I feel like I branched out making these. First of all, they were pink. Very, very pink. Like Angela on The Office, one of my favorite colors is charcoal, so let's just say I was a wee bit out of my comfort zone. But I was knitting with Lorna's Laces, a sock yarn I ♥ to knit with, so that was some small comfort.
I also got to work on some laciness, which I haven't done much of. It definitely requires concentration. The front lattice pattern was a 2-row pattern, and the sides were a 10-row pattern. But for both of these socks, I didn't get the patterns to ever start on the same row. Both patterns had all knit stitches for the even-numbered rows, but they didn't line up. At first this I hated this, but it dawned on me that it was a great way to help figure out what row I was on, so I learned to ♥ the alternation.
I also ♥ the toe-up construction that doesn't look toe-up. It was a very interesting and easy heel that I might try again the next time I do a toe-up pattern. I think it looks better than my attempts at double-wrapped short row heels. I did use Cat Bordhi's method of hiding the stitch wraps, which I ♥ more than Charlene Schurch's method.
In the meantime I need to wash them and figure out how to get them blocked to women's size eight feet. I'm thinking of trying something with a coat hanger.
I heart your post, but do not know how to get the cute little heart symbol to display!
ReplyDeleteI have some plastic sock blockers and they work great. I've never tried the coat hanger, but it seems like it would be kinda hard. Here's another site with a template for one that you cut out: http://littlesesameknits.blogspot.com/2007/04/super-easy-diy-sock-blockers-tutorial.html
Auction pricing is TRICKY. I would say... minimum $30, but also do some marketing for them. If it is for a silent auction, make a little promo piece to sit next to them about how many hours, the one-of-a-kind hearts, the hand-dye job, you can't buy these in stores, etc, etc. If it's for a live auction, write something up for the auctioneer to use. Be shameless! What says "I love you" more than handknit socks? Well, knitting the socks for your own sweetie says it best, but buying handknit socks at a charity event is next on the list! Bid early, bid often.
Gorgeous socks! Congrats on going outside your comfort zone to knit them!
ReplyDeleteAs far as pricing them - definitely charge more than just the yarn. I like the idea of writing up something about them. But I think you price depends on the area you live, and what you think people would pay (if you live in a rural area where they would never pay $50 for socks, etc). Sorry I can't be more helpful - but they are pretty!
I think Janelle's advice is great. Put a little promo piece out explaining the love that went into the socks and start at $30-35.
ReplyDeleteThey look great and I'm going to try out that homemade sock blocker tutorial. I'm knitting some lace socks that will definitely benefit from a good blocking.