Zoom Zoom

My Mandrake socks are zooming!

 

I’ve had a bit of project ADD of late so a lot of things are getting a little progress. But these have been my purse knitting so they have gotten more than their fair share. Thanks to addicting strips of String Theory Colorworks yarn and a vanilla patter these are flying. I’m almost ready to establish the ribbing at the top of sock number two. After that all that is left is the afterthought heel. I’ll be sad and happy when these are done because they are so cheerful and the cashmere content is sooooo yummy under my fingers.

But one thing I find myself thinking about is the afterthought heel. I’m not finding it as comfortable as I used to. Well at least compared to the last couple socks that had toe up gusset heels. I already do an afterthought heel over 60% of the total stitches and it fits. It can feel a bit tight and not as form fitting as the gusset. Maybe my sock preferences are changing?

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Zigzagular Socks

I finally had the guts to start working the chart for the Zigzagular Socks. I did half of the chart back here and did the second half this week.

I could use some working keeping consistent tension when my cables are moving. You can see above that I’m already getting better. I’m still a cable knoobie but it’s very neat to watch them wave back and forth. And being new to this I still need some quiet to work on these to make sure I’m going the right directions. So this project is relegated to after Jellybean goes to bed. Progress on these might be slow…

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Fantastico Vanilla Socks

Another project for the 12 Months to Christmas KAL with BostonJen of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast is in the books! My Fantastico Vanilla socks are done…

 Pattern: Toe Up Vanilla sock over 68 stitches

Yarn: Regia 6-ply Fantastico

Needles: US 2s

I worked these toe-up with a gusset heal. I got feedback from my husband that this heel fits better across a wide foot. And my dad has is size 13 US wide. I managed to sneakily get my Dad to try these on pretending they were for my hubby. The fit was great and he remarked how soft he thought they were. I’ve given these a good wash and block and tucked away for Christmas. I meant to get my husband to model these for me but once out of sight…out of mind!

These turned out fairly tall and I only used 80% of the skein. Regia is a great yarn to work with and the 10 year guarantee doesn’t hurt. I see a lot more Regia 6-ply socks in my future for the sock worthy men in my life!

Happy Knitting!

Establishing The Pattern

I’m slowly working on my Zigzagular Socks. I’m converting these to toe up so I’m having to think through the construction and the pattern to wrap my over tired brain cells around that all.

  
I’ve knit the stockinette toe for the right sock and places stitch markers for the pattern section. When I get a minute to concentrate I’m going to try to work through a chart repeat to see how this goes.

I made a series of realizations whilst working the toe increases. A) this yarn is more of a light fingering B) the ideal stitch counts for my foot at this guage fall in between the pattern counts C) my sister’s shoe size fits the 64 stitch count and guage perfectly. So basically my knitting subconscious is telling me these need to be for my sister. I don’t have the warewithall to both follow the chart, work my first cables and modify this to fit my foot. Baby steps….I’ll get the pattern in my fingers/brain first and then do another pair for me. Besides it will knock an item off my Christmas to do list!

Happy Knitting!

WIP Wednesday: Mandrake Vanilla Socks

I’ve made some reportable progress on my Mandrake Vanilla Socks!

  
The first sock is done. This is a 68 stitch toe up vanilla sock with afterthought heel. I like the afterthought heel for preserving the stripes but I’m not sure it’s the best fit for me depending on my gauge/stitch count. But it works well enough to keep using for now.

  
I’ve started the second sock. When I wound the yarn I made sure to get two matching balls that started with the same stripe. However, I didn’t even use close to 50% of the yarn for the first sock so I’ll have lots of leftovers. But I’m really enjoying the cashmere content in these socks so leftovers would be the worst thing ever!

Happy Knitting!!

WIP Wednesday: ALL THE SOCKS

I literally have a tote bag full of sock WIPs…

  
In this bag:

  
These socks are all in various stages and it’s really nice tone able to pull out whatever project suits my knitting time/place. I truly have sock knitting ADD!

Happy Knitting!!

Beach Glass Vanilla Socks

Earlier I mentioned that I was winding all the things while my sister was visiting. Another skein I wound up was my Mint Rain sport weight sock yarn in Beach Glass.  My sister babysat so we could go see Whisky Tango Foxtrot. Firstly the movie was AWESOME. It was funny but real and touching at the same time. I highly recommend it.

I was able to get my toe started before the movie so I could just cruise. I kept getting so wrapped up in the movie that I would forget to knit! But I did manage a couple of inches.

The yarn is pooling/flashing. I’m not sure which is which but you can see below. I can’t wait to work farther and see how this continues! It’s so different from the cake. (This is going to be one of my 2016 Sock Yarn Experiment.)

Happy Knitting!

Knitting On The Go

A plague has fallen upon our house. This is my second visit to the doc in a month for ear troubles and Jellybean is back to running a fever. Just a fever no other symptoms (negative for flu, negative for strep, and no ear infections) aside from cranky and not sleeping. I feel like all I do is wipe snot off someone or something lately.

Silver lining…with all the appointments my Fantastico vanilla socks are growing!  

 Happy Knitting and Good Health to all!

 

Sock Update: Fantastico Vanilla Socks

I’ve been consciously trying to bring my Fantastico’s with me during commutes and other car outings. Turns out if you actually knit on things they get bigger! The foot seems freakishly long. But my measurements line up with the foot template of both my husband and father, so I can’t be that far off. I guess that is what you get when knitting men’s socks. I’ve completed the heel (a gusset heel in this case) and I’m cruising up the leg. Gotta love sport weight sock yarn!

Happy Knitting