Mick's first pair of socks were finished at the back end of last year, they were knit in a thicker yarn to use in his walking boots so I thought I'd knit him another pair, this time in thinner yarn. I'm just using a basic sock pattern but the variegated yarn keeps it interesting.
I'm using Opal yarn again and like last time, I'm not impressed at all. It feels really rough and scratchy, not at all soft. I've only used Opal on these two occasions and I haven't been happy with it at all. They might wash a bit softer once they're finished, we'll see.
Another pair of socks are on the needles for Eleanor too. I've been wanting to give the Rose City Rollers pattern by Mara Catherine Bryner a go for a while and I thought they'd look good in this Knitglobal Sock yarn in Summer Berries colourway.
These are a short sock, more like a trainer sock, with a rolled top. I love how the colour is working up.
I've heard so much about Hiya Hiya Sharps needles so I bought a set of double pointed needles to try them out, I'm knitting Mick's socks with them. I do like them but I think the KnitPro Zings, which I'm knitting Eleanor's socks with, have the edge. I think the Hiya Hiya Sharps would probably be good for lace knitting where you're picking lots of stitches up or passing them over other stitches, those pointy tips would make short work of that.
What projects have you got on the go at the moment?
I can't knit, Jo, so I admire those who can, and these socks are lovely - I particularly like the pink/red yarn!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
I've been able to knit for as long as I can remember. I know my mum and my grandma taught me, and I had help from my dad too as he could knit, but I never really remember learning. I'm really pleased with the pink/red yarn, it's knitting up beautifully.
DeleteBeautiful colours on both pairs, especially Eleanors. I like the little roll top too xx
ReplyDeleteThat roll top makes the socks quite cute. I think Eleanor will like them.
DeleteAs a non-knitter (I crochet, never got the hang of knitting), people who knit socks....and there seems to be a lot of you....impress me no end. It appears so complicated to me, but the finished socks, especially in variegated yarn, look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThere really isn't anything complicated about sock knitting, if you're able to follow a knitting pattern you've cracked it. I thought I might get my crochet mojo back over the winter months but I've been a bit stuck on knitting. I've still got the Spice of Life crochet along to finish off yet so I'm hoping it returns soon.
DeleteFar to many, with my loss of mojo, love the colours you are using.
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem, if you lose your mojo there's lots of unfinished things hanging around. Still, I'm sure it'll come back soon and then you'll have lots of lovely projects to get on with. I'm liking the colours I'm using at the moment, so much better than the boring green I knit Eleanor's last pair of socks with.
DeleteCrocheting an afghan and working on the never ending cross stitch project. Need some Cherrywood stain for 2 wood projects.
ReplyDeleteI've got a never ending cross stitch project on the go too, though I seem to have lost my cross stitch mojo just lately. I've also got a couple of crochet blankets on the go which haven't been touched at all over winter.
DeleteI just love the colours in the socks you are knitting for Eleanor ...
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you are once again disappointed with the yarn you are using for Mick's socks, although I do like the colourway.
I'm not a knitter, but I just wondered if any of your 'craft and knitting' readers may have experienced similar?
Hope you are keeping warm this weekend.
All the best Jan
I'm really pleased with the yarn I'm using for Eleanor's socks, both the colour and the feel of it. I know lots of people who rave about Opal yarn, it makes me want to try it again even though I've used it twice now and I haven't been keen either time.
DeleteI absolutely love your socks. Knitting in the round has always given me fits.....yours is awesome!
ReplyDeletexxx
I know lots of people use circular needles for knitting in the round, even for socks, but I still prefer double pointed needles. They can be rather tricky to get used to at first but once you've mastered them it's quite easy going.
DeleteBoth socks are looking good. I especially love the colours in Eleanor's socks. I'm still working on my cross stitch sampler - just a few more motifs to go. x
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the yarn for Eleanor's socks, it's working up beautifully. Your cross stitch sampler is going to be lovely, a family heirloom for sure.
DeleteI've got a pair of straight zings and i do like them, the yarn just slides so smoothly on them.
ReplyDeleteI'm just sat down and have got my long forgotten Caramel Cardigan out of hibernation I really do need to finish this up, soon.
I've been really impressed with the KnitPro Zings, I've got double pointed needles and circular needles too, I'm thinking of getting an interchangeable set. I've got a few projects in hibernation at the moment, both cross stitch and crochet, it's my knitting mojo which is at the fore at the moment.
DeleteI am knitting a Begonia Swirl shawl and I counted the stitches last night.At least 750!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried Regia sock wool.Or for a real treat Posh Yarn.SAle starts at 7 pm GMT a on a Sunday evening
Wow, that's a lot of stitches. It must take you ages to knit one line. I have tried Regia, I do like that brand and I've coveted Posh Yarn for a while now but have never bought any, I really should treat myself.
DeleteYou are so clever. I love the look of those socks.
ReplyDeleteI'm really not clever, I just follow a pattern. I hope Mick and Eleanor love the socks too.
DeleteI wasn't keen on the Opal yarn, far to scratchy. Love the colour of Eleanors socks, pretty.
ReplyDeleteI've got a cardigan on the needles for granddaughter for school - she's grown such a lot since going back to school in September the cuffs are halfway up her arm lol....... and I treated myself to a set of Knitpro Symphonie coloured needles from the LNS at the weekend)
I'm glad I'm not the only one to find Opal yarn really rough, I keep hearing people say how much they like it and I wonder if I've picked up a rogue batch. Children grow so quickly when they're young, you must have new cardigans on the go most of the time. I've got some KnitPro Symfonie crochet hooks but I must admit that I do prefer metal to wood.
DeleteLoving the Summer Berries colourway. My problem is that most wool makes me itch (that and I can't knit!) :D
ReplyDeleteI love the Summer Berries colourway too. Wool used to make me sneeze as well as itch, not a good combination, but I've grown out of that, thank goodness.
DeleteI've only ever knitted one pair of socks and I didn't get the length right - they are too long like almost every other pair of socks I own. I must learn how to get the right length for my short feet.
ReplyDeleteIf you're very careful, you can try the socks on as you knit them so you can get the right size. Just make sure that the stitches don't get pulled off the ends of your needles.
DeleteBoth very nice, but do love the pinky ones best. Suppose I'm a bit girlie on that front. Interesting about the needles and the ones on the pink socks, which I don't think I've ever seen anything like them.Have a good week & take care.
ReplyDeleteI like the pink ones best too, though I couldn't see Mick in those so we'll stick with the grey ones for him. The KnitPro needles come in all different colours according to the size, a different colour for each size.
DeleteWhat a shame that the Opal is scratchy. I do hope it washes up softer. Will Mick wear scratchy socks? The colour of Eleanor's socks is lovely. It really does look like summer berries!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that the socks will wash a little softer once they're finished, though Mick will still wear them anyway, he's not fussy like that. I'm really pleased with the yarn I'm using for Eleanor's socks, it's really pretty in this colourway.
DeleteCrochet is my love so I am working on a blanket and sewing a patchwork quilt. I am always in awe of socks, the variegated yarn is a delight. Such a shame the one seems rough, hopefully it will soften once washed.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen out of love with crochet at the moment but I'm sure I'll come back to it, I hope so anyway because I've got two blankets on the go. I'd love to be able to sew, I keep saying that I'll have a go with Eleanor's machine but I still haven't got round to it. I think variegated yarn is brilliant, no changing colours to get a fancy design.
DeleteI am stuck in the sock mad state and am on the 5th pair this month with 3 more lined up. I am having fun trying out different heels and toes but still love a flap and gusset heel with a round toe.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to get the sock knitting bug, isn't it? There's so many different ways to make up a pair, it's a case of working out which components work for you. I like the flap and gusset heel too, though I haven't really done much experimenting with toes.
DeleteThose socks are going to be very loved.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, I know I love all my hand knitted socks.
DeleteI've just finished a cable cushion cover. The attic is having a revamp so I am busy being creative. I've never knitted socks even though I've been knitting for 33 years.
ReplyDeleteI love cable designs but I'm not so keen on knitting them. You should definitely give socks a try, I absolutely love mine, they're so warm and cosy. I've been in hand knitted socks every day this winter.
DeleteYour new projects are growing quickly! Jx
ReplyDeleteThey knit up quickly if you give them a bit of time.
DeleteLove the idea of knitting some trainer sock sizes, must add that to my list. I've not knitted with opal, but your comments are enough to make sure I steer clear, although I hope they do soften up for you. I have just made myself a small but used extreme chunky t shirt yarn to hook myself up a bag, am a teeny bit in love with it Jo!
ReplyDeleteI'm not keen on trainer socks myself, they always feel as though they're falling down, but Eleanor likes short socks so I thought she might like these. I like the sound of your bag and all the better when you're really pleased with your make.
DeleteNot a lot going on here at the moment, as most of my stuff is in storage! I like knitting with bamboo needles, I find them less wearing on my fingers. I still regularly wear a pair of socks I knitted with Opal wool about 10 years ago - I have even darned the toes!!
ReplyDeleteThat Opal yarn must be very hard wearing then, I'll be interested to see what this pair's like after washing. I much prefer metal needles to bamboo, I find the yarn moves along much easier.
DeleteThe summer berries wool is lovely! I've abandoned all projects at the moment, I can't seem to get motivated to do anything. I've got my nose stuck in a book instead.
ReplyDeleteA book can get a little addictive when you're reading a good one, I usually limit myself to reading at bedtime otherwise I'd have no time for anything else.
DeleteMmm reading the words summer berries has made me fancy a smoothie!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
There's some great names for yarn, I think this one suits the colour really well.
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