Sock Knitting
After 8+ years of knitting, I am finally working on my first pair of socks. It was about time, right? Being a devoted garment knitter, I was so into the sweater construction, that casting on something different didn't really occur to me. But if you are a part of this wonderful online knitting community, you are destined to see all these amazing socks popping out on the blogs, Instagram and Ravelry. I am still awed with these beauties by Tahnee from Woollen Wilderness - Rainbow and Evening Stockings - this girl is a queen of sock knitting for me!And just like that my Pom Pom socklets started to grow on the needles. There are so many firsts for me in this project - first project on DPNs (I use magic loop for everything in my knitting), first heel, first gusset... The most intriguing part is the construction, as I have no idea where I am going and where the instructions will get me. It is like reading a new exciting book with an unpredictable end.But as always in very first projects that are some hidden pitfalls. First of all, I am a very loose knitter and if the yarn label recommends 5 mm needles, I go to 3.5 mm to get the gauge. And it is not a big problem in sweater knitting, as the needle size range is enough for me to go down with the needle size, but socks are already knit on 2.75 mm (US 2), the smallest size I can get down to is 2 mm (US 0) and I am still a little bit on the loose side. So, there is a big possibility that all the socks I knit will be slightly too big for me. Will see till FO.Another thing I was wondering about is the yardage. When it comes to sweaters I can estimate easily if the yardage is enough and with socks it is a guessing game. The initial idea was to knit the whole socklet in silver color and add the contrasting pom pom. But then in the middle of the project I started doubt if the yardage will be enough for both socks. So, I put them aside to figure what to do.
I had an idea to knit the heel in contrasting red color, I was inspired by all the amazing patchwork socks my Granny knits. So, ripping out and starting all over again with the new plan.Meanwhile my February KnitCrate sent an amazing sock yarn along with the pattern to cast on. I've never worked with the speckle yarn before and was too eager to cast on to see how the colors change. This is what great about learning new things - I start trying unfamiliar things! The problem with this project is that the pattern is written for teh magic loop and I don't have a decent 2 mm circular needle, so I have to "translate" the instructions to DPNs, well I always enjoy the challenge, so that's OK.
It feels nice to have an in-between small project on the needles to work on here and there whenever I have a free minute. Learning new things is definitely worth it - it is such a great boost for creativity! And though my love for sweater knitting is bigger than ever, I am always happy to "welcome" new projects.
Feeling a little sad that Yarn Along will be gone, I will miss seeing so many projects and books recommendations in one place. Thank you, Ginny, for hosting it for so many years - we had fun!!!
Have a great day!
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