the blue blog archives: sock talk

After finishing my cashsoft pom-pom socks, I wanted to start another pair right away. I hunted through my stash to see if I had any leftover yarn that might be suitable for summer socks and I thought I'd found it: Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino left over from the daisy cardigan I made last year.

But me no likey. The baby cash is doing that weird thing where the stitches make straight lines instead of perfect v's like you like to see in stockinette stitch. I've heard that knitting the ball from the other direction can counteract this effect, so I may try unravelling this anklet and starting again that way.

Of course that would have to be after I finish the Koigu anklets I already started.

And hey, don't you love my bright pink needles?? They're called Comfort Zone needles and they're really neat. I just love the color - perfect for my summer sock knitting. Plus, they're super bendy. Like I needed another reason to love sock knitting!

Hey Sockapal-2-zers, I've sent out an intial email to everyone to welcome you, ask a question or two, and most importantly, to test the system that my head tech guy (aka hubby) has set up. So check your inboxes and over-zealous spam filters to be sure you've received it. And email me of course if you signed up and did not receive any email. I should have sock pal matches for you next week!

posted by alison at 8:31 am | in people who make socks...

Comments

fantastic! I have been trying to decide whether to get the Rowan cashsoft or the Debble Bliss baby cashmerino for a pair of anklet socks! I really would love to see how they turn out in the end for you and how they compare!

I got your email too!

Thanks for organizing it for all of us!

Posted by: Anita at June 11, 2005 9:16 AM

Are you just altering (i.e. shortening) an existing sock to make this anklet? It's a great idea for a quick summer project. (Listen to that, *I'm* getting all excited about sock knitting.)

Posted by: Colleen at June 11, 2005 9:55 AM

Sock pattern, I mean.

Posted by: Colleen at June 11, 2005 9:56 AM

I can hardly wait to get a new sock pal!!

Posted by: helene at June 11, 2005 10:13 AM

Gosh. I have so many socks to make. I've got a sock on the needles for me. I've got socks planned for a good friend. socks planned for my wife. Booties for my new nephew, and socks for my sockapaltwoza pal.

Posted by: Timothy at June 11, 2005 11:14 AM

ooooh Koigu anklets! do you think you can get 2 out of one skein? (i must admit, i've never used Koigu for socks, but i'm dying to!)

Posted by: kim at June 11, 2005 11:36 AM

Those socks are so gosh darn cute!!! I am also thrilled to be included in the Sockapal2za!! Have a great weekend.

Posted by: michele at June 11, 2005 12:20 PM

Funny, I was thinking about using stash baby cashmerino for socks. Did you start from the middle of the ball?

I hadn't knitted a sock in years until I started reading your blog, Alison. Now I've finished one pair (pic to be posted soon) and am all over the anklets.

Posted by: Daphne at June 11, 2005 12:27 PM

You are so amazing to be pairing such a huge group of people together. I know we all appreciate it so very much!! Would you email me your address? I think a little somethin somethin needs to come your way:)
I love the anklets. I wore them all the time as a kid. May have to make some myself.

Posted by: Deb at June 11, 2005 1:30 PM

I just used kfi cashmereno (in part because I remembered the socks you made your mom with them) for a pair of anklet socks... it did the line thing, too. I don't mind it so much, but it was a little disconcerting. Love the Koigu anklets!

[and hmmm I might need to get some of those needles. super bendy = good for me!]

Posted by: jess at June 11, 2005 1:34 PM

I got your email and am excited to be in on the sock extravaganza! You are a sock machine! I might have to try those cool needles, especially if they allow me to knit more socks!

Posted by: Barbara at June 11, 2005 4:05 PM

But will they break, is what I'm wondering. I've broken a whole set of Bryspuns and Pony sock dpns. And of course the birch needles too. I'm still using Bryspun, just have an extra set with me at all times.

Posted by: valentina at June 11, 2005 7:03 PM

Hi, I sent you an email noting that I did not receive my sockapaltwoza email. Just to make sure, I am posting here as well. Thanks!

Posted by: Rebecca at June 11, 2005 8:24 PM

Give the baby cashmerino another chance when you have the time. I knit up a pair of anklets in it months back, and they feel soooooo incredibly good on my feet. Nothing like a little cashmere on the ol tootsies, let me tell you.

Posted by: Kathy at June 12, 2005 2:32 AM

Oh, such fun socks! I love the Koigu ones especially... Do have a pattern you would suggest for anklet socks? I would love to try some since I seem to dread the long legs...

I saw you in the store yesterday, but you were busy helping someone with there knitting! I bought a bunch of Debbie Bliss on sale.. can't beat that!

Posted by: Dani at June 12, 2005 7:16 AM

Fingers crossed, Kim!

Daphne, I don't really know where I started. It was a partial ball left over from the baby sweater I made. I don't remember the sweater doing that though, so I bet I started from the inside.

Arg, Jess, how annoying. I love that KFI Cashmerino! It didn't do that for me. Where did you find that yarn, by the way??!! I'd love to know if you've found a secret source!

Wow, Valentina, congrats on being able to break all those needles. I've never had one needle break on me. I can't even imagine how you could break a Bryspun! These Comfort Zone needles are much more bendy than Bryspuns. But if you can break those, I'm sure you could break these too. Are you a supertight knitter or something??

I will Kathy! You know, everytime I see the unfinished baby cash anklet in the knitting basket I think, that's not so bad. I'll rip it sometime and try knitting from the other end. I bet that will fix the line problem.

Hi, Dani! :)

Posted by: alison at June 13, 2005 8:47 AM

Hi Alison, are those short-row heels? If so, are they worked the same way as short-row heels for toe-up socks?

Enjoy your AC =) The heat is positively unbearable! It almost makes me wish for snow again. Almost.

Posted by: parikha at June 13, 2005 12:18 PM

I found the kfi cashmereno locally at the lys I have recently decided to adopt (heh)... alas, they have no website! It's uniquities in Vienna, VA. they have a ton of good colors, and it's the only place I've seen it locally! I suspect I will be returning to stock up... it makes wonderfully soft socks! :)

Posted by: jess at June 15, 2005 4:09 PM