Archive for socks
October 21, 2008 at 7:01 pm · Filed under socks, Uncategorized
I have knitted many things since I last wrote - I want to have pictures posted soon.
Socks, of course. Especially an intarsia pair from Cat Bordhi’s “Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles”, and the Mermaid Socks from Lucy Neatby’s “Cool Socks, Warm Feet.” I hardly ever make socks from patterns, but here I am, making two pairs.
I love the Estonian Fishtail pattern from the Mermaid Socks (also featured in Nancy Bush’s Estoninan knitting book). It twists around in spiral fashion, but one never needs to move the end-of-round marker or transfer stitches from needle to needle to accomplish the k2tog’s. One of those utterly fascinating knitting mysteries. The socks seem almost garish, but I think in a good way. I like the Neatby book because it has many ideas to use patterned sock yarn.
What I need to do now is go and hide a million intarsia tails - that pair will be so beautiful when finished.
January 14, 2008 at 1:32 pm · Filed under gauge, socks
I’ve just proved to myself that it pays to walk on the dark side, sock-knitting-wise. I knit myself a lovely beige sock (Invicta) in the Hartshorn pattern from the 2nd Barbara Walker treasury. I finished the first and turned to other knitting - a hat in bulky yarn, a slipper in super bulky, another slipper in worsted, and then a pair of wristers (fingerless gloves) also in worsted.
Then I went to make the second sock. I steamed along merrily until I finished the heel (starting at the toe). Then I compared it to the first one. Hmmmm…..looks smaller.
Tried it on - egad! no way can I get my foot in that. Look at the socks again, more closely this time. Holy cow - how did I manage to tighten up my gauge so much? It’s hard to believe the same person knit both socks.
I should have stuck to my “chain smoking” method of knitting the second sock right after the first.
Right now, my plan is to make two pairs. It’s a good excuse to go to Mary Maxim’s when I’m back in Michigan at the end of the month. Hope they’ve got more of that yarn.
January 12, 2008 at 12:16 pm · Filed under socks
Upon reading about my sock knitting, joVE commented that her knitting friends refer to sock knitting as - the DARK SIDE. Hmmmm, I wondered, never thought of it that way.
Then, I remembered that I had just told a friend that my sock knitting method is similar to chain smoking - those needles are never empty. Finish one sock, start the next, finish the second sock, and bingo - the first sock of the next pair is cast on quicker that I can say Jack Robinson. I have my next four pairs all planned out and ready to go.
I really must take some time to work on some other projects. I have a stole (rectangular shawl) in the works, and a lacy cardigan all ready to be put underway. Not to mention my felting. I also have a fabulous blue pullover that is 95% completed - just needs the bottom ribbing re-done and a bit of finishing.
Several months elapse………Well, I wrote this back in August, but never published due to my ineptitude in adding pictures. My Very Smart Friend, Kim, said I should just write and never mind about the pictures. So, here I am, just writing.
I’ve done several more pairs of socks - but also finished the blue pullover (I’ve been living in that all winter) plus slippers and a hat. I think I’m finally becoming more balanced in my knitting. Hurrah!
July 14, 2007 at 8:07 am · Filed under musing, socks
Here is a pair of socks that I think of as the companion to Mrs. Montague’s. They are knit in Wildfoote Forest Fog, with Pine Tree heels, toes, and cuffs. The pattern is Ladder Lace Rib from Barbara Walker’s second treasury.
Ladder Lace Rib appears to be more or less lacy, depending on whether you’re looking at it straight or at an angle. I wore them to a prairie restoration work day and got a couple of snags, so I’ve learned to wear them only for tame situations.
I’ve been a knitter for several decades, and in most of that time only made a few pairs of socks. My recent burst of sock knitting has been due to the fortuitous coming together of a group of factors: first, I absolutely fell in love with Priscilla Gibson-Roberts’s book Simple Socks. Once I read it I just had to try out the technique. Then, I came across a lovely display of that new-fangled self-striping sock yarn and decided to use that for my first pair of Simple Socks. I used a set of OO dpns, hoping to get a good sock yarn gauge, but was totally frustrated when the needles fell out every time I picked up my knitting. Arrrgh. Then, I remembered the idea of knitting a small tube on two circular needles. Fortunately I already owned two 16 inch size O needles, so I switched over to those.
Success! My gauge was fine, and I loved the way the first pair of socks turned out. I realized that sock knitting would be a perfect avenue for indulging my love of the Barbara Walker knitting pattern treasuries, and I have had such fun exploring the stitches. There is no end in sight, as I have lots of ideas.
July 7, 2007 at 6:23 pm · Filed under lace, socks, Blogroll
Here’s my latest pair of socks - featuring Mrs. Montague’s Pattern from the first Barbara Walker treasury. It seems that Mrs. Montague, Lady of the Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England, made stockings for the Queen in this pattern. I’ve always wanted to use this pretty diamond lace in some way, so it seemed natural to follow Mrs. Montague’s good example and make a pair of socks.
I’m in love with this sock. It really is queenly and elegant. They are knit in Wildfoote Pine Tree with size 0 needles.
I’ve made more than a dozen pairs of socks in the last year and a half - all using Priscilla Gibson-Roberts’s book “Simple Socks.” I just love the heel and toe structure. My little touch is to make the heels and toes using Heel Stitch instead of stockinette. I work with two circular needles rather than a set of dpns, and usually start at the toe. I have finally reached the exalted state of wearing no socks other than my own hand-knits.
Thanks for visiting my blog! I hope you’ll stop by often. A huge thank you goes to good friends and knowledgeable bloggers Kim and Ken for helping me get started.
