Simple Socks

in

I made a pair of socks!

I'm not going to lie to you guys, I've been wearing them nonstop since I finished them. It feels so cool!

I took a class at Heartstrings and learned Judy's Magic Cast On, Magic Loop and Toe Up Socks. I picked a super simple pattern, Gusset Heel Basic Socks. I knew any fancy pattern would be lost in this crazy variegated yarn (Madelinetosh Sock in Mansfield's Garden Party) and I wanted to learn what makes a sock a sock! A lot of times when I'm knitting I'm flying blind, I just follow the pattern but don't really understand what makes it work or exactly what I'm doing. But now I get it! (at least with socks ;))

I can't say enough about this book, Socks From The Toe Up I feel like I've learned SO much and I seriously want to knit like, EVERY pair in the book.

I cast on and got gauge using size 1 needles and what I love about toe up is how easy it is to try the socks on as you go. I assumed since I have around a size 9.5 shoe I'd be a large but after trying it on, they were HUGE, it's the first time I've ever successfully frogged back, picked up the stitches and was able to continue. Normally I frog back to the beginning and start over. My first sock took FOREVER but my second second was much faster. The way the yarn pooled is completely different on each sock!

I treated myself to some hedgehog sock blockers, I'm totally in love with them, the wood is super smooth and heavy, plus the hedgehogs are hilariously adorable. I'm kind of tempted to get some cat ones too.

Last week I was stuck home with the flu...boo...but it meant lots of knitting time. I cast on for a pair of Valentine Socks with some Madelinetosh Sock yarn in...VALENTINE. I altered one of the charts in the book a little bit and then changed it up again. Each sock is COMPLETELY different because I decided a few repeats in to try something different. ;)

I'm excited about sock knitting and now I want to buy a zillion skeins of sock yarn!

February is coming up and I'm so excited. I'm going on a trip, taking an exciting class with Tracey and we are releasing some amazing new patterns! eek!