She is using cheap yarn from the $2 shop which isn't what you use to knit socks normally as experienced sock knitters would know.
However, as we are practising we thought it was better to use the readily available and not expensive 8 ply acrylic yarn rather than the actual sock yarn which can be very expensive to buy unless it is on special. We will probably end up with a pair of bed socks but that's okay as long as we manage to make two socks that vaguely resemble each other.
It is just as well that we are starting off with the acrylic yarn as I have been unable to buy sock yarn here in town as the stock hasn't come in as yet. I mentioned that fact on the DTE forum and was surprised yesterday to receive two balls via Express Post from another member. I was gobsmacked. Isn't that a nice gesture? So now, once I have made the prototype it will hopefully be full steam ahead with the 'real yarn'. I tell you it is going to be one big learning curve as I have had to ask Mr.Google what 'dpn' (double pointed needle) meant as well as lots of other terms which are used by people who know what they are talking about...where knitting socks is concerned anyway :-)
If you can knit socks do pass on some hints you may have for absolute beginners. We are just going with Knit and Purl at this stage as we venture into the world of sock making.
I haven't used my new camera much during the cold weather as I am still getting over a bug but I found a dahlia today that I hadn't seen before so I thought I would take a photo of it with the Nikon...
...as well as this beautiful chrysanthemum which has just opened up. This was a Mother's Day present I bought myself last year. It is quite stunning at the moment.
I hope that any NSW readers who are in the areas which have been badly hit by the storms of the last few days are safe and that their homes haven't been damaged. It has been unbelievable weather for you and thankfully the low is moving out to sea. Big hugs to you all! For my Northern Hemisphere readers you can see some photos here.
I love the colours and clarity of those flowers!
ReplyDeleteOn socks I can only be useful by saying get the Bendigo Woolen Mills free colour chart and order from them sometimes especially when on sale they are great!
I dont think I could knit socks to save myself. Mum can... So I will admire the end result and cheer you on and stay out of the way! I hope they go well for you.xxx
It is going to be a learning curve well and truly, Annabel. I hope I am up to it :-)
DeleteThe only clothing related thing that I can make (aside from scarves, but they do not count as depending on how much attention I am paying, they could be a scarf or a towel or one of those covers they use for houses when fumigating) is fingerless gloves, although I have never made two that were even close to the same size.
ReplyDeleteEven with the ones I have finished, there are no two alike. True.
Ha ha J, that does give me hope as we are much the same age.
DeleteChel I saw that there were a few participating in the sock knit along, good luck with your knitting I hope your socks turn out well. I am still working on a scarf at the moment. I too hope everyone in the storm affected area is safe. Such a horrific weather event.
ReplyDeleteSherri, we do have a few of us trying to learn the skill of sock making. I believe the first pair is probably the hardest.
DeleteSherri, yes there are a few of us who are interested so hopefully it won't be too hard.
DeleteHi Chel, I àm happy to help you with anything that comes up with your sock making...just a quick word of warning....Acrylic will not have any stretch the way woollen sock yarn does, so they look ok BUT you may not get them on ....ask me how I know !!!
ReplyDeleteMy email isn't working so just ring meon mobile.
Margaret, I hope to start off the socks tonight and bring them along tomorrow with all my questions...of which there will be many.
DeleteJust to let you know...that Regia yarn is 4 ply so you will need thinner needles.
ReplyDeleteChel, All I can say is, you're a braver woman than me having a go at socks. I haven't even had a go at Margaret's shrug yet. Too many irons in the fire and very few getting hot! I can't decide if I'm a gardener who sews or a sewer who gardens. LOL. Those chrysanthemums are knockouts - I must get myself one for Mother's Day from my furbabies as well as one for my Mum. Thanks for the great pics!
ReplyDeleteBarb, as I said on Saturday I ended up pulling out the shrug but will start again with fewer stitches. I know what you mean about too many irons in the fire.
DeleteGood for you, Chel... You will do fine..I do not knit but love everyone's work... xo
ReplyDeleteFaye, I am only a basic knitter so it is going to be a BIG learning curve for me.
DeleteLove the flowers, pics are so bright. Good luck with the socks, I found that bamboo needles were easier to manage than the aluminium ones, holds stitches better. I also prefer to use 5 (knit in a square) not 4 (knit in a triangle), but that's me.
ReplyDeleteI knew you would know how to knit socks, Deb. I think I am going to have enough trouble managing four needles never mind 5.
DeleteDD is the knitter in my family and she taught herself out of books! She makes lovely socks when she has time. My 100% wool socks are nearly worn out and I can't seem to find any more to purchase so I just may have to make my own!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your photo journey and now you can enjoy your lovely blooms any time of the year :).
Come on Robyn, do join us in our Knit Along. You really need to learn how to make your own. LOL!
DeleteOMGoodness the weather is crazy. I hope the areas hit will be able to recover and clean up fairly quickly. That was a lot of damage.
ReplyDeleteAs for the socks....I have attempted a few times and still have not made a pair. I just can not get my fingers to work the needles and yarn right. One day I will try again. Good luck with your sock making.
One of the other ladies was saying today it is difficult handling the needles, Krystal. Now that it is warming up over there you will want to be outside not knitting anyway I would imagine.
DeleteYes I will be putting my knitting aside for a bit. However I will be doing the cooler crafts. Plus my garden is just now losing it's winter snow coat. I will be out this coming weekend cleaning up a few of the flower beds that have woken up. :)
DeleteHello. How fun to hear about your sock knitting. It's my favorite pastime. I did a tutorial on it a few weeks ago and my friend Winwick Mum is hosting a sock along now with lots of great tips. You can easily make your socks with dk weight or even worsted weight yarn. I'm sure you will have fun. I wish you the very best :)
ReplyDeleteHi Pat. Thanks for calling in here and welcome. In my next post I will link to your tutorial as well as Christine's Sockalong. Obviously you are both experienced knitters so we should be able to glean a lot from your tutorials. I have mentioned your tutorials on the forum for our other beginner knitters as well. Thanks so much.
DeleteWell Nanna Chel, I think, like the hexagon patchwork, that this falls under the umbrella of 'not in this lifetime' for me! It just sounds scary! But I'm very much looking forward to seeing yours. Mimi xxx
ReplyDeleteMimi, where is your adventurous streak? Ha ha! You could always add a row of sequins to the top of your hand knitted socks to wear when strolling around France. LOL!
Deletei've been knitting for nearly 30years on & off & i still haven't attempted socks! have only just learned to use DPNs & am currently making a beanie on some, i took a Craftsy class to learn to do circular knitting, the best $15. ever spent! & there is no reason you can't knit socks with any other wool, doesn't have to be 'sock yarn' i only have 8ply here & when i do get round to making them that's what i'm making them out of, plus am totally sick of horrible thin socks.
ReplyDeleteall the best with your sock knitting, am sure you will do fine!
thanx for sharing
It is a big learning curve for me, Selina but I will get there...hopefully :-)
DeleteI have never knit a pair of socks. I went the other day to get my two balls of sock yarn and pattern out and discovered that my balls of yarn are slightly different in color! Though I took them from the same bin at JoAnn they aren't exactly the same dye lot! Oh well, practice yarn, bed socks! :) Thanks for the idea! I hope to start them this weekend if I get the time. My finger is doing a little better. I keep excercising it. Hopefully I will be back at it before long. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst time for both of us, Joyful. I am using the cheaper yarn first off as there will be a lot of unwinding yarn I think.
DeleteHi Chel, I taught myself to knit socks a little while ago, once you get the hang of the dpn and the maths involved, its not too bad. Here's my blog post summary of how to knit socks: http://eight-acres.blogspot.com/2013/08/knitting-socks-on-four-double-pointed.html
ReplyDeleteCheers, Liz
Thanks Liz, I have just read your post again and had a look at some of the links. Will go over it again tomorrow. Obviously perseverance pays off. LOL!
DeleteI know nothing about knitting! The flowers are lovely!
ReplyDeleteHa ha Chrissy..the funny thing is I am teaching my six year old granddaughter to knit and I only do plain and purl so I am hoping to improve my knitting so that I am at least one step ahead of her. :-)
DeleteI'll have size 10 Ladies, thank you very much. Any colour, even scraps.
ReplyDeleteNow then Lynda... aren't you going to join me in this challenge?
DeleteMe Knit!!!! Good grief, you have an inflated view of my skills.
DeleteNanna Chel,
ReplyDeleteknitting is just something I can't do. If I was going to attempt socks I'd probably get a sock loom. But I'll just admire your flowers instead because I don't need to add to the UFO work basket.
Looking forward to seeing yours completed.
-Shiralee.
Shiralee, I can't believe that you can't knit! Don't hold your breath waiting to see photos of my finished socks. :-)
DeleteI have always wanted to try socks, but my experiences with double pointed needles have not been positive! I have heard many spinners say that handspun socks are just so superior - I guess that would be true thinking of the lack of quality in bought socks these days.
ReplyDeleteGood on you for giving it a go, maybe I'll work up the courage to do the same one of these days :)