Wintery Socks

I was very excited about creating hand dyed yarn!  It was bright and looked great  held with another strand of yarn. Sooo, 

Taking inspiration from the mission and guidelines of Wool-Aid, the Wintery Socks were designed to create a warm woolen pair of socks for a child who lives in the coldest climate and has the least access to resources. 
The Wintery Socks work well in a fingering superwash wool blend, held with wool worsted weight yarn. The socks are worked as a K2 x P2 rib, with optional directions for Rib & Ridges, and Rib Interrupted modifications. This may be considered an intermediate level pattern because knowledge of sock (and stitch) construction is helpful.

Finished size: leg height about 10”, about 7” flat, stretch 10”circumference, foot length 9.5”
(update: 3/17/19 pattern pdf available with additional sizes on Ravelry) 

Gauge: 5 stitches, 6 rows = 1” Adjust needle size, and row count to match gauge.

Materials:

Yarn: superwash wool blend in fingering weight, 100% worsted weight,

and 3 yards worsted waste yarn for set-up afterthought heel

Photo: KnitPicks Chroma Twist, 70%Superwash Wool/30%Nylon,  437yards/100grams, color Natural, then hand dyed with PAAS Classic Egg Decorating Kit and red & pink food color (this project used 50grams of the fingering yarn)

Classic Heather by Ella Rae, Worsted 100% Wool 219 yards / 100 grams, color 164

Needles: Size US#7(4.5mm), 16”and 24” circular needles or size US#7 set double pointed needles

and smaller set double pointed needles to pick up stitches for afterthought heel

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers

Resources: Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles , by Cat Bordhi;

KNITTING circles around SOCKS ,by Antje Gillingham

Abbreviations: CO= cast on       K = knit       p= purl       k2tog=knit 2 stitches together       MC=main color       Rnd/s=round/s      st/s=stitch/es

Directions: The directions are written for size child/teen, and working with 2 circular needles.

(notes are in italic) Make 2 socks.

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size US#7 needles, cast on 60stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Set Up: * K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (40 sts = 20sts per needle)

Leg Rnds: with 20sts per needle, K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

Work leg 8” from heel CO for desired height.

Optional: 
Cuff: Rnds: 1-15: K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

Rib & Ridges:

Rnd 1: Knit

Rnd 2: K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

Optional: 
Cuff: Rnds: 1-15: K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

Rib Interrupted

Rnds 1-4: K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

Rnd 5: Purl (Set up for Instep and Heel following a Rnd 4)

Instep and Heel set up:

Work front needle/instep as established.

Heel: Drop MCyarn, and with a strand of different colored yarn knit across heel 20 stitches.

Turn, and with the strand of different colored yarn purl back across heel to end/beginning of needle.

Drop colored strand, pick up MC, and knit across heel 20 stitches once more. After this work instep as established, and knit sole; the heel will be put in later.

Instep and Sole:

Work instep as established, and knit sole until sock measures from heel (colored yarn) marker;

6” for desired length.

Toe:

Rnd 1 & odd rounds: (instep) * K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1;

repeat from * to end(sole) (4sts decreased)

Rnd 2 & even rounds: Knit

Continue until 10sts remain for instep, and 10sts remain for sole.

With 20 stitches remaining, cut 18” yarn, and work Kitchener Stitch to finish the toe.

Heel:

Carefully slide the 20sts below(sole), and 20sts above the colored yarn(leg) to needles. Carefully remove the colored yarn.  Attach MC yarn, pick up one stitch at the beginning of needle, as you knit a round, pick up one stitch at the end of the needles. (44sts =  22sts per needle, and this will help avoid “holes” on the heel sides.)  Now, work the heel the same as the toe.

Rnd 1 & odd rounds: * K1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, k2tog, k1;

repeat from * to end (4 sts decreased)

Rnd 2 & even rounds: Knit

Continue until 10sts remain for leg, and 10sts remain for sole.

With 20 stitches remaining, cut 18” yarn, and work Kitchener Stitch to finish the heel.

Finishing: Weave in tails. Make second sock.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.

Wintery Socks pattern pdf available on Ravelry.
Copyright 2019, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 2-24-19

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Dyed!

2/19/19

Taking inspiration from ChemKnits YouTube Videos, and the supermarket's desire to leap from one holiday to the next, I purchased two boxes of  PAAS Classic to dye a hank of KnitPicks Chroma Twist, 70%Superwash Wool/30%Nylon,  437yards/100grams, color Natural.  This yarn had been hibernating in my stash. I gathered the supplies, and got started.  The project took a couple hours, clean up was nothing more than washing a few dishes, and I had a good time.
Resources: ChemKnits
SOCKS, SOCKS, SOCKS; Edited by Elaine Rowley, (1998) 2007, p72, Dye-Your-Own Socks by Traci Bunkers.    I've had the book since 2008, and use it as a good recipe.
Also check out: ChemKnitsCreations Etsy Shop to enjoy/purchase her beautifully dyed yarns!
Supplies: bare yarn, microwave-safe dish, 2 PAAS Classic Egg Decorating Kits, water, vinegar, cookie sheet w/cling wrap, rubber gloves
Additional Supplies: string, measuring cups, bowl, food color, microwave, sink, tablecloth, apron, towels.

I gathered supplies.

I added 4 ties to the yarn, and  pre-soaked the yarn for an hour in 2cups warm water & 1/2cup vinegar.

I sorted the dye tablets on a paper towel and placed 1 of each color on the protected baking sheet. (Next time, I'll remember my color wheel and place the colors blue, green, yellow, and reds!)

I gently removed some of the pre-soak water, and  placed the yarn on the tablets. I placed a matching tablet in top of the yarn.  I warmed the remaining pre-soak water in the microwave for 30seconds, then gently poured it over the yarn.  I also warmed 2cups water & 1/2cup vinegar to add to the process. 

The yarn sat for an hour.  (Yes, I did a little poking and spooning dye.)

The yarn looks pretty good in the photo, but I was not happy with the red. 

I gathered some McCormick food dye to over-dyed the red.  With 1cup warm water, 1/4cup vinegar, and 25drops of red, I dipped that portion of the yarn into the solution for 10 minutes.

Now that I looked at it, the pink could also be more saturated. With 1cup warm water, 1/4cup vinegar, and 10drops of NEON pink, I dipped that portion of the yarn into the solution for 10 minutes.

I forgot to take photos of the yarn in an 8"x8"glass baking dish going into the microwave for 2minutes, and out for 2minutes.  I did this 3 times. Color was still releasing when gently squeezed, but I didn't want to overcook the yarn.

The yarn cooled while I typed this blog post.

I rinsed and gently washed the yarn with a little dish soap.

The yarn will dry on a towel with a small fan circulating the room air.

The yarn is very colorful, and I'm excited to start a pair of  socks tomorrow!

Copyright 2019, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 2-18-19

Namaste (yoga socks)

A yoga friend wants to knit yoga socks. I’ve designed the Namaste Socks to work well in a DK superwash wool blend. The k2, p2 ribbing is meditative, and the socks can be knit in just a few days making them the perfect gift or accessory. 

This may be considered an intermediate level pattern because knowledge of sock (and stitch) construction is helpful.

Finished size: 8”leg height; 5”,6”,7”foot length;

about 6” flat, stretch 10”circumference.

Materials: Yarn: DK superwash wool blend

Photo: Stratosphere by Brown Sheep, DK;

100% superwash wool, 260yds/3.5oz;

238m/100g; color: S221R Alpine Glow

Needles: Size US#4(3.5mm), 16”and 24” circular needles or size US#4 set double 
pointed needles  

Gauge: 6sts and 8rows = 1” (k2, p2 rib)

Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers

Abbreviations: CO=cast on      BO= bind off      k = knit       p= purl       Rnd/s=round/s

     st/s=stitch/es      k2tog= knit 2 stitches together

Cable Cast On: (Knit Purl Hunter)      

Bind Off In Pattern: (Knit Purl Hunter) 

Knit Purl Hunter has graciously given permission for me to link her Cable Cast On and Bind Off in Pattern videos to assist any adventurous beginners wishing to knit a pair of Namaste socks.

Directions: The directions are written for adult size medium, and working with 2 circular needles. (notes are in italic) Make 2 socks.

Use Cable Cast On, with size US#4 needles, CO 48 stitches. (left needle = 48sts)

Set Up: With yarn in front, slip1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.

Now, place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Foot Rnds: With 24 sts per needle, K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

(Needle1, instep = 24sts; Needle2, sole = 24sts)

Work foot 5”, 6”, 7”, from CO for desired length. Set up for heel and leg.

Leg & Heel set up:

Rnd A: Needle1: K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1, with Needle2: K1, Bind Off in Pattern 21sts,

do not BO last stitch, move yarn to back, slip BOloop to left needle. (2sts left needle, 1st right needle)

Row B: with 2sts on left needle, Cable Cast On 23sts, then slip1 stitch from right needle to left needle. (Needle2 = total 26sts)

Row C: Needle2: k2tog, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last 2sts, k2tog (Needle2, back of leg = 24sts)

Leg Rnds: with 24 sts per needle, K1, p2, * k2, p2; repeat to last st, k1.

Work leg 8” from heel CO for desired height.

Finishing: Bind Off In Pattern all stitches. Weave in tails. Make second sock.

This pattern is available on marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.

Namaste Socks pattern pdf is available on Ravelry.

Copyright 2019, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 2-10-19

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Here are photos of the progress:

DK yarn from our LYS Seaside Yarn and Fiber!

Yarn wound into ball/cake.  Needles gathered.

I used the Cable Cast On for "toes".   I worked yarn from the inside and out of the ball/cake of yarn to work the socks two at a time on two circular needles.

I worked through the Bind Off In Pattern and Cable Cast On for the "heels".

I worked 8" for the legs, and ready to Bind Off In Pattern.

Namaste

Copyright 2019, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 2-10-19

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com