my year in socks - September
To be honest, I am getting a bit bored with sock knitting! This is my 9th pair of socks and I secretly with this year would be a few months shorter.
For the September sock, I used Hazel Knits sock wool, one of two skeins I bought a while ago. It is beautifully hand dyed in a multitude of blue hues. I am rather fond of this yarn actually. So much so that I am going to use the same yarn next month. It is soft and squishy and smells like proper wool should do, with a hint of sheep. Sometimes, super wash wool doesn't smell so nice. I finished knitting this pair of socks during our latest camping weekend and now the smell of sheep wool is barely noticeable, the socks smell positively smoky.
If you remember my last post, I was trying to get a lace zigzag pattern running along the sock, but not one that spirals around the sock. Zigzags per se are not tricky but the lace aspect made it a bit more difficult because it needed careful placing of the yarn overs in order not to loose stitches over time.
In the end, I could not face the intellectual challenge. I decided to use a pattern that I used for the Lady Grey Lace Shrug (see this post). This pattern partially fitted my mental brief in that it had a zigzag lace component. It was also already written up for knitting in the round with the yarn overs in the right places. Best of all, the stitch repeat was exactly what I needed it to be to make a sock that fits, 16 stitches.
I did contact Rachel Erin, the owner of the Lady Grey Lace Shrug pattern but I never got a reply. I noticed that all blog activity ceased well over a year ago, many the designer has moved on to different things. I guess it is ok to use the stitch pattern, I am not selling it as mine and I am giving you the link to the original pattern, too. I also don't think it is novel in any kind, there are many very similar patterns even in my stitch libraries. This one though was written up for knitting in the round.
Anyway, how do you like this sock? It is really quick to knit. I guess it is because you need to concentrate a little in order to remember all those decreases and yarn overs. At one point, I had to unravel half the sock because I was so engrossed in the TV program I was watching that I failed to place one yarn over, causing the loss of 16 stitches over 12 rounds. If you choose to watch the telly whilst knitting this, stop and count your stitches every so often!
I often wonder if anyone is actually using my patterns? I think I am going to add a link-up to the pattern page for those who do use a pattern and would like to share it with everybody reading this blog.
As always, the pattern can be found on the sock pattern page. Also, if you want to find out why I am designing sock patterns you should read this post.
P.S. I am hopelessly behind with blog reading and leaving comments for you. My head has been buzzing with other stuff I am afraid, for example puppy training, holiday plans and job applications. Yes, I am still applying for jobs. I can't be certain to get a place at University and it would be good to earn some cash, too. I read and appreciate every single comment you write and I am really sorry I don't comment much over on your blogs just now. I promise to get back in the swing after my solo holidays.
For the September sock, I used Hazel Knits sock wool, one of two skeins I bought a while ago. It is beautifully hand dyed in a multitude of blue hues. I am rather fond of this yarn actually. So much so that I am going to use the same yarn next month. It is soft and squishy and smells like proper wool should do, with a hint of sheep. Sometimes, super wash wool doesn't smell so nice. I finished knitting this pair of socks during our latest camping weekend and now the smell of sheep wool is barely noticeable, the socks smell positively smoky.
If you remember my last post, I was trying to get a lace zigzag pattern running along the sock, but not one that spirals around the sock. Zigzags per se are not tricky but the lace aspect made it a bit more difficult because it needed careful placing of the yarn overs in order not to loose stitches over time.
In the end, I could not face the intellectual challenge. I decided to use a pattern that I used for the Lady Grey Lace Shrug (see this post). This pattern partially fitted my mental brief in that it had a zigzag lace component. It was also already written up for knitting in the round with the yarn overs in the right places. Best of all, the stitch repeat was exactly what I needed it to be to make a sock that fits, 16 stitches.
I did contact Rachel Erin, the owner of the Lady Grey Lace Shrug pattern but I never got a reply. I noticed that all blog activity ceased well over a year ago, many the designer has moved on to different things. I guess it is ok to use the stitch pattern, I am not selling it as mine and I am giving you the link to the original pattern, too. I also don't think it is novel in any kind, there are many very similar patterns even in my stitch libraries. This one though was written up for knitting in the round.
Anyway, how do you like this sock? It is really quick to knit. I guess it is because you need to concentrate a little in order to remember all those decreases and yarn overs. At one point, I had to unravel half the sock because I was so engrossed in the TV program I was watching that I failed to place one yarn over, causing the loss of 16 stitches over 12 rounds. If you choose to watch the telly whilst knitting this, stop and count your stitches every so often!
I often wonder if anyone is actually using my patterns? I think I am going to add a link-up to the pattern page for those who do use a pattern and would like to share it with everybody reading this blog.
As always, the pattern can be found on the sock pattern page. Also, if you want to find out why I am designing sock patterns you should read this post.
Happy knitting! Cx
P.S. I am hopelessly behind with blog reading and leaving comments for you. My head has been buzzing with other stuff I am afraid, for example puppy training, holiday plans and job applications. Yes, I am still applying for jobs. I can't be certain to get a place at University and it would be good to earn some cash, too. I read and appreciate every single comment you write and I am really sorry I don't comment much over on your blogs just now. I promise to get back in the swing after my solo holidays.
Fantastic socks; LOVE the colour! xxx
ReplyDeleteWell I bloody love the socks you gave me, my lovely. I wear them every evening. They are so cosy. They must be very fiddly to make though. And never fret about catching with blogs and stuff. Sometimes other things are just more important frankly.
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
Lovely socks, they look very complicated. As I am only on my first ever pair of socks I think I need more experience before I try them :)
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful, I love the pattern and the colour is a real delight.
ReplyDeleteGreat socks and a great colour! Blue is my very favourite colour, and that shade is especially pretty. I tend to stick to plain vanilla socks most of the time so I don't end up like you did while watching TV. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely colour yarn. I have just read your post about why you are knitting socks what a wonderful story. I love that you are making up your own patterns. I really want to knit a pair for myself but have struggled to find a pattern I like, for some reason I hadn't thought about making my own but once you know the construction it is easy right? I wouldn't be able to knit lace whilst watching anything my knitting would end up as one big hole!
ReplyDeleteI think the link up page is a really good idea! I have socks on my knitting horizon but haven't quite managed to make a start yet. Your blue socks are very beautiful, love the pattern and the colours in the yarn X
ReplyDeleteGreat socks but I am wit you on the TV/pattern thing. I have used the F -word on my knitting tonight as I unraveled my Miette cardigan for the seventh time!!! I was at knitting group, talking and not concentrating. I need a stocking stitch cardigan where I can talk and knit at the same time...Jo xx
ReplyDeleteLove your socks!! Don't worry about the comments, you have a lot going on. Good luck with the job applications/university. xx
ReplyDeleteLove the pattern and the color! Hang in - only three more months in the year. I still have to come up with 3 more cheese recipes for my blog this year. I'm running out of easy cheeses!
ReplyDeleteLove the socks! I'd love to be fast enough to be able to whip up a pair every month. Alas, I'm still knitting my first pair that I started months ago - what's wrong with me?!?! Don't worry about the comments, it's the same with me at the moment, sometimes life is just busier than other times...Mel x
ReplyDeleteFabulous socks, I love the yarn and the patter. And I for one will be hear whether you are managing to read and comment on blogs or not
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same place regards reading and commenting on other people's blogs! Love your socks. I know what you mean about wool having a proper wool smell. I always smell the balls I buy just to check!
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely Christina and I adore that blue. I think it's admirable how you fit in sock knitting with everything else you've got going on. Life ebbs and flows and I'm sure we all have times when blogging/reading/commenting gets bumped further down the list. Enjoy your hols! xx
ReplyDeleteI think your socks are gorgeous, the color and pattern are perfect. I am not a sock knitter as I suffer horribly from second sock syndrome, but after seeing yours I almost want to take it back up again.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
oh my. I have enough trouble just knitting plain socks. any lacy holes are from dropped stitches.......
ReplyDeleteI'd probably just declare the year had ended so I'm very impressed that you're still going. I like the colour of this pair. I can't watch TV (or answer questions) when I'm following a complicated pattern. Endless rows of knit purl are all I can manage.
ReplyDeletewow, im a little envious as I haven't managed to master the art of sock knitting just yet, but I will. Your socks look utterly stunning and when I do get there I shall pick up your pattern and give it a go.
ReplyDelete