The first thing I cast on in the new year was Boxy by Joji Locatelli, a lightweight sweater which I'd promised to knit for Eleanor. I bought some Drops Baby Merino when Wool Warehouse was having a sale and this yarn was earmarked for this project. Boxy is an oversized sweater which is knit in the round, there's nearly 400 stitches on the needle, so I don't expect to have this finished any time soon, but as it's knit in plain stocking stitch it will be a good project to pick up when I'm watching TV.
After all the sock knitting I did for other people last year, I intend to spoil myself a little this year and knit some lovely socks for myself. I recently came across a photo of some socks which I liked the look of on The Woolly Adventures Of A Knitting Kitty blog. Helen had written a post, The Socks Have It, about the hand knitted socks she has in her sock drawer and the photo of the socks I liked was in this post. As I read on, it came to light that Helen had designed the pattern for these socks herself and called the pattern Kali Kardia after a favourite taverna in Greece where the idea for these socks was born. The textured pattern is offered in a chequerboard or ribbed version, I've decided to go for the latter. I'm using yarn from Laughing Yaffle in the Fantasia colourway which has been in my stash for six years now so it's time it was used.
I decided that I'd like a plain pair of socks on the needles too so I decided to get a head start and knit up a pair of socks ready for the Yarndale Sock Line. Yes, I know Yarndale isn't until September but what can I say, I like to be organised. I'm using Grundl Hot Socks Rubin in the 05 colourway. I'm thoroughly enjoying knitting these socks, the yarn is so soft being 50% superwash merino, 25% bamboo and 25% polyamide and I'm loving how the colour is working up.
I used to be a monogamous knitter but I enjoy having different projects on the go at any one time now, I doubt it will be long before some more projects make their way onto my needles.
I love the colours of both socks but especially the Hot Socks Rubin. It is gorgeous, my daughter would love it. I am off to order some right now!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to know how a particular colourway will knit up when you see it in a ball but I'm really pleased with the Hot Socks yarn, it's really fun to knit with. I bought this from Suffolk Socks if you're interested.
DeleteThank you, I will check them out.
DeleteThey sell some wonderful sock yarn, lots of different brands and a range of prices too. I hope you find some you like.
DeleteI love the colourway for the socks. I've still to start on a new crafty project. I just can't decide on what to make. X
ReplyDeleteI've always plenty of things waiting in my Ravelry queue, the only problem is deciding which to make first, or holding back on casting on until I've finished something else first.
DeleteBoth pairs of socks look lovely, Jo. I can't imagine the patience needed to knit something that has 400 stitches in the row/round! Good for you! :o)
ReplyDeleteThe jumper is taking some knitting, and as it's knit in 4ply, or fingering weight, it doesn't knit up quickly. It's a nice easy knit for when I'm watching TV though.
DeleteWow, that yarn is stunning in the third photo, a real delight.
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with the Hot Socks yarn, I've never used it before but it's such a fun colourway and the yarn itself is so soft and snuggly.
Deletewow, sock envy, I have that sweater in my que but am just finishing the pavement sweater and dont think I could face that much stocking stitch for a while !
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely looking at the sweater as a long term project, so many stitches with such fine yarn is going to take some knitting, but there's no rush. It's a nice easy knit for when I don't want to concentrate.
DeleteGreat choices & love those colourways - I popped over to the Wooly Adventures blog and have added it to my read list. I finished a few things that had been on the needles for a while too, but still have two lace-weight knits that are only half way through. Even so, I cast on a pair of socks last night after realizing that I didn't have a portable, easy knit to bring with me when I'm on the go. I'll also be casting on a cardigan today (just need to wind the yarn) for a tv knitting option.
ReplyDeleteI love casting new things on but I do try to keep it sensible, It was great starting off the new year without a thing on my needles and being able to choose all new projects, I may still cast on another one or two things yet, we'll see. I've got the yarn stashed for a cardigan but I don't want to cast on another big project whilst I've got Eleanor's sweater on the go.
DeleteI love the wool. I don't know how you manage so many things at the same time......my brain would hurt!
ReplyDeleteI used to knit one thing at a time but I like having a selection of things on the go now, it's nice to have a choice of projects to knit on. There's times when I want to knit on something simple, other times when I want something I can get my teeth into more and then other times when I want something portable to take with me when I'm out and about.
DeleteThey are going to be gorgeous, you'll have to wear one of each!
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely something my kids would do.
DeleteA serendipitous post this is for me Jo, DH was only saying he would like a ribbed pair of 4 ply socks at the weekend and I was looking for a nice pattern ... I'm off to explore this blog and might just have to give a pair a try for him. Many thanks xx
ReplyDeleteGreat wool choices you have chosen for your pairs.
Jumpers going to be nice and snuggle for Eleanor.
I'm enjoying the pattern so far, nice and simple but not too plain. Eleanor might get her jumper in time for next winter, it grows so slowly.
DeleteLoving both those cheerful variegated colourways & am definitely going to get some socks done for this winter. Wish me luck on that, as I've still not tried it with 4 needles, although I can do neckbands that way. I've always got too much on the go, but variety is the spice of life they say. Happy knitting & take care.
ReplyDeleteYou could always use a circular needle, though I much prefer dpns myself. I think it's good to have plenty of choice when it comes to crafting, there's always something you fancy doing if you've got lots on the go.
DeleteLoving your projects for 2018,gorgeous colours for those socks.I would love to have a go at socks but it would have to be on 2 needles,and the heel easy lol.hugs to Archie,I could make him a blanket for Christmas !!
ReplyDeleteI started off knitting socks on two needles but I much prefer knitting them in the round as there's no sewing up to do. Perhaps you could have a go on a circular needle if you don't want to use dpns. There's lots of different heel patterns now too, though I always think the heels seem more scary than they are. What a lovely offer. Archie has a blanket that I made him, though I've only just been saying that I think I might make him a new one this year.
DeleteIt's great to have a project like the jersey that you can just pick up and knit. Fabulous sock wool too. i haven't knitted socks for a few months now.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that you've knit anything at all in the heat you've got over there at the moment. I think the jumper will take me some time, but I don't mind, it's a nice project to have on the go.
DeleteThe jumper looks as if it will be nice and comfy, but what a lot of stitches. Love the sock colourways. I like different projects on the go, sometimes one just doesn't work so you can do another instead and still get the feel good factor xcx
ReplyDeleteThere's so many stitches to knit on the jumper, I can't see me finishing it anytime soon, but that's fine, Eleanor's not in any rush for it. I really enjoy having more than one project on the go now, variety is the spice of life.
DeleteI love the sound of that sweater the perfect project to knit while watching TV. I haven't made socks for a while but I do have some lovely sock yarn sitting there waiting for me, trouble is once I start making socks everything else goes by the wayside. Now I'm off to investigate that blog. :) x
ReplyDeleteThe sweater is just plain with lots of stitches on the needles so quite mindless knitting, but I enjoy that when I'm concentrating on other things. I'm addicted to sock knitting, it's a good job I've got lots of lovely sock yarn in my stash.
DeleteAll lovely projects but I would get all 'fizzy' somehow if I had more than one knitting project on the go at one time. Sewing is another story :/
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love handmade socks - even my cracked heels don't go through them as they do with shop bought ones - an image I know you'll treasure - but I'm so slow to make them I'll never be able to be self sufficient in socks :(
I used to knit on one thing at once but that's all changed over the last couple of years and I love having a choice now. I've got enough hand knit socks to wear a pair each day but some of them are rather dog eared now so I want to concentrate on knitting some for myself this year. I knit so many pairs of socks for other people last year that I was rather neglected myself.
DeleteI love the sweater pattern, will look it up in a minute. I am using the very same yarn for a shrug, it is soft and wonderful. Have fun knitting those fab socks!
ReplyDeleteI haven't used Drops Baby Merino before but it's knitting up nice enough and you're right, it's really soft.
DeleteI would get bored if I only had one project on the go at a time! I have a full sock drawer after knitting 16 pairs in 2016!
ReplyDeleteI like having a choice of projects, it keeps things interesting. I knit sixteen pairs of socks last year but only two of those pairs was for me, I'm hoping to knit myself a few more pairs this year.
DeleteI think the colourway for the socks is just lovely.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be so much variety in wool these days.
Happy Knitting with all of your 2018 projects.
All the best Jan
I think sock yarn particularly is really good these days, so many colour choices. I'm enjoying knitting both pairs of socks I've got on the needles at the moment.
DeleteEleanor has great taste, that's exactly the style and color I would have chosen for myself!:)
ReplyDeleteI thought the grey was a little light in colour when I saw it online but it's a lovely colour in real life. It's knitting up nicely so I hope it all turns out okay.
DeleteI can certainly see Eleanor wearing that jumper, what a get comfy knit to wear that will be.
ReplyDeleteThe purple and green wool reminds me of sweetie wrappers, perhaps because it's just been Christmas and we've eaten so many!
Lisa x
It's a nice style for everyday wear. I can see sweetie wrappers in the colour of the yarn too.
DeleteI felt sure I'd left a comment yesterday when I visited your blog, but can't see it?
ReplyDeleteI love the colours in the socks.
I think socks these days are far more colourful than they ever used to be.
Happy Knitting.
All the best Jan
Sorry, I've been away from the computer all weekend so I'm a little late publishing the comments. Your original comment has now been published.
DeleteThanks Jo ... hope you had a good weekend.
DeleteAll the best Jan
I had a lovely weekend, thank you. More about that at a later date.
DeleteI really do like the wool, both absolutely gorgeous!xxx
ReplyDeleteThey're fun colours, especially the last one.
DeleteI do wish I could knit, but I don't seem to have the knack or the patience. Our local wool shop is for sale... I'm wishing I could win the lottery and buy it! :D
ReplyDeleteI've been able to knit for as long as I can remember, I can't even remember learning it was so long ago. I think owning a wool shop is many people's dream.
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