Traveling and Knitting Hints for Socks

There haven't been too many posts lately because we were off college tripping again! This time we went up north and saw Princeton, Yale, Connecticut College, and Wesleyan. 

One thing we learned, it is really cold up north!  We are so used to the mildest of winters in Maryland, that neither one of us was prepared for cold.   There is hope for us, however, as one friend indicated that it takes two weeks to adjust to a different climate.

There was a hint of spring in Connecticut. There were crocus blossoms in Redding; and,

witch hazel was blooming in New Haven.

Since the trip was spur of the moment, I forgot to take along a "travel project".  Usually, I try and bring some knitting for the car ride, and for quiet moments on vacation.  Once I was allowed to do a little sightseeing on my own, I headed out to find a local yarn shop.  Luckily, A Stitch in Time, located in nearby Bethel was easy to find!  The yarn shop was full to the brim with yarn and needlepoint supplies.  I decided that starting some socks would be the easiest thing to do, so I picked up 2 skeins of Summer Sox by Classic Elite.  I find socks are the easiest thing to knit while away.  The yarn and needles can fit right into your purse! And, once you get used to knitting simple sock patterns, you will find that it doesn't take a lot of brain power or planning to knit them!

Since I haven't blogged about knitting for a while, I thought I might walk you through the process of making these socks.

DECISION #1:  YARN CHOICE

I chose this yarn for several reasons.  First, for it's fiber content:  40% cotton, 40% superwash merino, and 20% nylon.  I thought that the cotton/wool blend would be a bit cooler for spring socks!  Second, I believe that superwash wool (wool that you can wash in your regular wash) is key when knitting socks (especially if you are making them for someone else!).  Socks always find their way into the wash and dryer, so 9 times out of 10, if you use 100% old fashioned wool, and someone else does the laundry, your beautiful knitted socks will be beautifully felted tiny socks! Another reason I chose this yarn was for the nylon.  Nylon in the yarn gives it some elasticity, so it stretches better.  Depending on how much yardage is in the ball of yarn you may need 1 or 2 balls.  The general rule of thumb is that you need anywhere from 350 to 450 yards of yarn to make one pair of adult sized socks.  Some companies sell all the yardage in one ball or skein, but for others (like this one) you will need two.

From summer sox

DECISION #2 - Needle Size

This type of yarn calls  for size 2 needles and says gauge should be around 7 stitches to the inch. Since I have knitted tons of socks, I know my gauge works for this type of yarn with this size needle.  I also know that I DON'T LIKE to knit on needles any smaller than a size 2 (I knitted some lacy socks on size zero and it wasn't a pleasant experience).  So, just in case, when I purchase sock yarn, I always check with the knowledgeable sales staff to make sure the yarn will work with Size 2.   

DECISION #4 - Type of Needle

A lot of the cotton/soy/natural fiber sock yarns are slippery.  So, I think that bamboo double pointed needles grip the yarn better, and you are less likely to drop stitches.  Sometimes, midway, I might change to one extra long addi turbo circular and do the "magic loop method" to make the knitting go a bit faster.  But,  I like turning the heel and doing the toe on double points.  I have also knitted socks with two circular needles, but this is my least favorite method.

DECISION #5 - Pattern Choice

This is where it gets tricky.  Since I have bought the yarn and needles before I chose the pattern, I have to come home and figure out what to do with the yarn!  Usually, I have three choices:  1.  I can search for a pattern in my many knitting books and magazines; 2. I can search for a pattern on line; or, 3.  I can make one up myself.  To make it interesting, I decided on #3 - Make it Up!  WARNING:  I don't recommend this option if you are just starting out with knitting socks! You must remember that when choosing a pattern, make sure your yarn weight matches that of the pattern you decide to knit!  

DECISION #6 - How many stitches to cast on.

I think that 60 is a good number because it can easily be knit on 3 or 4 needles (with stitches divided equally on the needles).  I started these by casting on 60 stitches onto bamboo double pointed needles (size 2). Also, I find that 60 stitches gives a good women's (or boy's) sock size.  

DECISION #7 - Stitch patterns for Ribbing and Body of Sock

With 60 stitches, I need to choose a pattern for the sock that will have a repeat that is a multiple of 60. 

For the ribbing I decide on an easy K2, P2 ribbing.  I decide that about 10 rows will be what I need (I eyeball it - but it's about 1 1/4 inches). 

Now the fun part, choosing the stitch pattern.  Actually, you should choose this before the ribbing, because you might want a ribbing pattern that goes well with your stitch pattern.  I didn't do it this way - I am not good at planning!

To choose the stitch pattern, I pulled an invaluable resource from my bookshelf, The Complete Book of Knitting"  by Barbara Abbey.  I found mine at a secondhand book shop - it is the original 1971 hardback version.  It has been reprinted and is available on Amazon in paperback.

 

From summer sox

This book has instructions for pretty much anything you need to know about knitting.  I wanted to search for a stitch pattern that will give me a multiple of 60.

From summer sox

I didn't have to look too far until I found one that would be perfect!  I chose the Herringbone Lace Pattern.

From summer sox

Here is what I have so far

From summer sox

This is one round of the 12 row pattern.  

TO BE CONTINUED....More choices like how long to knit the sock body, how to turn the heel, how long for the foot and knitting the toe!

Valentine Pillow Tutorial

This is an easy and quick project to knit up for that special someone. I made one for a relative who has been ill; and, when my boys saw it, they wanted one too! Yarn: Lion Brand Fun Fur in Color # Red; Bernat Softee Chunkee in Color # Red.

Needles: Size 11 circular Notions: 1/2 yard of fabric to make pillow ( this is enough for 2 pillows). Needle and Thread for sewing knitted fabric to pillow. Stuffing for pillow. Gauge: Doesn't really matter Directions:

KNITTING:

Holding the two yarns together, CO 2 stitches. Row 1: K 2 stitches, Add a stitch by CO 1 at end of row (3 stitches on needle). Row 2: K all stitches, CO 1 at end of row (4 sttiches on needle). Continue in this pattern, Knitting all stitches and adding one at end of each row by the cast on method, until you have 30 stitches on your needle. Knit 4 rows. Knit 2 rows, adding one stitch by the cast on method at end of each row (32 stitches on your needle) ; Knit 4 rows; Knit 2 rows adding one stitch at the end of each row with the cast on methond (34 stitches on your needle; Knit 20 rows; Now you will Divide for the top of the pillow. Knit 17 stitches. Slip these onto a knit holder. With the remaining 17 stitches: Row 1: BO 1, Knit to last 3 st. K2tog, K1. Row 2: K all stitches Row3: K1, Sl 1 as if to Purl, K1, PSSO, K to last three stiches, K2 Tog, K1 Row4: K all stitches Repeat Rows 3 & 4 until 7 stitches remain on needle. BO these stitches Rejoin yarn, and repeat this process in reverse for the opposite side stitches that were on the holder.

SEWING:

Lay your knitted fabric on top of two layers of regular fabric. Cut out 2 hearts adding 3/4" to the edge.

Sew the heart, right sides together, leaving an opening on one side for stuffing.

You should now have a pillow. Stuff it to your liking and then sew up the edge.

Now, lay your knitted pillow on top of your fabric pillow and sew them together at the edge.

Once done, your pillow should look like this from the back:

Enjoy!

PS.  The "Be Mine!" in the pillow was added afterwords via text on an image.  If you like it, you could add it via hand or machine embroidery.

Gum Drop Hat

gum drop hat, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

Knitting Finished

finished, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

I finally finished the Cobblestone pullover. It knitted up easily; however, I need more help with the "short rows" in the front, specifically on the "purlwise" short rows. I guess I should have done a search BEFORE I completed the outfit. I found good tutorials with pictures here and here.

You know it's a good sweater when...

it has been worn by three of your children...


















and it still looks great!

Yankee Knitter Roll Raglan sweater pattern #21. Yarn by Plymouth Encore worsted weight yarn. Made by me 5 years ago! Worn by all three of my boys at one point or another.

Progress on Cobblestone

Progress, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

I have made it up 3/4 way the body of the sweater. It is very easy to knit and I am impressed with the yarn. It is a great color. The Patons (which is very economical yarn) seems to be holding up great!

New Knitting Project

I have been wanting to start a new knitting project for some time. Since the boys are getting so big, I have resisted knitting them sweaters due to the time and effort invovled in knitting something large. However, a pattern in the Fall Issue of Interweave Knits Magazine caught my eye. It is a basic men's sweater pattern, knit in the round from the bottom up. While surfing the internet I found another gal who had made the same sweater with rave reviews. So, I decided to try it.



CobbleStone Pullover by Jared Flood

cobble, originally uploaded by poketypatch.

FloodShd[1], originally uploaded by poketypatch.

Those are the photos from the magazine, although I think this sweater will look just as cute on my boy!

I am using Patons Classsic Merino Wool Yarn in Paprika.

Size 7 Needles Circular - Denise Needles

CrocSocks

I finished this pair of socks to be sent away as a gift for my son who is away at boarding school. They were meant to be done for his birthday in September. I am only a few months late! Not to worry, they will be a wonderful Christmas gift.

I used Jawoll Sock Yarn purchased at Cloverhill Yarn Shop in Catonsville, Maryland. It is a nice little yarn shop off the beaten track, in a suburb of Baltimore. Be sure to mapquest directions before you go so that you don't get lost! The staff is really friendly; and, as an added benefit there is a quilting store next door, the Seminole Sampler. (Check out their website's free patterns !) You know it is a good day when you can do yarn and material in one trip!

I am particularly fond of JAWOLL Cotton Jacquard by Lang. It knits up great on size 2 needles. This is imperative for me, as I just can't go any smaller in needle size due to muscle strain in my hands. Also, as an added treat, there is a little thimble of reinforcing yarn tucked away within each skein! If you use the reinforcing thread on heels and toes, it makes your socks extra-strong but not too bulky. And, it matches your yarn perfectly!

This is my very own sock pattern. I am going to have it available for free in PDF format very soon! I named them CrocSocks because I thought they would look great with the Brown Crocs that my son wears. He does not take them off his feet - ever. My 16 year old son has big feet - Size 12! I used two skeins completely to knit them to fit a men's foot. Now that the weather is finally getting colder, I hope they will keep his toes warm and look great at the same time!

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Mattie and this is a new blog for me. I decided to switch over from a knitting blog I had for some time, Nature Knits. During my hey day, I was an avid spinner and knitter. I dyed my own yarn, accumulated a huge stash of raw fiber and yarn, and blogged pretty regularly. However, about 1 1/2 years ago, I developed a bad case of repetitive stress injury in my hands and wrists. I compounded the problem with tennis stress and too much computer at work. There came a time when I just had to stop. So, I quit knitting for about a year (I did sneak out some socks though). I still love tennis but, as my doctor advised, I "stick with players my own level". That eliminated my 13 year old son who hit the balls too hard to me in the first place! My hands and wrists are better, but I have learned to STOP when the pain starts and I follow some of the suggestions in an older Knitty article by Bonnie Marie Burns.

One thing that has really spurred on my interest is the crafty revolution. I love to look at all the blogs and follow the tutorials. I have also found that doing different things (like knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc...) does not stress out my muscles as much. So, here I am. Poking along. Trying new things.