Spring Socks

I just finished these yesterday. The timing is kinda perfect given it is the first day of spring. The colors are definitely on target for that. And I am wearing them today.

Cast On:
March 3 2008

Finished:
March 19 2008

Generated by Flickr Album Maker

Pattern:
Combo of
Basic Sock Pattern from The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns
http://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handy-Book-Patterns-Interweave/dp/1931499047/
&
The stitch pattern of Ladder of Life socks
http://www.interweave.com/knit/files/ladder.pdf
both by Ann Budd

Made for:
Me - 9 1/4" circumference & length

Needles:
US 3 / 3.25 mm Knitpick Options & Harmony
2 socks on 2 circs method

Yarn:
Sarah's Yarns 100% Bamboo
http://www.sarahsyarns.com
Handdyed by me
1.2 skeins = 120 grams / 342 yards

I combined two of the Anne Budd patterns. I took the # of stitches and design from her basic sock pattern in the "The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns". The stitch pattern is from her Ladder of Life.

The Ladder of Life requires 5 sts = 1”. Too large for most of my socks. But I figured the pattern would flatter the self-striping yarn I dyed. It is enough to keep me interested, yet simple enough to be a good knit right now.

Things are kinda crazed so I really wanted some comfort knitting. Something familiar yet also bright. I think this definitely fit the bill.

I cast on 64 stitches. However, I found it was too big. So I decreased the stitches to 56 so I could keep the pattern going. It also gave me a larger area over the calf which I tend to need.

I think I liked the hand dyeing I did more before I knit it. I think I didn't lay it out well. The stripping didn't come out even because of the yarn. I tried to match them but quickly gave up on that as they weren't lining up right. I need to figure out how to do it better next time. I think I understand what I did wrong. I think the piece I was using pulled in the more yarn I laid out. So that the length of the stripes was not consistent. I know how to fix that for next time and have the pieces to do it. So I hope my next self-striping attempt will be better.

The socks feel great on. They are very soft. And there is a nice sheen to the yarn. I am still concern about the memory of the socks. But I am hopeful that they will work well. I am finding they fall down a bit. But I suspect I didn't make the top tight enough. I still like them and suspect they will be ideal summer socks.

Ravishing Socks Completed

I have a good deal of catching up to do. But given I just got back to the office after my week off, it might take a few posts to get my knitting up to date.

I completed my fourth pair of socks over a week ago on Saturday, Oct. 6th. Woohoo!

They were made with hand dyed yarn that was created to be self-patterning. I like the way the dye job came out. I call them my ravishing socks. It is mostly about the ravishing red color. And that I like having silly names for the colorways I dye.

I like the finish project. I think the Elann Esprit is a bit thick, but the cotton/elastic blend really seems to fit well on the foot and is pretty forgiving. I definitely like them.

Yarn:

Elann Esprit

Dye:

Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes

Pattern:

Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns Basic Sock Pattern

Needles:

Size 5 Knitpick circular & Size 5 Boyd

Front Shot:

Side View:

Flat:

Ravishing Socks

I am still working on the ravishing socks. These are out of the hand dyed yarn I did. It is Elann Esprit Cotton w/Elastic yarn.

I am happy to say I have turned the heel and completed the gusset. So now it is just the foot to complete.



The yarn has some nice give. The elastic gives it some great spring. The only downside is that they are handwash. *pout* I wish I knew why they aren't machine washable. I am not sure.

The Milsoft made a huge difference in how soft the yarn is. I am definitely a fan of the Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes. They really seem to be vivid. And so far as I can tell, the color holds well. It has so far with my bruise socks.

Don't think the colors are as bright and vidid as they seem. Problem is that I took the pics with my phone so they aren't as good. I really need a new camera.

It is the basic sock pattern from Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns.

I am using the basic pattern, but doing it 2 socks on 2 circs. The needles are Knitpicks Options Size 5 & Boyd's Kit Size 5. I figured since I had two size 5 Knitpicks, I was going to do them on two Knitpicks needles. But I am finding with the socks I am doing for Paul that it is way easier to mix up the needles when they are the same. So despite the join not being smooth on the Boyds, it is worth knowing which is which very easily.

I feel like these socks are taking longer. Not sure why I am feeling that way. I just checked! I started them on the 23rd. It hasn't even been two weeks yet. Doh.

I am loving Ravelry. If you have access, here is the project on there. And note the shiny Works in Progress in the side bar!! I am so thrilled I was given a spot to test the code. It is so cool.

Bruise Socks Complete

I am happy! The bruise socks are complete. I am wearing them right now!

I think it was a sign that I waited on the photos. I stopped off at Crumbs on the way home. They had a chocolate cupcake with raspberry frosting that MATCHED MY SOCKS!!! *laugh*

Don't worry. These pics were taken *before* I put the socks on. *grin*

And actually, I got the chocolate with chocolate cupcake. Paul got the raspberry one. *grin* But I love that they are the same color.

Here is more pics of the socks. They are out of the first batch of yarn I dyed! I am pretty happy with the way they came out.

Yarn:

Elann Esprit Natural that was dyed with Dharma Fiber Reactive Dyes

Pattern:

Basic Sock Pattern from "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns" by Ann Budd. I love the patterns as they can vary for a wide range of gauge & size.

Front View:

Side View:

Flat:

Definitely fun. Three pairs of socks are done. Woohoo!