From K - Summer Lovin Socks

Early on this year, I decided that 2014 would be the year of no pressure and no deadlines. I would make what made me happy, not worrying about having too many WiPs or forcing production. In 2014, my only goal was to create, and so far I've been sticking to that mantra.

That hopefully helps to explain why I've spent a large portion of my summer knitting socks... in >30 degree weather (Celsius). It's not logical and honestly I don't mind the odd glances on my morning train commute, because one of the things that makes me most happy, is handmade socks and a wardrobe full of them sounds like a good idea to me!

The newest addition to my sock drawer is a hot pink pair of Summer Lovin socks by Cookie A. See at least the colour and pattern name seem fitting for the season right?!

I used a skein of Blue Label Fingering yarn by Tanis Fiber Arts in the colour Royal Flush. On her website, Tanis describes this colour as "a bright blend of raspberry, red and magenta. Cheerful and delightful!" and I couldn't agree more.

These socks are in my mind a perfect pairing of pattern and colour, and as a result I'm quite enamoured with them. Aveta seems to agrees!

 

For more information and photos of these socks, visit my Ravelry page here.

From A - Finished Pair

 

I started these socks when Kelsey came to visit me in last February. She said that she wanted to learn to knit socks and I figured that the easiest way to show her was to cast on a  pair of my own.

 

These are simple socks, no pattern. Just knit until you want a heel, make one, knit until it covers your foot and make a toe. Repeat for sock number two.

I used some Sheepaints Sock'n Go in Morning Sky that I've had in the stash for longer than I care to admit. Suffice to say that it has been long enough that this yarn has been discontinued.

Warm, satisfying and a nice mix of colours. That will do just fine.

From K - Hedgerow Socks

I recently finished up my third pair of socks, a gift for an especially helpful friend. I followed the Hedgerow Sock pattern by Jane Cochran, and when all was said and done, I was truly happy with the end result.

I'm definitely a novice knitter (being that I only started this past February) but it hasn't taken me long to get a feel for what I like and don't like in a pattern. While Jane has clear instructions and the pattern is easy to follow, I think I'm just not a fan of switching so often between knits and pearls. I really really really love these socks, so don't get me wrong, but I just wasn't in love with the process.

I chose a lovely jewel tone skein of Tough Love Sock by SweetGeorgia in the colour Jade. A combination of 80% superwash merino wool and 20% nylon, these socks are sturdy and are sure to last. While I absolutely love these socks and will be very sad to see them leave, I'm looking forward to casting on a new pattern, and trying something a bit different. It definitely seems like I can't get enough knitting in my life these days. So many projects, so little time!<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4072033/?claim=bk2c5ebdc95">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

From K - Trip Socks

As you may have noticed I've been on the road a lot in 2013 with multiple work trips, and a few vacations for good measure. Since learning to knit back in February, knitting socks is quickly becoming my favorite portable project. Here are a few pictures of my second ever pair of socks (yah I'm just a tad proud of these).

On my last trip to Toronto I picked up a skein of Serenity 20 in moon purple by Zen Yard Garden from Lettuce Knit. This blend of 70% superwash merino, 20% cahmere, and 10% nylon has me hooked. It's so soft and silky to knit with, and of course to wear - I need to buy more ASAP!

I followed a free pattern that I found on Ravelry called Medallion Lace Socks, posted by Andrea Fox. Her instructions were excellent and I especially liked her heel and toe detailing. Such small elements can really make or break a project like this. I'll definitely be knitting this one up again in the future.

Is it just me or are socks really awkward to photograph? I'll leave you with a true-to-colour photo so you can drool over its prettiness the way I do. This colour is called moon purple and I would buy it in bulk if I could.

After this pair of socks, I'm definitely a sucker for a good semi-solid yarn now!

From K: Warm Toes

One of the more ambitious items on my most recent Hit List was to knit myself a pair of socks. The last and only thing I've ever knit was a scarf nearly a decade ago, but after being inspired by all the quilty blogs who have been posting knitwear, I decided it was high time to jump in.

Here is my very first attempt at socks. It's not much, just a fairly basic stocking stitch but I knit it in the round, and to me, that's a huge achievement.

This was definitely a great project to get me excited about knitting, and I started a second pair of socks about ten minutes after finishing up this set. The next pair is quite a bit more challenging and I'm so pleased with how they're knitting up. I'm hoping for a reveal after a couple more weeks of train commutes so I'll keep you posted. 

I have to be honest in saying that taking photos of my own feet has definitely been the most bizarre shoot for our blog to date. It was also fairly challenging when this was happening:

 

Good thing they're so cute because they sure aren't conducive to floor based photo shoots!