Sockapalooza!

There's nothing quite like a nice pair of hand knit socks.  They just feel so much better on the feet than their commercially manufactured counterparts.  They're also great knitting projects for so many reasons:

• They don't use much yarn, so you can splurge on something nice if your budget allows
• It's a small project that's easy to carry around with you
• Since it's a small project, it doesn't take months to complete
• Ever try to work on a cardigan or a blanket in the middle of summer?
• They're socks!

Here are a few that I've made lately, with the most recent project first.

These are from a Doctor Who-themed pattern called Bowties Are Cool and were designed by Mandie Harrington.

Bowties Are Cool.  So are fezzes

I had originally hand dyed some yarn for these, but the tonal changes got in the way of the teensy bow tie pattern so I opted for a couple of skeins of Premier Yarns Serenity Sock (on sale, natch).  The stitch repeat was easy to memorize, and was simple without being tedious.  I didn't do as many repeats as called for in the pattern and they're still a bit longer than I like, but they're really comfy and bow ties are cool! 


The next pair was made with some hand dyed yarn, which I wrote about here.  I made them for Pat, who dyed the yarn and promptly handed it off to me.  The pattern is Eunice, from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.  It was a challenging (in a good way) pattern, including a 7 stitch cable that had stitches going every which way, but I think the result is gorgeous.  I might just have to make a pair of these for myself at some point.

Eunice Socks for Pat

These were made for my mom.  She picked out the Malabrigo sock yarn in Rayon Vert.  I adore working with this yarn!  The pattern is another Ravelry download.  The designer is Kristi Geraci, and the pattern is called Belle Vitini.

Mom's Belle Vitini Socks

Finally, here is another pair of socks with a Doctor Who theme.  These are mine all mine.  Yay!

Don't Blink!

Raveler Maire Martin designed these Weeping Angel socks.  I made a couple of modifications, starting with a twisted rib for the cuff.  I also extended the feather pattern down the foot to the point where the toe decreases begin.  I really like how the toes echo the heel motif, which you can kind of see here: 

This pattern had an interesting heel construction, employing a series of increases rather than knitting a heel flap and then picking up stitches for the gusset.

I'm really pleased with this pair.  They're soft and comfortable, the color works with lots of my wardrobe, and the lace pattern is lovely. 

Best part?  They're DOCTOR WHO themed!

My preferred method for knitting socks is two at a time on two circulars (saves me from the dreaded second sock syndrome).  It seems I usually select top down patterns, although that's not a conscious decision. 

How do you like to knit your socks?

WIPs and FOs

As I'm trying to discipline myself to post more regularly, here are a few recent projects.

I picked up this gorgeous Malabrigo Sock yarn from the Twist: Yarns of Intrigue booth at the Southern California Handweavers' Guild Weaving and Fiber Festival a couple of years ago.

The colorway is Persia, and it's a soft, squooshy variegated yarn with colors that range from sidewalk grey, through several shades of blue, to black.

I finally used it to make a pair of gloves - and I have enough yarn left over to make something else!  The pattern is Julia Mueller's Knotty, which is available free on Ravelry. 

I made a second pair of gloves for my cousin:

These are made with Sensations Bamboo & Ewe, a wool, nylon, bamboo blend from Jo-Ann.

After gradient dyeing some Lion Brand Sock-Ease with food coloring,

I made a Glam Shells shawl.

This is actually my second Glam Shells.  The designer is Marisa Hernandez, and the pattern is also available as a Ravelry download.  I love this pattern.  It's mostly mindless knitting - perfect for TV or movie watching - but when it's blocked it becomes a light, lacy wrap perfect for a summer evening.

HGA Convergence

Yesterday was the last day of the Handweavers Guild of America Convergence at the Long Beach Convention Center and we made it there in time for the last two hours of the conference.  There were some interesting garments on view in the exhibition hall, but no photography was allowed in there so I have none to share.

We did have plenty of time to stroll through the marketplace, where there were all sorts of fiber related items available, from looms and spinning wheels to roving and yarn.  Apologies for the blurry photo, but I had to include a shot of these beautiful colorways:

Hello, Malabrigo!

I even got a couple of gorgeous skeins of Malabrigo Rios.  The colorway is Piedras.  Thanks to my lovely mom for the second skein.  I absolutely love Malabrigo yarns.  Their colors are so rich and have such depth.  This is my first batch of Rios; I look forward to working with it.

After the Convergence we headed over to Shoreline Village in search of refreshment.

Wine, beer, and appetizers at Parkers' Lighthouse -- a perfect way to end the afternoon!

Happy Mother's Day!

I finished my mom's Jeweled Cowl just in time.  Washed and blocked it yesterday and will give it to her this afternoon.  I love this pattern - it's so simple to make yet it looks so elegant.

I know I've mentioned repeatedly how much I adore Malabrigo Lace yarn, but here I go again...
This yarn is so soft and the subtle color variations are sublime.  Can't get enough of this stuff!

Neither of these photos reproduces the color accurately; it's actually somewhere between the two.  The second photo shows off the variegation nicely, though.

Hope mom likes it!