Friday, May 20, 2011

Happy Feet and then not so happy ..

As mentioned in the previous post - I finished two out of the four pairs of socks that were in different stages of knitting.
The first pair - are "Plain Vanilla Socks" - originally I used size 2.5 circular needles so that I could try making them on one circular needles and see how I liked them and how quick they were compared to dpn's (double pointed needles) which happen to be my favorite.  I don't know what it is but I love dpn's.
As I finished the socks on the circular - my gauge was off  - sock was huge - casted on 64 stitches and knitting in plain stockinette stitch - created a wide - fabric
It took me a year but I finally ripped the whole thing out as I really love the yarn.  I picked up my 2.25 dpn and casted on 64 stitches, ended up decreases down the foot to 60 stitches which was a much better fit for me.  I tend to think I have fat feet - maybe I really do not.  I do have a size 8 foot though  - but I like a snug sock.
So without further ado:

Plain Vanilla Socks - using Regia - Kaffe Fassett - design line

Here you can see the heel - I picked up two extra stitches to prevent holes and it worked - I really like how there are no holes in the side - great technique - these are pre-blocking.
I have since blocked these and they are so cushy - really love this yarn.














Next up are the socks I made with yarn I won in a give away - it was hand dyed and 100% wool - not washable and no nylon but I wanted to make the infamous "Monkey" socks - this journey started like 2 or more years ago - but I picked them up and finished them

I made sure I worked on these with attention - came out perfect - but as I did soak them in the Eucalan wash and let them air dry - I did throw these two pairs in the dryer to fluff and finish drying - Big Mistake!!! These Monkeys felted - I was so upset with myself - I usually knit socks that can be washed - with sock yarn - but I thought I would remember these would felt - guess what - I didn't remember - I was so annoyed - so now these will fit someone with a size 6 or 6.5 shoe size - ugh
I guess I will have to make more Monkeys.....
till then.
have a sweet , wonderful weekend and enjoy the time with your family and friends.  Time is so precious!
Enjoy every moment.

5 comments:

Lana said...

Love the colors in both these pairs! Sorry your monkey socks felted! Guess now yah gotta make more!

Vanessa said...

Thanks Lana :)

I appreciate your comment - and yes I plan to make more monkeys in washable yarn this time - ha
lesson learned.

Sandra said...

Wonderful finishes! Both are, but my favorite are the monkeys. Wish i could knit a pair some day lol

Dpns are great, I love them too. I've only finished hats and mitts with them but right now I'm working on two pairs of socks, one with #5 dpns, the other one with #3. It's a slow progress but I'm liking the results so far.

Crochet with Raymond said...

love them both!!! I found that regia seems to be a bit thicker than other sock yarns, so the result is a bigger sock, I'm knitting my secind regia pair right now a bit tighter, they are so warm, it's my fave sock yarn ever! Your colours are gorgeous, I love the reds and browns.
And the monkeys, wow, how clever are you! I haven't go tthe guts to try patterned ones YET, but your monkeys are inspiring me greatly! I'm sorry to hear they felted, what a pain! You need to buy yourself some more lovely sock yarn to make up for it!
Have a lovely week,
love Alice XXXXX

Vanessa said...

I really appreciate the tip Alice re: regia yarns. Should have known to do a gauge swatch :(