From K - Skills Swap: Knit Socks for Adrianne (On the Windy Side)

Last week I shared the incredible handmade items that Adrianne from On the Windy Side sent me for our for our skills swap. This week I wanted to show you how it all began - with a pair of hand knit socks.

In August of last year Adrianne posted about wanting a pair of hand knit socks. Since I learned to knit just five months earlier (and socks were really my only accomplishments to date), I put up my hand right away to participate in a swap knowing socks were right up my alley.

I largely followed the Nutkin pattern on Ravelry but made quite a few alterations. One prominent change involved making a new cuff as the original cuff style didn't cling nicely to my leg when I tried it in. I had knit most of the first leg when I realized the cuff from the pattern was going to make for baggy socks, and really, who wants that?! I ripped it out and recast on using K2P1 for about 12 or so rows.

I also struggled a bit with the directions for the short row heel that the pattern includes so I simply turned to my dear friend YouTube to show me the way. I have never made a heel without a gusset and I have to say I actually kind of missed doing it. I do like the look of this heel though and I think that it does fit well with the overall sock design.

I knit these up using a gorgeous superwash Malabrigo sock yarn that I picked up from my LYS in the colour Dewberry. I didn't tell Adrianne what pattern I was knitting so there would be some surprise, but I did ask her for some colour examples. She largely sent photos of tone on tone skeins so I thought this purple would be perfect. The slight variegation in this yarn makes them look sparkly and I love the texture it adds.

I snapped these pictures quickly at work on my iPhone before I tossed these into a box filled with other sewing notion, fabric, washi tape, a Christmas ornament and a few Canadian treats. In my haste I didn't photograph the rest, but as the purpose of the swap started with a desire for knit socks, I'm hoping these photos suffice.

From K - Oasis Orange Peels

Do you ever feel like you don't choose a project as much as it simply chooses you? It felt that way for me in December when two parcels landed at my door, one included an amazing mini quilt from Adrianne from on the Windy Side, and the other a generous giveaway from Amanda from A Crafty Fox and Westwood Acres.

 

Adrianne's mini was covered in orange peels and she used an appliqué method I had been itching to try - blanket stitch. In the giveaway parcel, Amanda sent nearly a dozen Jen Kingwell Designs patterns, one of which was the midnight at the Oasis Quilt, which prominently features orange peel blocks.

 

It didn't take long for the design to simmer in my head before I cut into my Tula Pink stash. So far my progress has been slower than I hoped but I'm really enjoying the relaxed process and couch time that hand appliqué allows for.

 

I intended to alter three of the borders in this pattern from the beginning but upon learning at my LQS that my orange peels are too large (I guess the new patterns have stickers covering the original peel template and replacing it with a smaller version) - I am now also stuck trying to think up a way to alter the centre block in order to still utilize my pretty blocks.

 

Even Joey is excited about these orange peel blocks... well the floss box at least. Cats are attracted to string, like moths to a flame.

 

Linking up to WiP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

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.