I got my yarn wound in to a ball ready for today's start day. I must buy myself a yarn winder, my arms ached by the time I'd finished winding.
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The first part of the Sockalong is the cuff and leg so I've made a start. I'm using double pointed needles but a short circular needle can be used or the magic loop method on a longer circular needle. I always find the start quite fiddly, joining the knitting to knit in the round and making sure that it isn't twisted, but once that part is over, it's all plain sailing, and the benefit of knitting in the round is that there's no sewing up at the end. I take a size 6 shoe and my tension is quite tight so I've cast on with 72 stitches even though the pattern states 60. I don't often knit a tension square before I start, naughty I know, but I'm quite confident after a few years of knitting socks that casting on 72 stitches will ensure that the socks will fit. If you haven't knit socks before I would definitely recommend knitting a tension square before you start.
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One of the joys of knitting with a self patterning yarn is watching the pattern emerge as you knit. I haven't got far enough yet to see what sort of pattern this yarn will produce but it should be obvious by next week.
It's looking great so far, Jo! I think those colours are going to turn out really nicely and you're right, the joy of self-patterning yarn is definitely the surprise in how it turns out! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I've got started, I think the worst bit is casting on and joining in the round, I shall enjoy the rest of it now, including watching the pattern emerge.
DeleteI love self patterning yarn. Hubby bought me a winder for Christmas, I do recommend them xx
ReplyDeleteI think I knit most often with self patterning yarn these days. I really do need a winder, perhaps I should pop one on my Christmas list.
DeleteLove the colours in your wool when I was growing up, it was called random wool, not self colouring.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard it called random wool before. I do remember knitting with it years ago, but not the posh stuff.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the pattern emerge x you are clever I have a pattern for socks on two needles, I can't seem to master three or even four which I've seen used for socks!
ReplyDeleteDouble pointed needles are really easy once you get going with them. I agree, they're a little clumsy when you're casting on, but once you're past the first couple of rows it gets much easier. You should have a look at Christine's blog as she shows how to use them and also how you can use a short circular needle to knit socks in the round.
DeleteOnce again, I bow to the skills of anybody who can knit with 4 needles in the round! Looking forward to seeing how the sock develops!
ReplyDeleteIt really is just a case of giving it a go. I found it so much easier than I thought I would when I first started out, but there's always a circular needle which you can knit socks with. I think knowing that there wouldn't be any sewing up to do at the end spurred me on.
DeleteHave fun with your sock knitalong! I'm a big fan of self-patterning yarn for socks. And when I wear them non-knitters always think I've done something especially brilliant. When I try to explain the yarn does all the work, they tend to give me funny looks. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think self patterning yarn is such a great invention. Some patterns turn out much more intricate than others and I can understand non knitters thinking many more yarn colours have been used to create the pattern. I shall enjoy watching how this pattern works out.
DeleteHave fun! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI will now that the cast on is complete, it should be all straight forward from here on.
DeleteWhat a clever idea to get people to knit along together, helping each other on the way. People can learn new skills and try something they've often thought about giving a whirl and with support may now take the plunge.
ReplyDeleteI love the blue shades of the yarn you are using.
Lisa x
I think it's a great idea. I love how bloggers are so generous with their advice, so many people have commented on my earlier posts about knitting socks that they'd like to try it so this is a great way to start.
DeleteIt's looking good, Jo. I remember random yarn (as mentioned by Marlene above) from way back (I'm talking the 70s) but it was just that - random. It didn't make up into a pretty "fairisle" pattern like self-patterning yarn does.
ReplyDeleteI remember yarn with flecks of colour in it from the 70s. I think self patterning yarn is so clever how it makes up quite intricate patterns. It's just as well as I've never had the nerve to try fairisle.
DeleteI love the look of your stitches already. A yarn winder is a good thing. I have one and I find it helpful but the winding seems to be its own acquired skill and I'm only marginally good at it yet. I do love the little cakes of yarn you get with it. Hope you have a good week, Jo!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing which puts me off a yarn winder is that those I've seen will only wind about 50g of yarn in to cake. I wonder if you can buy ones which will make larger cakes.
DeleteI haven't started yet, a family meal yesterday extended into the night! I shall be aiming to cast on tonight. Your yarn looks lovely to knit with x
ReplyDeleteThere's no rush, it's good that it's something which you can take at your own speed. I'm quite a slow knitter so I probably won't keep up with it anyway and I tend to get even slower on the second sock.
DeleteGood start Jo.
ReplyDeleteI finished the cuff off last night so I'm just starting on the leg now, this should really bring the pattern out and let me see what I'm working with.
DeleteWell done so far. I'm having internet problems at the moment and have days when we can't get on, so if I'm quiet, don't worry, I am still here. My email system is pathetically slow, but will try and get one through to you soon. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI've got a bit further along now, it's all good fun. Sorry to hear you're having internet problems, I don't suppose it's worth sorting it out now with the move imminent.
DeleteI think I'm going to get myself a winder too. I've had enough of tangly balls of yarn! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of a pain having to wind by hand, and I always need someone else's hands too, usually Mick's, as I can't manage to do it on my own.
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