It’s that time again! The first Thursday of the month: time to talk socks.
Sock knitting has again been thin on the ground since my last post, but after a big sweater finishing spree this weekend, I did put in some time on my Lumineux earlier this week. The second leg is now one repeat shy of being done, and then it’ll be time to put in the afterthought heels. The pattern suggests you put in the scrap yarn for the afterthought heel, knit just a bit, and go ahead and work your heel so you can try the foot on so you can get the length just right. Once I do the heels, I think I’ll knit the remainder of the feet two at a time — variety’s the spice of life, right?
I’ve blogged about these before but as a quick reminder (or if you’re just joining us …) the pattern’s Lumineux by Ysolda Teague, knit in Countess Ablaze sock yarn with a bit of sparkle!
I’ve also made a little progress on the vanilla English Rose socks I mentioned last week — I love that they match the tulips we got this week:
When I was doing my big stash sort through, I found some old, partially knit socks from many moons ago that looked very neat — and remembered that I used to often knit my socks on US size 0 (2.0 mm) needles and decided I should perhaps start doing that again, especially for lighter fingering weight yarns. So I’m knitting these on US 0 ni new to me Hiya Hiya short circulars. Holding the shorter circulars is definitely a bit different, but the more I do it the more I’m convinced that I like it.
These are knit out of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in one of their new Florist colorways, and I’m really enjoying it. The pink and peach splotches and speckles are so charming. And this is my first time actually knitting with WYS 4ply (though I have a few colors in my stash, oops!) and I really like the blend. It’s 75% wool and 25% nylon, but it doesn’t feel like your standard wool-nylon blend. The yarn feels sturdier than a merino sock yarn, but still soft. It’s definitely convincing me I need to make some WYS socks for myself soon (these are destined to be samples!)
That about does it for me! But go check out what my fellow sockalongers are up to this month. We’ve got quite a whopping four new kids on the Once Upon a Sock block[er] (sorry I couldn’t resist!) — if you’d like to join in, we talk socks the first Thursday of the month. Just let one of us know so we can make sure to link you up! You can find lovely Paula, with her almost finished socks, at Spin A Yarn; Kat’s got some adorable ankle socks over at Felinity Knits; Stefanie’s made some sock progress over at Stefanie Crafts with Wool Paper Fabric (formerly Wooly Cakes and Wooden Spoons); and welcome to Steph from My Making Do Adventure, whose got a lovely finished off pair of socks; and welcome to Liz from Knitting from the Hip, whose got some socks and baby booties on the go, Reanna from Knit, Reanna, Knit, who is also knitting some Countess Ablaze socks and experiment with heels, and Kathy B from CompassionKnit. I’ll update everyone’s links as people’s posts go live 😀
We’re in the midst of snow and cold here in the UK, so back to sock knitting for me — my toes need some more woolly socks! Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
fiber and sustenance 
It’s so exciting having new people to link to! 😀
I haven’t seen those tiny circulars before, how interesting Are you using two short circulars, or just one in a very tiddly circle? Either way I am intrigued!
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It’s just one circular that’s quite short ! It does take getting used to but it’s very handy! I got mine from Northern Yarn — she stocks the ones I’m using and also sock wonders which are a tiny circular with two different length needles on the end 🙂
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*Interesting*. I am definitely going to investigate (imagine not having to worry about losing DPNs – I am constantly dropping mine down the side of the sofa).
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And yes it is so exciting with all the new people — I was worried I might forget someone !
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you’ll have to start doing a formal link up soon. I’d be up for that. i love everyone’s sock posts.
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Yay!!! Please do!
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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love the spring color of those Vanilla English Rose socks, as well as your TAAT socks. I’ve always wanted to give the 9 inch circular needles a try. I may have to grab a pair at my local yarn store and try them out. Gasp…you don’t get to keep these socks? That makes me sad! However, the shop that gets them is going to be in love with them! One of my favorite things is to walk around the local yarn shop and see the items actually made with yarn. It makes me sad when the yarn is out of stock and I can’t buy it 😀 Also, how exciting that we have so many joining in on the sock a long. I remember way back in the day when I first joined with two other bloggers that are no longer blogging. It’s come a long way, baby!
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I decided to join you guys! Don’t forget me!
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Yay! I had checked your site earlier to see if you had, but didn’t see a post so wasn’t sure if you were still planning to! I’ll add you right now and let the others know! We’ve had a big group join this month how great!!
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Okay I’m joining up, hopefully you’ll get this…I posted Wednesday night, as I’m too rushed in the morning to post…so it’s already up….https://graceysgoodies.blogspot.com/2018/04/once-upon-sock-april-edition.html
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WYS yarns are lovely – they get nicer once they’re washed and worn as the BFL in the yarn blooms beautifully. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed if you knit some socks for yourself! Your sample looks fab; the colours have come out in a similar way to the Foxglove pair that I made, although I know that some of the other colours knit up differently. All part of the fun of sock knitting, eh? 🙂 xx
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