Sockdown 2013-14

Let's face it. I love knitting socks.  It's my most favorite thing to do. It offers me the most variety and challenge in what I feel is a relatively short project.  I always get compliments on my knitted socks.  Even though I haven't completed my goal of the Cookie A Sock Innovation project, I have decided to try my hand at the Sockdown 2013-14 on ravelry.com.  Every month for a year, you are given a color theme.  You can knit their mystery pattern or "mock," choose your own pattern or a pattern from one of their suggested designers.  Participants are not allowed to cast on until the first of the month and must have their project completed by the end of the month.  This is a great motivator to get your project done.  

Since the September '13 theme is "tropical," I chose this beautiful colorway from Knitpicks.  Chroma Fingering is a 70%/30% wool blend and feels great.  The colorway, "Lollipop," has a great mix of yellow, green, rose, orange, and a bit of light purple.  It reminds me of a summer fruit salad.  

For the pattern, I am choosing the "Magic Mirror" pattern from Jeannie Cartmell, one of the chosen designers.  It's a great asymmetrical pattern which includes techniques such as a turkish cast on as well as a short row heel.  These are two techniques that I have yet to master.  This pattern can be found on ravelry.com for free.  I will use size 1 bamboo needles for the project and will be casting on tomorrow.

Here we go........

Sock Innovation - Wanida

The latest submission of Cookie A's Sock Innovation - Wanida was simple to follow and worked up nicely.  I used the the Risata from Knit Picks that was in my stash.  

I'm really into the simple chromatic colors that make the pattern pop.  Even though the pattern is easy, remember that you need to pay attention with all of Cookie A's patterns.  It's hard to go back and pick up dropped stitches with all the K2T and SSK's.  You can very easily tell where you are in the pattern by paying attention to the design.  

I like the red/burgundy color which is out of my comfort zone.  Can't wait to get to the next project.

Angee

Cookie A's Sock Innovation, #5 - Angee is very easy one to follow. 

The colorway is called "Dune Twist" from Knit Picks, which was part of a sampler pack I had purchased a while back. 

Even though it's an easy pattern, you shouldn't forget to keep track of your rows and use your lifelines. The variegation in the yarn is just enough for you to get lost if you're not paying attention.

The yarn was a nylon/wool mix that would often split, resulting in ripping back some rows or picking up dropped stitches.  The nylon in the yarn will make it a long wearing sock.  I had this yarn in my stash for quite some time and it knitted up nicely, giving the sock a nice mix of color without hiding the pattern.

Veni, Vidi, Vici - Vilai

Sock Innovation project #5, Vilai, was a  challenging project.  You'll need to use all your powers of memory, focus and attention to stay on pattern. I had to  break out my colored pencils to delineate breaks in the pattern, as well as stitch markers, and lifelines. 

I did have to rip out the first sock several times, then it all came together in the second sock. I used some lovely Madelintosh sock yarn that I had received in a previous swap. The yarn is a nice rich forest green with flecks of brownish gray and teal. I didn't want to do a variegated yarn because I wanted this pattern to really pop. I used a size one needle for these instead of a size two called for making the fit much better for my small feet.

Sock Innovation Project - Devon

The latest project from Cookie A's Sock Innovation, Devon was made with Bearfoot from Mountain Colors that I have had this in my stash for quite a while.

I like the "tonal" effect rather than using a variegated. It really made the pattern pop.  

I had started out with my Addi Turbo's, but changed over to my bamboo double pointed because the yarn was a little slick and I kept dropping stitches. The bamboo needles helped keep the stitches on the needle. 

As with all of Cookie A's patterns, I highly recommend the use of lifelines. I used a size two needle and am still second guessing whether or not I should have used a size one instead. It is my hope that the socks will draw up a little. 

They fit well and look great. I really love the way Cookie A designs the ribbing to flow with the pattern, without seeing any break. I have learned from this project, however, that you should use a larger size needle for the ribbing as it tends to be a little bit tighter than the pattern of the sock.

Sock Innovation Project - Sunshine

The third edition of my Cookie A Sock Innovation project was a very quick sock to knit up. 

 I wanted to stay with the color that was shown in the book, so I used some Plymouth Italian Sockotta that was in my stash. 

The pattern was very easy to follow and the superwash yarn is tried and true for durability. This is the third time I have used this yarn for a project and the color stays bright after lots of trips through the laundry. An added plus is that it is only around $9.00 per ball which makes one pair of socks.

Sock Innovation Project - Eunice

The second sock in Cookie A's "Sock Innovation" has been completed. 

"Eunice" was made with "Miss Babs" yarn that I had received from a previous sock and yarn swap. It was so luxurious to knit up and the color is great.

This was a challenging project for my skills. Cable patterns with two cable needles and the use of lifelines, and moving stitches about on your needles was the norm. I finally got it done, but really had to pay attention to detail.  Cookie A's patterns really have you step out of your comfort zone.

I got lots of compliments on the socks and can't wait for the warmer weather to wear them. I might even buy a pair of Mary Jane loafers to show them off. I would also like to thank my "photographer" Eric (my son)  for his help with the blogging.

Show Me the Money - Glynis

 


This is the first project of my Cookie A - Sock Innovation goal.  The first pattern, "Glynis" was knit up in some Opal that was given to me as a prize. Normally I wouldn't have chosen this odd colorway, but began to love it as it worked up, 

While the photo doesn't do the colors justice, the scheme reminded me of the same colors of money; (ie, dollar bills). Every time a passerby saw me knitting on this project, they would agree with me that it reminded them of US currency. 

The socks knit up a little tighter than I wanted. I used a Size 1 circular needle with the magic loop method. Cookie A doesn't offer up different sizes in her book "Sock Innovation," but does give a nice tutorial on how to size up or down to your liking. I guess I should have read that before beginning, but I was lucky that my foot was the size of her template.