Off My Needles / Sprocket Socks
I've been running dangerously low on socks these days — my store bought socks have slowly been dying and I've been reluctant to replace them with more. Instead I've been bit by the sock knitting bug! I always keep socks on my needles to work on in between main projects but this time my knitting has been taken over by socks! It all started with an especially inspiring pair of Sprocket Socks knit by thishandmadelife on Instagram.
The pattern called for mini skeins but I decided to use segments of colour from self striping yarn I had in my stash. The skeins were seconds from Gauge Dye Works that were shared with our knit group years ago (I’ve been coveting them ♥).
For reasons entirely unrelated to the pattern, I had a few false starts on these socks — none of which I really minded because this pattern was truly a joy to knit from start to finish.
On my first attempt I was flying along and paused briefly for a try on only to find that I couldn't get the sock over my heel. Despite swatching in the round on multiple needles and properly blocking my swatches, I completely neglected to swatch in the slip stitch pattern (doh!!). If I had swatched in pattern, I would have known ahead of time that it was an entire stitch per inch tighter than the plain stockinette stitch I'd swatched in. You can see in the image above that the sock on the far left cinches in at the slip stitch sections.
On my second attempt I'd perfected my gauge across both stockinette and slip stitch sections by alternating between a 2mm and a 2.25mm needle. However I absentmindedly made the slip stich pattern too long at each colour transition and wasn’t happy with it (middle sock above). Admittedly no one would have noticed but me and I could have continued on, but I loved the look of the socks photographed in the pattern and wanted my socks to reflect this so I started over one last time.
Third time's the charm and by round three my socks were perfect. I posted a quick poll on Instagram about which colour looked best before starting the toe — and it was decided that I'd pull out the purple and replace it with blue (pictured above)!
I'll also mention that the pattern recommends purchasing the Fish Lips Kiss heel (it's only $1 on Ravelry) but includes written instructions for a short row heel. I opted to use the FLK heel and love the way it fits my foot.
I've finally finished and honestly can't say enough good things about these socks and this wonderful pattern. It's the perfect scrap busting project to use up leftover ends of sock yarn or mini skeins you've been hanging onto. Also the yarn I used is exceptional! Because it was seconds from an experimental batch from Gauge Dye Works, I'm not entirely sure which base it is, but I have a feeling it might be their MCN Fingering because this yarn is way too buttery soft not to be partly cashmere!! I want these socks on my feet all the time, I wish I had a dozen pairs!
Fernwood Cardigan / Yoke
Fernwood Cardigan / Calculating Yardage for Substitute Yarns
