Anywho, I've just finished the first sock of another pair using some yarn I've not knit with before.
I love the self-patterning yarn they have for socks these days. Some of the yarns come out with intricate designs that actually look as though you've used the intarsia knitting technique. Some others . . . not so much.
I am not liking the particular pattern this yarn made. Nor am I pleased with the coloration. Yep, I know the colors look much like the second unused hank placed next to the finished sock. Somehow, I thought more of the blue would dominate, but I see too much of the rather (insipid) yellow/green . . . which looks more tan/beige in the picture. (Kinda picky, aren't I?)
Oh, well. Not the end of the world. I've already started on the second sock having knit the cuff and about four or five inches of the top. And once I put my socks on in the morning, I don't look at them much anyway. (So quit your whining, Mama Pea, just quit your whining.)
But it does illustrate that you never know just how the self-patterning yarn will turn out. And I must admit, that's what makes knitting with it so interesting. I've made one pair of socks in a dusty blue solid colored yarn and although I like the socks, I thought I would keel over dead from boredom before I got them done.
What's up next? Either this gorgeous blue or the green/navy yarn. Stay tuned . . .
26 comments:
Yes, Mama Pea, you are getting a bit fussy about those socks. They are beautiful and you have such talent! Hope your tootsies stay warm all winter!
Oh how wonderful... We are both knitting socks at the same time :). Mine is my own homespun so I'm enjoying it tremendously :)
2 Tramps - :O) :O) :O)!
(Despite what people may think, knitting socks is not really difficult. Honest!)
Thank you for your kind words.
mari - Oh, but yours are so much more special! Out of your own homespun wool. Now that takes a lot more talent (and patience) than I have!
Your socks are pretty!!! That heel looks complicated. I'd probably keel over dead from trying to figure it out. Ha!
For some reason, though....looking at your picture makes me want to say, "Hang Ten, Mama Pea." HaHa!
For years I keep saying I will learn to do this, but I'm bogged down by a 4 year old granny baby blanket. Some day, some day. Your socks look nice and cozy
At the last quilt show I went to a vendor had a sock maker. The only problem was it doesn't come out till March. I will be first in line to get it.
Laurie - Okay, call me dense, but you'll have to explain the "hang ten" to me that comes to mind when looking at my picture. I'm not gettin' it! :o}
Everyone thinks "turning the heel" on a sock is the hardest part, but once you've done it a couple of times there's nothing to it!
Kristina - For some reason, "bogged down by a 4 year old granny baby blanket" gave me the giggles. I know you could learn to knit socks without any trouble. You know how to make a needle and yarn work, girl!
Michelle - Now that sounds interesting. You've piqued my curiosity and I'm going to see what I can find out about it. :o}
You must be faster at knitting socks than I. Takes me longer to knit them than to wear them out!
I love seeing your socks! I kind of like the colors myself.
I'm not much into knitting. I taught myself the basics and just this fall bought some needles for knitting in a circle... they're connected with a piece of stren. Anyway... rambling...
one of these days, I'll make socks. In the mean time, I'll enjoy seeing your sock journey. Perfect craft for winter weather!
Mama Pea,
Oh I can't wait to see what's next!!!
your socks are pretty! can't wait to see the green ones! I need to learn to knit!
Sue
Michelle - Master knitter that you are, I can hardly believe that! But you gave me a good chuckle this morning. :o)
Patricia - I worked on the second sock (turning the heel now) last night and can hardly believe how much more I "like" this second sock simply because of the pattern the yarn is creating. If it doesn't bore everyone to tears, I may post the two together so you can see the difference.
Sandy - Me either! As I say, this is addicting!!
Sue - I think once you get over the "angst" of feeling so inept when learning to knit, it's a very relaxing craft. Go for it!
Eight pairs!?! Good grief! I've only gotten as far as thinking about knitting a pair this year. All the socks I've knitted were for other people. I really should knit up a pair for me. I agree on the self-patterning yarns. It makes it much more 'exciting' (if knitting socks is exciting) than the monotone variety.
Susan - Okay, now I'm feeling guilty about knitting socks for myself! Although, I have knit socks for other people in the past . . . but I don't think they were very well received. That may just go to prove that you should gift others with something THEY want, not what you'd think they'd like. (Oh geesh, I feel like I should go lie on a psychiatrist's couch now and spill all my inner thoughts! ;o})
I like your idea to have socks for every day plus one! Excellent...Now to figure out how to knit socks!!! ;)
Hi, Beth! Thanks for commenting.
I've really enjoyed wearing my own handmade socks this winter, but know they will get a rest period in the drawer come spring and summer.
You're such a talented lady, I know you could learn to knit socks without any trouble.
Hope all is well in your world.
Hi Mama Pea :) I knit socks too. I find that the self striping yarns can be forced to un"pool" (pooling being the way your colors lumped together on that sock) by doing a row here or there backwards -- that is, turn the sock inside out and purl for a while. You do need to create a lock stitch (s,yf,sb) so it doesn't leave a tiny buttonhole effect, but it's worth it to lose the pooling effect.
Tip for Michelle -- do you use a sock yarn that has no less than 10% nylon in the blend? You can do 100% wool but if you have that little bit of nylon in them they'll wear longer. I have a 25% nylon 75% wool pair that I knit 4 years ago, that I machine wash and dry, and wear sock-footed around the house all the time (no shoes or slippers) -- in other words I totally abuse them -- and they're only just beginning to show a little wear.
Kiina - Omigosh! Thank you for that wonderful tip on how to "unpool" the self-patterning yarn! I have some of the same yarn (in a different color way) so I may get to try that sooner rather than later. Thank you, thank you!
Oh, I love your sock knitting!! I'm on my second sock (finally) after starting them about 2-3 years ago. They are purple self patterning, and I did a solid purple ribbing and heel. So cool! I've gotten myself back on a roll with them now, and have more yarn to knit with after this pair. I hope you will keep us updated with your sock adventures!
~~Lori
Thanks, Lori! My second sock came out with a much more pleasing "design", I'm happy to report. I really like your idea of a solid colored ribbing and heel. Post a picture of them?
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