Knitting

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Attention All Sockknitters….

by

OK. I need some encouragement here. Sock knitting is all the rage, has been for quite awhile. Not one to be left behind, I went to the LYS and found some really cool sock yarn ( I won’t divulge the brand name – it’s a pretty sure bet that this failure didn’t have anything to do with them). I already am in possession of at least 17 of each size needle in any length and configuration available so I didn’t need those, and I signed up (or verbally agreed to) the Knit A Pair Of Socks A Month program that a friend and I thought up. How hard could it be?
You know the routine, went home, hunted up the needles, and cast on.
Aprox 6 years later I had a pair of socks. They did not fit but I wore them anyway, after all they were handmade and all, not to mention the most expensive pair of socks I’ve ever owned.
And then I washed them.
And then I wore them (repeat no more than 6 times). And then the holes appeared. They were wearing thin in the heels. After 6 wearings. What did I do wrong?. Anyone? Why did they wear thin? I used sizes 1 and 0, why was the fabric all stretched out and not tight? (I do actually get the concept of “gauge”).
So, I’d like to try again. I’m nothing if not persistent and banging my head against the wall is one my favoite things to do.
And also because I found Flat Feet Yarn that looks good enough to eat! Seriously, have you seen it? Its by Conjoined Creations although You can also get it at Knittingzone.com and Paradise Fibers.net too. Bet it would even make an awesome bag! Have you seen this stuff? Go to Ravelry to see some of the outrageous designs!

 

So, your turn. Steer me toward the perfect pattern, perfect technique and perfect yarn. Give me hints, tips, techniques.. Anything. Talk me into trying again because I don’t have enough projects going yet.

I’m waitin…..

Terrye
Knitting Editor
http://knitting.craftgossip.com/

Comments

  2. After 40 years since I last knitted a pair of socks, I have just finished a pair for my hubby. This time I made them without a heel, I guess you would call them tubesocks. But these are with a twist literally, they are spiral socks as the pattern spirals around the sock and so makes the sock fit perfectly. With the leftover from the ball I made a pair of baby spiral socks for my future grandchild. I will post that pattern tomorrow, but for now you can find the picture and pattern at my blog: http://dappledair.blogspot.com/2008/08/spiral-socks.html
    It is fun knitting socks, especially when watching TV.

  3. Thanks for letting people know about Flat Feet! We just got in the new Flat Feet Sock of the Month. We aren’t allowed to post pictures of it on our website. You can see pictures of it on Ravelry though. If you’re interested in the sock of the month give us a call 888-320-7746.

    Sara

    PS love your website 🙂

  4. Could be the yarn. I’ve had two pairs of socks that wore out within a few months and one pair that’s lasted for years. I also think some of us are harder on socks than others. Mine wore out while the ones I made my husband and son are still going strong.

    You can try reinforcing the heel with sewing thread while you knit it. I’ve heard it helps. You can also buy reinforcing thread.

  5. I absolutely love the Monkey Socks designed by Cookie A. from Winter 2006 Knitty, you can find the pattern here: http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter06/PATTmonkey.html
    It’s knit on 5 needles which I don’t normally like but this pattern is so well designed and written that even with what appears to be an intricate pattern they are a very easy sock. I am enjoying them very much. And I will make the pattern again.
    If you consider yourself an beginner/intermediate knitter then you can most definitely make these socks and love them all the way!
    Also I hear the “RPM Sock” from Knitty is also a very good pattern, but I have not yet tried it – it’s on the list!
    PS – flat feet are AWESOME too, great for knitting on the go because you don’t have to wrestle with a ball that can get all tangled in your bag.

  6. I will definitely try the monkey socks, they look like it would be an easy pattern to master, yet not boring.

    Thanks for sending the link!

    Terrye
    knitting.craftgossip.com

  7. I knit at bulletproof gauge (9st/in on US1 needles) and haven’t had any wear through problems, could be your yarn. MimKnits Boudica socks are a great pattern, so are Hedgerow socks

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.