Socially Distant Socks

Socially Distant socks - on Payhip

I cast on for these wonderfully vivid socks a while ago using some fabulously named Pineapple Pyre yarn from Gamercrafting.

I had in mind a simple pattern, with no counting and no fuss but one that made the most of the brilliant variations in colour tone.

All the way through the knitting of these socks I knew they reminded me of something and my brain kept focusing on train tracks or tram rails. Then just as I was finishing them off it hit me - they reminded me of social distancing. Specifically the 2m distanced queues that we have become so used to seeing and being part of. Everyone together - but yet apart. Together but separate.

Talk about a metaphor for our times.

So here we have the Socially Distant socks - for your knitting pleasure. Toe-up, minimal counting and low stress. I don’t know about you but that’s been all I can manage in the knitting department of late.

If you subscribe to my newsletter please do check it out for a discount code, alternatively there’s the code SD25 which will get you a 25% early bird discount until Sunday 13 Sep.

The pattern is available on Payhip as well as on Ravelry.

Of socks and mice...

Precious Metals Socks - photo by kind permission of Anna-Maja (agrajag42 on Ravelry)

Sometimes I think I should really write a book - Tales of a Hapless Knitter perhaps.

Let me set the scene. A freshly washed and blocked pair of socks ready to be photographed for their moment of Ravelry stardom. They are also on a freshly washed clean white duvet cover but let’s ignore that for now. Our hapless knitter pops out for groceries and returns intending to take the necessary photographs and get her sock pattern up on Ravelry pronto.

Imagine the wails of dismay when she sees the carnage that has ensued in her absence. A certain black and white cat who goes by the wholly feminine and unsuitable name of Blossom, has brought her latest rodent find into the bedroom and proceeded to use said socks as a tablecloth for her feast.

I’ll spare you the sight but use your imagination on this one. It’s safe to say that a photo of the scene wouldn’t entice anyone into buying a sock pattern, not unless they have a particular interest in rodent anatomy.

But never fear, my lovely email subscribers are fellow KAL-ers came to the rescue with offers of project photos (as well as sympathy for the damaged socks). Thanks to their kindness the pattern is now up on Ravelry for your purchasing pleasure, without a hint of rodent massacre.

So this pattern is brought to you almost literally by blood, sweat and tears - and also the lovely photo taken by Anna-Maja (agrajag42 on Ravelry)

You can find the Precious Metals Socks pattern here - and you’ll also find a chastened cat banished to the kitchen,

Socktober

October really seems to have crept up on me this year and I can't quite believe we are in to Socktober already. Particularly bad planning on my part as I have 2 shawl patterns on the needles and an alpaca cardigan to finish.

I can't leave the day unmarked though so I'll be raiding my stash and casting on a new pair before the day is out. Even if they don't get finished for a while at least they will be on the needles.

Over on the Everyday Knitter Facebook group our monthly challenge is of course related to socks. There are a few sock novices who will be taking the plunge with their very first pair, as well as more experienced sock knitters who are setting themselves all manner of fun challenges. A tiny bit of my brain (the bit that is wildly over enthusiastic and fuelled by coffee) thought about trying to knit as many pairs as I could this month. Then, thankfully the more rational bit of my brain pointed to the aftermentioned knitting pile in progress and suggested that this might not be one of my better ideas.

Anyway, whatever your level of sock expertise I do hope you'll pop over to the group to join in. Even if you just lurk I hope you will pick up lots of ideas for inspiration and share our love for the way of the handknit sock.

Introducing BOB - a basic sock for beginners

Meet BOB - short for "Build on the Basics".

This is a sock which is ideal for a beginner but also offers something a little different from the standard basic sock. If you want to try a cuff down sock without a heel flap and that doesn’t require Kitchener stitch to graft the toe - then you are in the right place.

This pattern is for a 64st sock - sized to fit a foot circumference of 9” 

Eventually this pattern, with expanded sizes and design options will become a paid pattern on Ravelry but just for now, I’m offering the basic version in weekly installments for your knitting pleasure. There is a pattern page there however for those of you that like to track your projects. The purpose of this post is to let you know what materials you need so that you can get started when the first installment comes out on Monday (June 19th, 2017).

Installments will be posted here and also on my Instagram account . If you want to save the installments to your Instagram 'collections' just click on the little bookmark symbol to the bottom left of your screen.

For these socks you will need:

Yarn: 100g sockweight yarn (4ply) of your choice -  Speckles or self stripe make the knitting more fun. 

Needles: I use 2.25mm Hiya Hiya sharp interchangables with an 80cm cable. We are aiming for a gauge of 32st and 44 rows to 4”. Please adjust your needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Skills: if you can knit, purl and knit 2 together you can knit these socks. There is a different type of stitch - the wrap and turn - at the heel but I’ll talk you through this.

 Technique: throughout the knitting of these socks I will be using the magic loop technique with 32 stitches on one needle and 32 stitches on the other. You are of course welcome to use your preferred method of small circumference knitting and I will give the directions for needle 1 (N1) which covers the 1st 32st, and needle 2 (N2) which covers the 2nd 32st.

I'm really excited to run this KAL in a slightly different format to my usual ones and I hope you are too. I'll be back on Monday with the first installment but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.