This is most definitely the year of socks. I think I'm already onto my 4th pair this year, and my 7th total. What can I say, socks are the best. And between patterns, heel techniques, toe up vs cuff down… the possibilities are endless. For my two most recent ones, I tried a few different things. And, spoiler alert: I love them both!
First is my first self-stripping pair! Isn't that yarn gorgeous? It's Drops Fabel long print in the Rose Mist colorway. Since the colors were so soft and pastel I decided to punch it out a bit by using my favorite sock pattern: Hermione's everyday socks. Which yes is the pattern I used for my first ever pair of socks (remember?). I did them cuff down and slightly longer that the first pair so I can wear them with boots for instance. I also changed the heel because I'm not super into the heel flap and gusset technique and I wanted to protect my stripe sequence. So I used a modified version of the afterthought heel, using P3tog instead of the usual ssk + K2tog combo. You can see what my heel looks like on my project page on Ravelry if you're curious :) Love them! I bought a whole lot of Drops sock yarn in March because they were having a sale, I love the yarn and it's super cheap (like 4€ for a pair of socks cheap).
My second pair is Irish Oats by Cabinfour and unlike most sock patterns calls for Sport weight yarn instead of fingering. Which is awesome if you want winter / very cozy socks and bonus point: they knit up faster! The yarn I used is some Regia Fashion that I actually found on Amazon! The pattern can look a bit impressive with its cables and texture panel but is actually a pleasure to knit and super simple to memorize!
I made them toe up (the pattern is written for cuff down but easy to adapt to your style). I just adore the look of toes when made toe up! I just haven't found a bind off that I like half as much as my twisted german cast on for cuff down so I just switch from one style to the other.
What's your take on cuff down vs toe up?
Both pairs are lovely! I especially like the soft stripes on the Hermione's Everyday Socks. I'm also on my fourth pair of the year, and I also knitted Irish Oats this year (and I'm currently knitting another pair of Hermione's Everyday Socks).
ReplyDeleteI've always done cuff down socks on DPNs. It's the way I learned how to knit socks and I've always been satisfied with them. But I'm going to have to get out of my comfort zone soon...yesterday I finished my first handspun sock yarn. I have very limited yardage, so I'm going to have to knit them toe up because I want to use up every bit of the yarn without running out. I'm still doing them on DPNs, though! I can't handle too much change all at once. :)
I love these pictures!
ReplyDeleteMy second sock is sitting beside me here..it's nearly finished. And yes I think I'll be casting on another pair as soon as I'm finished. I can see that I'm going to get obsessed with getting it perfect. I want to knit an exquisite sock! (like these..)
YAY! photos, photos, photos!! socks are the best!
DeleteGorgeous, gorgeous socks! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! And they look so cozy! Especially love that blue/aqua color - so bright and cheerful! :D
ReplyDeleteI flip flop on whether I like toe up or cuff down better. Right now I'm on a cuff down frenzy. I think I like decreasing more than increasing, so that's why I prefer it. For now. Your socks came out great. I love the stripes the best. Just a beautiful, subtle color combination that looks great with the texture.
ReplyDeleteLove the colors that you picked for these patterns! The Hermione's where my second pair of socks I've ever knitted and it's still one of my favourite pairs! Those Irish Oats Socks keep popping up everywhere, I think I'll have to add them to my queue! I never worked a sock toe-up yet, I'm a bit afraid of the provisional cast-on.
ReplyDeleteI was too at first but youtube is full of great videos! I'm also pretty sure some toe techniques don't include provisional cast on (like Judy's magic cast on I think)
DeleteSocks are the best! Yay for year of socks. Your lovelies will make a great addition to your sock drawer.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my preference- I'm a top down girl!:)
You always knit the loveliest socks! Hermione's everyday socks are next on my list and I think I will try your p3tog heel technique :)
ReplyDelete