Sock Innovation KAL

Wow, it's been a while since I actually posted about my knitting! I thought I'd chronicle a few of my most recent projects...

I participated in the Sock Innovation KAL on Ravelry (link) during the month of October. The two patterns that were chosen for November were Monkey (link) and Eunice (link).

I've knit half a dozen pairs of Monkey socks. I can pretty much knit the pattern from memory now. It is definitely one of my absolute favorite sock patterns. I like it because the length of the pattern repeat isn't too short or too long. I can usually get through one repeat in one sitting. That makes them move along pretty quickly. I also love the mixed knits and purls texture. It makes for extra comfy socks.

My most recent pair of Monkeys are knit with Dream in Color Smooshy - Ruby River colorway. I used 2.25mm needles. (Ravelry Link)

The other pattern that was chosen for the KAL was Eunice. (Ravelry Link) I was excited to knit these because it's a pattern that I haven't knit before and it was pretty challenging, too. For these I used Foxfire Fibers Fox Sox sock yarn in the Sweet Potato colorway. I bought this yarn at the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool festival this past spring. The yarn itself is a quite scratchy, even after washing. That scratchiness just translates to 'rustic' in my mind... and it was still pleasant to knit with.

I loved knitting these socks. I added a pattern repeat to the leg. I love how the pattern continues down on to the back of the heel and how Cookie always incorporates the ribbing at the top of the leg to flow in to the pattern so nicely. She truly thinks out her patterns so thoroughly that no detail is spared.... even still though, make sure you follow the errata on this pattern.

So I really enjoyed participating in the Sock Innovation KAL during the month of October. The icing on the cake is that since I posted a picture of my finished socks, I was entered in to a drawing for a prize. I won a gorgeous skein of teal blue sock yarn from Violet Green. How lucky!

Sock Innovation KAL

Wow, it's been a while since I actually posted about my knitting! I thought I'd chronicle a few of my most recent projects...

I participated in the Sock Innovation KAL on Ravelry (link) during the month of October. The two patterns that were chosen for November were Monkey (link) and Eunice (link).

I've knit half a dozen pairs of Monkey socks. I can pretty much knit the pattern from memory now. It is definitely one of my absolute favorite sock patterns. I like it because the length of the pattern repeat isn't too short or too long. I can usually get through one repeat in one sitting. That makes them move along pretty quickly. I also love the mixed knits and purls texture. It makes for extra comfy socks.

My most recent pair of Monkeys are knit with Dream in Color Smooshy - Ruby River colorway. I used 2.25mm needles. (Ravelry Link)

The other pattern that was chosen for the KAL was Eunice. (Ravelry Link) I was excited to knit these because it's a pattern that I haven't knit before and it was pretty challenging, too. For these I used Foxfire Fibers Fox Sox sock yarn in the Sweet Potato colorway. I bought this yarn at the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool festival this past spring. The yarn itself is a quite scratchy, even after washing. That scratchiness just translates to 'rustic' in my mind... and it was still pleasant to knit with.

I loved knitting these socks. I added a pattern repeat to the leg. I love how the pattern continues down on to the back of the heel and how Cookie always incorporates the ribbing at the top of the leg to flow in to the pattern so nicely. She truly thinks out her patterns so thoroughly that no detail is spared.... even still though, make sure you follow the errata on this pattern.

So I really enjoyed participating in the Sock Innovation KAL during the month of October. The icing on the cake is that since I posted a picture of my finished socks, I was entered in to a drawing for a prize. I won a gorgeous skein of teal blue sock yarn from Violet Green. How lucky!

Socktober -- in November!

Happy November, folks! Can you believe it? The second to last month of the year! So much to reflect on... where did the time go? Time for parties, holidays, changing seasons... and another new year. It's not far off. Can't believe it!

Last month I was all excited about Socktober starting and I don't think I've mentioned it since! I've been off in my own world this month as far as being online. I haven't really been participating in message boards, blogging, facebook-ing or really anything. But I have been knitting.

I seriously lost interest in the mystery sock knit along last month. I just wasn't really feeling the pattern and my yarn choice that was pooling horribly. I didn't care to frog and start over. So I spent Socktober finishing off three pairs of socks that had been on my needles for long enough...

The first pair I finished are the Merino Lace Socks from the book Favorite Socks. I've had these on the needles since August. I really love the yarn -- The Woolen Rabbit Harmony sock yarn. It's a merino/nylon blend that is strong, soft and oh, so lovely. The colors look subdued, but really have quite the subtle variation which held my interest ... that's what I love the most about The Woolen Rabbit -- the semi-solid but still interesting colorways... my favorite. I also love that this yarn is from a talented dyer who lives about 45 minutes up the road from me. (Hi Ruth!)


Up next, I finished off the Lindsay socks from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. I cast on the first sock back in May, knit it up quick and then just put it away. I wasn't feeling it. In the spirit of finishing things I got this one out and knit up the second sock and now I love them! I used Malabrigo Sock in the Ochre colorway which I bought at Purl Diva.


Lastly, I finished my Mountain Colors socks. I used the Oak Ribbed sock from Nancy Bush's book Knitting Vintage Socks. I used Bearfoot yarn which is one of my all time favorite sock yarns. The blend of wool, mohair and nylon is so warm and cozy! I will warn you though, don't machine wash this sock yarn.. .it will felt. Maybe not the first time, but it will eventually. I think it's the mohair's natural tendency to fuzz and felt on itself. I bought this yarn at Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder, Colorado this past summer.

My needles were empty yesterday!! It was a wonderful feeling to be able to start another pair of socks with nothing else on the needles. I cast on for a pair of Monkey socks by Cookie A. I think this is my sixth pair of Monkey's. I am using Dream in Color Smooshy which I don't know why I keep buying. I hate it. But I love the colors. The yarn feels like acrylic to me and it dries out my hands like acrylic, too. I vow not to buy any more Dream in Color... I do have one skein of Smooshy left in my stash which I'm going to knit up and then I'm breaking up with this yarn for good.

So that's it for my Socktober report! Now I'm off to bask in a little bit of quiet time... doing what else... knitting on my current sock.

Socktober -- in November!

Happy November, folks! Can you believe it? The second to last month of the year! So much to reflect on... where did the time go? Time for parties, holidays, changing seasons... and another new year. It's not far off. Can't believe it!

Last month I was all excited about Socktober starting and I don't think I've mentioned it since! I've been off in my own world this month as far as being online. I haven't really been participating in message boards, blogging, facebook-ing or really anything. But I have been knitting.

I seriously lost interest in the mystery sock knit along last month. I just wasn't really feeling the pattern and my yarn choice that was pooling horribly. I didn't care to frog and start over. So I spent Socktober finishing off three pairs of socks that had been on my needles for long enough...

The first pair I finished are the Merino Lace Socks from the book Favorite Socks. I've had these on the needles since August. I really love the yarn -- The Woolen Rabbit Harmony sock yarn. It's a merino/nylon blend that is strong, soft and oh, so lovely. The colors look subdued, but really have quite the subtle variation which held my interest ... that's what I love the most about The Woolen Rabbit -- the semi-solid but still interesting colorways... my favorite. I also love that this yarn is from a talented dyer who lives about 45 minutes up the road from me. (Hi Ruth!)


Up next, I finished off the Lindsay socks from Cookie A's book Sock Innovation. I cast on the first sock back in May, knit it up quick and then just put it away. I wasn't feeling it. In the spirit of finishing things I got this one out and knit up the second sock and now I love them! I used Malabrigo Sock in the Ochre colorway which I bought at Purl Diva.


Lastly, I finished my Mountain Colors socks. I used the Oak Ribbed sock from Nancy Bush's book Knitting Vintage Socks. I used Bearfoot yarn which is one of my all time favorite sock yarns. The blend of wool, mohair and nylon is so warm and cozy! I will warn you though, don't machine wash this sock yarn.. .it will felt. Maybe not the first time, but it will eventually. I think it's the mohair's natural tendency to fuzz and felt on itself. I bought this yarn at Shuttles, Spindles & Skeins in Boulder, Colorado this past summer.

My needles were empty yesterday!! It was a wonderful feeling to be able to start another pair of socks with nothing else on the needles. I cast on for a pair of Monkey socks by Cookie A. I think this is my sixth pair of Monkey's. I am using Dream in Color Smooshy which I don't know why I keep buying. I hate it. But I love the colors. The yarn feels like acrylic to me and it dries out my hands like acrylic, too. I vow not to buy any more Dream in Color... I do have one skein of Smooshy left in my stash which I'm going to knit up and then I'm breaking up with this yarn for good.

So that's it for my Socktober report! Now I'm off to bask in a little bit of quiet time... doing what else... knitting on my current sock.

Socktoberfest = cure for sweater angst.

I have lots of pent up sweater angst. In fact, I'm staunchly anti-sweater right now. I'm 0 for 3 lately. Sure, the sven sveater was cute on my toddler son, hmm? I thought he liked it, but since then he refuses to wear it. He promptly takes it off as soon as its on.

I also recently knit a top-down sweater for my oldest son and while he likes it... it's already too small. Srsly. How can he be growing so fast? He is growing SO fast! I am designating store-bought for him until he's 25. Either that or I need to start knitting him teenaged size sweaters now.

Thirdly -- I started a top-down cowl-neck sweater for myself. I used BMFA Twisted in a heavily dark variegated colorway. I didn't alternate balls of yarn when knitting... it wasn't pooling at all until I switched balls. Then it still wasn't pooling but it sort of had a different rhythm ... it just looked different and wrong. BLARGH! I knew better.

I could have frogged and started over but I was 2/3 of the way down the front and just lost all steam. So I frogged, rewound nicely and promptly destashed it on Ravelry -- score for recouping some of my money. That yarn isn't cheap!

Plus, I mean here is the thing.... I would try on probably 15 sweaters in a store before picking one that I really truly liked. What are the chances I'm actually going to knit a sweater that I love right off the bat? Slim to none! I don't want to spend my free time with those odds for a good long time.

I'm swearing off sweaters for the time being. I'm totally OK with that, too! I don't have to knit sweaters to be a 'bonafide knitter.' It's about having fun with my hobby. So there. :)

Happy Socktober

Ahh... fall. The chill in the air, the turning leaves, the warm sunny afternoons, the hot apple cider, the pumpkin patches and hay rides.... it's all so fun. But lets cut to the chase people... it's time for SOCKTOBERFEST! That means it is time for a month long celebration of knitted socks.

I've always sort of been known in my knitting group as being a bit of a fanatic when it comes to knitting socks. I'd say at least 75% of my knitting time is dominated by knitting socks. Ironically, I've gotten away from socks for a short while again but now I'm back in full swing.

One big reason why is that I was sorting out the good, the bad, and the ugly knitted socks out of their designated drawer in my dresser and I'm down to an alarmingly low amount of handknit socks... it's true! I wore through a lot of my socks last winter. Soles have disintegrated, a few pairs have even gotten felted in a few careless loads of laundry. All of the sudden I'm feeling a little panicky and like I need to crank out a pair (or ten).

What is a great way to jump start Socktober? Well with the Through the Loops Mystery Sock Knit-along of course! I cast on during naptime this afternoon and didn't get up until I finished clue #1 on both socks. I've never knit two socks at once. I am really liking this concept though, because then they'll both move along and one won't be lolligaging around waiting for a mate for weeks months to come.

I'm not doing two socks on one magic loop... but two socks on their own magic loop. I'm also not alternating row by row, but section by section. I think I'd get mixed up if I did it row by row. If all goes well, I might knit my socks like this from now own.

So this post kicks off the month of Socktober and my love for all things handknit-socks! I hope to post more in the coming weeks about my progress and about other fun things as well... my favorite sock yarns, sock needles, sock patterns, good shoes to wear with knitted socks, stash flash, sock drawer stash... let the fun begin! I hope you'll be working on some socks this month as well.... Happy Socktober, my friends.

now with more knitting!

I'd describe my knitting habit lately as aimless. Little focus. Little direction. Fickle. Frogariffic. It's time for my knitting to find a happy place again.

I did finish these three lovely pairs of socks recently so that is a bonus. I'm trying to follow through on my knitting. I frog SO MUCH. If I actually stuck it out and finished 50% of what I started, wow, I'd have a lot more FOs to speak of. It's not that these frogged projects were going bad, or didn't work, or the sizing was wrong... I just got bored or on a whim, decided to yank the needles.

I have several WIPs on my needles right now... a beret, two sweaters for the boys, two pairs of socks, a lace shawl, a giftee, and a lace cowl. Holy WIPs knitwoman!

The good news is that I'm about 75% done with most of them. All except the lace shawl which I think might take me eight years to knit. But it's fabulous so I'll live with that.

I want to finish up my WIPs over the next couple of weeks and then move on to something larger. I have a pullover in mind for myself, actually. I'm going to use Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted in the Pucks Mischief colorway and knit myself a top-down cowl neck sweater. It'll be warm, just slightly funky in style, and off the hook with color. Perfect!

So, at least I have three pairs of socks to show you. They were all fun to knit and will enhance my sock drawer nicely (ok, lets face it, the sock drawer already overfloweth... and then some).

Very soon I'll have some more fun FOs to share with you, until then I'd better get to it.

now with more knitting!

I'd describe my knitting habit lately as aimless. Little focus. Little direction. Fickle. Frogariffic. It's time for my knitting to find a happy place again.

I did finish these three lovely pairs of socks recently so that is a bonus. I'm trying to follow through on my knitting. I frog SO MUCH. If I actually stuck it out and finished 50% of what I started, wow, I'd have a lot more FOs to speak of. It's not that these frogged projects were going bad, or didn't work, or the sizing was wrong... I just got bored or on a whim, decided to yank the needles.

I have several WIPs on my needles right now... a beret, two sweaters for the boys, two pairs of socks, a lace shawl, a giftee, and a lace cowl. Holy WIPs knitwoman!

The good news is that I'm about 75% done with most of them. All except the lace shawl which I think might take me eight years to knit. But it's fabulous so I'll live with that.

I want to finish up my WIPs over the next couple of weeks and then move on to something larger. I have a pullover in mind for myself, actually. I'm going to use Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted in the Pucks Mischief colorway and knit myself a top-down cowl neck sweater. It'll be warm, just slightly funky in style, and off the hook with color. Perfect!

So, at least I have three pairs of socks to show you. They were all fun to knit and will enhance my sock drawer nicely (ok, lets face it, the sock drawer already overfloweth... and then some).

Very soon I'll have some more fun FOs to share with you, until then I'd better get to it.

Sock Summit

So knitters, you've surely heard of Sock Summit that is about to take place in Portland, Oregon. I'm SO geeked that this is even happening. It's a monumental knitting event... in my book it totally kicks any other fiber festivals butt because it's all socks all the time, my favorite thing to knit. I wanted to go badly but lets face it -- it's a dream trip! Plus, its the same weekend as my son's 10th birthday and a huge family reunion that we're going to in Colorado.

Next year? WOW! I'd love to go! I hope they have one again! It'd be such a dream vacation! Anyone want to room with me???

So I can be green with sock envy about missing Sock Summit but at least there is blogland to keep us filled in, right?

Also -- I'm going to the New York Sheep and Wool festival in a couple of months, so that helps. WHEE! I am not going to buy yarn. Well, maybe a little, but truth be told I haven't bought any yarn in quite a while (at least for me). I'm trying very hard not to build up my stash again and knit with what I have. It's another major knitting event I've followed closely in blogland. I just want to go experience the festival while I can. Just once.

Oh! Such Fibery Goodness!

I Heart 6-ply Sock Yarn

On-Line Supersocke 6-Ply "Relax"

It's no secret, I LOVE to knit socks. I knit fancy socks for sport... I love sock patterns. I love squooshy fancy unique sock yarns. I love everything socks. I just do. But when it comes down to knitting socks for function -- warm, hard- and long-wearing, and soft... my true and basic love is for 6-ply sock yarns. Not to mention my husband wears size 13 shoe and if he gets handknit socks, it's got to be 6-ply.

6-ply sock yarn is typically DK weight. I knit it up on size 3 needles. 3's feel like giant sock knitting needles to me. Knitting up 6-ply socks on size 3 needles also means that they're a speedy knit (I started this one last night).

I have one pair of 6ply socks for myself and truthfully, they're the first pair I reach for when my feet are cold or need comforting. I think BMFA STR Mediumweight would also be considered DK weight sock yarn and therefore it jumps in to that uber-functional and warm category.

The sock pictured above is knit with a yarn that is new to me and I am in love ... crushing so hard that it inspired this blog entry. I found it at Seaport Yarn yesterday when I was on a walk in downtown Portland. These will be for my husband. Fortunately, they had a shelf full of other colorways... I'll definitely be getting more!

Online Supersocke "Relax" has a blend of Aloe and Jojoba in it (ala Austermann Step). I have always sort of rolled my eyes at this concept of hand-soothing goodness blended in with the yarn but it is the real deal. It's hard to describe... the yarn... and the sock is just softer. I'm curious to see how it will feel after the socks are washed.

My tried and true stand-by is Opal 6-ply. My husband has a few pairs, and my brother, too. It's the only other 6ply sock yarn I've used other than the STR Mediumweight. I'd love to knit up more of this Online Supersocke, I've also been eyeing the Regia Kaffe Fasset... other than these, I'm not aware of many other self-striping 6ply sock yarns. If you have any others in mind, please let me know. ...and wouldn't it be great if Trekking made a DK weight?

So here I am having a quick affair with my lovely 6-ply sock yarn while a nearly completed sweater is languishing not far away. It'd be lovely to wear to the NH Sheep and Wool Festival on Saturday. But there it sits. I'll have to break away from my sock affair long enough to finish this baby off. All that is left is a half inch on one of the 6" sleeves, plus the other, and the button band which I'm feeling undecided about. I've flown through this project, so it is definitely worth keeping up the momentum and finish it.

Radiate by Helene Rush from Knitty, Spring 2009, Misti Int'l Pima/Silk

Then I think I might just have a summer-long affair with 6ply sock yarns. Ooh la la!

ETA: I remembered that I have another pair of DK weight socks that I knit up ages ago... I used Strapaz Ringel Color that I bought at Three Oaks in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I've never found this yarn again in a store, however, I just found it on the Seaport Yarn web site! I love these socks and they're still one of my favorite pairs even after years of wear and wash. I'm so happy to see that it is available locally.

Cookie Sock Love

Yesterday I got Cookie A.'s new book Sock Innovation while I was at Purl Diva. I couldn't wait to get home and flip through the book. When I did, I immediately wanted to knit ALL of the great patterns. I'm so impressed with all of the new ideas and not the 'same-ole' patterns. I'm breaking out of my current projects and casting on for a new pair today... the tough part is deciding which pattern to knit first!