Regia Multi Effekt 5375 Socks
New Socks for Yours Truly
It's that time of the year again... when the fall leaves are almost gone and a keyboard biologist's thoughts turn to warm snuggly socks. I got on a rampage with the second sock of this pair. I started Friday morning on my way to visit my masters thesis advisor and finished by mid-Sunday afternoon. Self-patterning sock yarn just keeps my fingers moving! Today I got to wear two of my knitted creations to work. My new vest and socks!
I like the MultiEffekt. I am not sure it falls into the "masculine" category that KnitPicks claims (my hubster would have nothing to do with this yarn no matter how many times I told him it was masculine). I've got another pair of skeins in a blue/green/orange colorway that will probably see the needles in the not too distant future. I have a feeling that this winter I will accumulate quite a collection of handknit socks.
Happy Feet in My Knittng Room
I've gotten so that I can't walk out the door without knowing I've got a sock project stuck in my bag. They're portable, and I don't have to think too hard about them. No sooner did I finish up the socks for John and I this weekend than I cast on new pairs for both of us. John's next pair is in olive green Mission Falls 1824 wool, my next pair is going to be some Opal Croc Socks (colorway 10). John's next pair is a radical departure for me: socks on double pointed needles! So far I seem to be doing much better on 4 DPs rather than 3. Of course, it could also be that I am just more comfortable with DPs now.
Since John's new socks are going to be solid, I decided to dress them up with a little simple cabling. If I like the result, I'll share the pattern.
Ever since Michelle pointed it out on her blog, I've been casting on my socks with the Twisted German Cast-On. If you're a tight knitter like me, this helps loosen up the cuffs so that you can actually get a foot into your sock. I like it a lot, but I always have to look at the pictures to get started.
With the exception of John's current pair of socks, I also do all my socks on 2 circs. If you want an excellent free introduction to this technique, you should definitely check out the CyberSocks Class by Sheron Goldin hosted by SockKnitters. It's focus is doing two socks at the same time, but it's pretty easy to figure out how to do one sock at a time from the instructions as well. I do my socks one at a time because it's too clunky for me to be carrying around two skeins of yarn or to knit from both ends of a skein. This excellent web class covers everything from casting on to Kitchenering the toes.
What's coming next from the sweater bin... well, that Holographic Sweater is calling my name...
P.S. To everyone who left me a nice comment yesterday -- thankyouthankyouthankyou! Nothing could make for a better day than to be wearing a new vest and to be reading such nice words in my inbox!
Theresa: I tried to do 2 socks at the same time on circ needles but, like you, I found that the volume was too much. I was also annoyed when I got the 2 balls of yarn all twisted. (I am sure there must be a trick to that, but I learned on my own.) I still avoid the 1-sock syndrome by doing 2 socks at the same time but on 2 pairs of needles - I bought a second pair of needles by mistake. I just alternate the 2 sets: cuff on one then the other; leg on one then the other; etc. That way I don't forget what was done on the first sock and finish 2 socks almost at the same time. Your Culdesac was fantabulous. I had the Lavold yarn for it. I almost knit along with you but you knit too fast! Now, I can learn from your experience. Thank you, thank you.
i always go with four (or actually set of five) double pointeds. makes a better circle, less stitches on each needle, i don't know, but no way i can be convinced to do only 3. of course you have to be careful when you buy them then that they come with the # you want! :)