Monkey Socks in Yarn Pirate Patina

Monkey Socks, Yarn Pirate Merino/Tencel, Patina Colorway
Originally uploaded by virginia99

I started on these immediately upon receiving my Yarn Pirate Booty Club. I wrapped my YO's the wrong way, so I didn't get the expected line of holes, but now I know better. Very comfortable socks and the shiny yarn feels great! Unfortunately, the size 2 needles make it a bit threadbare on the bottom and I fear they will wear out before they should. I've got leftover yarn to repair it, which will be another experiment. Started May 20, 2008, finished June 2, 2008.

I'm still trying!

IMG_1870
Originally uploaded by virginia99

IMG_1968
Originally uploaded by virginia99

I have redyed my yarn by tying off approximate 1/8's and dyeing alternating sections red. It actually looks nicer in the wound cake than I imagined it would.

I intend to knit on it as soon as I free up some needles.

Upstream Architecture in Lorna's Laces (Jeans)

Lorna's Laces Socks
Originally uploaded by virginia99

I'm using Cat Bordhi's Upstream Architecture, with 2x2 cables growing out of the increase lines. I'm seeing some nice pooling, which I love. After many false starts, I finally broke down and started keeping track of my increase and cable rows on a piece of paper. When I was younger I could tell when to cross cables just by looking but I can't now. Notice the cables are closer together at the beginning. I'm going to pretend I meant to do that. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in the jeans colorway.

Trying to Force Pooling-An Experiment Probably Gone Wrong

Now that I've done all the work, I'm afraid I may have miscalculated, but time will tell. I thought I had this figured out, having drawn little diagrams and such. to begin, I cast on 72 stitches and knit a few rounds, then mark the beginning of each round with a Sharpie. Later, I do one with 64 stitches, but didn't take a photo of that.

I unknit the sample and make a hank big enough for 4 rows. This may have been a mistake. I cram it into a baking pan, divide it into approximate quadrants and set it to soak for about a half hour in warm water with a bit of dish soap in it. Then I take unsweetened Kool-Aid and dilute it in a convenient amount of water and pour it where I want it, trying to keep my quadrants quadranty.


I covered it in foil and baked at 350 for about 15 minutes. Notice that the water is clear, all dye has been absorbed. I'm not terribly fond of the purple bleeding into the green, so I may divide the quadrants better next time. Now it's hanging to dry. It may take a couple days, then I'll knit it up. Update, 15 minutes later: Now I see that what I will get is just a lot of 1-row stripes. I'm going to knit it up anyway, it'll be fine, but it won't be forceable pooling. Back to the drawing board.

Bulky Cedar Finished

Done, only took about 3 days, including working all weekend. Very quick and very warm. I like how the stripes in the yarn show the architecture around the ankles. Also, they make my feet look small.

Bulky Cedar Sock

One sock finished in about 8 hours, although I ripped it back to the heel to resize it. 2nd one coming soon!

As I was working, I noticed that it would fit in different ways: on the hand and backwards on the foot, leading to the possibility of other garments. Oh, and those quick homemade wool stitch markers? That gives me an idea: felt stitch markers, on the way!

Cables & Corrugations

This sock is so beautiful! I have had many complications with this project. I had to abandon sock #2 as the yarn was thinner, and I bought a new skein to replace it. The new skein seems shinier and paler, although same dye lot. No matchy-matchy for me. I love this pattern so much I will have to do it again in a consistent yarn.