While I was busy blogging about my fabulous trip to Alaska, I was also busy doing something else…
Finishing up the socks I had started during the onset of my trip.
First off, the yarn.
I don’t remember if I shared with you the story of my friend, Susan, who sent me a gift certificate for my birthday. I used it to buy this skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silkie Socks That Rock. The color is Hoofle Foofle…
It’s a glorious blend of merino and silk, so you can imagine just how soft the stuff is.
The pattern is from Cookie A’s newest book – knit. sock. love. You might remember that I test knit for this book and have my very own autographed copy…
I cast on June 28th, originally using size 1 needles and going for the small size. After knitting the cuff, I encountered a problem.
I was a little confused about the pattern’s instructions, which involved adding stitches to the ribbing.
I do not know why, but I could not wrap my head around how to knit those added stitches. I guess it had been so long since I’d done any knitting that required thinking that my brain simply froze.
I headed to Ravelry for help, and I wasn’t disappointed. I found this forum, posted my questions, and within hours had the answers that I needed.
After doing a few rounds, I tried the sock (the cuff) on and discovered something.
It was too big. I knew this because of my sock knitting experience.
Rats.
I frogged and started over, going down to size 0 needles and down one sock size to the XS.
I am a loose knitter, and I keep forgetting this. I’m glad I figured it out before I completely finished the sock!
Fortunately, the second cast on was much easier, and by the end of my vacation, I had made a lot of progress (check out yesterday’s post for that picture).
When I got home, I resumed my knitting in earnest, finishing sock #1 in no time flat. I immediately cast on the second sock and knit it in its entirety in 24 hours…a new record for me.
I wound up using a total of 75 grams of yarn, leaving 25 more for repairs or some other random project in the future.
On to the pictures, which I’m sure you’re dying to see! 😉
This is the picture I snapped when I completed the first sock…
And here are the pictures I took during the little photo shoot I had the morning after I completed the second sock…
First, a teaser…
When I take pictures of my knitting projects, I always use the self-timer feature on my camera, which means I take a lot of crappy pictures before I get the camera zoomed properly and at the correct height. The next picture is a little better…
This one is much better…
After this, there was no stopping me…
So, why do I pose for my sock projects? Well, you see, I know that when I am working on socks, I often find myself stuck at parts or needing confirmation that my socks are turning out the way they are supposed to, so I go hunting for pictures of other peoples’ projects. I really appreciate those that show close-ups.
Plus, if I’m looking for a new sock project to start, I like seeing good pictures of finished patterns. Hence my hard work in taking good pictures.
Can you see how the ribbing continues into the flap? Lovely, I tell you!
You can also see where I had a dilemma in the rib changes…
The pattern looks complicated, but quite honestly, it was one of Cookie’s easier ones, and it resulted in a gorgeous pair of socks that fit my feet perfectly!
I put more details on my Ravelry project page…just in case you decide to make yourself a pair of these socks.
So, what project should I work on next?
Well, I’ve already cast on and am about halfway done.
If you’re not on Ravelry, I guess you’ll just have to wait and be surprised!
Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: Cookie A, hoofle foofle, Knit Sock Love, Knitting, socks, socks that rock, thelonious | 5 Comments »
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