I'm joining in Ginny's Yarn Along this week.
I've been a bad knitter. More than six months ago, I vowed to knit Mark a pair of anniversary socks, but it's now January 2013 and I've only just cast on. He's been so patient, nudging and questioning me ever so slightly, about when those socks will be finished (or even begun for that matter!). Yesterday, I decided to redeem myself and be a good knitter. I picked up my US4 DPNs and some gorgeous sock yarn that I won from the dynamic Gerry and cast on a pair of toe-up vanilla socks although I'm calling these Burnt Sugar because the colorway reminds me of ... burnt sugar.
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| Fiesta Yarns Baby Boom 100% Merino |
In the same way that I love knitting top-down sweaters, my preferred sock method is toe-up, and as the variegated yarn is doing all the work, I'm not even following a pattern. Yup, that's right ... I'm just making these socks up as I knit along. It's been a long while since I knit a proper pair of socks (no, the yoga socks don't count), and I'm enjoying myself so much that I'm already thinking about which sock pattern I'll cast on next.
As for my reading, I started Jesmyn Ward's 2011 National Book Award winning Salvage the Bones. It's been a busy week so I'm only a few pages in ... more to report next week!
And now, I'm happy to announce the winner of last week's Winning Wednesday giveaway:
This week, I'm offering something a little different which is related to a yarn swap I'm hosting in the Project: Stash Ravelry Group. The giveaway this week is a knitter's magic yarn ball -- what makes the yarn ball magic is the secret little something I'll be hiding deep inside the ball. You won't discover it until you're done knitting (promise you won't peak)! I'm still deciding on which beautiful yarn I'll turn into a magic yarn ball to give away, but I assure you it will be lovely.
And now, I'm happy to announce the winner of last week's Winning Wednesday giveaway:
This week, I'm offering something a little different which is related to a yarn swap I'm hosting in the Project: Stash Ravelry Group. The giveaway this week is a knitter's magic yarn ball -- what makes the yarn ball magic is the secret little something I'll be hiding deep inside the ball. You won't discover it until you're done knitting (promise you won't peak)! I'm still deciding on which beautiful yarn I'll turn into a magic yarn ball to give away, but I assure you it will be lovely.
To win, let me know what your favorite sock pattern is and why. Good luck ... and if you want to join us in the knitter's magic yarn ball swap, we'd love to have you.
I made my husband anniversary socks several anniversaries ago. I was so proud of the first one until it looked like it would fit an elephant. Thankfully I ripped it all out and made a normal sized pair. Those are actually in my mending basket - a good project for today, I think. Lovely yarn choice! and a rather apt name. My favorite sock patten would have to be a basic sock. I recently made 50 Purls of Wisdom and really liked the simple vanilla pattern with a bit of spice in the cuff and random purl bumps.
ReplyDeleteI don't actually have a favourite sock pattern as I haven't mastered socks yet!! I wish I could get my head around it. Your sock yarn is beautiful, have a knitty wednesday xx
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed that you are knitting socks without a pattern, I'm not that talented. I have only knit socks from the top down and really want to learn toe up. I am feeling guilty myself about not knitting Mike a pair of socks either, he even picked out the yarn for me to use, maybe after I finish all three of my wips.
ReplyDeleteMy poor hubby has been waiting about 5 years for a sweater. I'll get to it one day! I hardly ever follow sock patterns. I like socks to be my "mindless knitting". LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI really love any of Cookie A.'s sock patterns. You cannot go wrong with them. I especially like the Monkey socks I made, though.
ReplyDeleteWell...I just purchased my first sock yarn with the express intent of knitting my first *ever* pair of socks! I don't have a pattern yet, but it obviously needs to be simple-especially because, God willing and with the help of my knitting friend, I am going to attempt two at a time! I am open to suggestions!
ReplyDelete*smiles*
I wish I loved toe-up socks - they're great for using up leftover yarn! But they just never fit me well, because I have a very high instep. I make mine top down, and usually add some extra stitches to my gusset to get some extra room there!
ReplyDeleteI am going to join that swap for sure. I love love LOVE those socks, that color is just spectacular. As for my favorite sock pattern, man there are just too many! But (even though I don't knit many of them yet...) I love anything with cables. Oh and Fiasco by Shoelaceswitcher is a fun one too!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried toe-up socks yet but I have just discovered the joys of a top down sweater so I might try it now that I've read your post. The yarn is lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhy is knitting for husbands so hard?! I just finished mt hubby's Christmas mittens yesterday. He was so excited!
ReplyDeleteI use sock yarn for shawls since I don't knit socks.
ReplyDeleteI have made several pairs of socks, and not one has been repeated. However, if I were to repeat a pair, it would be the Knitty Crusoe socks:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTcrusoe.html
They are a quick knit and the pattern is great!
Love that yarn - and it does look like burnt sugar! I really do need to cast on a pair of socks for my hubs too. I told him in December I'd get them made after all my holiday yarn stuff was done... and it hasn't happened yet.
ReplyDeleteDOH!
I agree with some other people... knitting for husbands is hard! I would've loved for him to ask me to make him something while we were dating (and I knit his 11 inch feet 3 pairs of socks back then!), but now that we're married, not so much, haha.
ReplyDeleteI haven't knit socks in a year now, but have been searching stash and pattern library for the right match. Hopefully I'll have my sock knitting mojo back soon.
I like the vanilla latte sock pattern. I jut signed up for your magic yarn swap-sounds great!
ReplyDeletemamagiff on ravelry
Currently drooling over business casual by tanis lavallee and Lateral by Cookie A.
ReplyDeleteVery tempted to join your swap.
Wow size 4s? If I knit sock yarn on those it would be sooo holey!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sock pattern is Tadpoles by Jenna Swanson. SOooo much fun, and impossible to forget which row you're on. (Especially if you're me and have knit 4 pairs of them!)
Burnt Sugar!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it, Evelyn. It's so descriptive of this variety of browns. Love your imagination.
Makes me want to give my brain a couple of shakes.
You know how much I love knitting socks. Cookie A ALWAYS has interesting designs goin' on.
Many are challenging knitting 2-at-a-time
Hugs from
Dynamic Gerry
love the yarn it looks squishy and warm!! Happy knitting!
ReplyDeleteLove that yarn it is so cute! I have this hand-dyed sock yarn from a friend and it is probably my favorite sock yarn ever!
ReplyDeleteI find it so wonderful that your husband not only appreciates hand knits but is also excited about them! I can't say I know many men who are, how lucky you are! The color is obviously gorgeous, you always pick wonderful colorways, or in this case I suppose I should say knit with such wonderful colorways.
ReplyDeleteI drug my hubby to a yarn shop on our first wedding aaniversary trip. He said he wanted a sweater to which I laughed. So we compromised on a pair of socks. Not ever having knit a pair I listened to the yarn shop lady who sold me an "easy" pattern. Top down and not easy. Almost 4 years later he still only has a sock and a half.
ReplyDeleteI haven't made any socks yet, though I have used magic loop for a Kindle cozy, so I feel like I might need to try making a pair eventually. If I ever master them, I so want to make some TARDIS socks...that would just be epic.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you're reminding me that I've been a bad reader and need to pick up my half-read book again...
Oh those socks look yummy, they remind me of chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI love that yarn - it is delicious! I am itching to cast on Sezza's new pattern Basket Weave Rib socks. They look perfect for Mr Myrtle :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the yarn swap, I am in. I have shared it on twitter and wildflower wool's facebook page too.
ReplyDeleteI've only made one pair of socks, the Simple Summer Socks, which were fun and pretty quick. I look forward to trying other patterns like How I Make My Socks by Susan B. Anderson. That Magic ball sounds fun! Thanks for the chance :-)
ReplyDeleteCurrently I have 4 pair on the needles.....but I still really enjoyed Sifting Sands...my first cabling experience....
ReplyDeleteI love the yarn!! And I love knitting socks. I've never tried them toe up though. And with the frigid weather here the past week, my mom & sister have already put in their orders for next Christmas: they each want AT LEAST one more pair of hand knit socks. They are realizing how awesome hand knits are! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love how you likened your husband's yarn to burnt sugar! I especially love how he really wants 'em.
ReplyDeleteOoh, a giveaway?! I find Ann Budd's 8 St per inch pattern for vanilla socks my gave. It's simple and easy to follow and just soothing to knit.
you aren't a bad knitter, just, distracted.;) i have never knit socks before but i do have them on my YOP list! hoping to get to them before baby comes in May!
ReplyDeleteI love knitting any Cookie A socks. She is such an amazing designer!
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