My Sewing Space

These are the first socks that I have knit for someone other than me!  I think my daughter was a good choice.  She's as excited about these socks as I am. I used the Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for these.  My daughter's feet were in between the sizes offered, so I figured out how many stitches to cast on using the gauge that I was knitting at and the number of inches that I wanted.  So, I needed the sock to be 6" in circumference and was knitting at 8sts/inch - that means I needed 48 stitches.  I was still able to use the charts in the book since one of the size/gauge combinations was for a 48 st sock.  I just followed those numbers, and used my own inch measurements when those were needed. I like how the 2 x 2 rib continues down the foot of the sock, but I'm not happy with how it looks where the rib meets the smooth sole stitches.  Before starting the heel flap, I divided the ribs on the edges so that the stitches for the top of the foot h...

I'm really liking this sock. I like the yarn, I like the pattern, I like how it feels on. Too bad that those few loops of yarn on the right is all that is left. Boo. As you can see, the sock is not nearly long enough. I do have another skein, but that should be for the other sock. I could start on that skein to finish this sock, but then the second sock would just barely cover my heel with this yarn. I think I'll probably finish this sock with some other yarn (ideally from stash) and then do the same for the second one. At least they will match then, even though they won't really look great. The different part will be covered up by my shoe most of the time, anyway. This experience makes me want to try knitting socks starting at the toe. This is some interesting yarn. My MIL gave it to me. I love the color and it is wonderfully soft. It is a bit fuzzy, so stitch definition is pretty poor, but I'm still liking how it is turning out. If you can read the ball band, you...

We're back from our two week vacation. It was good to be away, but it is good to be home again too. We put a lot of miles on the van and that translated into a lot of knitting time. I finished these socks somewhere in western Illinois. It was good timing as I needed them during the night while we were camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. They did a great job of keeping my feet warm. The pattern for these socks comes from The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns . It is full of patterns for basic designs in multiple sizes and gauges: gloves, hats, mittens, socks, etc. So, you can use almost any yarn you want with the needles you want. You just knit a swatch to determine your gauge, choose your size and then follow the chart with those two numbers in mind. I took this book out from the library a couple of years ago and copied the sock pattern pages. This pair of socks was the first time I used it, but while I was knitting these socks I was wishing that I written down the title o...

I really like handknit socks. I like making them and I like wearing them. I've probably only made six pair or so, but the first couple of pairs that I made are starting to get holes in them. I suppose now I need to start looking into darning socks. That doesn't sound like something I'll like. Anyway... My MIL gave me this kit. It had three skeins of yarn, a sock pattern, and this note: It says: "This kit contains handspun yarn that is a blend of wool, mohair, nylon, silk, alpaca and camel made just for socks!" The yarn is much bulkier than any I have used for socks in the past. I didn't think I would like heavy guage socks, so I let this yarn sit in my stash for awhile. I considered using it for mittens instead of socks. But, after thinking about it I concluded that bulky socks might be something I could really like. I spend a lot of time at home and during the cooler months I always have socks on. After a day of walking around in thin socks, my feet really h...