cottington's so crafty: Yes, Socks Receive Their Own Blog Post

Though socks for a child are but wee, I felt that since I knit two pairs for Camden this year (well, over the past 8 months), they get their own blog post.

I used quite lovely yarn on both pairs, which makes it totally worth it ;)

I finished the pink pair way back in June (project page)...and they were slightly long, which I planned for...and they still are - oops! The yarn is Cyborg's Craftroom in the Assockilate base, and the color is Unicorn Rainbow Fight. They knit up beautifully, and I kept wanting to stare at them - and the other pair - while taking photos, aha!

Here is my thing with socks: they are tricky in that, to get gauge, I originally had to go down to a size 000 needle, and I either use metal DPNs or my Karbonz DPNs (I buy the Karbonz from Handome Fibers - you NEED to order from them!!! They are always so fast!). BUT...I started tensioning my yarn a bit, because of my loose gauge, and I now wonder if it's just too much. For example, you can see that ON, the socks fit super well, but they ARE snug to get up over the gusset (and I always knit a gusset and heel flap)...even though I knit my heel flap several rows longer, to accommodate for my crazy tight row gauge. I don't necessarily want to move back up to a size 00 needle, but I am wondering if I should give that a try on the next pair of socks for one of the kids. I love the final product in a 000, so, I'm not sure what to do. I wonder if maybe picking up even more gusset stitches would help. Hmmm....

For both pairs, I used the same pattern I always use for stockinette socks (paper copy, by the way!) - the Easy Lightweight Sock Pattern by Knitting Pure and Simple. It is pattern #245. I use the adult version for my socks, clearly, which is a different number. One detail to note is that I used to kitchener toes closed, but I honestly have been finding I like the fit of the gathered toe better. I also DO like to try out different toes on socks for myself, but for the kids, I keep it simple.

The other pair is knit in Hue Loco on the Spun Sock base in the Lucky Charm color way (my project page). The colorway is gorgeous, and the socks are really quite bright and fun! Nicole is getting back to dyeing more yarn, after having given birth to a gorgeous baby girl, so, go snag some yarn! She has some lovely colorways in stock, like this one!

Of course, Tiberius feels HE needs a new pair, and I'd love to cast on some on, BUT. I really need to finish a few projects I have going - including a pair of socks for myself.

Other shenanigans we've been getting up to....or NOT. Honestly, we truly need to escape this house. We hit up the bouncy house a week or so ago, and Camden and her dad went ice skating a few days ago, but we've just been so cooped up. I need to get out and simple walk. My knitting body is dying a bit.