Grapevines

I'm working on these socks along with a few other pairs. The stitch pattern is on page 96 of More SKS. I'm using Regia cotton/wool blend yarn and size 2.0 mm needles. It's a 12 round repeat pattern, but all of the odd rounds are plain stockinette and the other six are all variations of the same combination of increases and decreases. I used an eye of partridge heel flap and am continuing the stitch pattern on the instep to the toe.

Scrolls Socks (from More SKS)

I have finished my Scrolls socks from More SKS. I finished the first one in April but got sidetracked by other projects and finally finished the second sock today.

The pattern reminds me of ripples in puddles and so I thought it went perfectly with the yarn I had from Posh Yarn in last month's sock club - it's the April Showers colourway.

I knitted these toe up with short row heels on 2 x 2.75 mm Inox Grey circs. It's a 14-row pattern but knits up surprisingly quickly.

Elongated Corded Rib

Yes, I hung my sock in a bush! It's the only place with some decent light at 7pm here. :) Sorry it's not on a sock blocker, but it's a size 7 and won't fit on my big size 10 blockers. :)
This pattern was very easy to memorize, and I'm down to the heel on the second sock. It's one of the 4-stitch patterns in Charlene's SKS book. Next...something from More SKS for a secret swap pal.
Kris in NH

Scroll Socks

I don't know if socks from the More Sensational Knitted Socks count, but I have finished a pair. I knit the Scroll Socks with my own heel and toe. The are knit in Blackberry Ridge Mer-Made Fingering wt in the Tropical Fish colorway. Size 1 addi turbos. They are a fun sock to knit and the pattern is very easy to memorize.

They're Finished

I finished one of the two pair of socks I started from More SKS. The 6-stitch Pennant pattern knit in Opal Prisma 1190 with US1 dpn's, 66 stitches. This is a great pattern and very easy to memorize.

Garter Rib Socks

I finally finished the Garter Rib Socks from SKS. I enjoyed the pattern very much. More info on my blog. Currently on the needles is another SKS pattern-Baby Cables.

Garter Rib Sock #1

My first post here, and first sock pattern from this great book....I feel so honored to join in the SKS pool of lovely socks.

I chose the Garter Rib socks pattern - this is the first of many pairs to be sure.

I'm only finished with Sock 1 so far, but #2 is not far behind. I modified the pattern only a little by continuing the garter rib pattern down the top of the foot past the toe decreases. The yarn is Sangria; a merino superwash that was hand-dyed by my good friend over at Cherry Blossom Fibers. I used the 2 circulars method with Knit Picks size 1 (2.5mm) needles. (LOVE these).

This was quite the relaxing knit, but I'm sure you sock veterans know that already :)

A question about elastic

I wanted to get some opinions on adding elastic to cotton socks.

My first Swedish Block Sock in the 4 ply cotton is at the cuff stage, but I didn't want to do a plain ribbed top and just have it fall down. I've never done a pure cotton sock before, but I wanted to try it for experiment's sake. Ribbing alone doesn't seem like it would be enough with this yarn.

I was thinking of doing a fold over hem at the top with a narrow elastic band inside, like you see with knit skirts. I just haven't had the strength to do it yet! I wanted to know if anyone had any other suggestions. If you have links to other people that have done the same, those would appreciated as well!

Amy

2 Socks From the New Book

I got the More Sensational Knitted Socks book a couple of weeks ago and got started on some socks right away. This is the result so far: In Trekking (orange sock) I'm knitting the Crosshatch Lace pattern (72 stitches on 0's). This is a wonderful lace pattern and so easy to knit. The second is the six stitch Pennant pattern (there are 4 or 5 different pennant patterns in this book). I'm knitting Opal Prisma 1190 for this sock (66 stitches on 1's). I've cast on for both second socks, I'm trying to get them done before the end of the month. Wish me luck!

Karen

Sock #1 of an SKS pair

I finished one Bluebell Lace ribbed sock in merino/tencel from Yarn Pirate in the Daisy colorway. I have the ribbing and one repeat of the second sock done. The first photo shows the colors well, and the second shows the pattern. The yarn is soft and shiny--these are going to be a pleasure to wear.

Two socks in progress.

Here's two socks that I am working on. The first is Online Summer Color sock yarn (color 789), a cotton/wool/nylon blend, in the Broad Spiral Rib pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks. The second sock is the Swedish Blocks pattern, in Rowan 4 ply Cotton in Fennel. I frogged these yarns many times trying to find a pattern I could stick with for them, so I hope these work out.

The Broad Spiral Rib sock uses a round toe, and the loop-de-loop cast on, the other is Magic cast on starting with 8 stitches. Both are 60 stitch socks.

I couldn't get a good pic of the Stems socks, but it's one down, one to go on those. These two patterns have pulled me away from it for a while.

More details on my blog. It's my first time using these two yarns, so I wrote my first impressions there.

Waffle Rib Socks Done

I've finished another pair of socks using a pattern in the book. Using Regia Nordic Color #5521, I made some slightly modified Waffle rib pattern socks. I just used the pattern in groups of three instead of continuously down the sock.

Now I'm ready to try something from the new book.

Ebony

Intro post.

Hello everyone.

My name is Amy, and I just got my invitation to this knitalong this week.

When I bought the first Sensational Knit Socks book, I didn't know what I was in for. That book really changed my knitting life. My socks fit and they're not too tight at the cuff, and it's about all I knit anymore. Socks are portable and I have a better chance of finishing than most other projects, even though I still want to make a few sweaters I'm not embarrassed to wear (I've only got one right now). Plus I have a lot of sock yarn to burn through. The 'sock yarn doesn't count as stash' thing just doesn't apply to me! I've finished a good number of projects from SKS, most of them before I got a digital camera and a blog. I finished a couple of Garter Rib Anklets and one Waffle Rib sock this year so far, and plain stockinette socks using the Fair Isle instructions.

The second book is even more fun than the first, and I started a project from it a couple of weeks ago, in anticipation of getting in on the knitalong. It's a sock in the 'Stems' pattern knit in DK weight yarn. The first sock is done, and hopefully I'll get a good picture of it this weekend to show progress. I'm slowly going through the leg on the second one, because I haven't had much knitting time lately.

Hopefully I'll be very active there. It's the first knitalong I've truly participated in. I got really sick during Socktoberfest and couldn't get anything done that month, so I'm going to make up for it!

Thanks for the invite!

April Showers

Here are the current socks I'm knitting from More SKS - "Scrolls" from page 95.

The yarn is Posh Yarn's Lucia, April's sock club yarn in the "April Showers" colourway. As soon as I saw this yarn, I knew I wanted a pattern that looked like ripples on water. Then I spotted the "Scrolls" pattern in More SKS and my next pair of socks was sorted. ;-)

I love this pattern because it has so much texture and the subtle colour changes in the yarn doesn't overwhelm it.


I'm already planning my third pair - either "Travelling Vine" on page 95 or "Baby Fern" on page 101. A friend I worked with years ago is 72 next week and her favourite colour is green, and I just happen to have 2 balls of green Sirdar Town and Country in my stash. ;0) so the next ones will be for her.

Hostess Notes

Hello all! Just a quick note to say Welcome to all the new members. I just sent out a bunch of invitations this morning, but it might be a couple of weeks before everyone shows up on the sidebar. I've been out of town for the past week and am trying to get caught up. I tried putting a big batch of names up on the sidebar before we left, but forgot to save it before I closed the window and lost all my work. Brilliant, huh? (But, unfortunately, very typical of me.) So I have lots of names to catch up on. Once I'm done, I'll ask if I missed anyone.

Other than that, my More Sensational Knitted Socks was waiting for me when I got back and oh, it's a wonderful book as well. Can't wait to see what people make from it!

Alternating 2x2 Rib

Finally another finished pair of SKS socks. The Alternating 2x2 Ribs using Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool in the Sweet Lavender colorway.


These socks were worked toe-up using the Easy Toe cast-on on size 4 Brittany dpn's over 56 stitches for the body of the sock with a plain foot and patterning above the ankle. For the heel, I used the yarnover short-row heel by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. The ribbing was worked using 3.0 mm Holz & Stein rosewood dpns'. The socks are a women's size 9.5 and used almost the entire skein. I had about a yard and half remaining.

The pattern is quick 4 stitch repeat that while simple isn't boring. Normally I don't knit socks in worsted weight and have never used the 4/8's. This was a teaching project that turned out to be a pleasure.

I heard it through the Grapevine

This is the Grapevine pattern on page 96 of More SKS and is my first pair of socks from this book. The pattern looks much better IRL, it's difficult to get a decent photo of it.

I knit these using Posh Yarn's Lucia sock yarn in the March Hare colourway (March's sock club yarn). I used 2 x 2.75 mm Inox grey circs.

I used my usual toe up pattern, not the one in the book.

These knitted up extremely quickly and only took 4 days to complete, and that wasn't working

on them constantly either. The fastest pair of socks I've ever made for myself, I think.

I've just cast on for my second pair - Scrolls on page 95 - again with Posh Yarn Lucia in the April Showers colourway (April's sock club yarn) but I haven't done enough to warrant a photo yet. ;0)

Finished!

Thanks, Alison, for sending me an invitation. I'm a big fan of Charlotte's books.

I finished the spiral toe (book 2) on sock two of my double spiral socks. I used 76 stitches for the ribbing and 84 for the pattern, which had a repeat of 14 stitches. 70 stitches would not have fit my ankle, but it would probably fit a normal sized ankle. I used 2.5 mm needles and navy solid Knitpicks Essentials with a Regia color yarn. I used just over one skein of the navy yarn and a little less than one skein of the Regia. Someone with normal sized ankles would have no problem knitting the pair from one skein of each yarn. Sport weight yarn and 56 stitches would probably work too.

I'm using the Double Spiral mosaic (slip stitch) design from Sensational Knitted Socks. I'm quite happy with the look of the heel and gusset on this pair. I've made several mosaic patterned socks and the gusset decreases always wreak havoc with the pattern. I think I almost solved the issue with this design. More Sensational Knitted Socks has more ideas that I'll use in future sock designs. It came in my Knitpicks order along with the second skein of navy Essentials yarn so I could finish sock two. I love all of the mosaic stitches in both books.

I finished the first socks I made with a book pattern on March 30th. My DH is wearing them to work today. Sorry for the bad pictures. I think I need a camera of my own. DD always has hers and I'm forced to use my scanner. I used the alternating 2 X 2 rib and a vintage Socka yarn in brown tweedy stripes. Boring socks to make but a very nice finished product. I've also started a pair of broad spiral rib socks from the new book in some vintage Opal yarn. I have to recommend this pattern. It's hard to see in the dark yarn but it looks great. I am just using a plain K4, P2 rib on the foot portion of the sock instead of the baby cable rib on the leg. More pictures when I'm finished.

Margie

Little Chevron Rib

This is my first pair of socks from SKS2. I am enjoying the 10-stitch pattern (only a 4-row repeat, hence the reading of Helen of Troy whilst knitting!). I'm doing them two at once, using two circular needles. It feels slower but for me is probably faster in the long run.

I was worried at first that the knit/purl chevrons would get lost in the Trekking XXL stripes, but now that I'm a few inches in, I really like how the stitch pattern makes the yarn look very nubbly and tweedy.

More info and an additional photo on my blog. :-) Dana

Hi from a Newbie

Hiya, I'm a newbie to this KAL (well, I've been lurking for a while) but not a newbie to the SKS books. It's great to see the patterns in different yarns and colourways and I love seeing everyone's photos. I finished my first pair from More SKS last night and started my second pair today. I'm in work at the mo but will post some pics tonight when I get home.

I'm back!

I haven't posted in a loooong time because I have been working on other KALs, along with all the other life events that go on.

Even though I don't think I will ever tire of this book, or knit all the socks from it, I (in a weak moment) acquired both More Sensational Knitted Socks and Favorite Socks from IK. They are very different but both wonderful. This sock-knitting obsession is reasserting itself, and I have finally realized I can never hope to knit as many in fingering yarn as I want to try.

So, starting now, I resolve to knit at least alternate patterns in worsted weight yarn and donate them to CIC. I have knitted for them a long time, but have also been neglecting them so I can resume with them as I resume here.

Resolved, yeah, and darn, I don't need any more worsted weight yarn either.

AJ in AZ

Question of the Week and Hostess Notes

Here's a question that I asked on my personal blog earlier in the week and thought it was pretty appropriate for here.

Do you darn your socks when they develop holes or do they get tossed?

For those of you interested in darning, but don't know how, here is a wonderful tutorial. It is much easier to repair an area that looks a little thin, but hasn't quite developed a whole yet. You just do duplicate stitches. Since most holes/thin areas are on the bottom of the foot, you don't even have to have the exact yarn you used for the sock. I do darn my socks. I'm getting enough in the rotation that I don't have to do it often, but it does occasionally happen and I just can't bear to part with any of my socks just yet. And it's just part of wearing handknit socks for me.

I'll ask some questions about the More Sensational Knitted Socks book once I get my copy. Mine's on order with another book that's not released for another couple of days. Hopefully, mine will show up soon. I've heard good things!

Hostess notes: I have been better about trying to get everyone timely invitations and up on the sidebar, but there are occasional oversights. Also, I have sent some invitations out that haven't been accepted, so if you're wondering why you can't post or why you're not on the sidebar yet, this might be the case with you. Just email me and let me know; I know my email sometimes catches things like invitations and won't let them through. One more thing, I'm probably going to be scarce for the next week or two, some personal things. So if you don't get an invite immediately or I don't get your name up on the blog, please be patient with me. Thanks for your time. I can't wait to see what everyone makes from the new book!

My book arrived!

Well when I heard the book was finally available, I ordered it from amazon on monday and it just arrived. I gave a quick glance through and there are soooo many great patterns in it it's hard to decide which to knit first!

Mock Rib Socks

I am still waiting for my copy of More Sensational Socks to arrive but I love the first book. For some reason, I always seem to come back to the Mock Rib pattern. This is the pair that I just finished in Sweet Georgia's Still Water. I have another pair in the same pattern on the needles right now. Plus I have yet another pair in a different pattern from the first book also on the needles.

New to the KAL

Hi, I'm Satori and though I am new to this KAL I am definitely not new to Sensational Knitted Socks. It's a wonderful book and I just ordered the More Sensational Knitted Socks yesterday.

Since the first book came out I've made about 6 pair of socks out of it. The picture below is the current pair. The 3x3 Cable with Moss Stitch. I'm using size 3 circulars and Austermann Bamboo Soft yarn.

I'm really looking forward to seeing all the beautiful socks that you are making.

Have a great day!

basket weave socks

I got my copy of the new book More Sensational Knitted Socks which I love as much as the first one! Here's my first project, that I knitted for my hubby:
This is the basket weave stitch pattern that I used with my basic toe-up method. The yarn is Claudia's Handpainted Yarn in Deep Blue. More pictures and info can be found on my blog if you're interested. Thanks! Tiennie

My First SKS, and first socks in 3 years!

.This is my first post to this blog, and THIS is my first pair of SKS! I'm a newbie sock knitter, but an addicted sock knitter. I took a sock class in 2004 at a LYS, but couldn't make a sock at home. A friend from church recommended this book...and here they are my socks...a basic K2P2 ribbing in a 4 stitch repeat in Austermann Step...I really like the feel of this yarn. I wore them today to our homeschool co-op, and showed them to literally everyone. Thank you for all of your helpful hints and sharing your gorgeous socks in the posts...they're very inspiring to me, and now I'm starting another (and more challenging) pair soon...after my Monkey Socks, that is. :) I can't wait to see the MSKS book that I have on order. Keep the pictures coming of your socks!

Hello! and some very simple socks...

I found this KAL after completing my first two-and-a-half pairs of SKS socks. The picture shows the first ones I finished: little tiny socks for my daughter, 48 stitches around, Lorna's Laces Lucky Stripe (the flash really killed the vibrancy of the colors!) on an Addi size 1 (magic loop).

Straight rib, except I made the heel flaps eye-of-partridge. I also played with some of the heel and instep details, since it seemed unlikely that Tabby would notice... I think I prefer having a two-stitch wide purl valley just above the instep decreases (right sock), and including the garter edge on the heel flap (left sock) is definitely better than not (right sock).

The ones I made for myself, and the ones I'm making for my husband, are also super-plain K2P2 rib. I can't wait to get done with his; I need to try something a little more interesting!

Emma Jane

Beaded Rib Socks

Hi everyone! I discovered this group just as I finished my first pair of socks from the book. They're the Beaded Rib pattern, knit exactly as the pattern; toe up, short row toe and heel. I love these socks, and I really love the book. I tend to mess with patterns quite a bit anyway, so it's nice to have "recipes" for every method of sock knitting.

I used Wildfoote in a color called Mums; you can get all the gory details at my blog.

Next up I think will be the Garter Rib for my hubby, but I'll use the same construction as for these. It's the first pair I'll have made for him, so toe-up is the way to go; I'd hate to run out of yarn halfway down the foot!

yarnmule

Chevron Socks

I finished these Chevron Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks using the lightweight Socks that Rock in the Nodding Violet Colorway. The pattern was perfect for the striping found in the yarn. I love, love, love them! Very comfortable, and I get frequent comments about them from non-knitters. Usually the "Oh, those are cute. Will you make me some?" kind. I'm always willing to offer to teach that person to knit their own.

Hostess Notes

Sorry there hasn't been a question of the week for a few weeks now. I've been swamped by a few things. I am, however, open to suggestions for questions. Just email to the addy in the sidebar with "question idea" in the subject line.

Welcome to all the new members. If you've noticed your name is not on the sidebar (remember I did lose a lot of members' names in the sidebar in the switchover), just drop me an email with "sidebar" in the subject line and in the email body, let me know the name you want on the sidebar and if you have a blog, please list that as well so I can link to you. This goes for new members as well. I'm trying to get caught up again, but don't hesitate to let me know if you're not there. (If you haven't guessed by now, I'm not exactly the world's most organized person.) If you don't have a blog, which is not necessary, I will just link back to the KAL for your name. It was just easier to set up a links list.

Anyway, the question has been asked if this KAL would include the new book More Sensational Socks due out in a couple of days and the answer is "YES!". I love the patterns in the original and I'm really looking forward to getting my copy of the new one.

Take care and have a good weekend. I hope to have a question for you next week.

2 pairs down

Hey everyone! I finished 2 pairs of SKS this past month before I even knew there was a KAL for them. I'm glad to be joining y'all. Here's the first pair:
It's a garter rib pattern. Here's the second pair:
It's the Waffle Rib II pattern. They were both knitted with Koigu, toe-up, magic loop method on US #2 for my hubby. If you want to see more pictures or read more about them, you can find me here. Thanks for stopping by. Tiennie

More Sensational Knitted Socks

Hi everyone--

Just wanted to send out the alert that Knitpicks has More Sensational Knitted Socks for $18.45, available on Monday, March 19th.

Will this KAL become a SKS/MSKS KAL when the new book comes out? I hope so!

I've been doing other projects but plan to cast on some slip-stitch rib socks any day now...The NCAA tournament makes for great knitting time (as long as you don't care if you miss some of the action). Go Washington State!

Yarn over Wildfoote

Meet my newest socks, yarn-over cables knit in Wildfoote's Columbine colour. They have a short-row toe and heel, just like in the SKS pattern. I'm all excited to get wearing them!

More details on my blog.
Valerie

Five-stitch Beaded Rib socks (p.39)

You know those red, five-stitch Beaded Rib toe-up socks on page 39 of SKS? Here's my interpretation.

Aren't they nice? Worth it, even though it was an absolute mare learning how to do short-row toes!

The yarn is Lucia by Posh Yarn: 30% cashmere, 70% merino.

I'm so glad I've finally finished these, I've been looking forward to posting something here for ages.

The full story is at http://beelzebubknits.blogspot.com

New, and a question....

Hi all! I'm fairly new to sock knitting, but had the book Sensational Knitted Socks recommended to me on the yahoogroup Addicted to Sock Knitting (which I'm finding I am! : ) ) and I am so glad! Here's the first sock I'm working on...
Yarn: 80% Llama, 20% Wool
Pattern: Baby Cable Rib
Needles: 2.5 mm double pointed
Anyways, so glad to have found this blog, and to be allowed to post!
I have a question I've been hoping someone could answer-how do you decide which colour combinations to come up with for the two yarn patterns (I'm thinking especially of the 4 stitch reticulated patterns). I'm considering some yarn with a lot of purple in it (Knit Picks Memories Rocky Mountain Dusk), but I'm not sure I want to pair it with basic black...What other colours do you think would be complementary?

New Socks!

This is my first pair of toe-ups; I used Oriel from SKS and love them.

If you want more details, just hop on over to my blog.

Sorry for the lack of question last week. It was a rough week; I'll have something by Friday. Any suggestions are welcome!

Crazy Chevrons

Hi all! I stumbled across this KAL via Google and I'm so excited to see all the great socks. I've just finished my first pair from SKS. They are for my 9 yr. old daughter who loves the wild colors.

Yarn - Regia Crazy Color

Needles - KnitPicks size 3

Method - 2 at a time, Magic Loop, toe up, heel flap

Pattern - Chevron, modified to a 13 stitch repeat.

More details at Forward Motion, my blog.

Waterfall Rib

I've started my first sock from SKS. Its the Waterfall Rib in Trekking XXL - color #110. I was a little concerned about using a pattern with the trekking yarn because I didn't want to hide the beautiful colors, but this it turning out beautifully, and it is super stretchy too. I'm very pleased.

Question of the Week and Socks

Lia suggested this week's question. She doesn't care for crazy socks, so she's looking for some other ideas for the leftover bits of yarn.

So, what do you do with your leftover sock yarns?

I plan to do some "crazy socks" someday, but in a methodical way. I was planning on using bits and scraps of similar or complementary colorways and using a black or other solid color and using Fair Isle to make identical or at least very similar socks. I also make a few mini socks here and there. I've been known to make some sock earrings. Scraps also make good baby socks and dolls socks for the kiddies. Since I occasionally play with miniatures, I do think I could use some sock yarn for mini-afghans. And there are tons of books out there with knitted stuffed toys, bears and sweaters for the toys. I think scraps would make for very interesting stuffed toys. I'd really like to know what every one else uses their scraps for and feel free to post pictures of something really cool you've done with the scraps.

In other news, I've started my first toe-up socks using the Oriel pattern.

I think the pattern and the yarn are competing with each other, but I really like how it's turning out. It's Apple Laine yarn and completely yummy stuff!

Slip Stitch Ribs Finished

Finally I'm able to post some finished socks! These were made for a sock swap and the picture is the recipient. I sent them off to her without taking a final picture - how dumb is that? So I had her take it on the receiving end. The yarn is OnLine Supersocke in the Summer colorway. It reminds me of Easter eggs...:-) Love the pattern, love the yarn....now on to the next thing!

I'm jazzed for Stitches West this weekend! One thing I'm treating myself to are some sock blockers...:-) I've finally decided I "need" them.

New member with finished SKS socks!

Hi, I'm Melissa. I'm a "real-life" knitting guild-mate and friend of hostess Alison, and now I finally have a reason to join this KAL. Below are my Baby Cable Rib socks, just finished last night. Yarn: Lorna's Laces "Happy Valley" (well aged in my stash). Needles: Brittany birch dpns, size 1 (the stress of the right twist snapped one of my first set, so I had to get more).

The photo above shows the true colors of the yarn. The next one shows the stitch detail nicely, but the colors are nowhere near that dark.

Now I have to decide which SKS pattern to knit next. I like a lot of them. I did buy the yarn to make the green and neon Fair Isle on the cover, but I haven't done a FI sock yet (I did do a pair in intarsia). I may wait until the new book comes out to decide. I have plenty of yarn to use for "mindless" socks in the meantime, not to mention a zillion other patterns.

Oriel Completed

These are the Oriel socks from the book. I used some Lana Grossa Meilenweit yarn. I cast on with the Turkish cast on. I found I had a bit of a problem figuring out how the heel is constructed. I don't know if I missed something when I read the book or not but I just didn't get it right away. On the whole I like the socks but I don't know if I would use this construction again. Now I want to try other socks from the book, if I could just find the time.

Oblique Openwork

Oblique Openwork
Originally uploaded by stariel.

I knit this single sock for the SSS Swap in Knit Picks Gloss. It's a very easy pattern to memorize, and I think it turned out very well. I will probably end up knitting it again for myself!

Question of the Week

I'm surprised at how many people used circulars for their socks. Maybe someday I'll give it a try, but for now, I'm happy with my DPNs. Now, for this week's question:

How many pairs of socks could you make with your current sock yarn stash? Come on, be honest! Be brave!

I just counted my stash and figured I have about enough for 40 pairs of socks which is a lot less than I had thought. I probably could work out a few more socks by combining some of the leftovers and I'll probably do that at some point, but actual full skeins of yarn will get me about 40 pairs. I was thinking I had enough for at least a pair a week for a year. I certainly won't feel quite so guilty with my next sock yarn purchase :-) I did finish a pair of socks, but they're just a plain 3X1 rib, not really anything out of SKS except for the forethought heel. I'm probably going to attempt my first toe-up socks using a pattern from the book. Just have to figure out which one!

Question of the Week

Dana suggested the question of the week - needle style - but I thought I'd expand it a little:

What is your favorite method of doing socks? This includes needle style, preferred heel (flap, short row, afterthought, etc), favorite toe, toe up or cuff down, and any other sock method related things you can think of.

My favorite method is DPNs. I've never tried the circular needles (though I love them for just about everything else), but I think working with DPNs for me is relaxing and repetitive. I much prefer heel flaps to any other heel; it just fits my foot better, but I have been known to do one short row (which I didn't care for at all) and I like the forethought heel for certain yarns. And I've never tried toe up, so I'll probably always prefer cuff down, but my next pair will be toe up so I can maximize the yarn.

First efforts

I'm excited to have discovered this book and this KAL. I bought the book in January, after devouring the library's copy.

My first pair are the green Corded Rib socks, which I made in Gjestal Silja Sockegarn using size 4 Inox circular needles. The knitting experience was good--the fit not good. (Apparently I was measurement impaired and thought my 8.5" foot was 9.25" around.) They're warm and great for around the house, but a bit baggy. If I were to make these again I would--obviously--measure correctly, and probably go down a needle size for a less-drapey fabric. (Being nearly a sock novice, I just went with the recommended needle size for this sport-weight yarn.)

I am MUCH happier with the blue socks, pictured here nearly ready to be kitchenered. I am making these with KnitPicks Essential Solid in Dusk using size 2 KnitPicks options circulars. I also learned how to make TWO socks on two circulars--what a blast! These fit like a dream and the color is perfect for wearing with jeans.

Next up? probably the slipstitch rib, or maybe I'll up my learning curve and try the chevron?

Addendum: If you'd like to know more about the technique, see my blog.

question of the week

How did you start making socks?

I had never knit socks until my SP9 pal sent me the SKS book, DPN's and 2 skeins of sock yarn, I am now hooked :) They are probably one of my favorite things to knit :)