While finished socks are blocking, I’m already starting another project. Picking yarn from my stash took a good hour, and I’m still picking new ones on the fly - this is an interesting KAL I’m taking part in.
It’s a mystery KAL for knee high socks where pattern pieces are black and white and color choices are left completely up to the knitter. Self striping yarns are especially recommended so that’s where I’m at… I’m using the same yarn for both socks but they’re on different parts of the stripe so end result is quite different (while also the same?).
“Trip to the forest” or Metsäretki - KAL socks finished! I’ve already posted these socks to my best friend @jj-dreamworldz:)
Pattern isn’t online yet, except in pieces over at Niina Laitinen’s Facebook (Finnish) but I will update this post when it hits Ravelry. Another lovely pattern from Niina!
Well, you might have noticed that I only posted first photo of my fair isle KAL, and there’s a reason for that. We had chosen three colors and I even did the black and white test to check that the contrast should be good enough. You know the one, where you take a photo of your yarns, make it black and white and you should see one color very light and other very dark.
Well, turned out that didn’t really work.
Absolutely loved the colors but the contrast just wasn’t there, even in photos I couldn’t get it show, let alone in person. Real shame, because all the colors were really beautiful, I especially love the oatmeal base color we had.
We then had a long talk about which colors to keep and which to change. In the end we decided to change the main color and keep the contrast colors (green and orange) - this time I even did a little swatch when we were debating about whether to go with pure white or more natural white.
Even though bright white is quite striking, I find it very impractical - and natural white seemed to harmonize better with the colors. Shitty thing was that at this point I was pretty late with the KAL and of course my local yarn shop was out of the color I wanted. Managed to order some online but by the time I re-started I was a week late.
And let me tell you, looping two fair isle socks on one circular requires some moves! I did an intense weekend of knitting and then I was caught up, and in the end I finished on time. Will post more photos tomorrow
Lack of updates have been due to some intense sewing projects, combined with an RSI on my hand (no relation, I’m sure!). This was another experiment into magic looping and required a restart - I found out that I knit a lot tighter on loop when I’m doing color work and cables, and first iteration of the leg wouldn’t even go past my heel. I frogged it and then did the leg parts on dpns, then looped the foot.
These went to my friend’s wife who had asked for Gryffindor themed socks. This yarn was incredibly soft and nice to knit, and the colors were pretty bang on perfect. I call them “Gryffindor homeroom socks” because wouldn’t they just be perfect for that?
Started a new KAL today for knee high fair isle socks called “Trip to the forest”. I’m knitting them for my best friend - she picked the colors and I provide the needles and the yarn. Gonna try doing these with magic loop, but I like to do the ribbing with dpns and then slip them into the loop. Wish me luck :)
I’ve only ever knitted heels with heel flap, but I really dislike how it looks on self-striping yarn. I’ve wanted to try afterthought heel for this very reason and Smooth Operator has gotten a lot of good reviews so I wanted to give it a go. The pattern is indeed super nice and I love this yarn I’ve had in my stash for years.
Made these socks for a friend and then had some leftover yarn - decided to knit a pair of socks for her adorable son as well. But since I didn’t know exactly how far my leftovers would carry I decided to do the kids socks toes up two at a time (another first for me!) and that worked just perfectly. Super happy with both of the projects.
Trying some new things with August socks: afterthought heel and now magic looping!
Ever since I learned to knit, around age of 10, I’ve always knit socks with dpns. I tried magic looping few years back and recoiled in horror, however I’m getting a case of second sock syndrome so I’m gonna give it a go. First sock I did with the dpns, but second I’m totally gonna loop. (I know my cable is long, but I’m gonna do two socks at a time for my next attempt!)
Socks for my giveway winner! It’s been awhile since I’ve knitted socks with fingering weight yarn, and it seems to take forever when you’re used to thicker yarn. But I do love the result. Super soft and light socks with superb vibrant colors.
I would like to thank my mother in particular for being so insufferable to watch things with that I left her to continue binging s3 of atla on her own.
In light of recent events having us all stuck inside, we’re offering our Little Tulip Socks pattern for free on Ravelry until April 5th. Bring some of the spring sun inside and stay safe friends!
My “everyday life” (if you can call it that currently) looks like this: lots of knitting -vanilla socks and lace, hiking and talking with my family and friends. What does your “everyday life” look like?~ Lana
With the weather so snowy and dreary in Toronto, it’s only natural to want some green in your life! Thanks to @arnecarlos, our winter can be green and cozy.
