Thursday 7 June 2012

Sock it to me

DSCF1470

You might remember a few weeks ago, I won a voucher from Yarn, Glorious Yarn. I was a bit over-whelmed by all the pretty yarn, but eventually, I decided what to get - four balls of Schoppelwolle Zauberball. I was really tempted by some Tilli Tomas Disco Lights, but I really can't see myself wearing sequins anytime soon, so I gave it a miss. My plans are to knit a pair of socks, and a wrap, and then decide what to do with the rest of the yarn after that.

DSCF1474
Zauberball - Flair

DSCF1473
Zauberball - Stone-washed

DSCF1472
Crazy Zauberball - Tropical Fish

DSCF1471
Crazy Zauberball - der Lenz

I have started knitting a test swatch, using some tropical fish, so that I can get started on "David's Toe-Up Sock Cookbook", available as a free download on Ravelry. This pattern is a "recipe" for toe-up socks with any yarn, to fit any foot. I need to work out my gauge before I get started.

DSCF1477

Having never knitted socks before, this is all new to me. Did you know that you can knit two socks at once using two sets of circular needles? It is said to combat "Second-sock-syndrome". Have you knitted socks before? Do you have any advice for me? Do you prefer to knit toe-up, or top down? One at a time or two at once? Do you have a favourite sock pattern? Do you knit them for yourself, or for other people?

Check out what everyone else is doing in their Creative Spaces this week.

6 comments:

  1. Socks are on my list, I promised husband a pair...3 years ago!! Have fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been making socks. They have a bit of challenge to them, are portable and useable and a bit easier to fold and store than quilts. I use two short circular needles and prefer toe up socks - no heel graftig

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW I really love that yarn.. lucky you :)

    I really want some now especiall some of that Crazy Zauberball - Tropical Fish one... it does look a little bit crazy :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are really lucky for winning 4 balls of glorious Zauberball yarn. I've got a pink/purple one which is gorgeous too. :)

    I knit socks from the top down, one sock at a time, on DPN's. I know someone who also does that, but she casts on two socks on two sets of DPN's and changes from time to time so her socks are growing equally, which is a great idea if you have the second sock syndrome. I have no experience with toe-up socks or socks on circulars.

    I start out with my very own basic pattern (written by my grandma and myself) and I search for ideas for stitch patterns or techniques on the internet or in books... Each sock I knit is a little bit different. (I'm on my 4th pair right now, on which I'm trying a new stitch pattern for the heel flap) I'm not an experienced sock knitter but I love all the possibilities, there are SO MANY sock patterns out there. They knit up really fast and when knitted with gorgeous yarn like the Zauberball yarns, seeing the colors change is a pure joy. I also love how different yarns can give your sock (even if it's the same basic pattern) a totally different look. :)

    Good luck with your socks!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, you lucky thing! Sounds like you had a ball choosing! I need to learn two at a time but much prefer dons, I can't handle getting tangled up! I also prefer top down as I find the toe difficult with toe up, but toe up two at a time is the best technique if you want to use up all your yarn.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked the idea of 2-at-a-time socks more than I liked knitting them. It's not a relaxing knit, when you have to keep your eye on two separate projects at once and keep disentangling yarn. I don't mind if it's toe-up or top-down, but I've reverted to one at a time.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog. I would love to hear what you think.

Blogging tips