Vanilla Socks To Tadpoles

Hi there!

 Like anything else in life learning requires some basic knowledge and training to learn the mechanics of a new skill.  All kinds of subjects interest me and I enjoy learning new things.  Recently, while learning to knit socks and mastering the skills necessary to knit them, I've discovered that knitting socks is something I really love doing.

Vanilla socks using striped yarn

 After knitting my ninth pair of socks, it's time to branch out and try something new. Lest you think I'm ditching my new found knitting skills for another hobby, forget about it!  I am looking to take my knitting game to a new level!!! 

Vanilla socks are what sock knitters call a sock pattern without a design on the front or back of the sock. The vanilla sock is basic stockinette stitch knit in the round on circular needles.  Believe me, knitting a "vanilla" sock is enough of a challenge for a beginning sock maker learning new techniques. Nothing wrong with knitting vanilla socks either, I love knitting them especially with a variegated or self striping yarn, but I'm ready to try something more challenging now that I've got my basic training skills down pat (or pretty close to down pat).  I'm ready for a sock with pattern.


Now, mind you this means finding a pattern that is simple enough to read, memorize and execute within a reasonable amount of time.  Knitting at the end of a long day is my "down time" and the last thing I want to do is try to memorize anything too complicated.

As I've probably mentioned before, my favorite source for patterns is Ravelry.com *, spending time on this site is such a pleasure!  This is my Go To source for knitting patterns and where I found my next sock adventure....

The pattern I chose is by Jenna Swanson called "Tadpoles" and is a bit more challenging than I originally had in mind but the pattern spoke to me and since I'm not newbie knitter, it seemed doable. WARNING: Tadpoles in not a beginner pattern, if you are new to knitting save this one for later when your skills have "matured" and select a very simple pattern. 

The yarn is called Tide Pool by Lorna's Laces in fingering weight.

Tadpoles

It's a beautiful hand dyed yarn made of 80% Merino wool & 20% nylon.  This yarn colorway shows off the beautiful and intricate pattern design of Tadpoles so well.

My knitting skills are intermediate level, however I'm not well versed in chart reading so I was happy Jenna Swanson's pattern "Tadpoles" includes written instructions along with a chart.

 Learning to read a chart is next on my list of  TO LEARN but for now I am using the written instructions and my Knitter's Pride Magma Knitting Fold-Up Pattern Holder to keep track  of the pattern rows. 

Have you ever used one of these?  They are pretty nifty and really help to keep track of your pattern and the current row.  Reminds me of the magnetic pattern holders used in cross stitch only this one stands upright and folds up to keep your pattern safe when not in use or if you are knitting on the go.

What have you been making this summer? I'd love to hear about your knitting projects!

Speaking of keeping track of patterns, who knew there was so much to keep track of with Knitting? I'll be talking about this in another post so stay tuned.


Until next time...

Bee Creative,

Suzy

* Ravelry is a great website to discover new designers and to see what everyone is making. You'll need to sign up for an account, which is free and then you'll have access to patterns for knitting and crochet, many patterns are free and some are not.  Enjoy!

A Sock Journey

Hi there!

The last time I posted in January, I was in search of a simple beginner's sock pattern, determined to try again to learn to knit socks.  This is not a new endeavor for me since the previous year I attempted to learn to knit socks.  Since I've always been a do-it-yourself kinda girl, self taught mainly by watching or reading How To books, etc. it seemed logical for me to sign up to take a knitting course and I found one online to try.  In fact, the knitting was pretty darned easy until the very end of the process when the heel was added in after the sock was completed. That's where things went south for me. While trying to put in the after thought heel my stitches accidentally slipped off the SIZE ONE needles! For me, it was a bit of a disaster because I was unable to pick the stitches back up again (tiny stitches, tiny needles & bad eyesight) without twisting and losing some stitches in the process. Not that I didn't try, mind you but the effort didn't seem worth the aggravation I was having at the time. Sometimes you need to know when to "let it go".  THAT was my first attempt to knit socks...not a complete fail....but very frustrating, enough so that I put it aside until THIS year.

 Once again, my 2018 goal was to learn to knit socks and I refused to give up my desire of learning to knit socks. My Mama always told me where there's a will, there's a way (in other words if you want something bad enough, then find a way to make it happen-don't give up trying).  Meanwhile I began to do research on sock knitting, reading books, patterns for heel techniques (since that seemed to be the part that stumped me in the process), exploring Toes-Up vs. Cuff Down, Magic Loop vs. Double Pointed Needles and watching You Tube videos on sock making. Eventually I felt encouraged to TRY it again.

Perhaps you are looking into learning to knit socks too, if so these are some of the things I've learned about sock knitting.

• You Tube is your friend.  Videos are plentiful.
• Ravelry.com is your friend.  Lots of free patterns available, plus tons of inspiration.
• Big box store yarns are good for learning.  Later invest in good quality yarn by supporting your local yarn store. 
• Expect to make mistakes, it's okay. Learn from your mistakes.
• NEVER EVER GIVE UP! The first pair of socks that come off your needles will be worth the effort it took and the second pair will go quicker and easier.
• A word of caution: sock knitting can become an addiction. 

My First pair of hand knit socks

Here's an update on my progress:

I've learned to knit socks! Are they perfect every time? No, but each pair is wonderful in it's own way and I learn something with every pair.  Each time a sock comes off my needles, I immediately cast on the second sock and when I complete a pair of socks I'm totally delighted and cast on for a new pair.  There is always a sock on my needles no matter what else I happen to be knitting.  

Bee Creative! 

Suzy 

P.S.

It pays to never, ever give up on learning something new. Thanks Mama!

Knitting Therapy

Hi there,

Happy New Year!  I’ve been mentally writing blog posts to you over the last month or so but haven’t actually written them down until now.  Wait, that’s not entirely true, I wrote a nice post before the end of 2017 but for whatever reason, it was deleted mysteriously by blogger while I attempted to insert photos using my new iPad <big eye roll>.  Geez, sometimes technology is NOT my friend, if you know what I mean.

Oh looky what I did! Yay!!  Okay, the above photo is my new obsession....winding yarn with Ball Winder received as a Christmas gift, there’s also a yarn Swift that completes the yarn winding experience.  The Swift is for yarns that are in hanks, these yarns were in skein form from Joann’s not the fancier yarns in hank form. I just waned to get a feel for the ball winder and I’m pleased to report it was a successful experience and I’ll be “caking” up more skeins in the future, which makes knitting so much easier.

After the “fall” and between physical therapy twice a week and recovering from PT & working, the remainder of time I spent time knitting more cowls, a shawl and starting a pair of socks (which I recently “un-knit”).  

  I really fell in love with the Concerto Cowl pattern and have since knitted several cowls using variegated yarns, each time being totally delighted with the “new”look just from changing yarn colors and the simple slip stitch pattern.

Since I love the pattern so much it’s only natural to segway into knitting other projects like a hat and scarf!  Who knew one simple pattern would lead to more creative design projects.  If you’d like the free pattern from Lion Brand just click this link and then search for Concerto Cowl . Enjoy!

Each week at knitting group I’m inspired by the gorgeous wraps my friend Gail makes and thought it would be fun to try one.  This is my very first attempt at a wrap/shawl with lace.  Pinterest is a great source for ideas and inspiration and after several hours looking I found a free pattern for the Gatlin scarf. Simple stockinette for a beginners to knit and interesting with yarn overs to create the lace.

Once again I used a variegated yarn, this time in cotton baby weight #3. I love the drape of the knitted fabric, lightweight and pale variegated colors.

For Christmas my husband gave me a set of Chiagoo interchangeable circular knitting needles I’ve been eyeing for some time. then purchased a set of DPNs to complete the set, all in hopes of keeping my New Years promise to myself of learning to knit socks!

Here’s

 the socks I started on my new Chiagoo needles, then ripped them out because I wanted to try a different pattern. Stay tuned for the sock saga....

TOBECONTINUED

Until next time, BEE CREATIVE! 

Suzy