Thursday Sock-a-long: A Finished Pair, Shire Socks, and WHALES!

It’s Thursday, so let’s talk socks, shall we?

My rather un-creatively named Marigoldjen Socks are now really and truly done!  I had my doubts about these when I started them.  The yarn was much more multi-colored than I expected, and I wasn’t sure if it was a bit too much for me. In the skein, I thought it looked predominately gray, with a few bright accents … but now that they’re done, I wouldn’t have them any other way.  Whenever I see them, they make me quite happy.  Especially the ridiculously bright orange heels:

I knit these two at a time, from the toe up (by the by, I think toe up’s the easiest way to get started with TAAT, in case you’re thinking of it).  I’m not a knitter who knits without patterns.  But socks are the one exception.  Especially vanilla socks like these.  I tend to make a guess about how many stitches I should start the toes with, then try on as I go (I did, er, rip these back a few times because they were too big as a result) … these ended up being 60 stitch socks.  I really enjoyed working with this yarn — the Marigoldjen BFL sock yarn has a nice, sturdy feel in hand.  I think it will wear really well, while also feeling ever so soft and cozy.  And I’m thinking my leftover bits and bobs might make for a nice pair of these.

With toe up socks, my tendency is to make them a bit too short … by the time I get to the leg, I’m ready to be done!  I tried to make these a bit longer than usual so they can peek out of my boots:

I always forget how much I enjoy knitting socks. This pair reminded me that it’s always good to have a pair on the needles as a background project.   With that in mind, I pretty much immediately cast on a new pair, which I’m calling Shire Socks, after both the color and where they’re being knit:

 

Somewhat boringly, I’m once again making my socks TAAT, toe-up.  But I’m thinking I’ll try a new heel — maybe a German short row one.  Mr. N’s dad has requested a very thick pair of socks to wear with work boots, and I think these will definitely be that!  I’m knitting them out of the same wool I’m using for my Nut Hap, which can be knit as a DK or even a light worsted, in 2×2 rib for extra squish factor.  I love how fast knitting socks out of heavier weight yarn is … although these have been a bit neglected in my Nut Hap excitement.

Want more socks?  Who doesn’t!  Check out what my fellow sock-a-longers are making.   Alex writes at Alexandknits, Hannah at unsophisticated+jejune and Paula at Spin a Yarn. Thanks for welcoming to the sock party you three!  If you’d like to join the Thursday sock party, come on in, the water’s fine.

ETA: And a big welcome to Jennifer writing at A Creative Yarn — take a peek at her lovely post on her first pair of socks! And if you’d like direct links to Alex, Hannah and Paula’s post, they are here, here and here!

And, speaking of water, in completely non-knitting related news, WE SAW A POD OF WHALES at sunset this evening!

I’ve never seen whales so close.  It was really magical!  And who doesn’t need a little bit of magic on an average Thursday?

Happy knitting!

-Katherine