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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Two More for the Drawer!

Thanks to TC for modeling!

Hi, Knitters,
I hope you are all doing well. I first want to quickly thank Greg of the Knitting Daddy blog (click here) for the book review. Greg has a great and informative blog and podcast so be sure to check it out!

I have just finished up a couple of pairs of socks that have been in the works for a long time. I have shared photos of the finished socks on Instagram but I want to be sure to share the details here on the blog as well.

The first finished pair has been in the works for a couple of years. I finished the first sock quickly and I started the second sock right away but I became distracted and let it sit. Recently Paula of the Knitting Pipeline talked about knitting socks in the same yarn and it reminded me that I needed to finish my socks, too. I'm so glad they are done.  I love them and I love the yarn!


Here is the information:

Yarn: Gale's Art Wonder Sock in the Graffiti & Asphalt colorway (Almost every stitch is a different color ~ I highly recommend this yarn!)

Needles: US size 1.5/2.5mm Signature Needle Arts double-pointed needles, 6 inch length

Pattern: Monkey Socks by Cookie A, a free pattern from Knitty.com
For my sock I did 10 rounds of the twisted rib. 6 repeats of the chart for the leg. I used the heel and toe instructions from my free pattern, How I Make My Socks. For the foot, I did 6 repeats of the chart on the instep and stockinette on the bottom of the foot. I knit three extra rounds after the last chart repeat and before starting the toe decreases. My shoe size is a women's US 7.5.  


The next longstanding pair I finished is the Regia Arne & Carlos Patchwork Socks! These were so much fun to knit and now they are going to be fun to wear. I combined the leftovers from four different colorways of the Arne & Carlos patterned sock yarn. I have knit full pairs of socks with each of these colors. For the sock I switched the yarn every 10 rounds or so. I worked these socks from the toe-up this time using a variety of techniques. 
~ I used Judy's Magic Cast-On to start the toe.
~ I used a short-row heel variation on page 34 from the book, Sock Architecture by Lara Neel. This short row heel uses increases and decreases only instead of wraps and turns. I like the way it turned out.
~ I used a Russian Bind-off at the top of the cuff for a stretchy bind-off technique.  

Yarn: Regia Arne & Carlos, all 4 colorways are from the first line (I think there are three lines now): 

For the toe, heel and cuff I stuck with one color instead of switching it out. Every time I switched yarns in the other sections of the sock I cut the yarn (leaving an end long enough to weave in later) and added in the new color. I like to tie a half-knot around the working strand, sliding the knot up tight to the needle, and then I start knitting with the new color. The tiny knot helps to secure the yarn better in my opinion. I never changed the colors on the front of the leg or foot, or the bottom of the foot. I did all of the color switches on the sides of the socks. Some people don't like to use knots at all but for this project I think it is effective. 

I stopped periodically, every few inches, while working to weave in the ends. This way I kept up as I was going and it wasn't all left for the end. This makes the weaving in part not so bad at all. 

Needles used for Patchwork Socks: US size 1/2.25mm Signature Needle Arts double-pointed needles, 6-inch length

Sock Blockers: From The Loopy Ewe

I hope you are having a great start to your week! I'll be back soon with more.
xo ~ susan

9 comments:

  1. Beautiful. I'm planning to reward myself with a skein of yarn when I reach my exercise goal this week. Because I AM going to reach it lol. The Graffiti and Asphalt might be the one:)

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  2. Gorgeous socks!!

    Any chance you could demonstrate the half knot you describe when changing yarns? Or a link to a demonstration. I think it would be really helpful. Thanks so much!

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  3. They are beautiful! Love the colors. I must make socks!
    Thank you for all the notes, it really helps me :-)

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  4. Both pairs are fun and fabulous! I have been wanting the Asphalt and Graffiti yarn since you knit the first sock. And now it's time to just order it! The patchwork socks are the best -love love love them.

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  5. Susan:
    I am a new sock knitter, trying to broaden my knitting skills. I was encouraged by a friend who happens to be a member of your group to ask you a couple of questions regarding sock pattern. I sent you a message twice and both times my messages got discarded as if I was nothing, just a pest or treated like I was the one with one with nasty remarks.

    I found it sarcastic that you have accepted other comments, but not mine. Perhaps favorism is in play. Actually, I am just a newbie with a question… To put it bluntly, I am APPALLED!

    I find it difficult to believe you’re that kind of person that would turn a newbie away but thank you for your time!!
    Thank you!
    Deb

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  6. Hi Deb,
    I'm so sorry you are frustrated. I can assure you that I have not intentionally passed by your sock question. I try very hard to answer questions and I actually spend a portion of every day answering questions that I get on all sorts of social media venues. At times it can be a lot to handle and I know that I miss questions once in awhile. Sometimes when giveaways are being run on my blog I am literally fielding thousands of emails on any given day in addition to other messages on other venues. I do know that sometimes things get lost in the shuffle.

    I also answers loads of questions from newbies and most of time I don't know the person, so there is no favoritism.

    Again, I apologize for any inconvenience. Please feel free to comment or email me with your question at: 4busykids@chorus.net

    Have a great Friday and weekend!
    Susan



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  7. Hi Susan,
    Thanks so much for telling us how you made your patchwork socks. I saw them on Instagram and wondered how you changed colors. I wouldn't have thought of avoiding knots on the front or bottom of the sock so that's a great tip for me. Thanks again.
    Beverly

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  8. You're welcome, Beverly! I hope you give them a try, it's really fun.
    susan

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