New Socks that Rock Project

I finished my Swirly Girl socks last night, so I had a free needle to transfer the toe from my new Rockin Socks that Rock Monsoon socks onto. I prefer to use a 12" long ADDI turbo to knit my socks. I tried using the Magic Loop and double points, neither of which worked well. I don't yet have two size 2.5 mm circulars, so I had to finish the SG socks before I could start knitting up the foot of the new pair. I knit the toe on double points but they are not my preferred method of knitting socks.

The short row toe went really well. I love garter stitch! I'm not so fond of ribbing, though, and that's what the rest of the foot is in this pattern. Two different kinds of ribbing, no less. I'm going to try and stick to the pattern on this pair, though. After all, that's what I'm paying the big bucks for, isn't it? I didn't follow the pattern completely on any of last year's socks from the club, so I procrastinated on signing up again this year. Eventually I gave in and bit the bullet, though. I'm not good at following patterns. I want to do my own thing.

I watched Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters and knit away on the socks. I finished the 2nd Swirly Girl sock just as DH was ending. Actually I didn't finish it, but I knit off onto double points halfway through the toe decreases. They'll be done tonight, I promise. I want to wear them tomorrow.

Update: I'm almost ready to start the heel now. I've never successfully done a short row heel (or toe) so hopefully this one will work. Of course, I only tried the heel once before. Flap and gusset heels fit me well, so I didn't see a reason to change. The toe went perfectly, although where I started the ribbing pooches out a little before the ribbing compresses in again. My stripes are working out very nicely, with just a little spiraling. I am using a size 2.5 mm needle. Knitting the ribbing isn't too bad, either. The yarn is so smooth it knits like buttah.

New Sock Projects

I started a new sock last night after finishing my Socks that Rock Pink Granite Marble Arches design. I got some Tofutsies yarn and the Swirly Girl pattern by the Knitiot. I am not using the the Tofutsies yarn, though. I had some Nature's Palette naturally dyed yarn from Full Thread Ahead in my stash, screaming to be knitted up. It is a pale sea green with dots of dark navy and bronze. The texture of the yarn is a lot like the Fleece Artist or Cherry Tree Hill super sock yarn. It feels so wonderful and is easy to knit with. The only problem (and it's minor) is that the yarn leaves my fingers blue from the indigo residue.

The pattern is so easy to knit, looks great and is perfect with the yarn. What more can I ask? The Tofutsies yarn will be next on my list. It is WONDERFUL too! I need a different pattern for the yarn colors I have, though. I have been browsing my sock pattern notebook for the perfect stitch pattern. The colorways I got are too dark to show off the Swirly Girl design. I'm getting ready to go to Stitches West on Thursday. I have a little bit of homework to do for Lily Chin 's class on reversible cables. No homework for my other classes.