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!!

FO Friday: Active Vanilla Socks

My Active Vanilla Socks are done!

  
Pattern: my own toe up vanilla sock

Yarn: Regia Active 6-ply

Needles: US3

   
 
These were part of my 2016 sock yarn experiment. This yarn is supposed to keep your feet from getting too hot or too cold due to the outlast fiber content. It’s a fairly thick yarn and it’s not terribly soft. But it made a sturdy sock. I haven’t washed these to see how much they soften. But either way these will be awesome boot socks. They don’t fit in my dress boots but I’m thinking more of snuggly socks for shoveling snow.

Overall I was okay with this yarn. It held up well to being ripped and reknit. It makes a nice fabric and the color really pops. But I’m not sure I would knit more socks from this, at least right now. The yarn just didn’t feel good running through my fingers. Maybe I’ll change my mind after wearing these. I’ll keep you posted!

Happy Knitting!!

WIP Wednesday: Fantastico Vanilla Socks

I’m still working on my 2016 Sock Experiment and this time it’s a pair for my dad. I pulled the Regia Fantastico 6-ply I got during the 2015 Central Kansas Yarn Hop. It’s a sport weight in a blue/grey color mix.

  
I’ve cast on 68 stitches on a US 2 needles. My dad wears a US 13 wide shoes so it will be a lot of stitches! It’s my go to toe up vanilla sock with a gusset heal this time. It’s going quickly given how little I’ve been knitting lately. I’m hoping to finish these and tuck them away for Christmas!

Happy Knitting!!

A Much Better Fit

Sock number two is complete for my Active Vanilla Socks!

The fit is MUCH better. I used 50 stitches and changed the leg to 1×1 ribbing. Otherwise it’s the same toe up vanilla sock with gusset heel I intended to make in the first place.

This sock fabric is pretty thick and don’t fit in my dress boots. But they fit extremely well in my house shoes and snow boots. These will be excellent snuggly warm deep winter socks. And I should be able to find them in the dark they are so bright! Now I just need to start sock number three or re-do sock number one depending on how you look at it.

Happy Knitting!

Sock Update

 I’ve been working on my socks on my commutes and lunches here lately.  First up are my Active Vanilla Socks  

This is sock number two that I started with less stitches. I haven’t tried it on but it looks much better. I’ve turned the heel and I’m working through 1×1 rib for the leg. I also mustered the strength to pull out sock number one and the yarn is waiting patiently to be reknit.

Next up is my Mandrake Vanilla Sock in String Theory Colorworks MCN base.
 

I’ve completed the foot and installed the lifeline for the afterthought heel. This sock is just so soft that I find this project being my “comfort” knitting. This might end up being a tall sock because I still have a generous ball of yarn left. We shall see…

Happy Knitting!