Socks, Socks, Socks…

The last few weeks, I’ve had nothing but socks on my brain. With the Sockcal2018/sockalong2018 running throughout October, it was the perfect opportunity for me to try and grasp sock construction. I’ve also used this month to get my head around knitting in general a little better, seeing as one of my new year’s resolutions this year was to improve my knitting. Anyway, here’s a really quick blog post to show you what I’ve been up to…

As I’ve mentioned in an earlier blog post, and on my Instagram, I tried to fly the flag for crochet and make crochet socks… but I failed. I don’t think I was in the right frame of mind, used the best pattern for my troll feet or chose the right yarn for what is most likely going to be yet another pair of sacrificial crochet socks… That is until I get to grips with the construction of crochet socks. I think crochet socks will have to wait until next year. I have a suspicion that the reason I am finding it so difficult  to make a crochet sock that fits – is because I haven’t quite got the full understanding of sock anatomy yet. I’m hoping that once I’ve knit a few, I will understand the construction better.

I have however finished a pair of socks for Katie using a Backyard Fibreworks MCN yarn in the colour way Trading Post that Claudia kindly gifted to me at Valentines. I used a short row heel for these socks as this is the heel I used for my first knitted socks I made last year. This yarn is delicious. It is so soft! And Katie says it’s 100% toastie.

I have now started making Katie a pair of Christmas socks in West Yorkshire Spinners ‘Holly Berry’ using Winwick Mum’s Simple sock pattern yet. I wanted to learn how to do a heel flap and gusset even though it terrifies me. But with Christine’s easy step by step instructions, I’ve managed it! Now I just need to carry on with the foot and toes…

I do have a few sock WIPs lined up for the future though, and I am trying to learn something new (and a little more advanced) on each of them.

When I have finished Katie’s Christmas socks with the heel flap, I want to make myself some Christmas socks with contrasting heels, cuffs and toes… therefore learning how to change colour when knitting.

Then I would like to make the Vanilla Latte socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes learning to put a bit of a pattern into the sock.

Eventually, I’d like to make Fay’s Mini Mania socks, and then attempt to learn some simple colour work, I’d also like to learn how to make a few different types of heel to see which one I prefer. Although the short row is an easy heel to knit, I feel as though I do not execute it well, and even though there are no holes, it is a bit to gappy (is this even a real word?) for my liking. Although my recent socks are a lot less holey and baggy as my first pair of socks which I made last year.

Eventually, I would like to start knitting shawls and I feel that by learning these skills in socks I will build myself up to shawls. I still have no desire to knit garments or to learn cables… but a few years ago I had no desire to knit anything – so who knows! Crochet will always be my first love – but I am enjoying learning new skills and techniques.

At the moment, sock knitting is absolutely addictive! I am really enjoying the speed, and size of the project, and how transferable they are. I love that I can do a few rows on my lunch break, and each small sit-in amounts very quickly to a sock.

If you know any beginner sock patterns that you think I would enjoy please share in the comments or Instagram or even find me on Ravelry – lovecharlieblog 🙂

Love Charlie, Xx