The Anatomy of a Sock

With each sock that I knit, I feel more and more accomplished as a knitter.  Even though they're fairly small projects, I've learned that socks test a whole slew of different knitting muscles and help me hone my knitting skills.  I'm one of those strange knitters who loves double-pointed needles, but I know that many of you swear by circular needles, some even knit socks two-at-a-time.  Maybe one day I'll get there but for now, DPNs are my friends.

You may remember that when I first started this pair of socks in mid-February, I opted for the cuff-down method. That didn't go so well, and as I loved this yarn so much, there was no question about frogging it back and starting over, this time with my preferred toe-up construction.  One thing I didn't realize was how frustrating it would be to rip back slipped stitches ~ ugh, it was the worse and took forever (have you ever done that?) ~ but it was worth it in the end.

So, let's get to why I've called today's post the anatomy of a sock.  First, there's the toe-up ... toe. The top of the foot was knit in the pinstripe pattern while the sole was knit in plain stockinette.  I put in a rip-cord for the afterthought heel and when I got to the desired length of the leg, I topped it off with a 2x2 rib.  I bound off with Ysolda Teague's tutorial of Jenny's Stretchy Bind-Off which is fantastic and oh-so-clever.

I love everything about these socks ~ the colorful stripes, the soft yarn, the easy afterthought heel, and the great fit.  That's a wrap!

Toe-Up is my Go-To

Do you remember my recent snow-day post when I cast on this pretty sock?

I had seen so many lovely cuff-down socks on needles that I went against my normal toe-up routine. Well, I realized after I finished the first sock and was about to start on the afterthought heel that I just didn't love the fit. It felt baggy around the ankle and my kitchener toe looked a bit sad.

I wasn't satisfied so ripped the whole sock back.  I know, I'm like the unravelling queen these days.  I started over with these gorgeous new needles and cast on with my trusty toe-up method and could not be happier. I even got the afterthought heel all set up (yes, I'll be switching back to the new needles to knit the actual heel).

I'm still knitting the pinstripe sock pattern and really love how these are coming along.  Let's just hope I don't get SSS (you know, second-sock-syndrome)!

Blues

I'm not complaining (well, perhaps just a little), but we've got another snow day over here in the Northeast, and I can hardly believe the size of the snowflakes rushing past my window, and it's c-o-l-d out there.  But, in here, I've got my cup of coffee, music playing, and this ....

Remember when I treated myself to this gorgeous skein of Biscotte & Cie Felix during my detour to VK Live NYC?  It's been calling to me from my stash ever since I bought it home and with these endless days of 20 degree temperatures and snow-covered streets, a pair of colorful socks is the perfect project to lift my weary spirits.

I think there's no denying that Felix is a delightful self-striping sock yarn ~ I'm just not sure I'll really be able to hide these beauties in my shoes!  The pattern I'm knitting will have me try my first-ever afterthought heel, and I'm pretty excited to give this a go.  Being a toe-up gal, I usually knit a sweet tomato or no fuss, no muss heel, but I felt like giving myself a little challenge so with this snow day, I'm going to learn something new. Yeah, that's what snow days should be for! 

Up or Down?

When I blogged recently about my love of toe-up socks, Ellen and Karen asked two very simple questions in the comments:  Why? and Which is my go-to pattern?  

I'm not the most experienced sock knitter.  I mean have you seen Andi's gorgeous socks?  or Gerry's? And there's no denying the delight of Susan's seemingly endless supply of hand-knitted socks.  But I'm pretty comfortable knitting on double-pointed needles ~ okay, I admit it, I actually love knitting with DPNs ~ and enjoy the rhythm that comes with sock knitting.  

So, to Ellen's question, I prefer the toe-up method for two reasons:  (1) because it allows for very little waste and (2) because once the sock is done, it's done. If a skein is split evenly in half, you can knit a pair of socks until the yarn is used up.  With no toe to kitchener or graft, I can bind off the cuff and literally wear my new socks fresh off the needles!   Pretty irresistible, don't you think?

To Karen's question, I like to use the method I shared in my Tubies pattern.  It's a little piddly at first but once you knit the first two rounds, it's lovely.  

As you can see from my photo above, I'm at the point to start the gusset and heel ... which one is the big question.  Any favorites to recommend?

Fall Will Be Different ...

I feel like I have nothing to show for my summer ... I'm pretty sure that I've been steadily knitting and the multiple WIPs in my knitting basket can attest to this, but summer 2013 has definitely not been the season for finished objects.  I suppose the nasty heatwave here in the northeast last month put a serious damper on my progress ~ in fact, I'm pretty sure I sweated just looking at my knitting.   

Now that I can see the cool days and nights of autumn just ahead, I've been feeling excited and inspired about all the projects I want to cast on.  But, before I can even contemplate this, I decided to do a little housekeeping around my WIPs basket this weekend. Near the bottom of the pile was my pair of Vanilla Stripe Socks. Looking back at my notes, I am embarrassed to admit that I started these on June 28!  If you've ever knit a pair of toe-up vanilla socks ... in self-striping yarn, no less ... you know how easy-peasy knitting a pair of these can be.  Two months?  Seriously?  

They're now finished and in my sock drawer, no longer able to mock me.  Unfortunately, hiding below this project was another pair of socks that has been languishing in the basket.  I cast on the Spring Tulip Socks sometime in April and never even started a project page on Ravelry for them (until now, that is). I've got only a fraction of the foot left on the second sock before I can take them off the needles, and I'm determined to finish them this week!  

Fall will be different ...

The Summer of KALs

I didn't intend for this to be the summer of KALs, but it sure is shaping up to be just that. The Pour Moi KAL over on my Project: Stash Ravelry group is winding down and ending tomorrow at midnight so if you've been participating but haven't posted a photo of your FO yet, don't forget to head on over and show off your knitting. My Pour Moi project ended up being a beautiful test knit for the uber talented Jane Richmond, but as the pattern won't be released until the fall, I have to keep my FO under wraps. I can say that it's a cardigan and up until now, it's my most accomplished achievement.

I'm happily knitting along on my Holla Knits KAL Nachtfalter, but I've needed to step away from the needles so as not to get too ahead of the rest of the group ... 

... and I just jumped into the Self-Striping Sock KAL being hosted by the Just One More Row podcast gals. My sister, Esther, gifted me a skein of Patons Kroy Socks in a colorway that I've been anxious to try, and this is the perfect yarn for this KAL.

I don't usually have so many projects on my needles (did I mention that I'm test knitting  a cardigan for a German designer?), but these KALs have been hard to resist.  If you're knitting along on a pattern and/or with a group, please share.  I'm sure I have some spare needles lying around.

The Heroine Chronicles: Hermione Everyday Socks

The first of my heroine socks are finished, and the Hermione Everyday Socks was a pleasure to knit.  I'm not sure that the pattern suited the yarn as the slipped stitch design probably looks better in a solid color, but I absolutely love how the Patons Kroy sock yarn knit up.  I knit this pair on US1 DPNs and the fabric that developed is thick, warm, and incredibly cozy.

This pattern took me back to a sock technique that I haven't done in a number of years.  That is, knitting a heel flap and gusset.  The heel flap is done in what's called a slightly modified garter-stich edged eye of patridge heel (quite the mouthful, huh?), and looks really polished. Working on the gusset was a ton of fun, and I was happy to be reminded of how much I enjoy it.

If you looked at the top photo closely, I'm sure you asked yourself if the foot is a little on the small side.  Yes, you're right, I think in comparison to the width of the leg, the foot seems abnormally small but it's mainly optical.  While I probably could should have been a bit more patient and knit another 1/2 inch on the foot for optimum comfort, the socks do fit albeit a bit snuggly.  Yes, I've been schooled!

The Heroine Chronicles: Hermione's Everyday Socks

Lately, I've been lucky enough to have some quiet evenings to indulge in my two passions, knitting and reading. Oh, and did I mention that these indulgences have been completely guilt-free? I've been devouring novel after novel and knitting on vanilla socks with glee.

Since I caught the sock bug, I've been stalking sock patterns like crazy and started to notice a fun trend which has inspired something I'm going to call The Heroine Chronicles.  I'll be knitting sock patterns named after female literary characters and do my best to chronicle my progress.  First on my list is one of my favorites:  Hermione from the Harry Potter series.

So far, on Ravelry at least,  Hermione's Everyday Socks have been knitted over 3,600 times.  If that isn't a testament to both the love of Hermione and the pattern, I don't know what is.

I'll be casting these on this weekend with my recently gifted Patons Kroy Socks FX yarn, and I'm excited to see where this chronicle takes me.  I've already come across a few other sock patterns named in honor of literary heroines but if you know of any, please leave the pattern name in the comments. 

An Education

When my sock bug began, I knew that there would be a wide range of methods and techniques to explore, but I really didn't have any clue that my knitting education would expand the way it has.  At this moment, my focus has been on toe-up socks and my favorite method of casting on is this one which is also how one casts on for a hexipuff:

As you may remember, I recently taught myself how to knit Cat Bodhi's sweet tomato heel and have now made another sock with this adorable heel.  There's something really sweet about the way it looks but most importantly, it fits great!

Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label in Truffle

One thing that I've learned (the hard way) is that a regular bind-off on a sock cuff simply doesn't work.  For a while, I have been wanting to try Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind-off and decided that now was the time to attempt it.  It worked like a charm and when I went to try on this sock, the comfort & fit was perfect. 

I'm working on the second sock of this pair of Pure Vanilla socks but I'm already dreaming about the new methods I want to try on my next pair.  I'd love to know what your favorite sock knitting techniques are for any part of the sock.  Please share!

Happy Feet in Blizzard Conditions

The snow has begun and the northeast is bracing itself for what the media is calling a historic snow storm.  Fortunately, I'm able to stay home today and continue my new-found obsession passion for sock knitting, but before I get too deep into my current pair of socks, I want to share what just came off my needles:  My Gia Socks!

Lion Brand Superwash Merino in Burgundy

I had so much fun knitting Mark's toe-up socks that I immediately cast on another for me, this time with US2 DPNs and in a dk weight yarn. By the way, this yarn is my perfect sock yarn:  soft but holds stitch definition, warm but not hot, and machine washable.

I didn't want a plain vanilla sock so looked around my various stitch dictionaries for patterns.  As I went through my Ravelry library, I came across the Gia Fingerless Mitts pattern that I had stored a while back and instantly knew that I could modify them for my socks.

The knitting went super fast as the lace panel is quick to memorize and with dk weight, the socks were finished in no time.  I love how these turned out ... I think the one lace motif up the front of the foot adds a Downton Abbey kind of vibe, don't you think?

Sock Bug

Have you noticed that sometimes your knitting or cooking or fill in the blank takes on a theme? When our calendars turned from 2012 to 2013, there was a flurry of posts about themes for the new year; some of us wrote about 2013 being the year of the sweater, the shawl, the hat.  Well, friends, I've been bitten, too, and for me I think 2013 is going to be the Year of the Sock.

Fiesta Baby Boom 

Guilt finally got me knitting Mark's socks, but once I finished them, I knew I was bitten by the sock bug. I knit these socks toe-up as I admittedly am not a fan of kitchener, but I know I'll have to get over that if I want to knit more socks.

Feeling in the mood to be free wheeling, I didn't follow a pattern but rather incorporated different techniques as the sock developed. Okay, call me lazy -- I didn't knit proper short rows but used this method instead to turn the heel (and it worked beautifully).  Yup, as the designer says no muss, no fuss.

The yarn did all the striping work and before I knew it, I was done ... and no second sock syndrome! With my mind completely overtaken with sock patterns, I was so delighted to listen to Knit Picks Kelly's recent interview with Frances Fisher, a soon-to-be 88 year-old knitter who has knit 200 pairs of socks (thats 400 socks, people) and is still knitting socks to this day.  Oh, and guess what?  She has never knit toe-up.  Kitchener stitch, here I come.

Winning Wednesdays

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.  

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:

Project Tara!

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.