Tag: knitting socks

Turkey Tracks: A Knitted Sock Story

Turkey Tracks:  March 21, 2014

A Knitted Sock Story

At least six years ago–maybe longer–my Virginia quilting group, which meets every year in Williamsburg for a week, wanted to make socks.

I had probably been making the first socks I was learning to make the previous year.  I was using bigger needles, size 3, Lion Brand sock yarn, and their free pattern–which makes a heavy sock best for boots.  (I now use size 1’s, and the sock is finer.)

So, I rounded up yarn and needles and Lion’s brand yarn and gave those interested a set.

Rosie Pilkerton started a pair of socks with this yarn.

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The next year, Rosie brought back her sock, which was almost done.  But, the needles had been too big for her gauge, and the sock was too big and stretchy.   We were all afraid she would not have enough yarn to finish a second sock as well.

“Rosie, you have to start over with smaller needles.”

“Your mean, rip it out????   No way!!!”

The following year, Rosie brought the sock back and we had the same conversation.

Then, I missed three years as John was too sick for me to leave him with dogs and chickens.

This year, just after we had all settled in, out came the sock.  And I repeated the remedy for this sock problem.

“No way!!!!!” said Rosie.

But this year, Caroline Razeq, who had gone on to make other socks, picked up the sock, handed me the loose end to wind, and with Rosie moaning beside us, we undid the sock.  Along the way, I kept promising that I would fix it for her.  As we unknitted the sock, the adage “you break it, you own it” played in my head.

So, I put aside the sock project I had brought with me and started reknitting Rosie’s socks.  I just mailed the completed socks to Rosie (it was her birthday too!) the other day.  I had located some of my yarn that would work to complete the toe, but I did have enough of the Lion’s yarn to complete both socks.  That’s usually the way–it never looks like you will have enough yarn, but you do.

And that felt pretty good–to be able to fix something for an old and valued friend who will likely not knit another pair of socks ever in her life.  Though, I should add, she knits scarves with intricate patterns that are beautiful.  And I should also add that socks are not difficult to make, they just look daunting.

Meanwhile, Caroline had two pairs of socks with toe errors.  She had sewn them together going up and down rather than side to side.  And we had to rip one back to the point where she decreased to get the toe right.  But, here they are–all fixed and, hopefully, being worn now:

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Caroline is now working on a dark green pair which will be very pretty.

She’s ready now for a good sock book–I recommended Charlene Schurch’s Sensational Knitted Socks, which I have really enjoyed and highly recommend.

 

TurkeyTracks: This One’s For You, Nancy

Turkey Tracks:  April 22, 2012

This One’s For You, Nancy

It’s a rainy Sunday.

We are delighted!

I can’t tell you how dry it is in Maine.  And, until the past few days, way too warm for April.

The new strawberry plants (50) arrived, and I planted them the other day.  I plant the most delicious little strawberry–Sparkle.  Strawberries get planted early spring, but one pinches off all the blossoms the first year to give the plants a year to develop.  So, we won’t eat these strawberries until June 2013.  It’s ok.  I think we’ll get another year or, even, two out of the old bed.  I’m just thinking ahead.

I also planted peas, the cold frame with lettuce, and raked back the straw from the asparagus bed.  I was planning in my head to go get some cool-weather plants, like broccoli, until my better sense kicked in as it’s really way too early.  I had to water everything deeply, and my muscles are still screaming from all this different, outdoor activity.

John and I had a delightful lunch in Belfast.  And, I found some red sock yarn for my niece, Nancy Howser Gardner.  We have a deal.  She’s making me a scarf, and I’m making her some red socks.  So, Nancy, this yarn is for you.  It’s 50% wool, but has some cotton in the blend.  It’s really pretty.  See those little blue flecks in the mixture?

God knows when Nancy will get these socks.  She’s got my sweater in front of her socks.  And some socks for the kiddos from leftover yarn.  And a linen shawl.  But, I’m down to the sleeves now.  And little socks and the shawl should go fast.  And, anyway, that red yarn is really drawing me.  I think I’ll pick a Cookie A sock pattern for Nancy’s red socks.

Here’s what the sweater looks like now.   I’ve sewn the shoulder seams since I took this picture, so I can now pick up the neck stitches.  I got a circular needle of the right size (7) in Belfast to do so.  I’ve got one sleeve mostly done.  The best news is that after sewing the shoulder seams, I could try it on.  I did, and IT FIT beautifully.

To remind, this yarn comes from Kelly Corbett’s Romney Ridge Farm down in Woolwich, Maine, just south of Damariscotta.  The yarn is all hand-dyed and the colors shade in and out–you can see that in the purple diamonds.  The yarn on the ribbing is the natural color of one of Kelly’s sheep.

Aloisia Pollock designed the pattern for the sweater and the carrying color pattern and taught Giovanna McCarthy and I how to do it.  You can view the yarn balls and get all the info on both of these terrific women from earlier blog postings in the knitting category.  Giovanna chose different colors, and her sweater is gorgeous too.  You can see Giovanna’s colors on the earlier posting as well.