We should be excited that there is finally a blog update. But not only is there a blog update, this blog update is about socks! My favorite thing to knit. Whoo hoo!
As I mentioned in the last post, August is the annual Sock Knitters Anonymous SIPdown. This year did not disappoint. There is never a shortage of quips and witticism. Graylagran was the most prolific finisher this year, with twelve (twelve!) pairs completed during the month. I managed to finish only a measly three pairs during the month.
The first pair that came off the needles was a bit of a disappointment, I must say.
As I mentioned in the last post, August is the annual Sock Knitters Anonymous SIPdown. This year did not disappoint. There is never a shortage of quips and witticism. Graylagran was the most prolific finisher this year, with twelve (twelve!) pairs completed during the month. I managed to finish only a measly three pairs during the month.
The first pair that came off the needles was a bit of a disappointment, I must say.
Pattern: Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Glenhaven Cashmerino in Canyon
I have no idea what happened, but the circumference of the leg turned out way, way too large. I mean, I have cankles, but not that bad! Perhaps it is the cashmere content of the yarn. I've used other 80/10/10 MCN blends before, though, and had no problem. These will likely get frogged, because they are unwearable and the yarn is too delicious to waste. I might repurpose it for a Brooklet. It might look nice with this Plucky Knitter Merino Bamboo Silk. What do you think?
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Glenhaven Cashmerino in Canyon
I have no idea what happened, but the circumference of the leg turned out way, way too large. I mean, I have cankles, but not that bad! Perhaps it is the cashmere content of the yarn. I've used other 80/10/10 MCN blends before, though, and had no problem. These will likely get frogged, because they are unwearable and the yarn is too delicious to waste. I might repurpose it for a Brooklet. It might look nice with this Plucky Knitter Merino Bamboo Silk. What do you think?
The next pair of socks I finished turned out really well. These are my best friend Carol's annual birthday socks, and she says that they are her favorite pair to date. (She always says that when I give her a new pair of socks. Probably the two most sock-worthy people I have knit for are Carol and Mom. They are always wearing their handknit socks.)
Pattern: Roman Rib Socks by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott from The Little Box of Socks
Yarn: Trekking XXL in colorway #186
I love this yarn and I know that it will wear well. Carol is pretty hard on her socks, so I've got to use yarns that have a high nylon content (at least 25%) for her. I made the mistake of knitting a pair for her out of 100% merino once, and I still haven't gotten around to finishing that darning job.
The third pair off the needles was a pair for myself.
Yarn: Trekking XXL in colorway #186
I love this yarn and I know that it will wear well. Carol is pretty hard on her socks, so I've got to use yarns that have a high nylon content (at least 25%) for her. I made the mistake of knitting a pair for her out of 100% merino once, and I still haven't gotten around to finishing that darning job.
The third pair off the needles was a pair for myself.
Pattern: Syncopation Socks by Mary Henninger
Yarn: Kelpie Fibers Nixie Sock in Melior
These have to be one my favorite pairs of socks I've ever made for myself. I heavily modified that pattern, which is designed for a man. I knit them top-down rather than toe-up, and I reduced the cast-on to 60 stitches. You can read about my modifications here. As for the yarn, it is lovely. Kelpie Fibers is not a very well-known indie dyer, which is fortunate for me but unfortunate for everyone else. Her colorways seem to shine.
I finished one other pair of socks since I've written last, although these came off the needles long after our little SIPdown ended.
Yarn: Kelpie Fibers Nixie Sock in Melior
These have to be one my favorite pairs of socks I've ever made for myself. I heavily modified that pattern, which is designed for a man. I knit them top-down rather than toe-up, and I reduced the cast-on to 60 stitches. You can read about my modifications here. As for the yarn, it is lovely. Kelpie Fibers is not a very well-known indie dyer, which is fortunate for me but unfortunate for everyone else. Her colorways seem to shine.
I finished one other pair of socks since I've written last, although these came off the needles long after our little SIPdown ended.
Pattern: Jeck by Regina Satta
Yarn: Prism Saki in Blue Lagoon
These were a very, very easy knit. They are a new go-to pattern for when I don't want to knit vanilla socks but I need something pretty mindless. I didn't quite capture the color of the Prism Saki very accurately. They are a little more vibrant than the picture shows, but good light is getting hard to come by here in Michigan.
So, there you have it. A summary of the past few months of knitting. I have other things to share, but I'll hold off on those for another post.
Finally, I wanted to share a little "along" that is going on in the Knitmore Girls Podcast group. Inspired by Susan B. Anderson's fabulous sock drawer photo on her blog, Jasmine and Gigi have invited their listeners to post a photo of their handknit sock drawers. Here's mine!
Yarn: Prism Saki in Blue Lagoon
These were a very, very easy knit. They are a new go-to pattern for when I don't want to knit vanilla socks but I need something pretty mindless. I didn't quite capture the color of the Prism Saki very accurately. They are a little more vibrant than the picture shows, but good light is getting hard to come by here in Michigan.
So, there you have it. A summary of the past few months of knitting. I have other things to share, but I'll hold off on those for another post.
Finally, I wanted to share a little "along" that is going on in the Knitmore Girls Podcast group. Inspired by Susan B. Anderson's fabulous sock drawer photo on her blog, Jasmine and Gigi have invited their listeners to post a photo of their handknit sock drawers. Here's mine!
To listen to the episode in which Jasmine and Gig talk about "Operation Sock Drawer," click here. You can also post a photo in the thread on their Ravelry group and follow the discussion here on Twitter.
Of course the sock madness continues. I've got a few pairs on the needles right now, so look for another sock update soon!
Of course the sock madness continues. I've got a few pairs on the needles right now, so look for another sock update soon!