Some of you may have heard me rambling on about Summer of Socks as I knit on tiny needles around and around in circles. While I was working on my parents’ afghan the past year (and a half!) I had been collecting a little bit of a sock yarn stash. (Well, if you call a rubbermaid tote filled with yarn a little bit. Hey, it’s a medium sized tote, not a big one!) Anyway, I decided that after knitting such a large project, I was only going to knit small things for awhile.
Then I heard about Summer of Socks 2008 and joined immediately. It’s basically a bunch of contests all summer long and the more socks you knit, the more chances you have to win. Look at all of the socks knitters have finished and it’s only the end of week two! I think the winner of the most socks last year knit something like 42 pairs. Pairs! My goal is just one sock a week. So far, I’m on track. Here’s my first pair:
For those who are interested, here are the specs:
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
Needles: size 3 mm
Pattern: plain toe up stockinette socks with Wendy Johnson cast on, Cat Bordhi master toe up heel flap and Elizabeth Zimmermann sewn bind off
I also decided to sponsor a prize for one of the raffles. I’ve been working on some different sock basket prototypes and I think I’ve finally got a pattern I really like. Most sock knitting totes are designed for knitting on the go, but I wanted something that would look cute around the house. I do most of my knitting at the kitchen table and wanted a little basket to show off my socks-in-progress. Here is the tote I am donating as a prize:
Just before I started SOS08, I finished up a pair of socks that I had on the needles since last October. They don’t count toward the contest, but they turned out really cool! I love the zig zags.
For those who are interested, here are the specs:
Yarn: Cascade Sassy Stripes
Needles: size 2
Pattern: toe up Jaywalkers with Wendy Johnson cast on, Cat Bordhi master toe up heel flap and Elizabeth Zimmermann sewn bind off
Phew! Now I think I need a proper pair of sock blockers so I can take prettier pictures of my socks. I found an online tutorial (not big on the coat hanger idea) so maybe before the next pair is finished!
Love your socks! And speaking of…..as some of my knitting friends know, I committed to knitting my first pair this summer. Last night I actually GOT OUT THE BOOK to start the process. Wow! It’s a baby step but I’m moving in the right direction. Actually, I’m not procrastinating. I need to finish one of the Debbie Bliss bears for a baby shower next weekend and then my cable baby blanket so I know I will have one State Fair entry this year.
I’ve probably got the same “medium size Rubbermaid tote” that you have and mine is full of collected sock yarn, too.
Dude. I so want that (or one just like it) sock basket/tote thing. Way too cute.
Love the socks and the tote! On my list of things to do is learning how to knit. I crochet though and when I look at Knit patterns I want to make – I end up figuring out a way to crochet it instead.
Love the sock bag & I want one. It’s too cute. Speaking of cute, your jaywalkers look exactly like a pair I made & let the Yarn Shop display to show off Sassy Stripes striping. You will LOVE the socks. I bought more of the yarn in a different color. My son begged me for a pair of sleeping socks. It washes up great.