TAAT, Toe-Up

October 14, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    10/8/2023
  
    Completed
    10/14/2023
  
    Pattern Name
    N/A - Vanilla Socks
  
    Designer
    N/A - Vanilla Socks
  
    Size
    40 stitches
  
    My Measurements
    US 7.5 Women's Shoe Size
  
    Yarn
    Handspun / Hand Dyed; Color: Pumpkin Spice Delight; DK Weight Yarn leftovers
  
    Needles
    US 1.5 (2.5mm) / US 3 (3.25mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

In a moment of inspiration, I decided to dye and spin up some fiber from my stash.

Modifications

Used my go to Vanilla Sock Recipe, 40 stitches around for DK weight sock
- Two-at-a-Time (TAAT)
- Judy’s Magic Cast On
- Fleegle Heel
- Italian BO

RESOURCES

(Book) Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece // Gail Callahan
(Book) The Complete Guide to Spinning Yarn: Techniques, Projects, and Recipes // Brenda Gibson
(Book) Color Works: The Crafter’s Guide to Color // Deb Metz

Final Thoughts

I really like this sock! This was my most successful dyeing project so far, and the colors were exactly as I had hoped (inspired by fall and Pumpkin Spice).

Ravelry Project Page

July "Herrensocken" Stash Socks// Daniela Muhlbauer // TAAT, Toe-Up Mods

July 20, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    7/1/2023
  
    Completed
    7/20/2023
  
    Yarn
    Various types of stash yarn
  
    Size
    Smallest sock size, 48 stitches
  
    Needles
    US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

I decided to use the argyle pattern from this cuff down sock pattern to fulfill the theme for this month’s sock bash challenge: a new technique.

Modifications

Switched to Toe Up vs. Cuff down
Judy’s Magic Cast On - (My favorite vanilla toe shape for my foot) 8 stitches each needle (16 total); Round 1: knit; Round 2: K1, M1R, Knit until 2 stitches, M1L, K1 (both needles); Round 3: knit - Repeat rounds 2 & 3 until there are 48 stitches total for the foot
I used US 0 (2mm) knitting needles for the foot of the sock until 6” (3” of foot not knit); US 1 (2.25mm) knitting needles for the sole
Decided to
Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the lace chart

RESOURCES

Converting a cuff down sock to toe up // Interweave Knitting // Website

Final Thoughts

The final result looks good, but I wasn’t completely satisfied with my modifications. I also missed a colorwork repeat.

Ravelry Project Page

"Mercury Socks" // Kim Drotar

May 6, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    5/1/2023
  
    Completed
    5/6/2023
  
    Yarn
    Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock; Colorway: Gloria
  
    Size
    Smallest sock size, 48 stitches
  
    Needles
    US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

I was able to use some leftovers from my “Boneyard Sweethearts” hat. This light color was a perfect color for the lace pattern.

Modifications

Switched to Toe Up vs. Cuff down
Judy’s Magic Cast On - (My favorite vanilla toe shape for my foot) 8 stitches each needle (16 total); Round 1: knit; Round 2: K1, M1R, Knit until 2 stitches, M1L, K1 (both needles); Round 3: knit - Repeat rounds 2 & 3 until there are 50 stitches total for the foot
I used US 1 (2.25mm) knitting needles for the entire sock
Used my favorite heel construction - Fleegle Heel + No Holes Version
Knit 5” for the leg before starting 1x1 rib
Reversed the lace chart
Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the lace chart

RESOURCES

Converting a cuff down sock to toe up // Interweave Knitting // Website

Final Thoughts

This sock flew off the knitting needles. These were a surprisingly quick knit. I could see myself knitting these again.

Ravelry Project Page

"Laurelhurst" Socks // Star Athena

April 30, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    4/18/2023
  
    Completed
    4/30/2023
  
    Pattern Name
    Laurelhurst
  
    Designer
    Star Athena
  
    Yarn
    Scrappy Yarn Left Overs - Succulents (Stress Yarn Knits) & Malabrigo 362 Under the Sea 
  
    Needles
    US 0 (2.0mm), US 1.5 (2.5mm)

NOTES

I wanted to use up some scrappy yarn, but I didn’t want a truly scrappy look for my sock. My yarn combo was perfect for this slip stitch sock.

Modifications

Switched to Toe Up vs. Cuff down
Judy’s Magic Cast On - (My favorite vanilla toe shape for my foot) 8 stitches each needle (16 total); Round 1: knit; Round 2: K1, M1R, Knit until 2 stitches, M1L, K1 (both needles); Round 3: knit - Repeat rounds 2 & 3 until there are 50 stitches total for the foot
US 0 (2.0mm) for the toes and foot; US 1.5 (2.5mm) after the heel & for the leg; US 7 (4.5mm) for the loose bind off - I experimented with several sizes and, for me, this produced a nice stretchy bind off
Used my favorite heel construction - Fleegle Heel + No Holes Version
4.5” length for the leg and then started the lace chart - sock was about 6.5” in total leg length
Reversed the lace chart
Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the lace chart

RESOURCES

Converting a cuff down sock to toe up // Interweave Knitting // Website

Final Thoughts

I really liked knitting this sock. I can see myself making this sock again.

Ravelry Project Page

"Water Bubbles" Socks // Anna Lange

March 30, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    3/13/2023
  
    Completed
    3/28/2023
  
    Pattern Name
    Water Bubbles
  
    Designer
    Anna Lange
  
    Yarn
    Scrappy Yarn Left Overs - Succulents (Stress Yarn Knits) & Malabrigo Cote D Azure; New Yarn: Malabrigo 362 Under the Sea 
  
    Needles
    US 2 (3.0mm), US 1.5 (2.5mm), US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

I was drawn to the idea of knitting up this free pattern for the March Grocery Girls sock challenge. The theme for March was “under the sea”. Both the pattern and the turquoise yarn (Malabrigo, “Under the Sea” colorway) fit the theme.

Modifications

Knit smallest size - 56 stitches total: US 2 (3.0mm) for the leg; 5” length, 2 repeats of Chart A; US 1 (2.25mm) for the heel flap and turn only; US 1.5 (2.5mm) for the foot and instep
Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the heel; I then went back to TAAT after all foot decreases had been completed

RESOURCES

Knitting Help - Decreasing in a Charted Pattern // VeryPink Knits // Youtube
Tubular Cast On // Andrea Mowry // Youtube
Nbgriz Water Bubble Notes // Ravelry
Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

This was a fun sock to knit. I had some trouble with the instep until I charted out the decreases in the pattern using graph paper.

Ravelry Project Page

Pink New to Me Designer "Everyday Socks" // Sandra McDaniels

February 12, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    2/1/2023
  
    Completed
    2/12/2023
  
    Pattern Name
    Everyday socks
  
    Designer
    Sandra McDaniels
  
    Yarn
    Bad Sheep Yarn, Spell On Yarn
  
    Needles
    US 00 (1.75mm), US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

It was great to try out a new sock pattern from a new to me designer.

Next time, I would do a tubular cast on versus folding over the cuff due. I felt like it made the cuff a little too thick for my liking.

Modifications

Knit smaller size: US 1 (2.25mm) for the leg; US 00 (1.75mm)
Two-at-a-Time (TAAT)

RESOURCES

None this time.

Final Thoughts

This was a relatively quick, simple knit.

Ravelry Project Page

Garia Socks // Erika Lopez (52 Weeks of Socks)

January 22, 2023

PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    1/12/2023
  
    Completed
    1/22/2023
  
    Pattern Name
    Garia
  
    Designer
    Erika Lopez
  
    Yarn
    Bad Sheep Yarn, Currant
  
    Needles
    US 000 (1.5mm), US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

My first time knitting a sock pattern from the book 52 Weeks of Socks.

I enjoyed knitting these socks until I got to the Spikelet Motif. Like other folks have mentioned, I found the directions and chart confusing at first.

I finally settled on following the written instructions, and it helped when I visualized the 5 purl stitches like this:

XX **X** XX

Most of the motif is worked using the middle purl stitch as the starting point of the pattern. Sorry, that probably is super confusing, but that's what worked for me.

Modifications

Knit smaller size: US 000 for the foot; 7” foot length when sock is stretched;
Two-at-a-Time (TAAT), until the pattern recommends switching to knitting one sock at a time for the motif; I then went back to TAAT for the cuff.
US 000 (1.5mm) for my narrow foot, switched to US 1 (2.25mm) for the heel, the leg, and the cuff.

RESOURCES

Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I chose this pattern because I bought the yarn for the Grocery Girls 2023 Sock Challenge and I wanted a sock pattern that was simple enough to let this yarn - superwash merino, nylon, and silver stellina - shine.

I followed the pattern exactly. I still think I prefer a Fleegle heel for my foot, and though the Russian Bind-Off is stretchy, my version flared out. I'm thinking I probably cast off too loosely.

Ravelry Project Page