FO Friday: Toe Up Vanilla Socks

Posted on July 4, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Happy 4th of July!!!

I’m taking a break from the fireworks and interminable Kansas heat to show off my latest FO. Last we spoke I had just completed the gusset for the heel. And lo and behold they are now finished!

Pattern: A 74 stitch toe up vanilla sock with a slip stitch heel

Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Soulmate in the Hawaii colorway.

Needles: US 0s dpns

These socks consumed 344.3 yards or 81 grams of yarn. They have some imperfections to those with a discerning eye. But I’m proud as I managed to churn them out in less than a month and they fit. I’ll take the lessons learned from this project and take them on to my next pair.

Don’t forget to check out the Socks With Sarah KAL page on Ravelry!

Gussets Complete!

Posted on June 12, 2014 by atangledyarn84

My June #sockswithsarah socks now have heel gussets! Last we spoke I had just completed the foot portion.

The gussets did prove to be a lot of stitches mushed together on one needle and yes I dropped a few that had to be picked up! I also had some pooling in the color changes. Slightly annoying but not bothersome enough for me to change, lol.

All in all….still very happy and excited at how fast they are going! LOVE two at a time socks, even in my unique way!

A New Toy

Posted on June 10, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I splurged on a new toy for socks!

I picked these Addi Turbo 8″ inch size 0 circs for a reasonable price from Jimmy Beans Wool. I have a pair of socks on my needles right now but I’ll have to test these on my next pair!

Anyone else tried these?

Stripe After Stripe

Posted on June 9, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Just a quick update for my latest #sockswithsarah project. I’ve finished the foot section of each sock and I’m starting the gussets!

I just love watching the stripes form row after row….

(P.s. This photo is of them inside out. I was too lazy to turn them for a photo, lol.)

A New Sock

Posted on June 4, 2014 by atangledyarn84

My Plain Rye has been languishing in my project bag as the weather has grown warmer. Definite SSS as I have finished the first one but only the cuff of the second. I have a hard time working on any project that I’m not “in love with” at the time. So to the back of the closet it goes!

I still have the urge to work on a sock and to keep up with Socks With Sarah. Eons ago I picked some actual fingering weight sock yarn: Lorna’s Laces Soulmate in the Hawaii colorway:

How gorgeous right? So I pulled this from my stash and divided evenly into two cakes. I even made sure that I started each cake at the same point in the color change pattern. I feel like a proper sock knitter! 🙂

I picked a vanilla toe-up sock with gusset heal that is a variation of a pattern by Wendy Johnson. I’m working a total of 74 stitches on US 0 DPN needles. The pattern was written for magic loop but I’m working using three needles.

I don’t know if this is “right” or “wrong” but since I have five DPNs I’m working the socks in a sort of two at a time fashion. Two needles per sock and the fifth to work the live stitches. I plan to work each pattern section (toe, foot, turn the heel, etc) for each sock before moving to the next section. Hopefully this helps me produce two matching socks and avoid SSS, lol.

And as a pleasant consequence, I don’t have much of a laddering problem between the needles as I only have two needle changes (instead of the four I had with my Rye Socks). And I’m knitting the first stitch on each needle twisted and making sure to pull tightly. This is helping me to create a more even fabric. Check it out!

P.S. I’m TOTALLY in love with these colors. Really helps me power past the tiny yarn on tiny needle problem I usually face with socks.

WIP Wednesday: A Plain Rye Sock

Posted on April 2, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I have been woefully neglectfull of my #SockswithSarah KAL. My knitting mojo kind of went out the window during February and March. All I could manage was a few stitches here and there and only every so often.

But over time those stitches add up! At my last update on this sock I was halfway down the leg. Now I’ve turned the heel and I’m working down the foot.

This project is mindless and portable….and right up my alley at the moment. I’m not into committing to a huge WIP right now and I DEFINITELY don’t want to have to think too hard!

What is your go-to mindless knitting project?

Stitch by Stitch

Posted on February 20, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I think a picture is worth a thousand words….I have taken the #sockswithsarah call for a few stitches a day to heart. I have managed a row here and there over these past few days when I have not felt my best. And little by little I have made some small progress. For the original post on these socks, check here.

Think I can call myself the little knitting engine that could?

Happy Knitting

A Plain Rye

Posted on February 13, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I bit the bullet and joined the Socks with Sarah KAL over on Ravelry! There are some SERIOUSLY cool socks rocking over there!!

For my next KAL project I decided to take a twist on my last set of socks.

Pattern: Rye by Tincanknits

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted (100% merino and should make WARM socks!) in Squirrel Heather

Needles: US 4 and 5 dpns

Size: Large

Mods: I’m going to omit the garter ridges on the top of the foot and up the cuff. Don’t get me wrong they are gorgeous! I really like the fit of this sock and want a basic “vanilla” sock right now.

Have you ever modified a sock to fit your “flavor”?

FO Friday: Rye Socks

Posted on February 7, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Confession time: I love thick yarn on large needles. I am totally in love with the instant gratification of a quick project. They just fill me with knitterly glee! On Wednesday, I had one finished Rye Sock…..well now the set is done!

Pattern: Rye by Tin Can Knits

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Yellow (I ended up using 211 yards or 113 grams of worsted weight yarn. Less than one skein of Simply Soft!)

Needles: US 4 and 5 dpns

Size: Large

Mods: I didn’t knit all the toe decreases as written in the pattern. I left out a few to create more room for my toes. It came out kind of square but very comfy!

I may or may not have accidentally made one cuff longer than the other. It is only about 1/2 inch so I’m not going to worry about it! I also had marked improvement on my kitchener stitch! Look at the right sock (first attempt) and left sock (second attempt) pictured above, much improved!

And now that I have conquered this pattern I’m going to knit some different colors/versions in wool! This set was just a test using acrylic to see if I liked the fit.

Don’t forget to swing over to Knitting Sarah and follow #sockswithsarah on social media and Ravelry. There are some really cool things happening over there! At enrollment is open for this KAL, so join why don’t you??

Happy Knitting!

A Rye Update

Posted on January 27, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I would like to start this post to give some love to a great project going on over at at Knitting Sarah, and that is Socks with Sarah KAL!! I’m not personally participating yet as I have a lot on my plate with CMA study material, a full day job, and a husband….but you guys totally should!!!

So in honor of #SockswithSarah, I give you an update on my Rye Socks…

These socks haven’t seen much monogamous knitting time, but at least I’m almost to the first heel flap. I’m loving how the purl sections make the pattern pop! This pattern is free and was written by TinCanKnits. It’s a great pattern with great instruction…especially for first time sock knitters! Not to mention this worsted weight yarn goes crazy fast!

I picked a bright color to brighten up this cold and grey winter. Now if I could only knit more monogamously or faster….my feet could be warm!