TGIF. Sock week ends with a pair that will definitely keep my toes warm.
These are knit from a worsted weight sock yarn - Regia 8-ply Color in Berry Fusion. I love how fast and easy these were to knit. If I could find more of this yarn in less variegated colors, I would be knitting many more of these thick socks. As I mentioned earlier this week, I don't usually knit with variegated yarns. This one is okay, but still, I think I would have preferred a semi-solid or maybe stripes.
Thursday's socks are actually knit from a pattern - Eunice from the book Sock Innovation by Cookie A. This pattern has been in my queue since the book was first published. In fact, I tried to knit them once with Cascade Heritage Paints, but that yarn didn't play well with this pattern.
This time, I used Mrs. Crosby’s Train Case. This yarn includes Outlast, a super high tech phase change fiber that is supposed to help regulate your body heat. I just want it to keep my toes warm next winter.
Again with the purple, here it is called Wild Huckleberry.
Wednesday brings another pair of socks knit with Simply Socks Yarn Company's Poste Yarn Striping Sock.
This time in the Ashikaga Park color - dark gray, light gray, and lavender stripes. These I have worn a few times, and I love how the yarn has really softened up after washing. See Monday's post for more about my love of this yarn.
The leg is knit with a 3x1 ribbing that continues on the top of the foot. The heels are worked with a heel flap, and I don't mind how the stripes look with this construction. I started the heel flap at the beginning of a stripe. After I completed the heel turn, I broke the yarn and advanced it so the stripes continue in pattern on the top of the foot. Thanks to Susan B Anderson for this nifty idea.
Tuesday's sock is worked in Madelinetosh's new sock yarn, Twist Light.
This is a merino/nylon blend in a 3-ply that is silky soft and a joy to knit with. With so much going on in the yarn, I chose to knit a simple stockinette sock. Although I don't usually go for variegated yarns, I do like how color, called Care, pools. It looks like a watercolor painting. And of course, it has just enough purple to suit me.
For added durability, I knit the heel and toe with Meilenweit from Lana Grossa, a more traditional (not merino) wool sock yarn, which I assume will hold up in the places that need it most. I chose a pale heather gray that will work as an accent with many colors. I expect it will make an appearance on several of my socks in the future (Yes, I'm looking at you, Malabrigo Sock).
It's sock week here at handmaineknits. In the bits of free time I have found between the design projects I worked on this past winter, I have been knitting socks. Apparently, only purple socks.
Today's spotlight is on a pair of vanilla(ish) socks knit with my new favorite sock yarn, the amazing Poste Yarn Striping Sock from Simply Socks Yarn Company.
The color is called Danxia Landform. Aren't those little colorful stripes wonderful (only one of the six colors is purple). The heels are knit in a coordinating solid turquoise color also from SSYC. It almost matches the blue stripes in the sock. The leg is knit in a 3x1 ribbing, and the heel is from a Lara Neel pattern, Fork in the Road Socks. I'm still unsure about the heel construction, I will need to wear them a few times before I decide if it works for me. I have been be looking for an alternative to the afterthought heel, which has never fit me quite right.
I already have plans for the leftovers, this yarn is too good to not use up every bit. It is a superwash Corriedale/nylon blend. Not quite as soft as merino, but it feels great, and definitely seems sturdier than merino.
More tomorrow....
What I have been knitting lately? Socks, socks, and more socks. I've managed to finish three pairs between my two latest design projects (to be published later this year).
From left to right:
Zebra stripe socks. I have been stalking this pattern for a long time - zebra stripes, how can you not love that. I have to admit, I initially assumed that the yarn would do all of the work, but that is not entirely true. There is a very clever pattern element that creates the zebra effect. The kit is available from Knitters Brewing Company. I used less than 50 g of the zebra colorway by adding a contrasting color (tidal wave) for the toes, afterthought heels, and cuffs. There is plenty of yarn left for another pair of socks (with purple toes) or maybe some mittens.
A basic ribbed sock knit in a very cheery blue/green color of Zauberball Crazy.
Worsted weight socks based on this recipe by Susan B Anderson. I used one entire skein of Cascade 220 Quatro in the Jamaica colorway, with some bits of gray Cascade 220 Superwash for the cuffs and toes. These will be warm and cozy next winter.
Finally, the last pair was purchased on our recent vacation to Quebec City. When we stumbled upon this little shop selling knit socks, hats, and scarves made from local wool, I couldn't resist a souvenier from Canada. More about Charlevoix wool on their website.
