Vegan Sock KAL

Soybean Sock - FO

2010-03-04T12:21:00.001-08:00

I finished my Soybean Socks for Ravelympics - Sunday night - I love them - soft and comfy and a great fit!

Soybean Extravaganza!

2010-01-21T12:10:00.001-08:00

Doh, I've been bad about posting here! Another round of the Vegan Sock KAL is in full swing and I've already finished one pair of Soybean Socks using the Provence colorway of Panda Soy:

And I've got another pair in progress using the Blueberries Grapes colorway of Panda Cotton:

-Kala

CO: a.m. socks

2010-01-10T05:05:00.001-08:00

hey kids, just to let you all know i'm throwing my hat in the ring for the new vegan sock KAL:

halfway down the first of my a.m. socks by christabel seneque (ravelry link) in crystal palace maizy (colourway: birch bark). get on it - you know you want to!

FO: Stripy Soy Socks

2009-12-25T20:26:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Basic Toe-up Ribbed Socks (personal)

Yarn: Knit 1 Crochet 2 Wick (yes, I had a little bit more in my stash)

Needles: Size 4 Knitpicks Options - used one long one for magic loop

Notes: I made these recently for my friend Michelle, to keep her toes warm up in Vancouver, BC. They're a Women's size 8.5, and I used one ball of the green/blue, and about 3/4 of a ball of the solid blue. Notice how despite careful planning, the striping is different at the beginning of the feet, even though it ends up matching perfectly.

K1C2 Wick - Review and FOs

2009-11-19T11:24:00.001-08:00

I recently completed two pairs of socks using Knit One Crochet Two's Wick, a worsted weight yarn made of 53% soy and 47% polypropylene, which supposedly creates a fabric that wicks, pulling the moisture away from your body as you sweat. I picked up a couple of balls a few years ago on sale, but just got around to using them this summer.

I used the same pattern for both pairs, Red Dwarf, one in a solid blue, and one in the "Beach" colorway of orange and blue. This sock pattern was written for Wick and features two marine-inspired stitch patterns, fish scale on the instep, and fish tail on the back of the leg.

The blue was made for my husband, who wears a size 10.5 shoe. I used 2.5 balls to create a sock with a leg of about 5 inches. He says they fit him perfectly and are very comfortable.

The orange/blue was made for me, and I wear a size 9.5 shoe. I used two balls exactly to create an ankle-length sock.

This yarn requires a very smooth needle due to the polyproplyene content. I used a size 4 Knit Picks Options 24" circular for the magic loop technique. The nickle needles worked very well with the yarn. It also requires slower and careful knitting to prevent puffs and pull-outs. The construction of this yarn involves a puffy synthetic core with very thin but strong threads wrapped around it. This means that unfortunately it's pretty easy to catch some of the puffy part with your needle and pull it out. When this happens, you can't work it back into the yarn.

This yarn is thicker than typical sock yarn, but a size 4 needle created a nice fabric with it. The socks are nice and stretchy, and quite comfortable. I have a couple more balls I'm using to make another pair but after this, I'm not sure if I'm going to make any more due for me to the snagging issues. My husband really seems to like them, though, so I might make another pair for him.

cheery autumn socks

2009-11-19T00:34:00.000-08:00

i finished these yesterday and wrote about them on my blog but thought i'd update this one a bit by posting on here too. these are knit from panda cotton in red cinnamon. i knit two-at-a-time (knitpicks tute), so broke into 2 balls from the start, but as i like my socks short, i think i have enough for another pair (maybe these?):

inspired by some anastasia socks i knitted for a friend a while back, i knew i wanted a spiral pattern but didn't fancy the yarn-overs. so, i just cast on a toe (judy's magic cast-on) and started knitting spirals of purl stitches at various intervals.

after the heel turn, i wasn't sure how to continue the interval spacing, so just distributed the purl clusters randomly through the round and knit on. this resulted in pretty much undistinguishable spacings, so i'll have to console myself with knowing they're different - even if they don't look it.

Crystal Palace Yarns - Bamboozle review and FOs

2009-10-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Crystal Palace Yarns generously donated a few skeins of Bamboozle yarn for me to test earlier this year. I'm slightly embarassed that it took me this long to make them, but I recently finished two pairs of socks with this yarn. (Second pair featured in next post.)

Bamboozle is made from 55% bamboo, 24% cotton, and 21% elastic nylon. It's fairly stretchy but not as stretchy as Cascade Fixation. This makes it much easier to work with than Fixation. The percentage of bamboo to cotton make for an extremely soft yarn, both on your hands, and on your feet! At an Aran (10 ply) weight, with 90 yds per 50 gm ball, Bamboozle is clearly much thicker than your average sock yarn. However, for the purposes of socks, it's possible to use a much smaller needle than the suggested 8-10 (US) and create a firm, soft, fabric good for cozy winter or boot socks.

Initially I had planned to make a single pair of socks using both colors but when the colors that arrived were slightly different than the ones I thought I was getting, I decided to use them separately and make a pair of cozy house socks for both me and my mother. I was also curious to see how much sock could be made from a single pair of skeins, especially given our larger shoe sizes (9.5 and 11). Based on other people's projects on Ravelry, I chose to use a size 4 US needle. I used a Knit Picks nickle Options with a 24" cable for Magic Loop. Both socks were knit toe-up for maximum trying-on-as-I-went with different stitch patterns.

This pair is made with the colorway Herb Garden, using a basketweave stitch pattern on the foot and leg, followed by a 1x1 ribbing for the last 7 or so rows. I used Judy's Magic Cast On for the toe, and a simple short-row heel. I cast off with a K2tog TBL to make the edge stretchy and easy to get on and off. As you can see, they reached ankle-length on my size 9.5 feet, and would be longer if you have smaller feet. I can see that with three balls, they would reach the length I normally knit the legs of my socks.

Overall, I am very happy with these socks. I wore them the other chilly day in the house and they were very cozy. Then I kept them on to meet up with my local knitting group and they were very comfy and not at all sweaty in my shoes. My only frustration was how splitty this yarn can be, since it is composed of many strands of yarn, all of which are 2-ply themselves. Once one of the individual plies was pulled up by mistake, it was nearly impossible to get it to lie flat within the yarn again. This makes me a little wary of wearing them on any wood floors that might have little splinters. However, once the yarn is knit up, it is very firm and not at all fuzzy. I look forward to making several similar pairs for myself for this upcoming cold winter.

Thank you so much, Dr. Laura at Crystal Palace Yarns!

Stained Glass Socks

2009-09-10T11:28:00.001-07:00

Hey, I actually finished something! These are just a basic pair of my standard 56 stitch plain vanilla socks - great mindless knitting and comfy to wear. I used two skeins of Crystal Palace's Panda Soy in the Stained Glass colorway and I love the color, very pretty!

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FO: elfine's socks

2009-08-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

i got really excited about this FO so asked kala to let me join the vegan sock KAL to share it... i've already blogged about it myself, but i'm Seriously Stoked:

they're elfine's socks by anna bell, knitted with CPY panda soy in green fields colourway with small mods to the stitch count and cuff. and i love them so...

Diagonal Rib Socks

2009-07-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry that I neglected to post about my Diagonal Rib Socks......they were quite the 'orphan' project as I kept putting them aside to do other things...

...the pattern is available for free from Knitting Daily - and it's not that I didn't love the pattern - it was well written and quite easily memorized - it's just that I joined the Leyburn Sock KAL - so that had to be finished first - then I had to finish Bridget's afghan before school started back...

Anywhooo - they're finished and I do love them - I used Bernat's Cool Crochet - in 74040 Ebony - they'll be nice trouser socks for this winter...

Berroco Sock Star Contest

2009-07-11T16:35:00.000-07:00

This might be old new to some of you but I just heard about it today so I thought I'd share. Berroco is having a cool design contest and one of the yarns you can use is Comfort Sock! Visit the site for complete details and rules, but basically you design and either knit or crochet something from the yarns listed and send it in for judging. The top 8 will win $250 and have their design published in a future Berroco booklet. So get your brains going and get crafting, the deadline is August 31st!

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New colors of Berroco Comfort Sock

2009-06-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Have you all seen the new colors of Berroco Comfort Sock? There are some really pretty colors, much brighter than the first offerings, I couldn't resist getting a skein in Cosmopolitan when I saw them at my lys.

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Project Bag Contest!

2009-03-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

I'm having a giveaway on my blog for a knitting project bag so I thought I'd post about it here too. Here's what you could win:

It's one of the newer bags I have up in my etsy shop, it's the Sticks N Skulls Project Bag and it's the perfect size to hold a sock in progress. To enter, all you have to do is a leave a comment on the contest post on my blog telling me your favorite cookie!

Leyburn FO

2009-03-09T10:26:00.001-07:00

I finished the Leyburn socks at camp this weekend.

I'm really happy with these socks - they are fancy and soft and warm and bamboo and neutral and a lot of things that I love...

And I only had a tiny little bit of yarn left - I love it when that happens...

Leyburn Sock Progress

2009-03-06T07:55:00.001-08:00

I know it's been a while since I updated you on the Sock progress. I hope to finish this weekend while I'm at a retreat with the Confirmands - I should have ample knitting time there with no distractions. I have a big bag of books I'm taking to read too...

So one sock is finished and the other begun...

First Leyburn sock finished

2009-02-19T23:15:00.000-08:00

Tonight I finished the first of my pair. I'm using Panda Cotton in the Muir Woods colorway. I love these socks. They fit so well! I did do a bunch of modification to the sizing, though, including increases in the sole, and going down a needle size partway up the leg.

Getting started on the Leyburns

2009-02-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

I really like this new Bamboo yarn - it's very soft and silky - this is the first time that I've used it. I'm using two strands held together.

...so I've started the Leyburn...

I'm just up to the heel...

I like the pattern - it was quite easy to memorize.

Leyburn KAL

2009-02-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

It has been decided! The KAL has begun and will run through March 7. The choice was made on the Ravelry board to knit the Leyburn Socks pattern by MintyFresh - it's a free pattern available as a download on Ravelry. Here's a copy of the details and rules that were posted on the discussion board:

Rules and whatnot

KAL begins Tuesday January 27th and ends on Saturday, March 7th.

You don’t have to be vegan to join in but you must use vegan yarn.

Post to this thread and let me know if you’re in.

Please post progress pics and finished object pics to this thread. It would also be nice if you would post fo pics to the blog.

To be entered for the prizes, you must complete a pair of socks.

Prizes will be announced as soon as I figure them out :)

Can't wait to see your socks!

New KAL

2009-01-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hola all! There is discussion on the Ravelry group about doing another KAL, like the Spring Forward KAL a while back. Please visit the thread if you're interested, thanks!

-Kala

Dottie Sweetie Pies

2009-01-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

I finally finished a pair of socks for myself after quite a few in a row for my husband (although I do loving knitting socks for him because he wears them a lot and loves them):

I used my Sweetie Pie pattern and some Panda Cotton in the dotty lolipops colorway, very girlie and fun!

Diamond waffle Socks - Panda Soy

2008-12-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

Pattern: Diamond Waffle Socks - Knitty Fall 2007
Yarn: Panda Soy Solid in Twig Brown
Needles: Addi Turbo US 1.5 circulars
Size: M (my husband wears US 10 1/2 shoes)
Modifications: None!
Notes: Each of these socks used 1 skein of yarn and I had about 4 yards leftover from each, just enough to save in case they need darning in the future. I am so happy about getting the pair out of 2 balls instead of having to buy a 3rd skein like I thought I would. They fit my husband perfectly and they are just lovely.

Thanks to Crystal Palace yarns for offering the yarn as a prize in the Ravelry Vegan Sock group summer KAL.

Boy Scout Socks

2008-12-12T09:37:00.001-08:00

Amidst all the Holiday Hoopla - I did manage to complete the Boy Scout Socks - I wore them all day yesterday and the princess sole is very comfortable - I may be doing that from now on...

They're made with 2 strands of Aunt Lydias Fashion Crochet thread in size 3 colour Sage and Scarlet.

Christmas Socks

2008-12-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

Ugh, I've been so bad about posting here! But I've definately been sock knitting, here are three pairs that are going away as gifts:

Blueberry Waffles in Comfort Sock:

Basic socks in Panda Cotton, Sable colorway:

Another pair of basics in Panda Cotton, Fern colorway:

Pie and Waffles

2008-11-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, maybe not real pie and waffles but the socks I've been working on both have foodie names and I thought that was kind of funny. First off, the Sweetie Pie Socks which were just published on the Sockathon Yahoo Group:

The pattern is free but you have to be a member of the Yahoo group to access it, it's free to join so check it out! I used 2 skeins of Panda Cotton in Red Lacquer and US size 1.5 (2.5mm) needles.

The other socks I've been working on are a pair of Blueberry Waffle socks by Sandy Turner:

I'm using Berroco's Comfort DK in a gorgeous purple and it's my first time knitting socks on such thick yarn with big needles (US size 5). I'm done with the first one and I love it, so soft and squishy! But these are going to be for my mom for Christmas so I can't get too attached to them!

4 Pairs of Socks in 5 Days

2008-10-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

I've been in a bit of a knitting frenzy. It all started from 2 innocent skeins of Novita santorini yarn
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Yeah.. First I knitted the pink-ish socks for myself, but then I felt the need to buy the two other colours that yarn comes in too, and knit my mom socks as well. For some reason her socks never last long (might it be because her feet are like sand paper..you didn't hear it from me!). Novita Santorini yarn is 100% acrylic and I knitted the socks with 3,5mm needles.
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I think I might be a little bit on the fast side when it comes to knitting. I casted on for the blue socks in a buss on the way to my mom's. And on the pic above is the progress in 2½hours of time. Not bad!
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My mom isn't the only one I knitted socks for. My niece wanted a pair of black and white socks, and I just happened to find two skeins of un-labelled acrylic yarn in a flea market. Talk about a lucky coinsidence. These are knitted with 3mm needles.

Spring Fancy Socks

2008-10-15T22:21:00.001-07:00

Pattern: Gentleman's Fancy Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Panda Cotton Print in "Tulips"
Needles: Addi Turbos 1 1/2 two circulars
Mods: heavily modified: Magic Cast On toe-up, smaller circumference, short row toe, no stitch count changes on calf
Notes: I love this yarn. It's very soft and yet durable. It has a good amount of stretch while still being nice and cottony. I was disappointed by the big difference in color pooling between the two socks but they are still pretty.

California Dreamin' Clog Socks

2008-10-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

I adore the combination of pink and orange so I had to have this Red Cinnamon Panda Cotton as soon as I saw it!

The pattern is free online and I used under 2 balls of yarn on 2.5mm needles for size US7.5 socks. I could have done 5 repeats on the leg easily rather than the 4 I ended up doing but I wasn't sure if I would have enough yardage.

I adore these socks, the pattern was so easy and fun to work on and I am really enjoying knitting my way through my Panda Cotton stash!

Anna
blog

Fools Rush Socks

2008-10-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

These socks have been on the needles forever, I knit the first one really fast and then just never got around to knitting the second even though they were easy and fun to knit. I finally got around to finishing the pair and here they are!

The yarn is the Maizy that I won from the yarn review competition on here and the colourway is Hibiscus. I could have done a longer cuff if I had longer legs as there was plenty of yarn leftover (I have a US 7.5 foot). The pattern is free online.

This is a closer view of the pattern.

I'm really happy with the way these came out and it's nice to have them finished rather than one sitting around in the knitting basket waiting for it's mate!

Anna
blog

Spring Forward - FO

2008-09-16T12:41:00.001-07:00

I never posted a completed picture of the Spring Forward socks for the KAL...

I love them...

Hibiscus for Hope

2008-09-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

I had to wait to publish these pictures until the new pattern for Knitters for Knockers was up - but then I sat on them for a while after that. The pattern is called 'Hibiscus for Hope' -http://campanulaforthecure.blogspot.com/ - and I was a test knitter for the pattern back in June so I got to see it early.

I worked on these while we were at the lake and I had packed several different sized needles and my yarn as Mezzodiva was going to email the pattern.

The pattern was written for two circular needles and I had only brought dpns so I had to do a little adapting.

but it worked out just fine.

I love them!

Trail Mix Socks

2008-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

My first published pattern with Crystal Palace Yarns! I've been dying to share these socks for a long time and the pattern is finally up and ready to go. The socks are called Trail Mix Socks and they are knit from 2 skeins of Maizy. I used the Earth colorway. The socks are sized for men but also work for women with larger feet like me (I wear a US size 10 shoe).

Ravelry Link

Spring Forward Finished

2008-08-21T12:20:00.001-07:00

And now, the second one:

Spring Forward

2008-08-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

I've got one finished so far:

I'm using Bernat Sox in Wooded Denim, it's an acrylic/nylon mix. Although I did read a bad review, I think it's just fine. It's soft (not Panda Cotton soft, but still soft), sturdy, nice colours. Admittedly it's not that elastic, but I think it's okay for me. I haven't washed it yet, but from trying it on as is, it's great.

I also love the Spring Forward pattern. I'm using 2.75mm needles and changed the ribbing a bit.

Spring Forward - Socks on the Road

2008-08-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

I finished my first Spring Forward sock somewhere on Interstate 24 in Tennesee - I'm pretty happy with it. The yarn is a hand plied 100% cotton and it's a little snug going on over the heel - that won't keep me from making another one just like it 'though.

I really like the pattern - it's easy enough to knit in the car - I get car-sick easily and I need simple patterns that I don't have to look at very much - this one was perfect.

Spring Forward Socks - Panda Cotton

2008-08-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my Panda Cotton Spring Forward's. It's the "rosebud" colorway. I used 2 1/4 skeins since I did three repeats for the leg and I have big feet. In the photo you can see that one toe is longer than the other one. I made the first sock a little short in the toe so last night I went back and made it longer. I don't feel like taking another picture though.

These were super fun to make. The yarn is soft and pretty, the pattern is easy while looking complex, and it was fun to do some heel flaps as a change from my usual short-row heels.

Spring Forward FO

2008-08-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

I finished my Spring Forwards! In a variation from the pattern I knit the first one toe up then, once I knew how long I could make the cuff, I knit the second one cuff down. This has the added feature of meaning that the socks are a mirror image of each other. I ended up with 4 pattern repeats on the foot and 2 on the cuff, with 20 rows of ribbing. I love the softness of the panda cotton, and the colourway makes me think of purple tigers.

Now these are finished I will go back to the Broadripples I am knitting in Cascade Fixation, which I'm using for the first time and which I'm not a big fan of. It's too lumpy and I find it hard to maintain a consistent tension.

Spring Forward Socks on Vacation

2008-08-04T17:30:00.003-07:00

My spring forward socks are relaxing in our hotel room...

They're very pretty and the pattern is super easy - you can memorize it after just a few rows.

Spring Forward Socks WIP shot

2008-07-24T22:44:00.001-07:00

I'm using Panda Cotton Print in "rosebud" a lovely mixture of white, light pink, and peach. I'm about to start the heel. I'm using size 1 1/2 US (2.5 mm) Addi Turbo circulars.

Mossinette Socks

2008-07-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hello again fellow sock knitters! Just a quick post to let you know about the socks in the picture above, they are the Mossinette Socks that I designed for Knit Pink, a new site that sells pattern pdfs and donates the profits to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. They are knit from 2 skeins of Crystal Palace's Panda Cotton in the Rosewater colorway on US size 1.5 (2.5mm) needles.

Here's the Ravelry Link.

Spring Forward KAL and Contest!

2008-07-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

It's contest time once again in the land of Vegan Socks! I was hoping to get this started at the first of this month, but I had a little vacation that I just got back from. Anywho, here are the details:

1. To enter, knit a pair (or just one) of Spring Forward socks by Linda Welch in any vegan sock yarn. For every sock you complete, you will recieve one entry into the contest. So if you finish a whole pair, you get 2 entries.

2. For your entry to count, please post pictures of your sock(s) to this blog and/or to the Ravelry group.

3. Prizes still aren't locked down yet, but the winner will recieve at least 2 skeins of vegan sock yarn. Other prizes will be announced later.

4. The deadline will be in about one month, August 15, 2008.

Also, please progress shots here on the blog, it's fun to see how everyone is doing!

-Kala

Bamboozled Anklets

2008-07-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't show you the pretty socks I knit while I was at the lake yet, it's the test pattern for the Knitters for Knockers - you can read more about it here http://campanulaforthecure.blogspot.com/ and here http://sockit-tome.blogspot.com/. It's a great (and very pretty) pattern and I hope everyone will donate and knit a pair. But remember the pretty hand dyed Bamboo yarn from Poppy Flower Fibers. The Man-Cub and I stretched it all out in the hotel hallway (that was a funny sight - I'm sure) so that I could divide it into two equal balls. I just made a really simple pair of toe up anklets using 60 stitches on size 2 needles. I started out with a pretty lace stitch that I found in one of my pattern books - but I pretty quickly decided against that and went back to just plain stockinette stitch as that seemed to show off the pretty hand dyed yarn the best.

I love them - they're soft and silky and just a little bit shiny.

Crystal Palace Contest

2008-06-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to make a quick entry about a contest going on the Crystal Palace Blog. The contest runs through July 31 and you can enter by knitting anything in three color ranges: A. May flowers - lilac/lavender or yellow B. June brides - white C. July fireworks - multi-colored. The prizes will be yarn or other goodies so be sure to check it out!

Simply Cinnamon

2008-06-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

Easy peasy stockinette, I love it! These little buggers took a whole month to make because I could only work on them in between wedding madness. I used my beloved and ever so awesome Panda Cotton in the Red Cinnamon colorway. I used the 7 stitches per inches plain sock pattern, more or less, from Getting Started Knitting Socks. I used US size 2 (2.75mm) bamboo dpns, my weapons of choice for sock knitting. Wow, I just started the last three sentences with "I used," I'm blaming the allergies for my brain fog!

Brown Socks

2008-05-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

There's that title again - they've actually been finished for a while - I've just not gotten around to photographing and publishing them.

I love them a lot - but they go with a pair of brown winter trousers - that I probably won't be wearing for a while.

I used Bernat's Cool Crochet in colour 74013 - Chocolat - I really like this yarn - I've used it several times now - it wears well and is soft and well 'cool'.

Rib and Cable Socks

2008-04-16T02:15:00.001-07:00

The pattern for these is by Nancy Bush and is in Interweave Knits Fall 2005. I used 2 balls of Panda Cotton in Seascape and 2.25mm needles. I did one less pattern repeat on the cuff than the pattern called for, had I done the extra repeat I would have run out of yarn so it was good guesswork deciding not to follow the pattern exactly!

I'm not sure why one sock is lighter than the other, I had knit the lighter yarn into another sock but ran out of yarn so perhaps it faded a bit in the process...

I'm really happy with the result, they are really comfortable (I'm wearing them today!) and medium weight so they should wear well!

Anna
finally waking up

Brown Socks

2008-04-09T06:17:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I just titled a post 'Brown Socks' - but I needed some brown socks...

I started these this past weekend while sitting around the pool watching the Man-Cub swim. I made good progress and I've just turned the heel. I'll finish the toe at Tae Kwon Do this week and hopefully start the second sock too.

This is Bernat's Cool Crochet in colour 74013 - Chocolat. The pattern is my old standby http://affectioknit.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-tkd-project-since-my-tkd-socks-are.html - and I think this is the first time I've ever made the pattern as written - I've always done 2 x 2 or 1 x 1 ribbing down to the ankle.

Laizy Maizy Socks

2008-04-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

I've been working on these socks and the pattern for a couple of weeks and it's all finally done! This is my first pair of self-designed socks and I'm really excited about them!

I made them with 2 skeins of Maizy in the Springtime colorway using US size 2 dpns. So if you're interested in some Laizy Maizies of your own, the pattern is on my blog. Here's the Ravelry Link too. Yay for vegan socks!

Cafe Curtains Socks

2008-02-23T01:21:00.001-08:00

I totally forgot to post these socks when I finished them a few weeks back! They are my first Panda Cotton socks and I used the pattern that can be found here (pdf link). The colourway is Strawberries and Limes.

I love the way these came out despite the pooling of the yarn and I'm working on another pair of Panda Cotton socks now as well as stocking up on more colourways as I really like it.

Anna
finally waking up

Campanula - FO

2008-02-08T08:20:00.001-08:00

I finally finished my Campanula's yesterday - YAY! I love them - they are so pretty and delicate - the stitch definition is lovely...

It's kinda hard to take pictures of your own ankles...

see a matched set...

I'm thinking of dyeing them pink for the Walk for the Cure in April - what do you think?

Diamonds in his Socks

2008-01-26T15:51:00.000-08:00

I just started these a few days ago. They are made of Maizy yarn (mostly corn with some nylon) and I'm using a pattern I found on Ravelry. They are for a men's size 11 or so foot and use size 1 needles (2.25 mm). Here is the pattern, which is very easy once you do a few repeats. I just tried it on my husband, who wears a 10.5 shoe and he is finding it a bit tight. If I make him another pair, I'll use 2.5 mm needles. As it is, I am increasing 3-6 stitches now before his foot gets larger. I am finding this yarn a pleasure to work with except if I have to rip out any stitches getting it back on the needles without splitting is very difficult.

FO: Lace Rib Socks

2008-01-26T15:45:00.001-08:00

Pattern: Classic Elite booklet: Lace Rib Socks
Yarn: Classic Elite Nature's Palette 100% cotton
Needles: size 2 bamboo DPNs
Modifications: I modified the toes to make them rounded as I have big, wide feet and using a classic k2tog, ssk on each side made the toes too small. I knit 10 rounds of stockingette after ending the pattern before I began the decreases, and I did an extra round or two after decreasing before grafting at about 15 stitches on each needle instead of 10.
Comments: This is the splittiest yarn I have ever used, but it is very sturdy and pretty. I will enjoy wearing these socks but I don't think I'll use this yarn for such a pattern again.

Strawberry Limes FO

2008-01-10T11:41:00.001-08:00

I already posted about these on my blog, but I gotta include them here too! They are made from 2 skeins of Crystal Palace's Panda Cotton in the Strawberry Limes colorway. I used US size 2 bamboo dpns and a pattern from the book Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd.

First Campanula Complete

2007-12-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone. With all the Christmas knitting, my Campanulas have been languishing in my knitting bag for a while - but I finished the first sock and I love it - this is Bernat's Cool Cotton and I love the stitch definition - and they are really soft and comfy. I can't wait to finish the second sock - Our Walk for the Cure will be in April - so I'm sure they'll be finished by then...

This is posted over at http://campanulaforthecure.blogspot.com/ and you can still get the pattern there...

First Hedera Done!

2007-11-26T12:16:00.001-08:00

(also posted on my blog)

Yes, I finally finished the first Hedera sock. I had trouble with the lace pattern in the beginning and I think that put some bad vibes into the yarn and kept me from working on it as much as I should have. (Bad vibes? Did I really say that?) Anywho, the sock is done and it fits wonderfully, I can't wait for the second one to be done so I can wear these babies!

The yarn is Crystal Palace's Maizy (82% Corn Fiber - 18% elastic nylon), the fabric feels great and it was nice to work with except when it came time to kitchner the toe. Oh how the yarn fought me! But I still love this yarn and will be continuing to collect it and pack it in the sock yarn box like a squirrel. Oooh, and there are going to be some new colors for Spring, I'm really excited about "stormy purple" and "earth."

Twinkletoes

2007-11-19T13:15:00.000-08:00

I made the twinkletoes - I needed some new slippers and I happened to have some leftover black yarn - you don't even need a whole skein for this pattern.

It was fun and easy and I had a new pair of slippers in an evening...

My only changes were to add a little triangle of stitches to the strap...

They DON'T Need To Match

2007-11-17T05:11:00.000-08:00

If someone says that socks need to match, they are wrong. I knit these with my favourite cheap acrylic yarn Satu with 4mm needles. My pathetic little "balcony" (basicly just a door ventilate my apartment) is for some reason my favourite place to photograph socks.

Pretty cool pajama pants, aren't they? I bought them for myself as a birthday present. There are bats in them, and the eyes and teeth of the bats glow in the dark. Sweeeet!

Cascade Elite cotton socks!

2007-11-14T20:22:00.000-08:00

I received a lovely skein of colorgrown Cascade Elite Nature's Palette cotton from Ellie along with a pattern for a lace rib sock, and lovely Brittany needles. I normally prefer to use two circs but this time I decided to use all the materials she'd given me (including lovely sock stitch markers) and follow the pattern exactly. I'm onto the foot of the first sock and I love how the rib lace looks.

First ever Toe-Up Heel

2007-11-06T09:33:00.001-08:00

I turned the heel on my first toe up sock and I think it's a pretty neat heel - I'm really happy with it and this soft comfy cotton yarn too...

I think I'm going to have plenty of yarn for this sock and it's mate - I wish I had done the Monkey's as toe up socks - then they could have been a shorter version and all matched. Oh well...

Campanula progress

2007-10-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on my first ever toe-up socks - and I'm just about to turn the heel - YAY!
You can still get the pattern at http://campanulaforthecure.blogspot.com/

FO - Monkey

2007-10-17T08:23:00.001-07:00

The Monkey socks are finally finished - I had 2 birthdays and a friend's new baby to knit for in October - so they've been languishing in my knitting bag for a few weeks. I'm calling the yarn shortage redesign a "reinforced toe" hehe - sort of like my son's 'gold toe' socks.

...and another sort of funny thing - I'll be back in Bismarck this weekend and could get more yarn - we'll see if I want to bother ripping back and completing with the 'right' yarn...

I like them a lot - they're comfy and they fit well and they look good with blue jeans - I think they'll be nice with shorts next summer too...

Now it's on to the Campanula socks - remember I wanted something nice and lacey for the Bernat Cotton - I think the pattern is still available for a donation...
http://campanulaforthecure.blogspot.com/

Spiral Boot Socks

2007-09-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, my first post in this KAL. These are from Interweave Knits magazine, Summer 2007 issue. The yarn is cotton sock yarn from The Black Stitch, so not available anymore. The pattern is pretty simple, looks more difficult than it actually is.

Sorry for the crazy pictures, really hard to take a picture of one's own legs :)

All in all, I'm really happy with these socks. They are a bit too big but otherwise fine. The yarn is nice and shiny, not very stretchy (100% cotton).

So...What Puked These?

2007-09-17T08:18:00.001-07:00

Remember the Blueberry Puke- socks? The Puke-socks series got a sequel today when these got knit. Though it's still not clear what puked these up. I used the same yarn as in the Blueberry socks, except naturally not the same colour. 100% acrylic. They took me two days to knit. Not bad.

One Monkey off my back

2007-09-17T08:17:00.001-07:00

I finished the first Monkey sock and I'm pretty pleased with it. You can definitely see the color change at the toe - but the weight and texture of the substitution are pretty good.

Now - on to sock #2...

Yarn Substitution

2007-09-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

You remember that I was going to run out of yarn for my Monkey socks - and you may also remember that the 'flash' yarn I was using was three distinct strands in different colors - so while I was at 'Stuff Mart' the other day - I walked past the embroidery thread display and noticed the many many colors they have. Hmmmm I thought - I bet I can match my sock yarn with that. So I went out to the car and got a piece of yarn(I rarely go anywhere without my knitting bag) and chose three colors which I thought closely matched. The little skeins are about 9 yards each and I think I only need enough for about the last inch or so of sock.

and at 10¢ each - I will spend about 60¢ to finish my sock.

I have an old drop spindle and I plied the yarn - it's a pretty close match - but in natural light I can see that the blue is brighter and the olive is darker than the original - the lime is still a good match. I shouldn't have tried to match under 'stuff mart's' flourescent lights.

Stuff Mart = walmart - if you watch the Veggie Tales Madame Blueberry - that's the store she gets all her 'stuff' at - so we've called it that since the Man-Cub was little - very appropriate...

FO: Pink Socks!!!

2007-09-07T10:30:00.001-07:00

Whooo hooo I just finished up my pink fixation socks! I made them using the 7 stitches per inch formula in Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks. I tweaked the pattern a bit for the toes though. I used US size 3 needles and 2 skeins of Cascade Fixation, I still have a ton of yarn left on each ball though because I like short socks.

We Have Winners!!!

2007-08-31T10:00:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Anna and Vegan Knitting, you are the winners of the Maizy sock yarn! I will be e-mailing both of you shortly with prize details. Thanks so much to everyone who entered, the reviews where great!

Black Stitch Yarn

2007-08-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

Ok. This is totally unfair as this Hibiscuitsgirl is no longer making this yarn. But I loved it so maybe I can get a few tips from her on where she got the yarn to dye.

The Black Stitch yarn was a fingering weight 100% cotton sock yarn dyed in several colorways. Pictured above is "stronghold" which Hibiscuits girl was kind enough to send to me free in exchange for trying it out since it was new.

I knit some basic ankle socks using a mock cable pattern for the leg and a stockinette top of foot and reverse stockinette on the sole.

This yarn is shiny and soft to the touch. It is very smooth so at times using the Addi Turbos was trying but it would have been great on bamboo needles. It does not split easily at all - the plies were very tight and held together well. I made the socks for my big fat size 10 feet with just a few yards leftover from a single skein, which at $12 normally was a great deal. I'm very sorry I didn't order more while she was still making it.

Monkey Sock Update

2007-08-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

Oh No - I'm going to run out of yarn - I already know this because I just turned the heel of the first sock and ran out of the first skein (and I only had 3 skeins). I'm going to contact the nice lady at the yarn shop in Bismarck and see if she'll send me another one - but just to be sure I cast on for the second sock and started it - then I'll divide the third skein and then if I have to substitute on the toe - at least both socks will be the same...

Good thing I never wear socks with sandals...

Bernat Cool Crochet - One more Review

2007-08-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

I bought this yarn back in the spring when I was looking for some cool cotton to make summer socks - and as you can see I have yet to knit any cool summer socks - but I will - I think something nice and lacy...

This is Bernat's description:
Cool Crochet
All Shades (161074)
Tension
26 sts - 36 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Suggested Knitting Needle
3.75 mm, US - 5
Suggested Crochet Hook
3.75 mm, US - F/5
Care
Machine washable. Lay flat to dry.
All Shades (161074)
Content: 70% Cotton - 30% Nylon
Put-up: 1.75 oz / 50 g, 3 Balls / Package
Length: 200 yd / 182 m
http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=coolcrochet

The yarn is very soft and has a slight shimmer - it glides on the needles - which is nice after the stiff Baby Denim...

I swatched on size 2 needles and the shimmer is not so apparent in the stockinette stitch - but still a very nice drapey fabric.

So - if you know of a nice lacey summer sock pattern - send it my way...

Contest Reminder

2007-08-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

The contest deadline is finally creeping up, you must post your entries by 6pm us central time on August 30. Thanks to everyone who has posted such informative reviews so far (Michelle, Anna, Affectioknitter, and Torrance). There's still time to post reviews and remember, you can post a review of a yarn someone has already posted about. Again, there will be 2 winners who will each have their pick of any 2 skeins of Maizy sock yarn. Thanks!

The Pick-Me-Up Socks/ yarn review: Rowan RYC Classic Bamboo Soft

2007-08-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

Here they are. Didn't take too long. Not suprinsing when your knitting with 4mm needles, and most of the time only have 44 stitches per row.

I made these with the wonderful bamboo yarn I bought yesterday. (clicking the link will also explain why these are called pick-me-up socks)

The yarn itself was so lovely I just wanted to make a simple pair of toe-up socks. These socks will probably be something I sleep in.

A little review of the yarn added later on:

On this review I'm going to use the highly technical pro/con-list. Try to keep up ;)

(yes, sadly I am trying to be funny)

Rowan RYC Classic Bamboo Soft
100% Bamboo viscose
50g/ 201 m (112 yds)
25 sts x 30 rows= 10cm/4inches
3,75mm needles/ size 5 US

+ just feel the yarn! it is so soft you'd want to run the skein on your
cheek over and over and over again
+ it comes in fabulous (a little metallic) shades of colours. too bad my
LYS didn't carry the darker grey..
- as a fan of cheap things I wouldn't mind if it would cost a little
less. (my LYS selss it for 4,45€/skein)
+ knitting with this yarn is almost dreamy. it slides through your fingers
like a little river of satin.
- it splits into strands a little too easily to my taste
+ since it is so thick knitting socks with it does not take too long
- I don't think it'll prove to be the most durable sock-yarn
+ wearing socks knitted with this yarn will feel like your feet would be
surrounded with kittens

+ most importantly the yarn and the socks succeeded in their task of providing
me the pick-me-up I needed!

(There will most likely be some odd spelling, just try not to mind. English is not my native language)

Bright Pink Comfy Sock

2007-08-20T12:36:00.001-07:00

Whoo hoo, I got one sock finished! They're a little bigger than usual so they are extra comfy for wearing in bed or around the house. They are made with Cascade Fixation and size 3 needles.

Classic Elite FLASH - Yarn Review

2007-08-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

While we were on vacation I got to go to 'real' yarn shop - Yippee! We have no such thing in my tiny town...

I was pleasantly surprised - the shop owner came over (of course) to see if she could help me and when I told her that I didn't use animal fibers - she graciously switched gears without even batting an eye and steered me over to some cottons - then she left and came back with a sample book and offered to order anything that I wanted...

I explained that I was on vacation and appreciated the offer - at least with a sample book you can touch the yarn and see the colors - as opposed to internet shopping - but I chose Classic Elite Flash in the Gulf Green colourway - this is their description of the yarn:

"fiber: 100% Mercerized Cotton gauge: 4.5 - 5
manufacturer: Classic Elite yards per skein: 93
recommended needle: 7 machine washable: yes

This soft tweedy multi color cotton that is perfect for any spring or summer project. Flash is made up from 3 strands of different colors. Great for kids-- it is machine washable."

The Gulf Green colourway is three distinct strands - olive green - lime green and sea blue...

As soon as I finished the tennis socks as cast on for 'Monkey' socks at Kala's suggestion http://vegansockkal.blogspot.com/2007/07/opinions.html

I've only completed the first pattern set - but I love the yarn

It has a silky feel and a little shimmer - but it does tend to split pretty easily...

Yarn review - Schachenmayr Bambino

2007-08-20T01:40:00.000-07:00

I'm still searching for the perfect sock yarn. It doesn't help that the ones that look most promising aren't available in Finland.. HINT HINT (I want to win)

Anyhow. One I loved to knit with was this wonderful baby-yarn I'm now reviewing.

110m/25g skein

60% cotton, 40% acrylic

30 stitches x 42 rows = 10cm (4 inches)

knit with 3mm needles

I bought this yarn a little before my cousin/godson was born. (I think it's so weird I have a godson.. I'm not even a member of any church anymore). It was on sale at the time. I think I bought 3 or for skeins of the blue for 1,50€ each, then the rest of them (4 of the white and one of the orange) for 0,75€. I like cheap yarn.

I was a little afraid 'cos the yarn felt just a little rough to touch. And I thought that's very weird for something that you're supposed to make stuff for babies with. But when I started knitting with it I understood: the knitted fabric was way softer. Nice! I think the yarn is durable, and sturdy enough, while still being soft. And I love the little bits of colour in the otherwise solid colour yarn. They look great when knitted, just look:

(winning would be nice)

Aren't these cutest? I think I knitted these with 2,5mm needles. I made just basic socks for my godson last october, a little after he was born. And I love the result. And so did his mother. I don't think (for as long as they fit him) the child went anywhere without them.

I still have all the yarn in the first picture. I'm just hoping someone I know would get knocked up, so I could make cutesy baby bootys or socks with it. I think I would have enough of the white yarn to make me sock, but I think I'll save it for someone cuter.

(did I mention I wanted to win this?)

P.s If you think you found some hidden little messages in this text you are obviously going grazy, and should contact your doctor immediately ;)

Tennis Socks - Finished

2007-08-19T17:57:00.001-07:00

I finished the tennis socks while on vacation - lots of driving and pool time...

...a couple of bad light hotel room photos...

...and here they are with shoes...

...nice and soft... comfy...

Aunt Lydia’s® “Baby Denim” Yarn Review

2007-08-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

This is the Coats and Clark description of the yarn:

Super-soft worsted weight 8-ply crochet thread. Ideal for babies, toddlers, apparel, and home décor. Versatile 75% cotton/25% acrylic blend medium weight thread. 8.64 oz / 246g / 400 yd / 366m ball. Machine wash. Imported. Knit gauge in stockinette stitch, size 8 (5mm) needles: 20 sts and 25 rows = 4" (10cm). Crochet gauge in single crochet, size H-8 (5mm) hook: 20 sc and 25 rows = 4" (10cm).

and at $5.75 US for a 400 yard ball - it's quite a bargain.

When I chose this yarn for the tennis socks I was hoping for a sturdy, soft, absorbent yarn - and I think that this yarn meets all of these requirements...

I found the yarn a little bit difficult to work with as it's sort of stiff - and I wouldn't recommend using less than a size 3 US needle. You can see the 8 plys of cotton thread and it does have a tendency to split. The finished sock certainly seems sturdy (the pair is finished and I'll post pics later) and after washing and wearing they are very soft - I have not played tennis in them yet - but I think they will hold up well...

Yarn Review: Rowan Calmer

2007-08-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

If you read my blog you probably know I'm obsessed with Rowan Calmer, a 75% cotton, 25% microfiber yarn. The swatch pictured above is the color Coral, though it is more of an orange-red and was captured as more magenta-y than it is in person. The microfiber lightens the cotton considerably and gives stretch, making it pretty much the most comfortable yarn I've ever knit with. I haven't made socks with it yet, but I think it would make some wonderful arch-hugging and cushy socks. Normally this yarn knits at 5.25 sts per inch on size 8 US needles, the stretchiness means it can be knitted on bigger needles and come out with a tension similar to DK. The Rowan Calmer Collection book has a pattern for socks (called Mood, pictured below) knit on size 6 US needles, achieving 6 spi, or a 48-stitch sock. Each 50g ball is 160m/175yds (check out that ratio, I'm telling you this stuff is very light, not like pure cotton at all). Even though the ballband says to handwash, I've had success machine washing and drying an item I made with this yarn.

The only thing I don't like about Rowan Calmer is that the microfiber content makes achieving an even tension difficult, my purls come out much looser and on flat knits I've had to go down a needle size on the WS. However, knitting a stockinette sock in the round would avoid this problem entirely. A pair of socks would require about 2 balls of this yarn, and unfortunately it retails $10-12 per ball. There's an awesome seller in the UK, though, called Jannette's Rare Yarns who is selling some of the older colorways at US$6.25-6.50 and shipping to the US (which is by air, i.e. fast) is $4 for the first ball, $1 for each additional. You might be interested to know there's a cute pattern for ballet slippers called Twinkletoes using Calmer, which is kind of pushing the definition of socks but hey they're footwear so I think it's relevant. :)

Bernat Sox Yarn Review

2007-08-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Bernat Sox is an acrylic/nylon mix which can be knit on 2.25mm needles making it pretty useful. The yarn information says a 3.25mm needle but having used this yarn I'd say that was far too big. Apparently it's been discontinued by Bernat, but it's still coming up on Ebay and you may find it on sale somewhere while they clear out stocks.

It's available in plain colours and variegated (links are to the Yarndex pages of the yarn). You can see the Sox Multi projects on Ravelry here and the Sox Plain projects here.

Examples of Sox socks:

There are 203 yards per ball meaning that you will need 2 for an adult pair of socks.

Some people like acrylic yarn, personally this yarn makes my teeth itch and I only used it as the variety of vegan sock yarn a few years ago was terrible. I do like the socks I've made with it and they appear to be lasting forever, but I won't be buying any more.

Anna in Liverpool England

Elann Esprit Yarn Review

2007-08-18T02:19:00.000-07:00

Elann Esprit is almost exactly the same as Cascade Fixation bar the lower price, it's details are:

Fibre Content: 98.3% Cotton 1.7% Elastic
Made In: Brazil
Care: Hand Wash/ Dry Flat
Gauge: 25 st/4 inches 4.5 mm (US 7)
Yardage: 91m/ 100 yds (relaxed) - 170m/186 yds (stretched)
Size: 50g (1.75 oz) ball
Price: $2.75 USD

It's available in plain colours and prints.

Again the needle size is a bit big for socks I think, and it knits well on 3.25mm needles which is what most Fixation patterns call for.

Having used both the Esprit and the Fixation I really couldn't tell much, if any, difference between the two and the Esprit wears and washes as well as the Fixation does. If Elann didn't have such stupid shipping rates to England I'd be stocking up on the prints for sure!

Examples of Esprit socks:

Anna in Liverpool England

Cascade Fixation Yarn Review

2007-08-18T02:06:00.000-07:00

I'm going to jump in with this one before someone else gets there!

Cascade Fixation, in my opinion, is a wonderful yarn that knits up in to comfortable thick cotton socks that wear and wash really well. The yarn is 98.3% cotton and 1.7% elastic and knits up really well for socks on 3.25mm needles (the label says 4.5mm which might work for a garment but with socks I believe you need a much tighter fabric), the gauge is given as 29 stitches and 12 rows per 10cm. There are 100 yards relaxed and 183 yards stretched on a 50 gram ball which means you need 2 balls for a pair of adult socks or 1 ball for a pair of anklets.

Examples of Fixation socks:

More and more Fixation patterns are showing up finally, a few years back there were very few interesting ones to be had. Some of my Fixation patterns are listed on the sidebar or can be found at my blog.

It can take a little knitting to get used to the yarn and how much you should stretch it when you're knitting, but once you've got the hang of it it's great to use and I always have a good few balls in my stash!

Anna in Liverpool England

Big Contest Announcement!!!

2007-08-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so Crystal Palace rocks! I was contacted by Susan who works at Crystal Palace and they are going to donate yarn for this contest! So here are the changes: There will be 2 winners chosen who will each receive 2 skeins of Maizy. The winners will be put in contact with Susan and will be able to choose whatever colors of Maizy they would like! So if you've entered or are planning on entering, think about what colors you might like. And have a second choice in mind because this yarn is selling out fast! Much thanks goes to Susan and Crystal Palace for their generous donation!

Yarn Review: Greenwood Fiberworks Cotton/Lycra

2007-08-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for this contest. Thanks, Kala! I'm reviewing Greenwood Fiberworks Cotton/Lycra.

This 96% cotton, 4% lycra yarn is sold by etsy seller Greenwood Fiberworks. The variegated colorway shown is Forest Path. Each hank is 2.6 ounces and about 460 yards stretched, so you can get a pair of women's socks out of just one, which sells for $15. Right now I am knitting a 64-stitch sock on size 2 needles, with a gauge of 8 sts per inch, though this yarn comes with a free sock pattern calling for size 1 needles and casting on 72 sts (9 spi). All of her yarn is handdyed, in solid, self-striping (tiny one-row stripes), or variegated (semi-random episodes of color). I found the solid yarns still have some of that beautiful variation you'll find with handdyed yarns, giving depth. Like I mentioned, the yarn comes in hanks, and I would recommend purchasing the $1.50 ball winding service when you buy this yarn at her etsy shop if you don't own a swift and ball winder. Even with, I find this yarn is a bit tricky to wind because of the major stretching action and I think the dying process causes the strands to slightly stick to each other. I don't mind the extra time (about 10-15 minutes, helping the swift move along and stopping for little tangles), but impatient or swift-less knitters might want to go for the small charge our of convenience.

If you've worked with Cascade Fixation before, you might find this yarn is very similar, just a much lighter gauge. Click the picture above to embiggen, and you can see in the upper left hand corner some detail on the yarn itself, which appears to be a ply of cotton bunching side to side on a strand of lycra, pulling it in towards itself but stretching nearly straight when you pull on it. I've found that this yarn stretches almost twice in length compared to its relaxed state, and is very comfortable to work with. The fineness of this yarn opens up all those sock patterns that call for tiny needle sizes and make them veganizable (yes I just made up that word!). I'm really enjoying knitting with this yarn right now, and Carolyn provides great customer service and ships promptly. You have to check the etsy shop frequently, though; several months can go by without any of this yarn listed, and most is often bought up within a week of it being posted.

Sock Candy Yarn Review

2007-08-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

Sock Candy is a Cotton/Elite (96%/4%) yarn made by the people who make Socks That Rock sock yarn. It comes in many of the same colourways:

Limestone

Ambrosia

Carbon

Kiwi

Lemongrass

'Old' Key West (they have re-done this colourway and made it much brighter)

Scaponia

There are approximately 200 yards per skein which means that you need 2 to knit a regular sized pair of socks (ankle socks you might get away with 1 skein). Each skein weighs 2oz so it's pretty lightweight yarn, you're not going to feel like you have weights on your feet wearing these socks!

The ball band says 7-8 stitches per inch on size 2 needles. I have used both 2.75 and 2.5mm needles with this yarn and both work well. As the needles are a little bigger you find the socks knit up fast!

There are plenty of sock patterns using 2.5mm needles around now, if you're on Ravelry the projects page for Sock Candy can be found here, there are currently 32 projects showing. Or, if like me, you just love the colourways, you can knit nice plain socks using this yarn, as you can see I've done a few of those now! The pattern for the Lemongrass and Scaponia socks shown above can be found free on my blog which is here.

I love this yarn, the only problem that I have with it is that it's hard to find. I got mine from The Fold, it isn't on the website so you need to email Toni (tell her that Anna in England sent you!) and ask what she has in stock. It's also a bit pricey, but for the quality and the colourways I think it's worth it as a treat (and who doesn't need a sock yarn treat now and again?!?).

Anna in Liverpool England

First KAL Socks!

2007-08-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

These are Hedera from Knitty knit using Sock Candy in Lemongrass.

There's a little bit more information on my knitting blog finally waking up, and just for the record I also have a vegan food blog called Vegan Food For Thought in case anyone is interested!

Anna in Liverpool England

Fo: Broadripple Socks

2007-08-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited, I finally finished my Broadripple socks. I started them in March but had them hidden away in the closet for a while. But they're all done now and I love them. They're made with 2 skeins of Cascade Fixation in stripey dusty pinks.

bamboo sockettes

2007-08-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

I've got sockettes on the needles, and I'm using Panda yarn. It's not made of panda fur though, it's 55% bamboo, 24% cotton and 21% elastic. It's probably going to take 3 balls to make 2 mini socks. The colourway is Strawberry Lime, and it's made by Crystal Palace.

I tried on the sock-in-progress and it feels nice. Soft and stretchy. It's nice to knit with too, because of the stretchiness. One small problem is that I ripped back and started over, and the yarn got a bit stringy. Know what I mean? The many strands in the yarn and got un-spun with the wear and tear of knitting and frogging.

The pattern is from the Knitting Pattern a Day 2007 calendar. There aren't many patterns in there that I'd like to make, but the sockettes are cute and easy.

Contest # 2: Yarn Review

2007-08-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hello all! It's time for another little contest! Here's the lowdown: To enter, post an entry reviewing a yarn that you have used or would like to use for socks. You must include a picture of a swatch and/or a finished object you've made with the yarn. Also include helpful info like gauge, what needles you used, and how comfortable the yarn is to knit with. You may enter as many times as you'd like and it's ok to review a yarn that somebody has already reviewed, it's good to have second opinions. You'll receive one entry for every review you post, and then I'll put all the entries into a hat and pick out a winner. Note: you must be a member of this KAL to enter. So what's the prize?

2 Skeins of Crystal Palace's Maizy, a sock yarn made from 82% Corn Fiber and 18% elastic Nylon in the Hot Feet colorway.

Deadline is August 30th at 9pm US Central Time. And special thanks to Michelle of Vegan Purls for suggesting the contest theme and idea, she'll be receiving an extra entry into the contest!

Tennis Sock Progress

2007-08-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

I have completed one tennis sock and I did several rows more ribbing than the pattern called for (only 2):

Although it looks more like a slipper to me than a tennis sock (I think the problem is the lack of elasticity in the yarn - it certainly feels sturdy 'though) - we'll see how it feels in a shoe...

On to sock #2...

Hot Pink Socks

2007-08-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a progress shot of the new socks I've been working on. They're made out of some hot pink Fixation and US size 3 needles. I'm sorta using the basic sock recipe out of Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks with a 56 stitch cast on. I was hoping to make some very comfy (not tight) socks to wear around the house or when I'm sleeping and I think these will do nicely! Yes, I really should be finishing up that second Broadripple, but you can't fight startitis!

Flashing the Stash

2007-08-08T10:20:00.001-07:00

I thought it would be fun to share my little sock yarn stash here. I really don't have much, only enough to make 5 pairs of socks. I'd love to see other sock yarn stashes up on the blog too!

To block or not to block socks, that is the question.

2007-08-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

I'm beginning to make some progress on my anklet sock(s). Of course I had a few setbacks, where frogging became necessary. But overall, it has been an enjoyable experience. The yarn is nice to knit with and seems to knit up very soft. However, I'm guessing only a real wearing will tell if they are comfortable or not. Below are two pictures I took of the Sockina sock yarn (55% cotton, 25% nylon, 20% acrylic):
before knitting

and after knitting through to the heel flap

This is my first time using self patterning yarn and it is kind of fun...although I'm not sure I'm fond of some of the patterns. Maybe I'm missing something about how to work with self-patterning yarns.
Anywho, now that I'm past the gusset and moving on to the home stretch (too lazy to take a picture tonight) I'm wondering if I should block the socks when they are done.
I would love some advice on the matter.

If yes, then should I dish out the cash for some expensive blockers (24.00 - 29.00 US dollars) such as ones found at:

http://www.halcyonyarn.com/knitandcrochet/blockingaids.html

or should I do the home made wire hanger version such as with the directions found at:

http://www.needletrax.com/blockers.htm

Or should I just hang them on the clothes line and call it a day?

What is your opinion?

And the Winner is........

2007-08-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

.....Dawn! Congrats to Dawn for winning the first contest on this KAL! Dawn, I've already sent you an e-mail requesting your address so I can get your yarn out soon. Thanks to everyone who entered. Oh, and if you're wondering how I picked a winner, I assigned everyone who entered a number based on the order of the posts. Then, I used a random number generator to pick the winning number. That was fun and there will definately be more contests to come. And I'm open to any suggestions about future contests and other ways to improve the blog!

Reminder

2007-08-02T12:35:00.001-07:00

Just a quick reminder that the contest for the Fixation ends tomorrow night, the winner will be announced August 4th. Good luck to all that have entered!

Intro

2007-08-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I thought I'd do an intro post too even though I of course can't win the sock yarn!

My name is Kala and I've been knitting for maybe 2 years now, I'm horrible at keeping track of time. I've been crocheting a little longer than that though. I haven't finished too many knitted projects, some hats, a scarf, mostly small stuff. I got really into sock knitting recently though, especially after listening to Lime and Violet. I'm crazy picky about how comfortable I need my socks to be so I thought it was great that I could make them exactly how I wanted them to be. Plus, they're just fun to knit and very portable.

I've been vegan for a little over six years now and I live with my boyfriend whose been vegan for like 12 years. I live in Minnesota now but I grew up in California (both north and south, we moved a lot!) I spend a fair amount of time up north but mainly live in Saint Paul. When I'm not knitting (or reading knitting blogs, or looking throught knitting books...) I'm sewing, quilting, and doing other crafty things. I'm also in the beginning stages of a top secret yarn related business I'll be starting eventually. So that's me in a few paragraphs!

Tennis Socks Progress

2007-08-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

YAY! I'm down to the toe decreases on this funny pattern - you pick up and knit the ribbing later - and it seemed like 1/2 the sock was knit on only 2 needles - anyway - I'm not so worried about the gauge now - the fit is pretty good - I'll probably finish this one up today at the pool and pick up the ribbing stitches - another funny thing is - the pattern doesn't tell you how many stitches to pick up - Oh well...

I'm also going to knit more than 2 rows of ribbing - although I kinda like the little pompons - we'll see...

Oh BTW - the Baby Denim is a little stiff to work with and certainly seems to be producing a sturdy sock - we'll see how it feels after it's washed - and more importantly - how it wears...

Moi

2007-08-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I'm Dawn and I'm thrilled to be taking part in this knit-along (my first ever!). Thank you to Kala for providing me with the enticement and courage to introduce myself.

I've only been knitting for about a year now. I taught myself how to knit using a knitter's self-help CD made by sweetheart yarn. It is pretty hokey but actually quite good at demonstrating the basics. Unfortunately, I only watched it once or twice and ended up twisting all of my knit stitches for six-months, until a new knitting friend figured out what was happening. As some of you may already be foreshadowing, I'll be the village idiot who asks all the dumb questions and rarely has anything significant to offer. C'mon, every knit-along has to have one.

My first finished object was one mitten (knit by a winter campfire) and it would be perfect for an orangutan monkey. So, if anyone knows of a needy orangutan, I have a scratchy, acrylic mitten just perfect for him or her. I've since made many cotton wash clothes, which I tried to love but hate using. I made one wool:( cardigan, but I have yet to block it and/or sew it together. I also completed two socks on two circular needles and it has been a love affair ever since.

I don't have a favorite yarn yet because I can't find much good quality, vegan, yarn in my area. There are three local yarn stores in my vicinity but none of them have a robust non-wool, sock yarn inventory.
Yesterday, I went out in search of sock yarn, for this KAL, and ended up taking home the last dusty skein of Scholler-Stahl Sockina Cotton (55% Cotton, 25% Nylon, 20% Acrylic). It isn't my favorite in terms of colorway (browns and oranges) for socks but when there is only one skein left what is a knitter to do. We'll see how it knits up. Interestingly, the yarn store person mentioned that for "unknown reasons, this particular line of yarn flew off the shelves in two or three days." I didn't want to appear rude, so I just said "hmmm...interesting, maybe you should order some more, it appears to be a good seller." I did roll my eyes, just a bit. I did that only because she rolled her eyes (just a bit) when I told her that I no longer knit with animal fibers, any at all, not even a small percentage.

I'm hesitant to buy yarn on-line because it is so ghastly expensive and I feel uncomfortable buying something sight un-felt.

At this time, I can only claim to be vegetarian (and no, I don't consider fish or seafood a vegetable, so I don't eat them either). I am trying hard to convert to veganism. I happily and easily left behind milk and eggs. It is that darn cheese that gets me down! Hey, I'm from Wisconsin (the cheese-head state), we consider it one of the four food groups. I'm disgusted by my own weakness but I just can't find a happy alternative. So for now, I limit myself. Any suggestions (other than "just quit eating it") will be most welcome.

I look forward to seeing every one's sock progress and learning more about sock knitting secrets and quality vegan yarn!

MMM Fixation.

2007-08-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hi, I'm Michelle! I blog over at Vegan Purls and am always looking for new vegan knitting buddies, so feel free to pop over and say hi if you feel so inclined. I've been knitting since about December 2004, so three and a half years, though knit-blogging for just short of a year. Knitting was a major coping mechanism for getting through my last two years of college, especially while writing my thesis, and continues to be something that gives me a comforting sense of productivity. I'm also tired of the work-and-buy lifestyle that is so dominant in our culture, and it means a lot to me to make something with my hands and personally know the process by which it was made, what materials it was made from, the time involved, etc. rather than buying a mass-produced object made far away by someone I will never know. I also love being able to customize items to match my ethical preferences, my body size/shape, and my sometimes-unusual color tastes (my favorite is mustard yellow). My favorite yarns are by Rowan since they make such great cotton yarns and blends, my current obsession being Calmer and I can't wait to make some socks out of it! Socks were the first thing I learned to knit after the obligatory scarf, I'd only been knitting several months before I completed my first pair, which ended up being toe-up with short-row heels. I'm excited to learn the afterthought heel and some new toe-up methods. Like Cass, I have accrued quite the sock yarn stash though my experience with socks has been relatively limited! (I've only completed that first pair.) Hopefully I'll be posting again soon with some completed Jaywalkers using Panda Cotton, which would bring me to two pairs of completed socks in my lifetime, haha. Other than socks I'm obsessed with shrugs and am itching to knit my first cardigan. In the meantime I'll be watching the KAL for inspiration! Thanks so much to Kala for starting this blog!

I love fixation so much I could marry it

2007-07-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

It's fun reading about other vegan knitters! And it's fabulous to know there are other "vegan knitting freaks" out there other than me!

So here's the lowdown on my life....

I've been vegan for about 15 years (vegetarian for 14 years before going vegan). I'm married to my DH for 20 years (yeow!), who is also vegan. We have chosen non-human children as our family and at the moment live with 2 rescued birds, 1 cat and a rescued foster dog.

I've been knitting for about 2 years and have decided that small projects are good because it gives me the illusion that I'm accomplishing a ton. I've knit one pair of socks so far....with fixation, which is wonderful to knit with. The socks are for my DH....they came out a tad small but he is excited about his new socks, which probably restrict his circulation, but he never complains. What a guy.

I live in California, rarely wear shoes and plan to knit myself a pair of socks next....barefoot toes get cold every once in a while.

No, ME!

2007-07-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

I'd do anything for some Fixation. (wink wink) Love that stuff.

I live in the mountains of Eastern TN, mispronounced daily in the weather channel. (Appal-AH-chian) I have 2 teenage daughters that I laughingly and lovingly homeschool. I'm vegan, hubby and youngest DD are vegetarian, and my 16 yr old DD is happily carnivorous. Go figure. I also work as a petsitter.

Been knitting for most of this year- the moment I learned to knit (Mostly against my will) I felt a fire light up inside myself that hasn't gone out yet. I've always been artsy, but started suffering from severe hand pain a few years ago and had to give up my first love, quilting, and did nothing artistic til I learned to knit. I hadn't realized how needy that part of myself had become. Knitting rocks my world. I've been buying sock yarn for months, but would you believe I haven't knit one yet? I've knit plenty of beer cozies that would pass for socks if you were drunk enough, but this pair of socks that I'm casting on this coming Friday will be my first pair. Yippee Ki Yay.
I blog at http://shutupimcounting.blogspot.com
and I'm co-hosting the Vegan Pal 2 swap at http://veganpal2.blogspot.com/
Cass

Me! Me! Me!

2007-07-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

So, I'll write a little something about my favourite topic: ME!

I'm 21 (by the end of the year 22), and live in Finland. I have lived here all my life, but I'm not planning on living here 'till I die. I'm a nursing student. I'm vegan (no kidding??) and loooove knitting (no kidding??). My other passions include music, movies, friends and karaoke

I didn't always love knitting. In Finland they teach us to knit in school in 5th grade (I think.. too long ago to remember) I used to HATE knitting back then, but I generally dislike everything that I have to do. I knit my frist socks in the 7ht or 6ht grade ('cos I had to) And they took me the whole year. I'm not sure if I ever even finished them.

In February 2005 I thought it was about time to pick up knitting again, and to my suprise I loved it. The first project I did then was socks made with some very chunky cotton yarn, and I finished then in a few days (see pic below) The feeling of pride was almost overwhelming. After that there haven't been too many days when I have not been knitting.

I don't really have a favourite yarn, but I have been known to like many cotton-acrylic blend yarns. I have been fondling some luchious bamboo at the yarn store, but I couldn't afford bying it as much as I would have needed. Maybe I'll buy enough of it to make socks. Socks are my favourite things to knit. I think socks are the comfort food of knitting.

Feel free to ask more, and try not to mind the possibile spelling mistakes

*torrance

(By the way, I picked up that name from a dumb movie! I loooove dumb movies)

(P.S. I think I should win 'cos I don't think you can get that yarn from Finland :))