Monday 3 March 2014

Back To Socks

It's been a while since I knit a pair of socks, in fact, it's been nearly two years, how did that happen? I love knitting them too so I don't know why it's been so long. I blogged about the last pair I knit in my More Socks post. They were from the Thuja pattern by Bobby Ziegler and were for my dad. I like how they turned out so much that I decided I'd knit the same pattern for myself.


I'm using Regia World College Color again but in a different colourway, this one is Bachelor. I bought the yarn from Kemps when it was reduced, but sadly, it's now discontinued. I've got one more ball in yet another colourway in my stash, but then it's all gone.


I'm enjoying knitting in the round again, I much prefer it rather than having to sew up seams.


My crochet has been put on the back burner for a while, but I'm sure it won't be long until I get going on it again.

36 comments:

  1. I've never knitted a pair of socks, I do have the needles & specific wool for them just haven't got enough confidence to try yet.

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    1. I think the hardest thing about socks is learning to use dpn's, but once you've got the hang of them, they're easy. I prefer knitting in the round so that I don't have to do any sewing up, but I did start my sock knitting off on straight needles, there are patterns about for socks without having to use dpn's. If you look down my sidebar, you'll see the Crofter socks, those are knit on straight needles.

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  2. My mum was always knitting but I can't recollect that she ever did socks. Flighty xx

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    1. The same with my mum, though my dad tells me that his mum (my grandma) always knit his socks when he was young.

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  3. Hello Jo:

    This wool looks to be tremendous fun. We do hope that we shall be afforded a glimpse of the finished article in due course.

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    1. I love this type of yarn which creates a pattern as you knit, it certainly saves on having to keep changing colours. I shall definitely show a photo of the finished socks once I've finished them.

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  4. Love the colour striping.
    I still haven't taken the plunge to knit socks - you would have thought that I'd have overcome my fear by now, would you?

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    1. These self-striping yarns really make for an easy life. You must have a go at socks, everyone seems to be apprehensive about them but an accomplished knitter such as you would have no trouble at all. If I can manage them, you certainly can.

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  5. Looking good so far. I also followed the link to Kemps and had to stop myself buying all sorts of clearance wool... far too tempting ;)

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    1. I'm not far off the heel now and then it's a straight knit down the foot. Kemps is very tempting, they send me their newsletter and there's always some real bargains on there.

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  6. I have started a pair of socks but they're going rather slowly.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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    1. I'm not a fast knitter so you'll probably have yours finished before I do.

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  7. lovely colours in that yarn!

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    1. They're very bold colours but I like them, I think they work really well together.

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  8. I have never mastered the art of knitting in the round Jo!

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    1. It can be a bit fiddly at first, but it's easy once you've got the hang of it. It's definitely worth persevering with in my opinion, it saves having to sew things up.

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  9. love, love,love that wool. I do socks on straight needles, haven't mastered dpn's ! I need to get somebody to show me how to use them, I'm no good at reading instructions, I pick things up far better if somebody shows me!
    Can't wait to see them finished x

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    1. I love all the self-striping and self-patterning yarns, they really make things easy rather than having lots of different colours on the go. Have you seen the Crofter socks in my sidebar? They were done on straight needles. I much prefer knitting in the round though, anything rather than sewing up.

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  10. I so enjoy you this ability. I would love to learn someday, but the world needs to be ready for all the socks I will be churning out because I love hand-knitted socks. The colors of this wool are so nice, very masculine.

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    1. Hand knitted socks are so luxurious, I love them. It's like walking on clouds. I tended to knit lots of socks when I first learnt to use dpn's but I've slowed down with them now, I've got loads of sock wool in my stash though so I should start knitting them more often again.

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  11. I haven't knit in the round for ages! Love the yarn - colours are great!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. I'd knit everything in the round if I could, I loathe sewing up. I was really taken with these colours when I saw them, I think they work really well together.

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  12. I have that exact same yarn. I made a pair of (non-matching) mittens with it last year. I even think it was you who talked about it on here and I went and had to go and get myself some. Stop leading me astray, Jo! LOL Can't wait to see how your socks turn out. :o)

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    1. I remember you buying the yarn and making the mittens, you got round to using yours a long time before I did. Sorry for leading you astray, I can't help but shout about it when I find a bargain.

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  13. They are going to look lovely. Maybe that's another thing I could try if I can find the time. Well done and take care.

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    1. That's the problem, isn't it? Too many things to try and not enough time. If only we had forty eight hour days.

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  14. Great colours, they are looking very good. My first (and last) attempt at socks is sitting in the drawer, it was all fingers and thumbs and I lost my way, think I might concentrate on other things lol

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    1. Don't give up, they take a bit of getting used to, but they're easy once you've got the hang of them. There's nothing quite like home made socks.

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  15. Your socks are coming up a treat. I haven't made socks for a longtime I went through a phase about five years ago and everyone who had a birthday ended up with a pair. I bet they are all glad I'm past that phase now:-)

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    1. I think we all do that, learn to knit socks and then furnish everyone in the family with a pair. It's all the gorgeous sock yarn which I'm addicted to, I've got loads of it in my stash, though I quite enjoy just stroking it rather than knitting with it.

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  16. Such warm colours, they'll be handy for wearing at the allotment when it's cold outdoors!
    Lisa x

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    1. That's one thing about hand knitted socks, they're beautifully warm. Perfect for the allotment.

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  17. The socks are looking good, I love variegated yarns, its nice how the color unwinds itself. Your little ladies hats in the last post look great, how many have you knit by now? We don't get sky anymore, but I know they had a program on about Big foot hunters, they travel around looking for him and talking to witnesses that have seen him. Have you watched that?

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    1. I can never tell how a variegated yarn will knit up until I'm actually using it, it's quite a surprise. I think I've knit nineteen hats in total now, my aim is to knit fifty by October when they have to be sent in. I should be able to do that by knitting one each week. I haven't seen the programme about Bigfoot hunters, I'll have to watch out for that.

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  18. I am a knatty knitter (not good) I wish I could finagle it !
    I am very inspired by your crocheted items in the side bar, I manage crocheting some how .

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    1. I've been able to knit for as long as I can remember, I wouldn't say I'm brilliant at it though, but I muddle along. I've only been able to crochet for a couple of years but I really enjoy it.

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