Posted by Underground Crafter on July 25, 2012 |
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My main focus this week has been preparing for the Ravellenic Games, which kick off on Friday during the opening ceremony for the London Olympics.
My personal Herculean effort will be to knit my first pair of socks. I decided to use a pattern from Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks
by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. I’m far more comfortable with circular needles than with DPNs. I think it is generally best to tackle one learning task at a time – this exercise should be about sock structures, shaping, and fit, not about learning to use a different type of needles. For the same reason, I decided to use a skein of medium weight yarn instead of sock yarn. When I was attempting to make a gauge swatch with sock yarn, I realized that my dexterity with thin yarn knitting is nearly non-existent. (Apparently, summer crocheting with thread is not a transferable skill!)
This is a lovely skein of Malabrigo Rios in Primavera, purchased at Knitty City last fall. This is one of those yarns that looks totally different wound. I actually love it, though I confess that if I saw it wound in the store, I probably wouldn’t have bought it since the colors are a bit out of my comfort zone. I chose this yarn for my socks two reasons. While deciding on my sock pattern, I was skimming through The Knitter’s Book of Socks
. Clara Parkes‘s first “beginner friendly” pattern is made with Malabrigo Rios. Then I started poking around in Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks and found a few patterns using a heavier weight yarn. Given my clumsiness with thin yarn knitting and the fact that I had a skein in my stash just waiting for a project, it seemed like a wise choice. I wasn’t sure if one skein would be enough for a pair, though, and I have a good amount of the Glazed Carrot left over from my hat. Since these are toe up socks, I could always end with orange cuffs if necessary, right?
The famous Glazed Carrot skein.
It’s a bit hard to tell from these pictures, but there is a common orange color in both yarns.
Since this is such a big challenge, I’ve been making those real gauge swatches that are spoken about in books, not the fake ones I generally make 
.
Isn't she pretty?
I’m still fiddling around with needle sizes, but I should have a solid idea of pattern and needle by Friday (I hope).
I also plan to declare a goal for the Modular Relay, but I’m not sure which of the three motif projects I’m currently working on (yikes!) would be the best candidate for this. I’ll have to decide first before saying how many motifs I plan to make.
As for reading, I’m currently about one-third into How To Love Your Job Or Find A New One
by Joanna Penn
. I love her blog, The Creative Penn, and she recently offered her readers the opportunity to get a review copy of the revised edition of this book. So far, I’m finding it really well written (no surprise, after reading her blog) and filled with actionable advice. I’m sure I’ll have more to say as I get further into it. I’ve put down The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories
by H.G. Wells for the moment.
Is anyone else making socks or modular items for the Ravellenic Games? We can cheer each other on!
For more Works in Progress, visit Tami’s Amis. For more Yarn Along posts, visit Small Things.
Tags: 12forself2012, circular knitting, circular needles, clara parkes, dpns, h.g. wells, how to love your job or find a new one, joanna penn, kindle fire, knitty city, malabrigo, malabrigo rios, melissa morgan-oakes, ravellenic games, ravellenic games modular relay, ravellenic games sock put, reading, small things, socks, surmount the stash 2012, tami's amis, the country of the blind and other stories, the creative penn, the knitter's book of socks, toe-up 2-at-a-time socks, wip wednesday, wips, wipw, yarn along
This is a lovely skein of Malabrigo Rios in Primavera, purchased at Knitty City last fall. This is one of those yarns that looks totally different wound. I actually love it, though I confess that if I saw it wound in the store, I probably wouldn’t have bought it since the colors are a bit out of my comfort zone. I chose this yarn for my socks two reasons. While deciding on my sock pattern, I was skimming through The Knitter’s Book of Socks
Good luck with your sock knitting (something I’ve not attempted yet) . I love the color of that Malabrigo Rios – definitely my colors !! xoxox
Thanks, Dorothy! (I’m pretty sure I’ll need that luck, lol.) I’m glad I took a chance on this color.
I am impressed with your Herculean goal for the games. I am also participating. I will be “competing” in the modular event hoping to catch up with my granny square sampler afghan. I also will be making a shawl and some “official” swatches. Like you I don’t always follow swatting rules.
That sounds fun, Heather! Let’s cheer each other on!
I’m almost positive I’m doing socks for the Ravellenics games too! I also have a sweater for my daughter I want to do. I’m going back and forth deciding on if I should try to do BOTH. I’ve never done socks toe-up so I’m also trying to decide if I want to try that too. I’ve been thinking about this for weeks so you’d think I’d have it all figured out! I DO have yarn picked out though so that’s good, right??
I’m also planning to do a bunch of things during the Ravellenic Games (probably more than I will actually achieve), Jen. Good luck – you still have a few days to decide lol!!!!!
I’m even impressed that you have made fake gauge swatches, I haven’t even made those
I am hoping to make adult socks this year, it is one of my goals. I just saw a lovely pattern on one of the blogs I read, http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTfrootloop.html
That’s a really cute pair, Heather! Good luck on reaching your goal!
Oh wow! The swatch and the ball look totally different! I really like how it knits up! You will have a wonderful pair of socks in no time!
If you would have seen the skein unwound, you would have been even more surprised, Kate!
The Ravellenic games sound so exciting! Good luck with your socks
Thanks, Hannah@HomeBaked!
BEWARE!!! sock knitting is quite addictive!!! hee, hee!!! I’m sure you will do well….and then there will be a drawer-full of socks!
That’s what they say, steph! I’ll see if I become addicted or not after this first pair
.
I have that same book and learned to do socks that way as well! Love your yarn choice….great colors!!
Welcome, and thanks, alisa. It’s nice to hear that someone else learned from the same book!
Sock knitting and me don’t get along, dpns or magic loop. I can’t get my head around it. Good luck and all the training for the games will be worth it.
I have only crocheted socks, Wool Diaries, and I’m interested in how this process goes.
Oh that swatch is heavenly! I’m planning 2 at a time toe-up socks for a KAL in September, I’ll be interested to see how you get on with the pattern, although I would like to find a pattern that doesn’t necessitate buying a book as not everyone will want to.
Good luck with your training!
xxx
Thanks, Sarah! I am very impressed with my swatching abilities, since they are so little used lol.
Yay, socks! I’m so excited about the Ravellenic Games, too
Your team looks really fun, Stacey!
The yarn you picked is right up my alley! I love colorful socks, they just make me smile during the colder month.
Once you start knitting socks, you’ll be hooked…
I’m glad you like the yarn, Anke. I am hoping the yarn would have that effect on me in the winter, too!
I love the colors in your swatch!! Dont worry, I never make real swatches either, though I might be convinced at some point.
I think the socks would be super wild with glazed carrot cuffs! I am anxiously awaiting the appearance of these socks now
I’m not sure how wild I want the socks, Mary, lol! I’ll have to see if I have enough of the main color.
I like my socks knit at a tight gauge for durability. Mostly I’m on size 0s. And yes, the beauty of toe-up is that you can knit without fear of running short, and can add a contrasting cuff if need be.
Good luck with your Olympian challenge!
Thanks for the tip about gauge, Minding My Own Stitches. Since you are a master of socks, I take your advice quite seriously!
That Malabrigo Rios is lush! Gorgeous colours. I’m very excited about the Ravellenic Games too, can’t wait till Friday
I’m excited about the Ravellenics, too, Paula. It’s my first time competing.
I’m a total sock addict. Good luck with your first pair.
Thanks, Beth. I’m looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about
.
LOVE the colourway, and love the idea of orange cuffs!
Thanks, Tanya! I am trying to get out of my color comfort zone.
Stopping by from Ravelry WIP Wednesday.
I love that orange color!
Welcome, Susie, and thanks!
I am not taking part in the games..but am also working on my 1st sock..you’ve done it right in by switching it up a bit..and even though I am only a few inches into mine..I see how some people become addicted..
and you actually did a real swatch..that is also on my list of things to do….
good luck in the games… I shall follow along!
Thanks, mary! I’m looking forward to it. This swatch is pretty serious – I feel like I’ve made 1/2 a sock already.
I love the colorway you’ve picked, although I’m not so sure about the orange…
I hope you have fun with the Ravellenics. Is this your first time competing?
I am addicted to socks two at a time on two circs, and probably ought to unravel and redo the ones I started before Ride the Rockies so I can redo them for Ravellenics. I was doing them sans pattern, just off the top of my head, and I’m not too happy with the shaping of the toes. I’ve long planned making a skirt, and it will be the season to wear it soon after the Ravellinics, so I’m anxious to get it done. The socks will match the skirt when they get done. Ha ha!
Yes, this is my first time, Snowcatcher! I love the idea of a skirt with matching socks!