Friday, March 13, 2015

Two by Fours

I started some new socks in late January, and just finished them last weekend. But I haven't gotten around to writing anything about them until today.

I knit these on size 2.25 (US 1) dpns. I go back and forth between using dpns and a long circular needle for magic loop sock knitting. Right now, I'm in a distinctly double-pointed mood. Sadly, I seem to have lost one of my favorite green Signature Needle Arts size 1s, so I may have to go back. I'm sure it will show up somewhere. I imagine it's lurking in a cushion or pillow, waiting to impale me at some opportune moment. I just discovered that you can replace these singly if necessary. I think I'll put that off since I still have the bare minimum of four, but it's nice to know it's possible to get single needle replacements. I love these sharp pointy things so much.

I didn't really follow a pattern, but used my standard personal sock recipe. I did a German twisted cast-on of 72 stitches and knit in a K4, P2 pattern to the heel. I executed an eye-of-partridge heel across half the stitches until I had 18 slipped stitches on each side of the heel. I actually ended up picking up 20 on the edges after turning the heel on the first sock, so I made sure I did the same on the second. Then it was just reducing the gusset back to a circumference of 72 stitches and knitting on down, with the 2x4 pattern continuing across the instep and stockinette across the sole. The toe was pretty standard, ending with 8 stitches left to be grafted.

The yarn was Trekking XXL, which I've used before. It's nigh on indestructible. And I can get nice man-sized socks out of one ball. I could have even made them a bit longer. I had close to 7 grams left over from100 when finished. This yarn was a gift from someone in Jeff's dance class! She used to have a yarn shop, and had some yarn to give away, so Jeff brought this home for me. How nice is that? Thank you, Karen! I'm really going to enjoy these.

Spring has finally sprung around here. My college is on Spring Break this week, and some of my time-off plans involve a yarn shop not far from my hometown. More on that soon, I hope.

4 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I just purchased Size 2 US needles, and some sock-sized yarn. I picked a blue and want a red, heart shaped heel, so I got a bold red too. I have knitted socks before, and they've all turned out great, so I can't wait to see how these'll go. (: Thanks for adding your CO in there, too! I only have experience on US8 needles, so it's good to see a number to help figure out the CO! (:

    I'm so excited for the beautiful, sunny weather that seems to be going on! It'll be so nice to sit in the sun and knit! ^.^

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  2. You can't go wrong with Trekking XXL. And I love the well-framed photo of sock and dog!

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  3. I'm totally old school DPNs. Love Pona/Kate photo bombing your sock picture!

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  4. I love my DPNs, but always wood of some sort - rosewood is my favorite. And I am jealous that you get Spring Break off - our students are off this week, but we are not!

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