Operation Sock Drawer

Hello my yarny friends! I thought it was about time I shared some more of my sock knitting progress with you, following my revelation about the pointy sticks back in November last year. Well the first thing to say is that I am still really enjoying this new hobby, there is quite a lot about knitting socks that brings  a heap of joy to my creative soul. The yarns, oh the yarns!! So many endless stripy possibilities in every colour under the sun, I've developed something of a love affair with these balls of 4ply yarn. Striping sock yarn is a smidge on the addictive side you know, although so far I have resisted the urge to stash. My first pair of socks (pictured above) was made from yarn gifted to me for my Birthday, when sock making still seemed very much like something other people did. I've since discovered a whole online world of sock yarn, virtual shelves full of the stuff, so tempting, so desirable, so very, very stash-worthy. After my first pair of socks was off the needles {Opal sock yarn :: Sweet and Spicy 2 range :: colourway Sprinkles}, I duly purchased yarn to make a second pair. But I promise hand on heart I only bought enough yarn for just one more pair, still very much all under control and absolutely no stashing. Are you impressed by my self control?? Admirable don't you think? I am strong, I can resist! I can look and peruse and drool and sigh.....and then I can buy just the exact yarn that I need for my very next pair. Go me!

This is the second pair of socks I made - I spent an absolute age doing all the perusing and drooling bit (hours and hours) before finally settling on these particular Norwegian inspired stripes in this particular colourway {Regia sock yarn :: Design Line by Arne and Carlos Edition 2 :: colourway Summer Night}

I absolutely loved using this yarn. I really got a kick out of watching these clever stripes practically making themselves as I knit round and round and round on my small circular needles. So very, very clever. I wonder if I'll ever lose this sock yarn amazement, it just gets me every time!

With this second pair, I messed up a little bit in that my row counting went slightly awry and one sock ended up shorter than the other. So although I meticulously worked the yarn to ensure perfect matching stripes (Christine's explanation for doing this is completely brilliant), my toes ended up a little different to each other. And somehow because of the messed up row counting and resulting mismatched toes, these particular socks ended up just an incy-wincy bit too small for my wide, size 5-but-almost-size-6 feet. My toes felt squished, and I really cannot bare squished toes. So I decided that I would wash and block the socks and then......................

..............I would give them away.

What a pleasing decision, I was instantly full of the joy of gifting handmade. My heart was full I tell you. And then I remembered that within Winwick Mum's SockaLong Facebook group there was a "File section" containing Useful Links. And within the list of Useful Links there was a place to got to where you could download and print some sock wrappers. Genius!

If you like doing this sort of thing, then I can highly recommend using the PDF on Buttons blog {here} A simple black and white paper wrapper to pop around your beloved hand knit socks, and there you have a most perfect gift.

I used Picmonkey to add a little bit of personalised text to the reverse and felt rather pleased with my attention to detail. I wrapped them up and gave them to my Mum who suffers from very cold feet just like me and had a Birthday in December just before Christmas. 

So my needles remained bare and sockless for just a short while, but faced with a 7 hour train journey (my trip to Dorset in December) I decided to purchase more yarn for my third pair of socks. This time I went for hot colours, as I thought they would look rather snazzy poking out the top of my red Fly London boots which I wear every day. The yarn is lovely to work with {Regia sock yarn :: Design Line by Kaffe Fassett :: Ombre Stripe, colourway chili pepper} with the stripes forming in a pleasingly ordered way.

I do still struggle with using the pointy sticks needed to shape the toes, but with each sock it's becoming less fraught and troublesome. Can't yet say that I enjoy "wrestling with the hedgehog", but at least I can manage to get through it in a relatively calm manner.

Now then - do you see my neat little stitch markers in the above picture, the little beady rings nestled amongst my stitches there? These are a recent discovery which I want to share with you, as I absolutely love them and they are pure joy to use.

I found them in a very round about way, the exact ins and outs I can't recall (it was one of those lengthy internet journeys where you hop from place to place to place without remembering a thing about it).

These gorgeous little markers are designed especially to fit small circular needles, and they are called Mini Ring O's. They are made by Sarah, who's small business on Etsy is delightfully named Fripperies & Bibelots, oh I do so love that quirky name! Sarah is a trained silversmith and jeweller who has created a wonderful reputation for herself designing and making the most beautiful stitch markers for us yarnies.

It was early December when I fell in love with these beauties, and Sarah was right in the thicket of making and fulfilling her Christmas orders. At that time there were no mini ring o's to be found in her shop, but after a few conversations back and forth, Sarah kindly offered to make a set designed especially for me - in full rainbow colour of course! She named them "Lucy's Rainbow" and I was so enchanted by them that I ordered six extra sets so that I could give them to my sock making friends for Christmas. As you can see from the above picture, these are teeny tiny little rings which slip easily on and off the needles. Because they are very small and smooth, they don't cause any snagging or accidental holes when passing them on your needles and knitting over them. The different colours mean that you can choose contrasting markers to show up against whatever colour sock yarn you are using, and you can choose two different colours to mark the two decrease points when you shape the gusset. I really do love using them, they are beautiful and practical and I LOVE buying handmade and supporting small businesses.

Sarah has just restocked her shop with some sets of mini ring o's, you can find them in her Etsy shop {here}. She also messaged me last week to say that she's been busy making some special rainbow spectrum sets inspired by the sets made for me last month, and they should be landing in her shop very soon (squeeee!!!!!). So please do keep checking back if you can't find them listed straight away, they will be there very very soon. Sarah is also very good with social media and shares regular news on stock updates via Facebook, Ravelry, Twitter and Instagram.

And now we are all up to date with my knitty goings on - I'm  currently about half way through the second chili pepper sock at the heel flap stage and I hope to have them on my feet asap. I can't wait.

I would love to know if any of you have been inspired to start on your own sock knitting journey and how you're getting on? Are you loving it? Are you wearing your first pair of socks yet? Remember you can find this brilliant Basic Sock pattern and tutorial for free on Christine's blog Winwick Mum {go here to find all the info and pattern links}.

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ps about the title of this post :: #operationsockdrawer is a brilliant hashtag on Instagram that has kept me inspired and amused for many months now, I do love a good hashtag. It's my aim to keep knitting socks in all colours of the rainbow until I have a sock drawer like this......

{Photo credit :: Nanette Blanchard via Fickr}

pps Wool Warehouse has recently increased their sock yarn stash and now have in incredible selection for you to peruse and drool over - do go and have a peep!

{sock yarn at Wool Warehouse}

ppps don't blame me if sock yarn accidentally on purpose falls into your virtual basket and then turns up on your doorstep, tis not my fault ok.

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Here are some useful links for you if you feel inspired to embark on your very own #operationsockdrawer....

Chistine's Sockalong Tutorials (all the help you need with choosing needles, yarn, matching stripes, casting on and knitting)

Sockalong Facebook Group (online support and all round lovely community)

Super Socks (Christine's book)

You will need....

100g ball of Sock yarn (I like and Opal and Regia brands, especially the lovely self-striping patterns)

30cm circular needle 2.5mm (eg Addi needles on Amazon)

20cm set of dpns 2.5mm (eg Addi needles on Amazon)

2 stitch markers in 2 different colours/designs, to mark places for decrease pattern (I like Mini Ring o's by Fripperies & Bibelots)

EDIT TO ADD >>

I have to share just one more inspiration picture - a very swoon worthy set of sock drawers.......

{photo credit :: Christine Petterson blog}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[j]

arne and carlos have a free bear pattern in this woolon their blog.

[Emma]

Thank you so much for this feed. I crochet mainly but I have always wanted to knit socks. Thanks to you, and Winwick Mum, I am now addicted! The only problem now is what to do with all my left over yarn. I've been knitting socks for me (small feet) and my daughter, and have about 40 - 50g of each ball left - not enough for another pair. Any ideas on a future blanket project for left over self striping wool? I thought possibly hexagons, but would welcome any ideas.

Thanks for a fantastic blog by the way. So inspiring. I have many "Attic" blankets dotted around the house and Motorhome. 😀

[Carol Monks]

Just want to reassure you that you will never lose your love of self-striping yarn. I speak from experience! I started to knit socks for the first time after being a knitter for 45 years. That was 10 years ago and I still drool over new sock yarn. 😊
PS: I use DPNs though, not circular needles.

[Rachel]

Your socks are fab! So pretty.

I was very inspired to try knitting some by my north Yorkshire bloggy friend Trish of Made by Patch, as she was doing the Sockalong last year. But when I added the needles to my wishlist, at Christmas time, Amazon didn't have the Addi ones Christine recommends. This post has reminded me to check again. It can be a ....Happy Pancake Day present or, the onset of Spring, or.....?!

[Jenny]

Hi Lucy I have knitted socks on dpn. I was intrigued with your circular needles that you were using. They were so small. We're you using 2 circular needles or just 1. What length were your needles. Thanks so much. Jenny

[Gigi]

#operationsockdrawer is the brainchild of Jasmine and Gigi of the Knitmoregirls Podcast. They are a mother and daughter team recording in California, USA. I bet they'd be thrilled to know that you have been inspired by the hashtag/pictures.
Happy Stitching!

[Marjo]

Love knitting socks! Ever since a shoulder injury and subsequent repair stopped me knitting as I was accustomed I stumbled across 'sock' wool and thought I'd try something small. Dozens of pairs and many happy sock gift recipients later I'm still going. Now when I need to stop for a few hours, or days, the partly finished pair sit beside me where I can enjoy their colour and pattern showing me I can still create something delightful. I've gone from 4 pins to circular loop and am happy either way although I find the circular loop gives a nicer finish.(And I'm still learning, thanks for the link to 'Winwick mum')

[Claire]

Your socks are super Lucy.
Have you looked at Drops Fabel yarn at wool warehouse?
It is a sock yarn and they have a decent choice of striping colourways.
I am currently knitting a shawl in it and am very pleased with the colours.
And as it only costs £2.10 a ball, it doesn't feel like a guilty luxury rather a pleasantly frugal treat!!!
Claire xx

[LemonDrizzle]

I have to agree with the comment about Zauberball and Crazy Zauberball!

[Lynne]

What a fabulous post and fantastic colours. I'm inspired and will return, many times to this post - thank you!! I do hope you feel stronger and energized quickly - all the best for a speedy recovery.

[Robin Summers]

I love the awesome stripey yarn. I have been in the process of looking for an easy pattern. It got super late before I found what I wanted, I did come across a pattern for crocheted socks. Might have to try it or put to use all the knitting needles I have. I have a knitting book. You have done such a wonderful job on all of the socks yoou have knitted. I will keep at it until I master. I want a drawer of knitted and crocheted socks. Whichever one gives me the prettiest patterns from the autostripe yarn. Thanks for the link to print the wrappers. I joined her blog. :D I am excited!!!

[Michele C]

Yes, you inspired me to pick up some teeny needles and stripey yarn, though I've not yet begun. Everything is lined up, though, for that time when I have to completely stop and learn something new. Thanks for all the effort you put into your posts. Love all the photos of your town and your projects! -- michele

[Kirsten]

I was inspired by your first sock journey to break through my knitting phobia and have another go. I'm a sock and a half through my new years resolution and loving it, especially the technical bits. christinesbook is amazing, the only moment Otho hum was realising how much longer you have to knit if you have size 8 feet! The urge to stash was irresistible though, and in a short moment those stitch markers will be tracked down too. Thanks for the inspiration and update.your blog is wonderful.

[Joy]

A lovely post and of course it is all my fault. Happy socking Lucy xx lots of love Joy xx

[Susanne]

colorfull sock yarn!

https://basteln-de.buttinette.com/shop/g/wolle-handarbeiten/stricken/sockenwolle

Greetings from Berlin!

[Sarah]

Lucy,
I love knitting socks, with or without pattern, in plain or self striping. I always have a pair on the go as they are so easy to pick up and put down, and great for transporting if you are on the move.
Have you noticed how amazed people are when you are knitting them out and about?

[twotoast]

I love knitting socks - I always have two or three pairs on the go (mostly for me!). I enjoy using the stripey yarn but never worry about matching the yarn so that the stripes lines up - I like the more eclectic look! I've probably made over 200 pairs . . . . here is a link to my sock drawer three years ago http://www.ravelry.com/forum-images/twotoast/3o7h-nyli5a there was a thread on Ravelry and knitters were sharing picks of their sock drawer - you will get there - and it is a fun journey!

I would also recommend knitting two at a time on circular needles. I use a 45cm circular and it is perfect!

[patty]

lol. The poor lady had to sort out her shop because of all the orders from Attic24. Awesome. My grandaughter last year at age 13 has the same illness you do.so its been a year of fainting and all you have and hopefuly It will get better for both of you.xoxo

[Lu Douglas]

Ahhh yes, I have a sock journey too. I created a hashtag that I ask everyone to use - #burningsockdesire. You might use it too. I had a burning sock desire for years and bought LOTS and I mean LOTS of yarn for socks. But wasn't game to start until a few years ago. I took a small class to get some things straight but the rest of it I've taught myself and LOVE SOCKS. I LOVE magic loop and circulars and although knitting with four points has some charm of its own, I find it too fiddly and difficult, especially if I want to take them with me and knit the leg on a plane etc. Oh, you MUST try Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman. they are the BESTt and a great basic sock from which to create others. Look forward to more of your sock journey. Lu xx

[Crystal Wall]

Lucy! They are beautiful, colorful and the make me want to put them on my feet. I am envious of knitting socks. I am intimidated by them. Yours are gorgeous. I love it when you have a new post, I've been following for a while now. Thanks for sharing.
~Crystal

[Amanda]

One of us, one of us!

Welcome to the wonderful world of sock knitting, where you WILL find yourself saying, "Oh, I can just cast one more pair on, it won't hurt anything." (Says I, who currently has four pairs on the needles and is idly [okay, more than idly] contemplating a fifth. I'm almost halfway done with three of the four, so that's fine, right?)

That Opal yarn is pretty nice knitted up. I don't typically invest in much self-striping anymore but I may have to make an exception because I might just need a pair just like that.

[Ingrid van Kaam]

O I love your socks. I made them myself but nobody want to wear them here. And I have an allergy for wool. The acrylic yarn is to thick for me.

[Nancy]

Ah, Lucy, you've started me on a lovely journey browsing the crochet stitch markers on Etsy. Such fun!

[Brenda Cupryn]

I have been a knitter for 60years starting before I was 5 years old. I was lucky to go to a primary school that taught sock knitting and was making them by about aged 8. it was only about 8 years ago, I cam across toe up socks and can honestly say, for me with "athletic" calves they are the best thing ever as I can increase the leg part to fit. Thank you for sharing about the markers, I now have envy. BTW I knit socks when on cyclecamping trips as they are light and easy to carry. I even bought some last year on a trip in Germany - I couldn't resist the colour!!

[Anna]

Oh! All your socks look so fabulous and lovely. I feel tempted and start to read Sockalong posts. Thank you!