I bought some King Cole Moods yarn from Yarndale and though the largest part of it is acrylic, 68%, it does contain 30% wool. It also contains 2% viscose, which is what, I think, gives it the tweedy flecks. I thought this would make some really squishy socks. The bonus is that they're able to be washed in the machine.
The pattern I had in mind was Short Socks by Sarah E. White. It's a nice, easy pattern, though I did knit a larger cuff at the top of the socks than that stated.
These socks winged their way over to Nottingham to keep Eleanor's tootsies nice and warm and were received yesterday. Eleanor won't wear slippers so I thought these would be ideal to slip on in her room whilst she's busy studying. One sock looks bigger than the other here but it's not, I think it's just how the photo has been taken.
They look a little on the big side but they actually look much better when being worn than on the blockers, and they've lovely and cosy. They don't take long to knit at all so I'll probably use this pattern again.
Eleanor was really pleased with them, put them on straight away and said they were a perfect fit. Result!
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ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear this. I'm sure your swap partner will be very upset to be left without a partner which you'll understand having had bad experiences with swaps yourself in the past. It's only been four days since I published the list of partners so you haven't allowed much time for a response from her. She's been blogging for over six years, most of which I've been following her for, and she took part in the swap last year too. I shall contact her and let her know your decision.
DeleteThankyou
DeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteHi. I am very much alive and kicking! and don't spend half of my time in France, I live and work in the UK. As far as I am concerned I am taking part in the swap, just have a life as well as blogging.
DeleteI'm pleased that you're still taking part in the swap, I've loved following your blog for the best part of the last six years whilst you've been blogging. Someone else may want to join the swap and then I'll be able to partner them up with you, however, if they don't, I'll be very happy to swap with you myself.
DeleteLove the idea of a slipper sock! Viscose is very soft I think, at least viscose fabric is. I wash all my woollen socks in the washing machine, sometime tumble dry them too. Superwash wool is quite forgiving!
ReplyDeleteThe yarn only contains 2% viscose, I think it's the tweedy bits that are running through it. I must admit that I do handwash my hand knitted socks though most of them would probably be fine in the machine.
DeleteThose socks do look cosy, Jo. I'm sure Eleanor's new pals will all be jealous!
ReplyDeleteI tried them on myself before I sent them to her and they were so cosy. I don't mind taking orders from her friends if anyone wants a pair, they'll have to wait though, I've just cast on my Christmas knitting.
DeleteThat yarn looks really soft and the socks look cosy:-)
ReplyDeleteYour post made me think about when Stevie was away at uni, every so often i used to send her a parcel of goodies as a surprise and from December 1st i used to send her little gifts for advent, just silly things sometimes or something i thought she might find useful, i think they used to go down really well :-)
The yarn's really soft. I wouldn't use it for socks which are going to be worn inside shoes but it's fine to keep Eleanor's feet warm whilst she's in her room. The socks were sent to Eleanor in a parcel containing other goodies, I love your idea of advent gifts.
DeleteSocks look great Jo, I may give them a go myself in due course.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice easy pattern and they knit up so quickly, I think these took four days, and by days, I mean evenings.
DeleteThey look comfy Jo. How is Eleanor settling into Uni? How are you coping? x
ReplyDeleteThey're very comfy and will keep Eleanor's tootsies nice and cosy. Eleanor's settled really well in to uni, she's loving it, no homesickness at all, yet anyway. I thought I'd miss her much more than I am, though it's early days yet. I suppose having lots of things to keep me occupied stops me from thinking of the empty nest too much, and it doesn't look as though Daniel will be coming home again either as the jobs he's applied for aren't in Yorkshire.
DeleteThey look so cosy. X
ReplyDeleteThey're really soft and squishy, they should keep her feet nice and snug.
DeleteEleanor's socks look lovely and cosy, I'm sure they'll keep her feet toasty all through the winter and I think the yarn mix will be ideal for house socks.
ReplyDeleteI ummed and ahhed about using this yarn but it's so soft and squishy that I thought it would make cosy socks. It should be okay given that the socks are only for putting on in her room.
DeleteThey look a winner to me Jo - no wonder Eleanor loved them.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be knitting them for her Uni friends soon!
All the best Jan
They don't take long to knit at all, perhaps I should deck her flatmates out in them.
DeleteMy girls used to love getting parcels when they were at Uni, they used to call them red cross parcels. My Mum uses that yarn for knitting the children winter cardigans and is perfect for the washing machine.
ReplyDeleteI love that, red cross parcels. Nice to hear that the yarn does well in the washing machine, I don't expect that Eleanor will take too kindly to me knitting things that need hand washing so her socks need to be able to take a bit of rough treatment.
DeleteThose socks look most warm and toasty Jo and will no doubt be appreciated by Eleanor as the weather becomes colder. I'm in awe of your knitting prowess. A scarf is my limit :)
ReplyDeleteThe weather's on the turn so I thought it best that I get my sock knitting going again. Believe me, if you can knit a scarf, you can knit socks.
DeleteThey do look cosy, I love a nice pair of socks, even though I rarely wear them outside the house.
ReplyDeleteI've been in sandals right up to this week, however, the weather's turned so cold that the hand knitted socks have now put in an appearance. I don't think you can beat hand made for cosiness.
DeleteYou are clever Jo. I will definitely consider your 12 days of Christmas thing next year. I didn't get involved this year as I just want to get used to retirement first.
ReplyDeleteI think many people think socks are harder than they are. This short sock pattern is very easy, a good one for a beginner to start with. Hope you're enjoying your retirement.
DeleteI love the socks Jo...they look really snug and cosy too. x
ReplyDeleteThey are. Perfect for the colder weather.
DeleteClever you, I keep seeing knitted socks, I really am going to have to make a pair for me, not for hubby he has size 11 feet.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that's the problem with men's socks, they take much longer. I've never knit any socks for Mick but I've told him I'm going to make him a pair, luckily his feet are only a couple of sizes larger than mine.
DeleteI am in love with these socks! So cute ♥
ReplyDeletesummerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
It's a lovely pattern and knits up nice and quick.
DeleteThey look so cosy and I love the grey xx
ReplyDeleteI've got a thing for grey at the moment, it's a colour I've never really favoured but it's really doing it for me just now.
DeleteThank you So for sharing this pattern. And, the yarn looks like a perfect match for this pattern. I'm sure your daughter loves wearing them! Pat xx
ReplyDeleteIt's a great pattern, simple and knits up quickly. I wasn't sure about the yarn for socks but they won't be worn with shoes so it should be okay.
DeleteThey are lovely! I'm still trying to get the knack of knitting socks - I've done a few so far, each a bit better then the last, but I still haven't been able to get the fit that I want. Once the Christmas gift knitting is out of the way, I'll be trying again.
ReplyDeleteI think it's easier to get a good fit with plain socks and once you've done that, you can adapt it to suit most patterns. There's so many different heels and toes too that it's finding which you prefer.
DeleteI love the socks they look so cosy.
ReplyDeleteEleanor's enjoying wearing them. It's nice to have someone to knit for who appreciates hand made things.
DeleteNeat socks and glad Eleanor likes them. Maybe that would be a good pattern for me to try as a first. Hmm!
ReplyDeleteTake care.
It's a nice simple pattern and knits up really quickly because there's no leg to knit and the pattern is for thicker yarn than usual.
DeleteThe socks look ideal for a cool university halls! I'm sure Eleanor loved them. Do you need a second swapper for someone? I'm happy to help out if you do... (I've nearly finished the shopping for my partner's boxes!)
ReplyDeleteEleanor does love them, they're keeping her feet nice and cosy. Thank you for your generous offer. I'm waiting to see if anyone else who isn't already taking part in the swap expresses an interest as I had a couple who did last year after the cut off date, if not, I'll swap with Cath myself.
DeleteIt's the perfect time to receive a pair of warm cosy slipper socks! You have done a lovely job of them.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt is, the weather's turned much cooler over the last couple of weeks. I've got my own hand knitted socks out of the drawer, I'd been in sandals up until Monday.
DeleteA little bit of mum love to keep her tootsies nice and cosy, a very lovely gift. They do look nice.
ReplyDeleteI always think that there a little bit of love stitched in home made gifts. Eleanor's happy with them.
DeleteWhat a cosy gift, all snuggled up in mum's love and thoughtfulness.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Eleanor liked everything I sent, the problem now is that I've got think of lots of other lovely things for her next parcel.
DeleteI bet she loves them, I know I would and you were right to make them in very washable acrylic yarn.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think they'll be better in the washable yarn, I know Eleanor won't even think about hand washing anything when she comes to do her laundry.
DeleteLovely socks, Jo. I think they'll be enjoyed a lot. I love shorter socks myself, even with boots. I find them more comfortable on my cankles. :D
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I prefer longer socks but Eleanor loves short ones so these are ideal for her, she loves them.
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