More Socks!

Knitting tools with yarn

 Yup, socks are king at my house--that is, worsted socks.  For some reason, socks grow quickly in worsted weight.  And that's part of the appeal.

Sock detail in worsted weight

I'm using Briggs and Little 'cuz everything I saw on Ravelry recommended it as very durable and washing-machine friendly.  Living in a small town, my options are limited regarding yarn availability.  However, Briggs and Little is readily available--and there's lots in my stash!

Heel detail in contrasting colour

The pattern initially was to be Heavy Socks (link to free pattern on Ravelry), but the numbers looked too big.  The 54 stitches looked more like a man's size.  So I checked out Paton's Basic Sock (worsted weight version) 'cuz I had used it before.  The 48 stitches still looked big, so  I adjusted the numbers again and reduced my cast-on to 44 stitches (I like using long-tail cast-on for socks 'cuz it makes a nice even edge at the cuff).

I always cast on on DPNs and then move my work to 2 circulars after working a few rows. My preference is working in the round on circulars ('cuz for me it reduces ladders).  Rather than using a pattern, I prefer plain ribbing 'cuz it usually provides a decent fit.  Besides, ribbing can fix a multitude of sock sins.  Hoping the two-tone blue and cream looks fun and interesting.

Yummy Yarn

Yarns Plus Silken Twist in seascape

I bought this yummy silk-wool blend almost four years ago at Romni Wools in Toronto (Plan to visit family in TO over the summer, so hopefully there's a trip to Romni Wools in the near future).

Cashsilk Fern Scarf with yarn

At just over 400 yards, I'm hoping there is enough to make a reasonably long lace scarf for yours truly (I think the colours will compliment nicely with my turquoise winter jacket).  I was eyeing Cashsilk Fern Scarf, a pattern I'd added to my Rav fave list almost five years ago.

After reading comments from others who've made the scarf, I decided to add a moss stitch border along the ends and on either side.  That's an extra 10 stitches to the 66-stitch width.  I hope my scarf will still be long enough . . . 

Dreaming of . . .

Socks!  Of course.  To that end, I went looking through the stash just to see how much sock yarn was actually in there.  And lo and behold, I found enough yarn for lots of sockies!  Wheeeee!

Paton's Kroy

Pictured above is a modest stash of Patons Kroy.  There's enough there for another 6 pairs of socks . . .  all those pretty colours and warm woolie goodness . . . ahhhhhh!

Bernat Sox

I've also got a bit of acrylic sock yarn (Bernat Sox) that's never been used.  I had meant to make socks for myself but went into the wool first.

Mostly Leftover Bernat Socks

There's also leftover Bernat Sox from pairs of socks I had made for my boys (only one of them likes woolen socks).  

Unknown Woolen Sock Yarn

Along with these leftovers, there are various odds and ends of solid coloured sock wool.   I think some of this came from hubby's grandmother when she moved (inherited lots of acrylic, needles and old pattern books from the 50s).

Hopefully most of this stash will becomes socks, maybe with contrasting heels and toes.   Whatever doesn't become socks can clothe my Barbie.  My doll is sadly lacking pretty outfits.  

Between work and school work, there is precious little time for much else . . . so I better get busy once I finish my exam.  

Have a good week. ;)

Back At It . . .

The knitting, that is.  Yup, back to knitting, only about 30 min a day but it is so much better than not knitting.  I missed it.  A lot!  My hands were aching--literally aching (although it could have been from the sudden appearance of snow and cold temperatures).

Socks in progress . . . 

I'm working on a pair of socks I started in the spring.  I put them down to work on other things and then school started . . . well, only other crafters can understand the familiar lament: too much to do and not enough hours (or rather, too much to do and not enough energy).

Better view of two socks

Thankfully one sock was finished with the second one already cast-on (I'm usually good that way).  And there's nothing like winter weather to spur one on to finish woolen socks.

Check out the heel flap

Have I mentioned that I love wool socks?  I truly do.  And I need more.  I have only 4 pairs and that's not nearly enough.  I've still got lots of sock yarn in my stash, although sock wool is readily available locally--thank goodness!  However, I have a couple of outstanding WIPs to finish and I really wanna make myself a new beret, matching scarf and mittens.  And more socks--of course!

More Stash?

Squinting in front of Baadeck Yarns

Yup, another road trip resulted in a visit to yet another yarn shop . . . This is Baadeck Yarns in the lovely town of Baddeck on Cape Breton Island, off the Bras d'Or lakes-- a lovely and scenic part of Nova Scotia.

Waterfront View of Baddeck

The shop, which is located at the back of an old home, has lots to offer!  Nice selection of pretty handcrafted buttons and pins, tools, and of course lots of fiber and yarn, including Debbie Bliss, Malabrigo, Fleece Artist and Noro.  The staff were helpful and we even chatted with the friendly owner (and just an aside, even the Yarn Harlot loved this place when she visited in 2004).

Pretty Nordlys from Viking of Norway

On this excursion, I couldn't resist this bright fingering with it's rich saturated colour!  Even though it's sock yarn, this soft wool is meant to be something special: perhaps a shawlette or pretty lacy beret?  Must peruse Ravelry . . . 

Road Trip!

So we're on our first week of vacation, and we haven't been home . . . 

Yesterday we ventured to the big city and visited our favorite places: yarn shop for me, comic book stop for the boys and music store for hubby.  And of course, we hit the bookstores . . . !!  Fun was had by all.

Needless to say I added to the stash: sock yarn, double pointed needles and some lovely chunky stuff with awesome yardage.  Squee!

Sock yarn from Drops Fabel

Marble Chunky at over 300 yards!

If you're ever in the Halifax area, check out LK Yarns.  The staff was friendly and helpful (feel free to browse, even with hubby and kids in tow).  The selection was great: lots of different yarns at different price points.  And sweater quantities too!

I am one happy crafter. :)

Woolly Goodness

Not much to share this week.  Back to the usual grind (i.e. day job for me and school for the kids).  So I'm back to my once-a-week posting.  Still toiling away on my afghan for Bernat's CAL.  Sadly I did not finish in time for year's end, so this project gets carried over into 2011.  **sigh** Afghans are more time consuming than I thought--at least the full-sized ones. 

In other news, I'm contemplating my next project and I think it needs to be something small and portable.  A pair of socks perhaps?  Maybe some worsted socks?  Oh, yes please!  That would be very nice.  :)

And while we're on the topic of worsted, did I share with you some of the woolly goodness bestowed upon me over the holidays?

That's Briggs and Little Tuffy and Heritage (and the Tuffy has already been made into a pair of Faux-Thrum Mittens).  I think there's another skein wanting to be mittens (but only one pair--for my youngest who appreciates all things woolen; unfortunately, dear hubby and my eldest have declared woolen things to be too itchy).

I also received another batch of skeins--a whole sweater's worth!  These I am reserving for a sweater--perhaps for me or maybe for my wee one who appreciates wool (incidentally he's the same child who enjoys knitting). 

Have you ever used Briggs and Little?  I've heard good things about them online at Ravelry, namely that the yarn is quite durable.  Apparently the company has been around for over 150 years.  As an added bonus, the company uses Canadian produced wool and environmentally safe dyes.

For me personally, I like that the product is available locally (and real wool is hard to come by in my little neck of the woods).  Be warned, though: there's "stuff" in the yarn.  It doesn't bother me.  There's something very satisfying about pulling out bits of straw and debris from one's yarn--a bit of the pastoral life, perhaps?  Have I mentioned how much I long for life on a farm? 

I can dream. :)