splityarn

eighth socks finished

The only Christmas knitting that I'm going to do this year is finished. One pair of socks for the father in law. The pressure to really crank out a lot of handknits (albeit self-imposed) is a bit much, so I'm officially putting myself on an every-other-year schedule. Sorry family, no knits for you.

Pattern: 6 x 2 rib with the Yarn Harlot's basic sock recipe from Knitting Rules
Yarn: Indigo Moon fingering weight, bought at Three Bags Full in Vancouver.
Needles: Size 2 US (3.0mm) KnitPicks DPNs
Started: August 10th, 2007
Finished: September 17th, 2007
Final Verdict: When the Husband tried them on, I realize that they're too long in the foot. They're just for wearing around the house in the cold Cape Cod winter though, so I don't think it's a big deal. Merry Christmas FIL, forget that you saw this post!

Ravelry project details

scene stealer

On the last few trips some of the only knitting I've done has been in airports and on the plane. I haven't made a heap of progress on anything and it's starting to get to me. I have The Husband's next sweater all planned out but I think it will have to wait until we get home from this weekend's trip to Boston. (I know, I know!) In the meantime I'll put the push on to finish this latest pair of socks. The Indigo Moon I picked up in Vancouver sat in the stash for all of a month before I wound it and cast on for the only Christmas knitting I'm going to do. The first sock is finished and I'm about to turn the heel on the second. If all goes well, I'll have an FO to show early next week.

*No socks were harmed in this photo shoot. Apparently kittens don't come with any sense of knitting etiquette.

**Dig Indy! She made it to ICHC

seventh socks finished

Pattern: Mona Schmidt's Embossed Leaves Socks from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
Needles: Size 1.5 US (2.5mm) KnitPicks DPNs
Started: April 4th, 2007
Finished: August 18th, 2007
Final Verdict: Sorta meh. The cast-on used in the pattern is weird and non-stretchy and created a wobbly ridge that irks me. After you turn the heel you're supposed to break the yarn and start knitting one needle back and that seemed goofy to me too. Why create another end to weave in if you don't have to? I did it on one sock to determine if there was a benefit to doing it, but I didn't find one.

I like the lace pattern, but if I were to knit these again, I'd do a regular cast on, non-twisted rib cuffs and an eye of partridge heel. If I'd modified the pattern to suit what I like in socks, these wouldn't have taken 5 months to knit up. Should have listened to my gut.

Ravelry project details

getting it done

I'm generally strict with myself when it comes to sock projects. I know that I would readily fall victim to Second Sock Syndrome if I didn't limit myself to one pair on the needles a time (although that doesn't explain why I have 4 pairs of size one needles.) I cast on for the first Embossed Leaves (from Favorite Socks) on April 4th and finished it two weeks later. The second sock? It took me three weeks to finish just the twisted rib cuff.

Fearing that it might languish in the bottom of my knitting bag for another month, this morning I poured some coffee and took the sock outside. The weather in Texas is steadily heating up and soon time outside midday will not be feasible. This morning at 32°C (89°F) the backyard was perfect and I want to enjoy it while I can. I drank my coffee, took some photos and finally finished the leg of the second sock.

sixth socks finished

Before I turned the heel on the second Cable Rib sock, I had the Husband try the first one on to ensure a good fit for a man's foot. He commented on their squooshyness (although I think he used a different term) and said, "you know, down the road I'd like a pair of socks like these. They feel great." My heart raced a little. Did he just slide in a request for handknit socks? Holy freakin' moses, I'd better get knitting. I didn't want this opportunity to pass me by. While I finished the rest of the foot on the second sock, I kept thinking about his request. What yarn? What pattern? Should I make them kickin' around the house socks like these? Do I make something that he could wear with his Docs? What colour? So many choices!

After the photo shoot he took them off and lamented, "these were for Dad? 'Cause you know, I realllllly like them, and they fit, and they're good on the tile floors, and, and, and..."
And as it turns out these are his perfect socks. I don't have to decide on a yarn or pattern at all. They were intended for his father's birthday back in January, but the recipient will be the son and not the dad. Who can resist a plea for handknits from a Husband? Sorry FIL, you'll have to wait for the next pair.

Pattern: Erica Alexander's Cable Rib Socks from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Socks That Rock Medium Weight in Monsoon, from the Rockin' Sock Club kit.
Needles: Size 2 US (3.0mm) KnitPicks DPNs
Started: March 1st, 2007
Finished: April 1st, 2007
Final Verdict: I wouldn't knit these socks to wear with shoes, the cable is too thick. It creates a big 'ol bump that would press on your foot. If I knit these again, I'll rework how the cable twists when you rejoin for the gusset. Knit the way it's written half the cable disappears and then is picked up with a different rib. I like my cables to have a proper start and end.

And because I know it will be asked, his tattoos are Edward Gorey drawings. Mr. Mistoffelees on the left and the Doubtful Guest on the right.

marching on through

In all the upheaval of house renovation (new entry doors, no bathroom and random painting,) I have been knitting. Not a tonne, but a little. March seems to have evaporated and I'm not sure I have anything to show for it except a few inches of sock cuff and a thin film of dust throughout the entire house.

These socks are a gift knit and are way overdue. We're talking end of January overdue. They originally began as a garter rib out of green Sophie's Toes but they have magically morphed into the Cable Rib Socks (from Favorite Socks) in Socks That Rock. I'm sincerely hoping that the squooshyness of the STR will make up for the belatedness of the birthday present. Think I'll be forgiven?

fifth socks finished

The Vesper Aquamelon socks are finished. I started the first sock three days before New Year's Eve and cast off at 10 minutes to midnight. My intention was for the first sock of the pair to be the last FO of 2006, and the second sock to be the first FO of 2007. Didn't quite work that way as the last 10 rows of this sock waited almost a month to get finished. Whoops!

Pattern: My own basic 66 stitch sock recipe with 2x2 ribbed cuffs, Eye of Partridge heels and the Star Toe of 3 Points from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Vesper Sock Yarn in the Aquamelon colourway.
Needles: Size 1 US Inox DPNs
Started: December 29th, 2006
Finished: February 15th, 2007
Total cost: $23 for the yarn
Final Verdict: I always take my time to make sure that I cast on at the exact same point in the colour repeat so that the stripes will match up perfectly. I did that with this pair, but I forgot that I altered the toe so that two red stripes finished on the first one. I only noticed when I was editing the pictures, so I'm pretty sure I'm not going to go back and reknit the second one to match. They can remain fraternal twins, I'm ok with that.

fourth socks finished

Just in time for the end of Socktober, I finished the Dublin Bay Strange Little Mama Socktoberfest Vesper Socks (bit of a mouthful, eh?)

Pattern: (pdf warning) the Dublin Bay socks from Mossy Cottage
Yarn: Vesper Sock Yarn in the Strange Little Mama colourway. How do you get yarn named after you? So cool.
Needles: Size 1 US Inox DPNs
Modifications: The first sock was knit with the one by one ribbed cuff. When I started turning the heel I decided I didn't like it, so I knit the second sock with a two by two rib. I like it much better, even though it makes the socks fraternal rather than identical.
Started: October 1st
Finished: October 26th, 6 days behind schedule. I may have been distracted by Clapotis along the way.
Total cost: $23 for the yarn
Final Verdict: I took my time making sure the stripes would line up the same so I get a kick out of the fact that the cuffs don't match.

a little sock history

When Lolly asks, who can resist?

1. When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I cast on for my very first sock on January 1st of this year. (A pair of Jaywalkers in Socks That Rock, very fitting for a sock begun on January one, doncha think?) I didn't have any one teach me, I just printed out the pattern and cast on.

2. What was your first pair?  How have they "held up" over time?
I finished the second sock in March and immediately gave them to my mum for her birthday. Because she lives in BC, I don't know if she's worn them other than when I was in the room. Hey Mum? How do you like your socks?

3. What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
The Socks That Rock yarn was fantastic. Sproingy and soft, gorgeous colour. (I have a hankering to pick up a little more.) I'm currently in love with the Vesper self-striping, Julia does an amazing job with the stripes and colour combos. The only other sock yarn I've tried was the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. I found it kind of meh, it felt a little flat to me. Maybe I was spoiled by the STR?

4. Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
5 DPNS for me. I like that when you have the sock spread over 4 needles the project will fold up flat to fit in your purse. I also like that it reduces the chances of ladders and doesn't put as big a strain on the yarn on the corners of the triangle like knitting on 3 does.

5. Which kind of heel do you prefer?  (flap? or short-row?)
So far I've only tried the flap but the next pair will be short-heels, most likely knit toe-up. Might as well try it all, right?

6. How many pairs have you made?
I'm on pair number four right now. It remains to be seen if I can manage another perfect photo shoot like the first three but I'm loving getting pics of all the socks from the same perspective. Totally fun.

Socktoberfest begins!

Last October I wasn't yet a sock knitter (oh how I have seen the folly of my ways) but this year I am gung ho for Socktoberfest (along with over 1500 other knitters!) With perfect timing, my new skein of Vesper sock yarn arrived (Strange Little Mama colourway.) It's hard to get your hands on the Vesper because it sells out so fast, but when you do, it's worth the wait. Pink, black and red is one of my favourite colour combos so at this point I'm thinking these socks will be for me*. I'm going to try out the Dublin Bay pattern (PDF is here) after seeing Good to be Girl's WIP photo. They look fantastic.

*I had considered working these up for one of my best friends for her birthday, but she's just moved to Australia from Vancouver so she's going into summer. I hardly think she'll need wool socks in Sydney for Christmas; I'll have to come up with an alternative present. It's her birthday today, so go wish her a happy birthday (or take her out for a beer if you're in Sydney - I'll sponsor!) Have manybeers Melmel and pretend they're all from me. Mwah!