Socktoberfest

As this year's month long celebration of socks comes to an end, I thought I'd post about my October sock progress. I didn't set any goals for myself, but I always expect to get more done than I actually do.

I finished 2 pair of socks this month.
Both of these were knit-along socks. The pink ones were for the Hop Along and the green ones were my Mystery socks.


I also started 3 pair of socks this month.
My first pair of Socks That Rock socks, another knit-along sock, and a pair of Opal socks.


The spirit of Socktoberfest will continue for me even after October ends. I am a sock knitting addict with lots of stash (and plans to buy more at Stitches East this weekend).

Check Out This Heel

Aren't these stripes cool? This is the heel on my first Lime & Violet sock. I never expected the heel to stripe like this since the patterning on the leg was so random.

Mystery Socks - Finished!

I finished my Mystery socks yesterday (Blogger was being uncooperative and wouldn't let me post). I'm really happy to have them done because I started them about 2 months ago.


Pattern: Leaves of Grass Anklet (modified)
Yarn: Spirt Trail Fiberworks
Gauge: 9 st per inch on size 1 DPNs

A close up of the pattern can be found here.

My First Socks That Rock Sock

I finished my first Socks That Rock sock this week.



This is the Scottish Highlands colorway in medium weight. The second sock is on the needles.

I also just learned that Blue Moon Fiber Arts will be in Baltimore next weekend for Stitches East. I am very excited and hope that they won't be sold out before I get to their booth on Saturday.

Updates on my other socks will be coming soon.

Sunday Socks...featuring the color Green

All of my socks in progress have green in them.

My second Mystery sock is growing slowly. Pattern is Leaves of Grass.


My first Socks That Rock sock is almost done. I just need to decrease for the toe. Color is Scottish Highlands. The yarn pooled in the gusset. The first pic is of the side that I like the second is of the side that I don't like as much.



And my first Lime & Violet sock is growing. Pattern is the Waffle Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks.


I also completed a non-green (it's maroon), non-sock (it's a hat) today. This one is for my youngest son.

Pink Lemonade Socks

I finished my Pink Lemonade socks earlier in the week. It was too late to take pictures when I finished them on Wednesday and my son had a game last night, so I finally have time tonight to blog about them. The pictures I got tonight in the dark aren't great, so I'll try again for better pictures tomorrow. The picture has been updated.

After completing the first sock quickly, I put them away to complete my Can't Elope socks (and baby afghan). The second sock was just as quick to knit as the first.



Pattern - my usual top down with Eye of Partridge heel flap and kitchenered toes
Yarn - Black Bunny Fibers Pink Lemonade colorway
Needles & Gauge - Size 1 1/2 DPNs, 8 st/in

Sunday is for Socks!

Today has turned out to be a great sock knitting day. Early this morning, I cast on for the first sock of a new pair. I've just about got the leg the length I want it. This is Socks That Rock, Scottish Highlands.



I finished my first Mystery Sock finally. I was really worried that I would run out of yarn before finishing the sock, but I made it with a little bit to spare.



Here's a better shot of the Mystery sock that shows the pattern. I had to lighten the picture a bit to get the pattern to show up.



And last but not least, I finished the heel flap and turned the heel on the second Pink Lemonade sock. These are my Hop-A-Long socks.



Since the night isn't over yet (and I'm planning more knitting time after the kids take baths), I'll definitely finish the leg on my Scottish Highland socks and hopefully, cast on and complete the cuff on my second mystery sock.

What's Next??

My next few projects will be socks, of course. Since I joined the Lime & Violet KAL I will be knitting a pair of socks with my Lime & Violet yarn. I haven't decided if I will use a stitch pattern for these or if I will do my usual stockinette socks. I'm leaning towards using a pattern, since I had lots of extra yarn from my recently finished Can't Elope socks.



I will also finally be casting on my first pair of Socks That Rock yarn. This is Scottish Highlands in Medium weight. These I'm going to do in my usual stockinette sock pattern. I want to get a feel for how far the yarn will go.



And last but not least, Opal Acapulco color #1304. For these, I'm definitely going to pick out a stitch pattern (maybe something from Sensational Knitted socks).



And I didn't even realize until I took all three of these yarns out to take pictures that they all have purple in them.

Blue & White Afghan - It's DONE!

The baby afghan is finally done. I finished it up last night, and of course, I forgot to bring it to work today so I could deliver it. But, now I can concentrate on socks. YAY!!



See this post for details on the pattern.

Socktoberfest Questions

Lolly asks....

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
-- I took a class last fall (October, I think) at my LYS to learn sock knitting.
What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
-- My first pair was done with Knit Picks Simple Stripes. They have a huge hole on the one side at the beginning of the gusset, but I still wear them anyway. Since they are less than a year old, they are holding up well. Here's a pic.

What would you have done differently?
-- Fixed the top of the gusset so there wasn't a hole.
What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
-- I've liked all the yarns I've used, so far.
Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
-- Before I learned to knit socks, I crocheted them. Now, I use DPNs. Here are a few pics of my favorite crocheted socks.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
-- I currently use only a heel flap because that's all I know. Someday I'll branch out and try other things.
How many pairs have you made?
-- Crocheted = 10, Knit = 8 for me (and 2 more on the needles), 2 for the kids, and 1 for an infant

It's Starting to Look Like an Afghan

The baby afghan has taken shape. I still have to finish the border.



Pattern - Post Stitch Squares, Leisure Arts Leaflet #2756, Make One For Baby
Yarn - Bernat Softee