Not for lack of...

Though I haven't blogged in a bit, it's not for lack of knitting.  I've actually been pretty busy...most recently with test knitting...and sock knitting.  In this post I'll show off the socks that I test knit for Cookie A's upcoming book, Knit.Sock.Love.  The patterns I test knit had all been previously released but she wanted all the patterns test knit in the new book format.  Here they are in order of completion.

Ravelry: Monkey

Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn - Sock

Color: Arbol - 858

Ravelry - Hedera

Pattern: Hedera by Cookie A

Yarn: Sunshine Yarns - Classic Sock Yarn

Color: Split Pea

So these...are not done.  I've only completed one sock so far.

Ravelry - Lissajous Stockings

Pattern: Lissajous Socks by Cookie A

Yarn: Louet - Gems Fingering Weight

Color: Cloud Grey - 21

The Monkey and Hedera patterns were surprisingly easy and fast!  I loved knitting those patterns.  The Lissajous Stockings turned out beautiful...but they were hard.  Hard on my hands and hard to knit.  The heel flap has cable crosses on the right and wrong sides...not an easy feat for me.

Another first...and another!

I have been so busy! There are three women that are pregnant in my knitting group. Though their due dates are from September to December, the baby shower for all three is mid-August. That means, I have to knit everything for all three by then! I have been knitting like crazy and I still don't know if I'm gonna get it all done.

But today...? Today was a treat! I attended my very first knitting class, ever! A Cookie A. class at Shuttles, Spindles and Skeins - Sock Innovation: Top Down Sock Design. I don't have anything to compare to, but this class was fun! I found Cookie to be pretty laid back and easy to follow and understand. After a few false alarms, I found a stitch pattern that worked for sock knitting and started my first sock design! So...my plan is to knit a few repeats of the pattern on the leg and then decide if I like the yarn enough to continue. I chose a stitch out of a Japanese stitch pattern book but, unfortunately, do not have a pic of what it's supposed to look like. I've included a picture of what I have so far (one row repeat). It's not the best picture (but can you tell Cookie helped with the ribbing). I'm really anxious to work on this and get my the first sock done but I won't really have time until after the shower. I'm hoping I won't have forgotten all that I've learned by then!

Knitting updates

It's been a little while since I've blogged about knitting. I've done a little of this and a little of that. But the biggest difference is that I've knit (almost) three pairs of socks! A while back ago, I told one of my knitting friends that I was not (yet) a sock knitter and that I was hoping that the new book by Cookie A, Sock Innovation would change that. I even broke down and invested in some sock blockers!

The first pattern from the book was Glynis. I loved knitting these socks. The pattern is asymmetrical but still intuitive and quick to memorize. Unfortunately, I didn't get to keep these socks as they were a birthday gift for a friend. (Not the greatest pic but they have since been gifted.)
The next pattern I knit was not a Sock Innovation pattern but still a Cookie A design. The Pomatomus is for the Purl Knit Cafe KAL. I have to be honest, I wasn't a big fan of the pattern but I agreed to do the KAL before the pattern was picked. After the pattern was picked I thought I might be pleasantly surprised and end up liking it. Well - the latter might have been true if I had picked a different yarn. One good thing has come from this...Lynn told me that she liked them well enough - so she'll be the lucky recipient of this pair (when the other sock is done).

And finally! I am MOST excited about the last sock knit! This was my first test knit and I loved it. It was challenging for me as I'm a newbie to sock knitting and I found it a bit intimidating. The end result...I loved it...test knitting and the finished socks! I love the pattern and how the sock design mirrors each other.

The Loretto Sock, designed by Kristi Geraci

more Ravelry pics

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