I bought this yarn from Spring Into Wool back in April, it's WYS Signature 4 Ply in the Mallard colourway from their Country Birds collection and they're the latest socks I've knit for a Christmas gift. These socks were intended for Daniel but now they're knitted up, I'm not sure they're his colour. I'm not sure he'll like such pronounced stripes either. I may very well gift them to my dad for Christmas instead as they're more his thing, either way, they'll be a Christmas gift.
I used the Vanilla Latte Socks pattern by Virginia Rose-Jeanes and I'm very pleased with it, a nice simple pattern which shows the yarn off well. They're very similar to a plain sock, the only difference being the vertical stripes which have been created by purling a few stitches in each alternate row, it adds a little extra interest in both the knitting and the finished item.
This pattern allows you to decide on a few things for yourself. Firstly, the cuff. I went with a 1X1 Rib but the pattern also suggests other options. I went with an Eye of Partridge heel and a Rounded Wedge Toe but again, other options are given.
I've got a couple of things that I've made tucked away for Christmas now. I haven't gifted anything hand made for a couple of years as in the past, I've left everything till the last minute and then it all gets rather stressful trying to finish things off in time, but I really want to make some gifts again this year so I'm determined to have everything done in good time.
How about you, do you give hand made presents and if so, have you started making anything yet? I'd love to know.
They look lovely and snuggly. Whoever gets them for Christmas is very lucky.
ReplyDeleteIt's good you've started on your Christmas gifts. I was going to make some myself this year but the whole house is in need of decorating so I have a feeling I will be kept busy with that once Lily starts school in September. X
I'm sure they'll be lovely and warm for winter. There always seems to be something to take us away from our crafting, that's why I've started early this year.
DeleteI use the WYS yarns and yes they do feel robust,and they are. The yarn does soften after washing. Their Aran yarn in the Aire Valley range is lovely for winter boot socks too.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind the yarn being a little more hard wearing for socks, especially men's socks. I shall have to have a look at the Aire Valley range, it'll probably make good socks to wear with walking boots.
DeleteThese socks are wonderful, Jo. Whoever gets them will be delighted, I'm sure. I was just thinking the other day that our wee Emily will "need" a Christmas stocking and a knitted Santa so I'd maybe better make a start to my Christmas making!
ReplyDeleteThere'll be no stopping your Christmas crafting this year, all those lovely things you'll be able to make for Emily, you'd better get started now.
DeleteI love those socks, Jo. One thing I would really like to be able to do is knit socks. I hardly even wear socks but if I could knit them, I'd wear them all the time!
ReplyDeleteSock knitting is much easier than many people think. I must admit that I wear socks right the way through winter and I love hand knitted socks, they're so much snugglier than bought socks.
DeleteI do hand make some of my presents and I have started on some because I'm so slow.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea to get a head start, I know from past experience how stressful it can be when you're working to a deadline and you're at the last minute.
DeleteThe socks are wonderful and your Dad is going to love them. I have exactly zero things made for Christmas and no time to even think about them. Ah well, I will work it out and then have a mad dash to the finish.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, that's what I'm usually like, it stresses me out though so I've decided to start early this year. I'm hoping it will all work out and that I won't be at the last minute again this way.
DeleteOh, what lovely sock using beautiful yarn! I think I would be clever if I could knit a dishcloth, socks look so complicated to me, my mother used to make them using four needles. I'm totally useless so I admire anyone who can produce lovely things like this, Jo!!!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Talking of dishcloths, I've just knit myself some new ones, I much prefer them to bought ones. My grandma was a wonderful knitter and used to keep her family in hand knitted socks when they were young.
DeleteSuch a beautiful gift. The Christmas list book came out last week but sadly this year it will be more bought gifts than crafted gifts. The cottage renovations are taking priority.
ReplyDeleteThere's some years when you just can't manage it, other things take priority. I'm sure when you've got the cottage how you want it, you'll be back to making hand crafted gifts again.
DeleteI love them and I'm sure Daniel or your dad would too. I wish I could produce lovely handmade gifts! xxx
ReplyDeleteYou can, your art work is beautiful. I think these will definitely be a gift for my dad, they're his colours.
DeleteLovely Jo & I think we might start calling you "the sock lady", after your run on them recently. I do like the colours in the above pair I was impressed WYS yarn whilst at Yarndale last year, but didn't buy any. I often look at their website & do a bit of wishing.(giggle) Take care.
ReplyDeleteThere'll be plenty more socks to come, they're the easiest things to knit for gifts and always appreciated. I'm impressed with WYS yarn too, I can see lots of pairs of socks being knit up in it.
DeleteGreat socks! I am sure that whoever receives them will love them. Not even thinking about Christmas here yet and it will not be handmade, well done you though for getting in the mode already!
ReplyDeleteI've had a few years off gifting hand made presents so I'm enjoying getting back to it this year. I just hope I manage it without being at the last minute this time.
DeleteThose socks look wonderful - that pattern is on my list as well.
ReplyDeleteItems that I've knit are actually the ones that my family are most excited about at Christmas - something I was quite surprised about when I first gave them. This year, I'm thinking of doing knitted mittens for everyone. I haven't started yet but I do find that since they are made with worsted or thicker yarn, they are one of the quickest knits so I'm finishing off several other projects first before I start on them.
It's a nice, easy pattern but the purl stitches give a little interest. It's lovely when hand made gifts are so well received. I too have been surprised by how pleased people are when they're gifted my hand knits, I love that as I know how much I've enjoyed making things for them and how much thought, time and effort has gone into it.
DeleteYour socks are lovely, you put me to shame, I have done no crafting at all. Lost my mojo
ReplyDeleteI think we all go through periods like that. I'm so into knitting at the moment that I haven't picked up my crochet or cross stitch for a very long time, but I'm sure I'll get back to it at some point.
DeleteWhat lovely socks, they will make a very nice Christmas present. I'm not organised enough to think Christmas yet, maybe next month. I do like some of the names/terms for the heels and soles, some really make me smile xx
ReplyDeleteIt is early to be thinking about Christmas but if I don't get started on knitting gifts early, they won't get done. I don't know where people think up the names for things like heels and toes in socks, indeed the socks themselves, they often make me smile too.
DeleteLove the socks, the pattern and the colourway.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for getting a head start on Christmas presents. I was going to knit hats for all the men in our family last year but left it too late, Stevie's boyfriend was quite disappointed so this year if i'm going to make anything i need to start earlier.
I feel much better getting a head start with all my Christmas gifts instead of leaving it till the last minute like I've done other years. I think most people will be getting socks this year.
Deletefabulous socks. I've knitted so many pairs for other people this year, I've forgotten the number. I'm trying to knit for workmates before I leave in 11 weeks - they'll remember me wearing the socks I knitted for them! I haven't even thought about Christmas...
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely thing to do. I'm sure your workmates will be really pleased with their snuggly socks.
DeleteWhat super looking socks - love the colour of the yarn.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I like all the different coloured stripes, it makes me want to carry on knitting 'just one more stripe' when the yarn is dyed in this way.
DeleteI'm sure your dad will love these. I love the earthy colours with the zing of blue.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
These colours are exactly what my dad wears so I'm sure he'll be pleased with them.
DeleteI love WYS yarn, it knits up lovely and washes so well too.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first thing I've made with WYS yarn but I see lots more in my future, I really enjoyed knitting with it.
Delete