Eleanor put in a special request for some plain green socks, plain in every way, plain green yarn and the plainest of plain patterns. No problem, or so I thought, I'll have these knit up in no time at all. I started them well before Christmas and they were finished on the 27th of January. They weren't straight forward though, far from it.
I had a look at Cascade Heritage yarn and they had a number of different shades of green in their range so I let Eleanor decide which one she wanted, she went for sage. I have to say that this yarn is lovely to use, it's very soft and squishy and at £7.99 per skein, it doesn't break the bank. I shall use it again, in fact, I've got more in my stash. I used a very plain pattern as per Eleanor's instructions.
I'd just about finished the first sock, I got half way through the toe shaping and I made a mistake on the decreases. It was over the Christmas period when my dad was in hospital and I was under a lot of stress and instead of just taking back the mistake, I pulled the whole sock off the needles, unravelled it all and started again. I know, how ridiculous. I actually made lots of mistakes when making these socks and spent so much time taking them back, I don't know if it was because I just wasn't in the zone for crafting with so much else going on at the time or whether it was because I sometimes become a little bit complacent when working on something so simple. Simple it didn't turn out to be!
But, they're now done and I can heave a sigh of relief. Eleanor had a few days at home at the end of January as she wasn't very well, and they met with her approval, just what she wanted, she said. Just as well as I could have probably knit them three times over with the number of times they were taken back.
By the way, the ridge underneath the right sock in the above photos is because Eleanor wears ankle bracelets, nothing to do with my knitting!
I can now choose something to knit with a little more interest. Hooray!
Well I think they look very good.
ReplyDeleteI actually have just bought myself some new socks ... and guess what! They are predominantly pink! I guess I just have a weakness towards pink ... well it is my favourite colour.
Seriously well done on Eleanor's socks, looking back over your last few weeks somehow I'm not surprised your mind wasn't quite on crafting.
Hope Eleanor is now back to full health.
Wishing you and the family a good February
All the best Jan
I think we all veer towards certain colours. It was no surprise that Eleanor wanted Green socks, most of her wardrobe is green. Eleanor's fine now and back to uni, thank you for asking, she only ended up missing one day as she had some free time so it wasn't too bad.
DeleteWell done for sticking with it, I think I would've given up. They do look warm, and a super colour.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I was tempted to pull it all out and forget about it. I'm glad I didn't though, Eleanor's really pleased with them and they are lovely and cosy.
DeleteReally like the look of them, worth all the trouble.
ReplyDeleteI think simple can often be stylish. Eleanor really likes them so they were definitely worth all the trouble.
DeleteThese are lovely socks. Sometimes a simple design can enhance the beauty of the knitting. My daughter too likes simple, one colored items. So, I carry on, knitting per her taste. I hope your New Year is going well. Hugs, Pat
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to go with the taste of the recipient, much nicer to gift them things they're going to enjoy wearing. I do need a break though now from knitting anything too plain, though I'm sure I'll be back to it again soon if Eleanor gets her way.
DeleteWell done for finishing these socks. They might be plain in colour and design but they still look good, fit well, and I'm sure they're toasty too. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've posted about my favourite things and have linked back to your blog and post. x
I'm really pleased I got them finished, Eleanor loves them so it was worth all the hassle. Thank you for joining in with a post about your favourite things and for the link, I did leave a comment on your post.
DeleteThe socks are wonderful, simple usually has a lesson or two to teach me.
ReplyDeleteI think the lesson learnt here is not to pick up my knitting when stressed, I'd have had them done much quicker if I'd only waited.
DeleteIt's such a satisfying feeling completing your socks and slipping them over your toes (or Eleanors in this case) for the first time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame they (not surprisingly under the circumstances) became a bit of a chore for you this time.
My last pair took an age to complete too. X
You're right, it is, especially so in this instance. It was a shame that I made so many mistakes as knitting, or any sort of crafting, should be a joy rather than a chore, but I'm glad I stuck with it as Eleanor's really happy with them.
DeleteThey look very cosy and well worth all the effort. Is't it like that sometimes, the simplest of things can just cause so much trouble. I've just re-wound a project that i started because just couldn't get the pattern repeat to stay in my head! I think i re started 3 times, so i'm putting in on hold for now until i'm more focused.
ReplyDeleteHope Eleanor feels better now. x
I'm really pleased with them now they're done and Eleanor loves them so it was worth getting them right. It is like that sometimes though, you think you're going to have an easy time of something and it causes the most hassle. Eleanor's fine now, thank you for asking.
DeleteAh yes, a plain sock. I have been knitting one for months. The tedium of it makes it more likely to loose track and make mistakes. Glad Eleanor loves the socks xx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who this happens to. I think I'll just make the colour and design choice myself in future and Eleanor can get what she's given. It is nice to gift something she really wants though.
DeleteGreen, my favourite colour. There's something to be said for simplicity in a design, well done for persevering, lovely socks xx
ReplyDeleteIt's Eleanor's favourite colour too. I think simple designs can look classy, they're just not as interesting to knit up.
DeleteI agree, it is lovely yarn isn't it, I have made several shawls from it and really enjoyed it. The socks look really great and I am sure that Eleanor will love them. As for the ripping out, yes, I can totally understand and I agree with your thoughts, I did a lot of ripping in December and January, thank goodness for my blanket which kept me sane! Enjoy your next project!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised how nice this yarn is for the price. I've got some yellow and some grey in my stash so I'll look forward to using that up now. I seem to be back on track with my knitting now that things have calmed down here, it's funny what stress can do to you and how it affects you, isn't it?
DeleteGreat socks & pity they took so long, but a lovely job you've done. Must think about trying to do some, but as I've been saying that for as long as you've known me, I'm wondering if it will ever happen. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThey got done in the end and that's all that matters. It's the same with me and sewing, I still haven't had Eleanor's sewing machine out even though I keep saying I will.
DeleteWell done for keeping going. They do look lovely, if a little...green. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey can never be too green for Eleanor, it's her favourite colour. I'm glad I got them done in the end for her.
DeleteIt's funny how the "simple" things can cause us the most problems. Well done you for sticking with them. :o)
ReplyDeleteIt is. In theory, I should have had these done in no time at all. Never mind, I got there in the end.
Deletelove the colour. I knit lots of plain socks too, but usually with variegated wool. If I'm knitting for someone else they always get plain - most people are just blown away by the fact that someone has knitted them socks ;) . I've 2 plain on the go at the mo, but am knitting a top with far more enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteThere were lots of different greens to choose from in the range. I don't mind knitting plain socks in variegated yarn, it does add a little interest when knitting them but to knit plain socks in plain yarn can become a little tiresome. My socks have always been well received by anyone I've knitted them for, as you say, I think people are really pleased that you've taken the time and effort to knit something so lovely and cosy for them.
DeleteBeautiful socks, they really do look amazing. I wish I had your talent for sock knitting.
ReplyDeleteEleanor was really pleased with them so it was worth getting them right. I really don't have much of a talent, if I can knit them I'm sure that anyone can.
DeleteThey look marvellous Jo... very professional. I hope that your Dad is also starting to feel better. Jx
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased with them and Eleanor is too. My dad's much better, thank you for asking. He's at the hospital today for a scan but he's just about back to normal now.
DeleteI'm sure that under normal circumstances you wouldn't have had those problems. My mum never liked knitting socks. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteFor such simple socks, they're the pair which have caused me the most problems since I started knitting them. My dad told me that he and his siblings always had hand knitted socks which my grandma knitted for them.
DeleteStress can be blamed for all sorts of crazy things that we do, and I think that plain socks can induce their own kind of stress to go along with all the others! I'm glad you've finished the socks, they do look good :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, the easiest things can cause untold stress. I'm glad they're now done, Eleanor's enjoying wearing them, they're keeping her feet nice and warm.
DeleteI think it is easier and quicker to knit patterned socks or ones using self-patterning yarn, as you always want to get on to see how they turn out!
ReplyDeleteThe pattern or patterned yarn makes you want to keep going to see the next part of the pattern. I think it will be a while now before I knit another pair of plain socks with plain yarn.
DeleteHey Jo, just catching up...sorry to here your christmas wasn't the best....hope you are all feeling okay now though. Eleanors socks look great...I think you should knit her another 3 pairs!! :-) Socks are something I've never tried knitting. Personally I only wear toe socks and I imagine that these may be a little more complicated than general socks..have you ever tried knitting the toe socks??
ReplyDeleteWe're all over our Christmas bouts of illness now, thank you for asking. I could have knit Eleanor three pairs of socks in the time these took me, I think I did knit them three times over with all the taking back I did. I haven't ever knit toe socks but I'm sure there'll be patterns for them out there.
DeleteMum handmade socks a {hug}, the perfect thing when you are feeling under the weather.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly cheered Eleanor up when she saw they were finally finished, she'd been waiting a long time for them.
DeleteI'm in awe of anyone who can knit actual wearable garments! I love these socks. Eleanor is such a lucky girl. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's just a case of following a pattern, if you can do that, you can knit just about anything.
DeleteVery relieved to hear that they passed the test and were all the things Eleanor wanted!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
It's definitely worth putting the effort in when they're so well received.
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