Crusoe Socks

These socks were knitted up in Koigu Painter's Premium Palette Merino [100% merino wool; 175 yds/m per 50g skein] yarn using US#1 Needle. The yarn was a delicious treat and the pattern was really easy. Get the free pattern from http://www.knitty.com/.

Finished "2 Socks At a Time" on Magic Loop

Progressing on Socks on Magic Loop

Finished Socks Unwashed

Finished, Washed and Blocked

Liking this yarn lots!! Does not split and has a springy elasticity to it.

Finally finished the socks!! Not sure if I like the Magic Loop technique as much as like my dpn's but nevertheless it was a great exercise in learning something new.

I did make a mistake when reading and interpreting the pattern and you will notice that my heel flap actually started on the bottom of the foot rather than on the actual heel flap section. BUT, since I have been experiencing some heel pain the extra cushion actually works in my benefit.

Also, for some unknown reason as I was doing the slip one knit one, I did something really wrong but it was too late to go back and frog the piece. Doesn't matter. . .the socks are for me and I will know next time to do better, besides it will be hidden by my shoe so no one will be the wiser.

Meida Socks by Nancy Bush BUT Knitted by ME

These socks are finally done! I used a US#1 needle with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Weight in Seaside Colorway from Jimmy Beans Wool. It took me quite a while to finish these socks as the pattern was not that difficult but combined with the variegated yarn and my migraines, it took longer than expected. I fully enjoyed the outcome and hope the recipient enjoys it too.

Be sure to click on photograph to enlarge it, you will have a better look at the intricate details of the stitch.

Meida Socks by Nancy Bush

I started these socks months ago. It is my first attempt at knitting lace with cables on variegated yarn and is proving to be a challenge but I believe worth the work!!! I am using Lorna's Laces Hand Dyed Shepherd Sock in Seaside Colorway purchased from JimmyBeansWool. http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/ I am using US #1 needle. The pattern comes from the book Favorite Socks 25 Timeless Designs from INTERWEAVE, page 69. This pair is slow going and I only work on them when I am alone as I do not want to lose stitch count nor lose my stitches on my needles.

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn - Seaside "Media Socks"

I am in the process of knitting a pair of sock from the book "Favorite Socks". They are called Media Socks. I am using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Yarn in Seaside colorway.

These socks have a mock cable and lace design which might be a little difficult to see because of the busy colorway. The socks are knitted in US #1 dpn needles.

I just love knitting on smaller needles. I find as I expose myself to different designs and patterns, that I really enjoy using smaller sized needles versus larger sizes. I enjoy how the smaller needles create such a tight fabric that seems almost seamless. Granted, with larger sized needles you progress a little faster in your garment, but for me its the process of creating that I seem to enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy the end prodcut as well. I derive a certain pleasure in knowing that not everyone can create SOCKS! Yes, I have become a SOCK snob. There is a certain aura about the majic of turning the heel, picking up the stitches for the gusset, etc. Wow, what a feeling of accomplishment.

This yarn is also really nice to work with. I love Lorna's Laces products. The Worsted Weights are also great. Please check out this yarn by visiting your LYS or online knitting store.

More Socks??

Well, yes, more socks!! I love knitting socks and I love this Retro Anklet sock pattern found in the book Socks, Socks, Socks, page 10. I used Colinette's Jitterbug yarn, Jewel colorway, with US #2 needles. I know the socks look like they have no shape, but they fit beautifully. The colorway is such a happy color and I thoroughly enjoyed working with this yarn. Colinette never seems to disappoint me!!!

Baby Booties

These little cute booties were knitted on US#5 needles with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in white. I guess by now you must know how much I love Debbie Bliss yarns. I can't seem to get away from this lovely yarn. Its so soft and plushy. Try it, you'll like it.

Baby Beanie Hat with Socks

Now isn't this cute? I love this pattern by Debbie Bliss. Its called Baby Striped Hat, but I didn't use two different colors but rather used variegated yarn by Zitron Lifestyle. I knit this hat in the flat on US#3 needles. I love the way it came out. The socks were also by Debbie Bliss using the same yarn and same size needles. I realized after knitting these socks, which were done on flat straight needles, that I don't like knitting socks flat. I prefer using my double pointed needles for the task.

I usually knit my socks on dpn's concurrently as I have not taught myself how to do socks on the Magic Loop.

Lessons from Geese

This was submitted by my daughter's friend. Its a lovely thought. Goes quite well with the Flying Geese Socks I made in 2007.

Double click on it and it will open bigger so that you can read it.

My Zitron LifeStyle Socks

Well, I finally finished another pair of socks. These will be for me. All the other socks I have made have been given away and what a lovely pleasure to give such beauties away. But, these I definitely cannot part with. Why you might ask? Well the yarn was purchased by my daughters over the Christmas holiday for me, and so I made these socks for me and while thinking of my girls. They were knitted up using Zitron's LifeStyle Blue colorway on US#2 needles. I love the fabric this yarn created!!

Opal Ankle Socks

This is another pair of socks I recently finished. I love this yarn as it is self-patterning. It almost looks like Fair Isle knitting, but NOT! This yarn is lovely to work with and very forgiving. I encourage everyone who knits to always use a yarn that will be pleasing to the eyes so that you don't get bored with it. This yarn, you will definitely not get bored.

These socks are simple basic ankle socks, knitted on US #2 dpn needles.

Update on Latest Socks

Well, finally I finished the Flying Geese Socks. My dear mom blocked these socks for me and let me tell you, they look fantastic blocked! I didn't realize what 'blocking' can do for your knitting pieces.

I must share with you that I have discovered that I tend to knit my first socks of a pair nicely. Its mate usually never looks the same. Case in point: I did the first sock of the Flying Geese Pattern and it came out beautiful, granted there might have been one or two little 'signature markings' but overall it came out beautiful. Its mate on the other hand, did not as you will see from the picture.

First of all let me share with you that knitting can be very very relaxing, but when you are under a surmountable stress value as I was on the day I attempted to finish this sock, you will quickly come to realize that you will make terrible mistakes that you will regret for the life of that sock.

The mate to this sock went through much distress at my hands. I started grafting the toe way way before I was supposed to. I realized my mistake, but by this point I had already 'cut' the yarn. I attempted to go back and undo the grafting, add yarn to the existing yarn and continue the pattern until I really arrived at the place of grafting the required stitches. Well, my toe area ended up looking like a 'roach killer' sock!! Meaning that it was pointy rather than rounded as it mate was.

By the end of this finished product, I can tell you I was NOT relaxed, but more distressed than when I started. My daughter said not to look upon it as a 'mistake' but rather that the sock itself had 'character'. Suffice to say, I took her advice and left the sock as is.

Flying Geese Pattern Socks

Here is the Flying Geese Sock finished. And, yes, I am in the process of creating its mate. Jitterbug is a wonderful yarn to work with. I love the flecks of cranberry color scattered throughout the yarn. If you see this yarn in any of your travels, pick it up. You won't be disappointed.

New York City's Subway System and Sock Knitting

I have heard that there is a 'snobbery' that happen with knitters. I was a bit skeptical about that labeling until I realized I became a 'knitting snob'. I must say there is nothing wrong with it. . .

I have become a little more comfortable with my knitting in public. I can actually work on my socks while standing at the platform waiting for the train. I don't need to sit in order to knit my socks. Socks are wonderful. They are portable, the needles don't get into others' 3 feet of space limitation and gives a quick gratification for those who need to see some results yesterday rather than today!!

Well recently, I had to stand all the way home as I was not quick enough to grab a seat. So I stood against the door, although all New Yorkers know we are not supposed to lean against the door, but as New Yorkers go, we do nevertheless. Anyway there I was knitting away at a sock I had just started. For those of you who do not knit socks, the first fews rounds are a little awkward and sometimes the needles flay ever so slightly. Well I was happily knitting along when all of a sudden a woman screeches out "are you knitting socks?" to which I shyly said yes. All heads in the particular train car looked my way. I just wanted to melt into the door. I don't like attention brought to me, I am more comfortable being a wallflower. Anyway she continued to tell me how she knitted only one sock, of which she was quite proud of, in a neon green no less was the color chosen for her sock and how she found it quite boring. Well that she found socks boring made for less conversation. . .mind you, all this was said at the top of her lungs and everyone was listening. All I could do was nod nicely and nicely nod I did.

I couldn't wait for her to stop talking so I could get back to my knitting. She finally got a seat to which I gladly did not push her over so that I could get that seat and I finally got back to my sock!!! As all knitters know, every minute wasted is a minute a stitch could be knitted. I realized then I had arrived. I became a 'knitting snob' and proud of it I am!!!!

Flying Geese Pattern Socks

These socks are my very first attempt at following a pattern that contains a graph chart with corresponding symbols for each stitch to be created. It was a good exercise in learning to read charts, doing my very first cable stitches and my very first attempt at an 'intermediate' pattern. Whoa!!! I think I'm doing pretty good. . .wouldn't you agree?! The yarn is by Colinette 'Jitterbug' colorway #75-Moss, using US Needles #3 and 4. You can click on the photo to enlarge it and you can see the design of the 'Flying Geese', pattern by Needful Yarns.

Working with Panda Cotton Yarn

Working with this yarn was lovely. It has a nice elasticity and cool feeling. My socks came out with a nice drape and 'heavy' or substantial feel to it different than the first pair of socks made in Opal superwash wool. The colors are bright. I used one 50 oz. skein to virtually complete the pair. I only had to use a little yardage from the second skein. So now I can make another pair, maybe shorter in the same material. The only feature I didn't like about this yarn was the splitting of the plies. I found that I had to be careful not to split the plies and when I had to rip back a few stitches I found that the yarn would separate its plies. Other than that the yarn was terrific and the end result was quite satisfactory.

Panda Cotton - Socks Finished

My Panda Cotton socks are finally finished!!! These socks feel so comfy and drapey. The fabric is luscious! Panda Cotton by Crystal Palace Yarns and knitted on US #2 needles.

Panda Cotton - Socks In The Works Cont'd

Well I finished the first sock to this lovely Panda Cotton yarn. Now I am in the works of beginning its mate!!

Panda Cotton - Socks In The Works

Well, after all the excitement and cheering of finishing my first ever pair of socks, I started on the next. I realized I really like ankle socks and went in search of a more basic pattern than the previous one I worked on. I wanted the leg portion of the sock to be shorter. Well, I was somewhat unsuccessful in finding a pattern already written and didn't want to pay for a pattern since I have all these sock books that I figured I should have found something there. Well I remembered in some of the sock groups on yahoo, some listers talked about reducing the number of rounds on the 'leg' portion and just continuing with the pattern. I then decided to draw up a very basic pattern through Sock Wizard's program (http://www.knittingsoftware.com/). I have decided to tackle the task of making shorter ankle socks than my previous one. I am continuing this journey. . .

Finished the Retro Anklet Socks!

Whoa!!! I finally finished the sock mate on Wednesday night. I worked feverishly to finish, while watching back to back episodes of "Law & Order: CI". I am so amazed that I really really made a pair of socks. After reading and watching tutorials and watching DVDs on knitting socks, I finally put it all into practice and produced two socks = one pair!!!