Socks!

I want to love sock knitting! I don't dislike it now, but I just don't love it and I really want to.

I have completed two pairs of socks so far. The first pair I ever knit were in chunky weight, fluffy yarn (what was I thinking?!?) and I gifted them to my mother-in-law who thankfully didn't take it as an insult and uses them as winter house socks. 

Pair 1 made with James C. Brett Passion

The second pair I kept for myself. They are knit from DK Alpaca yarn and I use them as year-round, sofa-snuggling, house socks. I suspect that come winter they will become my go-to walking boots socks too.

Pair 2 made with Stylecraft Alpaca DK (getting there!)

Pair number 3 are orange. Bright. Orange. I thought the yarn would knit up into some funky tiger-like stripes. Turns out I'm not that good at reading yarn. The colour is growing on me as time goes on, but time is really going on and these things are not getting any closer to being finished.

Pair 3 - Just keep knitting, just keep knitting...

(It should be noted that I did attempt a different sock pattern in this yarn before attempting pair 3. However, after finishing sock 1 I decided it was so hideous that sock 2 would never exist and sock 1 would be kept as a reminder to never make anything that ugly again!)

The orange Frankein-sock of 2015

Over the coming months I am going to be experimenting with different needles. So far I have tried the following:
ChiaGoo 9" Red circulars (they get a solid 6.5-7/10)
Knit Pro Symfonie 100cm circulars (5/10)
Pony circulars (not fun!)

I am also going to be experimenting with different yarns, including wool free sock yarn as most of my blood relations have an allergy to wool.

I am on a quest; to fall in love with sock knitting. I love hand knitted socks, I love sock yarn, but making them, hmmmm, I think a little more red wine and candle light is needed...

Mrs B x x

WIPs

When I was in primary school my mum taught me how to knit and purl. And when I was 14 my great-aunt taught me to crochet granny squares. And for years I did nothing much with either...until a couple of years ago.

I was desperate to make a baby hat for a friend who was expecting, and I tried for ages to teach myself magic loop knitting using online tutorials. It was a frustrating mess! In stepped my awesome friend Sarah who is incredibly talented (I'm in love with her home-brewed sock collection!) and she showed me how to knit in the round. It was a revelation and I haven't looked back since!

This past week I have had time off from my regular day job, and I have filled my time with yarn based goodness as well as day trips with the husband. I discovered a new source of yarn, fabric, buttons, and other yummy things (www.eternalmaker.com) with a friend and have started new projects that are stretching my skills.

Here are some of my current WIPs:

Pattern - Evergreen Lake Mitten by Sunne Meyer from her Craftsy class: Stranded Colorwork: Basics and Beyond

This is my first attempt ever at stranded colour work. I think it's going well so far and I like the combination of colours. I'm using Sirdar Click Chunky in Gull Grey and Heather. 

Pattern - Smocked by Jenny Wiebe available on Ravelry

This is a smocked tunic that I am making for my youngest goddaughter for Christmas. Although I got my guage just about bang on, the top is measuring smaller than it should. I'm using James C. Brett Marble DK in Mt4.

Pattern - Granny Square Blanket by Staci Perry of Very Pink Knits

So I've known how to make granny squares for many years, but I have never been able to join them together. I have several large 1m x 1m squares languishing in my craft box. Well, thanks to the lovely Staci Perry of Very Pinks Knits and her wonderful tutorial I have now been able to join squares up! I feel a stash busting blanket in the making...

I have a couple of other things cast on, but I'll save them for a later post. 

Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs B x x