Gentlman's Fancy Socks

Pattern: Gentlman's Fancy Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks

Yarn: Reynold's Swizzle (75% Merino Superwash, 25% Nylon; 100g; approximately 416 yds) 1 skein, color 4042

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double points

Guage: 9 sts = 1 inch

Info: I modified the pattern to work from the toe up (surprise, surprise). I did try a few different techniqes with these though. The first thing that I did differently was I used the Turkish Cast-On when I cast of for the toe. It felt a bit weird working with the needles for the first couple of rounds, but I think it was worth it. The next thing that I did differently was the heel. I had been wanting to try the traditional heel on the toe-ups for a while and I had finally decided that these socks would be the ones that I would take the plunge. The final thing that I did was I used the Sewn Bind-Off. The result....these are by far the most comfortable socks that I have made to date.

Sassy Socks

Pattern: My Own

Yarn: Cascade Yarns - Sassy Stripes (75% new wool, 25% nylon; 50g; 200m) 2 skeins, color 769

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double points

Gauge: 9 sts = 1 inch

Info: This was the first time that I had ever used self striping yarn. The knit was enjoyable especially since both of the socks are virtually identical. I did nothing to aid in that process. All I did was start knitting from the middle of each of the skeins for each of the socks, the yarn did the rest. The only complaint that I have about the yarn is that though both of the skeins are from the same dye lot, the colors are off a bit, though just ever so slightly. One of the skeins is just a tad lighter in color than the other.

K's Socks

Pattern: Basic Toe Up Sock

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll Sport Jacquard (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45g/ 135m + 5 g reinforcement) color 152, 1 skein

Needles: US2/2.75mm double points

Gauge: 28 sts = 4 inches

Info: I made these socks for my younger son, K. They are basic socks. The only complaint I have is that when I was knitting one of the socks, there were two knots in the yarn within one yard of each other. Other than that, it doesn't get much easier than this.

Yarn Over Cable Socks

Pattern: Yarn Over Cable from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM (100% merino wool; 50 g/175 yds/ 160 m) dye code #319, 2 skeins

Needles: US 3/3mm double points

Gauge: 28 sts = 4 inches

Info: There were two firsts in this pair of socks for me. One being this is the first pattern that I knit from Sensational Knitted Socks, the second being this was the first time I used KPPPM to make socks for myself. Both are definite do overs. I love love love the socks! I worked the socks from the toe up (surprise surprise) with a short row toe and heel.

Jaywalkers

Pattern: Jaywalkers by Grumperina. Pattern found in Magknits.

Yarn: Sockatta by Plymouth Yarns (45% cotton, 40% superwash wool, 15% nylon; 414 yds/100 g) color #5; 1 skein

Gauge: 8 sts = 1 inch

Needles: US 1/2.25 double points

Info: This pattern is a wonderful pattern, easy to memorize. I modified the pattern a bit to work it from the toe up. I used the figure eight toe cast on for these, but I think the next pair of socks I make I will go back to the short row toe, it just seems to feel more comfortable on my foot. Also, I am not convinced about the yarn, I don't know if it is because I knit it just a bit tighter than suggested or if it is the yarn itself. I think I'll know after a little more wear.

Ankle Socks

Pattern: Basic toe up sock.

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll Sport Jacquard (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic) 50 g, 150 m, color 120; 2 skeins

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double points

gauge: 8.5 sts & 12.25 rows = 1 inch

Info: I literally cranked these out. They started out as my travel project, then were my only project as I needed to get them done. When my only project, I actually finished one of the socks in four days. Fifteen days after the initial cast on, they were done. This was the first time that I have used the figure eight cast on for toe ups. Initially it was awkward and hard, but I think that this is my new way to go. I also used the decrease bind off method for the first time as well. It is so much more flexible than the way I usually bind off.

Uncle's Socks

Pattern: Basic Short Row Toe Up Socks

Yarn: Lang Yarns, JaWoll Jacquard Superwash (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45 g/190 m, +5g reinforcement) 2 skeins, color 154

Needles: US 0/2mm double points

Guage: 20 sts & 28 rows = 2 inches in stockinette working in the round

Info: These were my take along project. I worked on them in the car, while in line, etc., so I only got to work on them for about ten minutes or less at a time. As a result, it took me almost three months to complete them. I chose this color because they are going to be a gift for my uncle and I thought that these were pretty masculine colors.

Grandma's Socks

Pattern: Basic Toe Up Sock with 2 x 2 ribbing on the leg

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM (100% Merino Wool; 50 g, 175 yds/160 m)

Needles: US 3/3mm double points

Info: These are going to be a gift for my grandmother. While I was knitting the leg, I forgot to add calf shaping, but soon realized that my grandmother has rather small calves. Even though the top of the leg is a little binding on my leg, it will be perfect for her.

Hedera

Pattern: Hedera from Spring 2006 Knitty

Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Collection Baby Cashmere (60% baby alpaca, 30% merino wool, 10% cashmere) 2 skeins + a bit more of a 3rd, color 1960

Needles: US3/3.25mm double points

Info: I made these from the toe up. It took a while for me to get into the groove of the pattern, but once I did, they flew by. I did goof on one of the socks though. I didn't knit into the right portion of the stitch after the yarn overs. The second sock looks perfect though. Or at least as perfect as I could make it.

Not the Mata Hari's

Pattern: Found Here

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll superwash (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45g/190m +5g reinforcement yarn) 2 skeins color #10

Needles: US 0/2mm double points

Gauge: 20 sts & 14 rows = 2 inches in stockinette working in the round

Info: These were knit from the toe up. The pattern is a 30 st repeat and I had 80 sts. For the top of the foot I worked the chart once and then when after I turned the heel, I worked the pattern twice and added ribbing between the pattern repeats. Initially I thought that I was knitting the pair of socks that were shown along with this chart (shows you my attention to detail). They took a while for me to finish and that is because this was the first time I used US 0's. I do have to say they are soooooo comfy though.

Toe Socks

Pattern: My Own

Yarn: Cascade Fixation (98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic) 1 skein #3077 pink lemonade & 1 skein #2406 lavender

Needles: US 4/3.5 mm double pointed needles (set of 5)

Info: These toe socks were made from the toe up and used short rows for the heel. Ideally I wanted to make the socks a lot longer, but I ran out of the pink. The next pair I make will be a lot longer.

Click here for the free pattern.

Pomatomus

Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A. for Knitty.

Yarn: Lang Yarns JaWoll Sport Superwash (75% new wool, 18% nylon, 7% acrylic; 45g/135m +5g of reinforcement) color 53, 2 skeins but you would definitely need more as I fudged it a lot.

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double pointed needles set of 5.

Info: I adjusted the pattern to only one repeat over the ankle/leg portion of the sock because I was afraid of running out of yarn. I did run out of yarn and I ended up using the reinforcement yarn that came with the skein. But that was only for the toe portion of one of the socks. I wear a US size 9 (10 running shoes) so if you have a smaller foot you might get away with it.

This was the first time I used the Twisted German Cast On for these socks. The best cast on that I have tried for socks so far.

It took a while for me to get into the groove of the pattern, but once I did it was pretty smooth sailing and needed to look at the actual chart very little.

Broken Rib Ankle Socks

Pattern: I used Wendy's toe up template for the how to and I incorporated a broken rib pattern for the socks.

Yarn: Cascade Fixation (98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic; 50g; 186yds) 1 skein + a smidge more (for about 3")

Needles: US 4/3.5mm double point needles

Info: I really enjoyed knitting the socks from the toe up. Whenever possible, I will probably use this method.

Rib & Cable Socks

Pattern: Rib and Cable Socks by Nancy Bush from the Fall '05 Interweave Knits

Yarn: Silja (80% superwash wool, 20% nylon), 2 skeins

Needles: US 1/2.25mm double points

Info: I followed the pattern exactly. Though the yarn called for 3-3.5mm, I did not like the way the yarn was so loose and airy with the larger needles. The needles I used made a much more dense fabric, though not as stretchy as I initially thought that it would be. If I were to use this yarn again I would use US 2/2.75mm. I didn't have any and I got the correct gauge using the US 1/2.25mm. I have to say that I did enjoy making these.