Another hot and humid day in my neck of the woods.  Spring, summer and fall are my favorite times of the year and I am very unhappy with all the humidity we are getting, which means the air-conditioning must be on and the house closed up with me inside instead of outside. 

Today I thought I would show you my very first pair of socks that I knit using sock yarn.  The boot socks I  knit, were made from knitting worsted weight yarn and large needles.  This pair of socks was made using thin needles and actual sock yarn.  What a difference in knitting between the two.  An online friend decided to knit these socks with me as a knit-a-long in case I got stuck.  I got the pattern and yarn from http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Stroll_Sock_Yarn__D5420133.html   The pattern is called: The Girlfriend Socks.

I was so enthused about these socks and they felt so good on my feet, that I started buying sock books and closeout yarns from KnitPicks.  I also bought a computer sock program where I can put in my own measurements and it will generate a pattern for me, as well as give me options for the cuff designs.  I have an 18 quart tub of sock yarn just waiting for me to dive in and start knitting.  The Stroll  yarn that I am using, washes up nice. The above socks have been washed countless times and they still look good.  They have felted a bit, but that makes them warmer and actually makes the sock fit better.

When doing socks, I am one of those who fall into the second sock syndrome.  When I get done with a sock, I want to wear it, not have to wait another week or two before I can.  In order to not have to wait, I am going to have to learn to knit two at a time on one cable, or, I am going to have to get another set of cable needles and start both at the same time and then switch back and forth on the two socks to keep the work even so that they will be finished at the same time.  I like the one sock on a needle because for me, it is easier to take along with me, where as, knitting two at a time on one needle, means I have to pay attention to switching the balls around so that the yarn won't tangle.   I have only played around with knitting two at a time on one needle, but have never actually done a pair of socks on one needle.

 I like the Magic Loop method of knitting socks, much better than using double pointed needles.  I am forever dropping the double pointed needles out of the work in progress.  With  playing around, I finally figured out how to switch the first stitch to make a tight joining, when doing two on one cable.  More playing will have to wait till cooler weather for the yarn is hard to move through my fingers in this humidity.  For now, I will stick with using the kitchen cotton and making the dishcloths until cooler weather. 

 

February 29, 2012

Today I will show you the two latest projects I have just taken off the knitting needles.  The first are two scarves that I knit from left over yarns.  Since both are the same, I am only showing one.  The yarn is nubby yarn, called Cindy, Bouquet.  I cast on 40 stitches, used a size 8 needle and just did a garter stitch.  It gave the scarf texture and made it look like it was more work creating it than it actually was.  The scarf is very warm.

This next project is a pair of boot socks.  I used the pattern from the booklet, The Magic Loop.  I used the pattern directions as they were written, but find that the socks were loose in fit.  I used Lion Brand, Wool-Ease Worsted, which I have found has stretch in it, which doesn't always go back to the original shape after washing and drying.  The second pair, I used one size smaller needle than the directions called for, but think I could go down at least one more needle size for even a better fit.  On the second pair, I also knit in some nylon thread to give the sock a bit of longer wear.  The pattern didn't call for a ribbing at the top, but you will see in the second pair, I did knit on a ribbing, which I like so much better than without.

If you are just beginning to knit socks, I would recommend the booklet: The Magic Loop, for the directions are well written, and you are using larger threads and needles to learn with.  I made my daughter at least 7 pair of these socks and she loves them.  She mentioned that she would like a closer fit.  The next time I use this pattern, I am going to use a different kind of washable worsted wool to see if it is the yarn I used, or, if indeed, one needs to go down a size or two in needles.

I got carried away with buying sock books, so will move on to the smaller yarn, smaller needles and different patterns.  I cruised the internet and found sales on discontinued sock yarns, and bought enough for several pairs of socks.  I am a slow knitter, so don't look for the new socks to be posted anytime too soon.