fleece Artist nearly solid blue
Pattern: 56 sts stockingette
Needles: 2.0 mm
Notes: forgot that basic sock size is 60 sts so these are a bit on the snug side

My first pair of the twelve is done and I've got another on the needles. I love the little push this KAL is giving me.

Slouchy Socks

2007-04-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. The SuperHero is happy with his socks -- wearing them as we speak. In fact, he took them off only to have a shower. But, I would like to get a better fit the next time. These seem a little slouchy, not very, but a little. Maybe blocking would help. I just don't want to make them bigger. So, to all of you experienced sock knitters out there, how can I maybe make these socks a bit tighter? Will or should blocking help? Thank you!!

Happy Feet

2007-04-22T06:11:00.000-07:00

This morning, the SuperHero's socks are strategically placed in his shoes, which are strategically placed next to the bedroom door, so he couldn't miss them as he left the room.

He marched right past them and into the bathroom. He walks back into the room.

SuperHero: Whoa. (Sits on the floor. Without a word, he takes the socks from the shoes, one at a time and puts them on this feet. Then puts on his Crocs. He turns to me with a an enormous smile on his face.

SuperHero: Thanks, Mommy. This is the best day and these are the best socks EVER. (While this is not a true statement about the socks, I am the happiest Mom EVER and the socks are done.)

It was difficult to get a good photo. I am not allowed to adjust them, as there seems to be some fear that I might run off with them. So, this is the best I could get.

The yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Yarn
Colorway: Life's A Beach
Finished: April 22, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Pattern: Yankee Knitters Design: Classic Socks

Opal Sock 1 down

2007-04-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

Well, it's taken me quite awhile, but sock 1 is done. I don't know if I'm lovin' the colors to make a mate. Plus I'm afraid that the sock won't fit the person it was gonna go to. :( The foot length is good but the leg and cuff may be a bit snug. These were gonna be a surprise but now I may have to ask her to try the sock on before I go ahead and make its twin.

Sparkle?

2007-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Here's the SIP I've been threatening to post for about two weeks now. It's like Shimmer from MagKnits, only it's a different stitch pattern repeat, and the mechanics of how it's done is different. So maybe it's just loosely based on/inspired by Shimmer? I'm not going to be making any money off the pattern, so that's what I'm saying.

ETA: I am probably going to write up the pattern, for anyone who is interested. The yarn? Scout's Swag in Strawberry Quick (She designed it for me!! YAY!) 100% Merino

One Sock Completed

2007-04-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

I am so slow when it comes to knitting, primarily because I don't take enough time for myself or have enough, whichever the case might be. So I am excited to share the first sock of my first pair. I'm celebrating little steps here!

"Move Your Fanny!" Socks

2007-04-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

Here's my socks for Socktopia's "Fanny" pattern.

I used two different colors on Fanny because I thought they went well together and, darn it, I wanted to try the contrasting heel/toe combo that I had seen in other socks.
Knit on a 2.5mm circ, magic loop method
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn (80% superwash wool, 20% nylon); colorway: Lakeview and an unknown brand of superwash wool, sock weight in dk olive green

Jen L., Tofutsies, and other knitting stuff

2007-04-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Jen, you are welcome to follow me around and shop with me anytime. There is a bed waiting for you to come and visit here in Maryland. I'll take you to see Erin and we can go buy you some Tofutsies sock yarn. I got it at her local yarn store. I had read about it on the Knitty board and thought it looked really interesting. The skein I have is colorway #328, which is called Three Feet Short. It looks like you can get it online at this store; their picture seems to show the color a bit more accurately than on the SoySilk website.

At dinner last night, Erin had this book by Lucinda Guy. If you haven't seen it, GET IT, or her other book, Handknits for Kids. You will absolutely lay down and die from the cuteness.

:)

In other knitting news, I started Monica for Meredith. It is going slowly because at this point I am too sock-obsessed to contemplate other things. And I really really need to scrap today too! Off to (hopefully) get something done!

DPN fans ... what DPNs do you use?

2007-04-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

I have Clover bamboo size 2's, and I am not loving them. My yarn store lady sold me some Brittany's today - she says they are harder wood and thinks I'll like them more.

PS: When your 2 year old wakes up before you and tries to put on his glasses, thereby mangling the crap out of them, it is a very good reason to drive to town because the glasses need fixing. And as long as you are in town, it is a very good reason to go to the yarn store. And buy the Interweave Socks book that Tracy mentioned. And some new needles. And to fondle a lot of yarn. I have my next colorway picked out but I didn't get it yet - gotta do the rainbow stripes first. :-)

PPS: Tracy - good girl, getting Erin on board! We shall take over the world! Bwahahahaha.

PPSS (??): Traci - found the band that G cleverly hid. It is Cascade Fixation. No colorway listed that I can see.

Tofutsies

2007-04-13T05:35:00.000-07:00

I had bought a skein of this yarn a couple of weeks ago, but left it at a friend's house. I saw her last night to get it back, so this is the sock yarn that will be up next on the needles. Looking for a pattern now. I'm not crazy about the free pattern on the tofutsies site, so I need to find something else. Let me know if you have any suggestions. These socks are for me!

What's on My Needles

2007-04-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Hello! I just joined the KAL. I seem to be suffering from some Knitter's Attention Deficient Disorder, as I just counted and I have five different pairs of socks in progress (some many years old, oops). I am working hardest on the leftmost pair at the moment, the Jaywalker made form Austermann Step yarn. I did finish another pair of Austermann Step Jaywalkers last weekend though, so I am capable.

admin stuff

2007-04-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

Could you post here in the comments if your name/blog address are missing from the participants list? I feel like some people got missed.

Thanks!

My very first ever pair of socks!!

2007-04-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yay, me! I think I have found the beginnings of a serious addiction here. I loved doing these! They are an Ann Norling pattern that I got at my local place (which I'm not going back to because they were rude yet AGAIN). The rude yarn lady told me I'd have enough yarn for 2 socks, which I didn't (a nifty little fact I learned after making the first one). And of course, they are out of the yarn they sold me. Of course. That lonely sock was a disaster, and is going to be unraveled so I can use the yarn for something else. But I digress. :-) Anyway, I stopped at another yarn store to try to find more of the yarn that the rude store was out of and the uber helpful lady looked at my disaster sock, gave me some nice tips and suggestions, and told me to try elasticized yarn for my first pair. So I picked out some elasticized yarn (Crystal Palace, I think? My Griffin-monster "organized" my yarn for me and the label is MIA) and this is what I got - yay! Can you tell I'm stoked? I've made my boys look at my feet a half dozen times already. Noah (my 6 yr old) was impressed that both socks were the same height. Of course, they are probably all just happy that I have 2 matching socks on and am not wearing the single knitted sock with whatever else I happen to grab out of the drawer.

I have the Sensational Socks book reserved at the library, so I'm excited to get it and start my next pair.

SuperHero Socks

2007-04-12T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Trina (GoldieLocs) and I'm new to this KAL. In fact, this is my very first KAL and I'm so excited. I am in the process of knitting my second pair of socks ever, but the first pair for this KAL! They are for my four-year-old son, who I refer to as The SuperHero online. They are knit with Cherry Tree Hill yarn in Life's a Beach colorway. He chose it himself. I'm a part-time SAHM, which means I work in the evenings and home during the day. I'm an adjunct professor at a university nearby and teach in the evenings. I keep thinking my responsibilities must surely be the reason why I knit so slowly. I cannot imagine anyone finishing 52 socks in 52 weeks, though I think it's awesome. I may just be the slow-pokiest slow-poke around. Hi everyone!

In Progress Sock

2007-04-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here is my next sock. I rewarded myself for doing something I didn't want to do yesterday by allowing myself a stretch of uninterrupted knitting time in the afternoon. :) The pattern calls for the leg to be 8" long, but I think I'm going to start the heel when I get to six.

Jen L., thanks for the compliments on my colorway choice for my last sock. I'll pass the kind words along to Madelyn, who totally picked that yarn. She was with me when I got the yarn for my first sock ever and she wanted me to get that yarn, but I chose another colorway that I thought was a pretty muted woodsy color, but actually knitted up like mud. So, next time I listened to her. :)

I like this pattern (from the Interweave Favorite Socks book), but I think it would actually look better in a solid color. The stitches kind of get lost in this variegated yarn (from Oldfield Creek Sock & Yarn). I also made a mistake and got the 100% wool instead of the superwash stuff and it is a bit fuzzier than I like. But overall, I think they will turn out ok :)

dude--this is 52 sock territory.

2007-04-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

I cast this on yesterday...and am turning the heel now. I can't believe how fast this sock is flying--there's nothin' slow poke about this one! ;) The yarn is Socks that Rock in Scottish Highlands...this is my first time using DPNs. :D I'm using the Lantern Moon Sock Stix, and at first I wasn't sure how I liked them (they are a lot slower than addi turbo circs) but now I'm in love with the way they feel in my hands. So soft.

ETA: the DPNs are size 2.

My First Slow Poke Sock :)

2007-04-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

Socks: Crossover Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Wool in the Woods Cherub in H2O colorway
Knitted cuff down on 5 dpns, size 2 (yarn calls for size 3 but I like the fabric better with 2s)
Model: My daughter, Madelyn. Her first socks were a disaster, so she moved to the front of the line for another pair.

Next up: Socks for my husband. Diagonal Rib from the Interweave Favorite Socks book. I got the yarn from an ebay seller called Oldfield Sock and Yarn and it is in a denim colorway.

Good Morning

2007-04-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My name is Ansley, I have a 12-month old so knitting is sporadic at best, which of course makes this the perfect KAL for me! I'm in the Rockin' Sock Club, and I'm determined to knit each one of the socks, plus I have a few designs rattling around in my head. I'm currently working on a modified Shimmer in Scout's Swag Strawberry Quick. For some reason I keep thinking the pattern is called "Sparkle", so that's what this sock is going to be called. I'll (hopefully) have pictures up on my blog later.
I look forward to knitting socks with everyone!

1 down. 11 to go...

2007-04-09T14:59:00.001-07:00

The stupid pointy toe, short-row-heels-that-almost-killed me, ran-out-of-yarn-so-they're-way-shorter-than-I-like-handknit-socks-to-be socks are finished. I am so psyched to have these behind me. Actually, now that they're on my feet I'm really enjoying them, but I didn't enjoy knitting them. Kinda a disappointment all the way around.

I had to knit them on #3s (I would have preferred #2s) because I knew I wouldn't have enough yarn. I used Mountain Goat from Mountain Colors (unknown colorway--the skein was mis-marked), and the garter stitch rib pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks. As it turns out I'm not so crazy about the garter stitch rib...I think I would have preferred regular ribs.

Umm...could I complain about these any more? :P

Here's a photo of my feet modeling them. It's a tough colorway to photograph, but I think that first photo captures it best. You should know that my feet aren't really fat. Dunno what is up with my photography skills today. ;)

But they're done. Wahoo! It's on to my next pair now...I'm actually thinking of trying a plain stockinette pair. I'm using some variegated yarn from Socks that Rock, and I always like the way the variegated yarn looks in stockinette on the sole of my socks. We'll see...I'm off to swatch it.

Right-size socks

2007-04-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

These are pretty much the right size, and coming along. I decided, when I had to start the socks over, to go with a different color and different pattern. So now they're reddish and I'm using BK's Fleurette lace pattern.

Finished Socks

2007-04-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

I finally finished these socks last night - the pattern is Knitty's Pomatomus and the yarn is from angoravalley.com (lacewing sock - 100% superwash merino, color citrus). I started out on size 1 needles but had to rip them out and move up to size 2 because they were too tight. They took me 3+ weeks, which is about the quickest I've ever made a pair of socks. This pattern was really fun - clear, easy to follow and just a little challenging. I will probably be buying more of Cookie A's patterns soon. Now I have to go check my stash and decide what socks to make next.

Fresh Socks

2007-04-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my first pair of toe-up socks.

Made on 2.5mm bamboo circular (magic loop method)
Sunshine Yarns, 100% Merino wool, color=Fresh

Another button

2007-04-07T01:38:00.000-07:00

Feel free to edit this and put it all in one post. I can't seem to edit the other button post.

a button!

2007-04-06T21:32:00.000-07:00

I decided I didn't want to wait for a button anymore, so here is my knitting turtle version. Go button crazy! :)

Slow Poke is Better than a Poke in the Eye

2007-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

especially with a DPN.

Hi, all. Online I go by the name Poppins, but people who know me in real life like to call me either Goddess or The Source of All Joy. ;)

I want to have knit 10 pairs of socks for me as well as a few pairs for gifts over the next year or so, so this KAL is a great fit. I like my socks simple for the most part - stockingette - so that I can knit them while watching tv or when I'm out and about. Socks are usually my mellow project on the needles. But I've got an itch to try a bunch of new techniques as well, so we'll see.

Right now I've got a blue Fleece Artist yarn on the needle, working it's way to becoming a sock. It's pretty but not that facinating so I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of it yet.

Thanks for starting this KAL.

I'm not a Sasquatch.

2007-04-05T17:42:00.000-07:00

That's probably a good thing, but after knitting another couple of inches of sock, I had to admit they were of Sasquatch-esque proportions, but girly enough with the pattern that my husband wouldn't wear them. So, I started over from scratch, this time taking seriously the fact that socks stretch.

Intro for Jen

2007-04-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

Hi! I'm a new knitter. I started a couple of months ago, and like Tracy, I'm a wee bit OCD when it comes to hobbies. I have 3 kids: Noah (6), Griffin (just turned 2) and Quinn (3.5 months). Quinn is a girl, by the way. The name can be either. :)

I am working on my first pair of socks. I think I'm slow at the learning process ... and I'm clueless about so many things. I don't know squat about colorways or yarns or patterns. I am sort of learning as I go. The process is the good part for me - sort of like yoga without all the tight clothes. Anyway, I bought an Ann Norling pattern at my local yarn shop (I guess that's LYS? I keep telling the yarn store people that I speak scrapbooking, not knitting). And I bought some pretty yarn. And I asked if the two would work together and the yarn chick said yes. So there you go. I am using size 2 dpns, and the socks are worked from the top down. I have the first one about 75% done. I will take a picture and post it when I get a chance. I have also made a couple of baby hats, a little wrap around knit dress, a skirt for my baby girl (that is too big so I'm working on a second one in the same yarn), and a pair of knit pants that ended up too short but are still wearable.

Oh - I should also mention I'm married, right? :-) Bob is too funny. He had to go into the yarn store with me the other night because I forgot my purse at home. And he started picking up all sort of books and samples and now has a list of things he wants me to make for him. Very supportive, that one! And he overestimates my abilities.

I'm glad Traci set this up - I can't wait to see everyone's stuff!

Okay, socks for this month...

2007-04-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I'm starting a fresh pair for this month. Very simple (or so I hope) garter rib stitch socks. That's it, I'm keeping it simple and hopefully I'll finish them up and gift them to someone.

Info: Opal sock yarn
CO: 64 stitches
Plan to make it to fit a woman's shoe size 7-9, depending on who the recipient will be.

I hope being apart of this KAL will make me accountable for them so I'll actually have them done by the end of the month. Seeing as how I tend to procrastinate if no one pushes me. But I need the push, I want to knit many, many socks this year. :)