Jan 28 2006
Best Foot Forward
Koigu Indigo Short-Cuff Socks
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM colorway P820
Needles: Susan Bates size 2 aluminum
Pattern: Heel and toe based on FiberTrends Hellen’s Favorite Socks
Notes: Now I see why some knitters swear by Koigu… Finished these in 10 days- they were hard to put down!
I have used this pattern for 3 of my 4 finished pairs of socks. It is a simple pattern that leaves plenty of room for "knitter’s license". I started with a one-inch rib, and then extended into stockinette stitch for the remainder of the cuff. I chose to make shorter cuff socks because I was unsure about the yardage, this being my first time using Koigu. I have size 10 feet, so I did not want to run out of yarn right before the toe! Looking back, I could have extended my cuff at least another inch, as I have a good amount of yarn leftover.
They fit perfectly, and I am already thinking about purchasing some more Koigu… but I need to work through some of the stash yarns before I think about that!
I have one sock lingering on the needles, and I plan to finish that one soon. I also plan to cast on for the Red Hot Sizzling Socks in the next few days. Then I came across this lovely yarn (a gift from Heather), and it got me thinking about a pair of bright pink socks for March’s Project Spectrum. The wheels in my head don’t stop turning!
The Phildar Plaisance (colorway Berlingot) is a cotton/acrylic blend and will be perfect for some lightweight spring/summer socks. I am planning to check out Amy’s free sock pattern repository to find a pattern that matches the yarn.
I finally got back to my Hourglass sleeve - I was feeling like quite the slacker after reading Yahaira’s post about working on her lovely version, and it was just the impetus I needed to knit up a few more inches last night. I am closer than I was before, but the road is long.
Its not a race, I have to keep telling myself… However, I would like to wear this sweater before the weather gets too warm for alpaca and silk… (KnitPicks Andean Silk in colorway Lettuce)
Project Spectrum continues to grow, and many new participants are joining every day! There are an array of beautiful buttons to choose from too - check it out!
I hope to have a list of Project Spectrum participants set up by tomorrow or Monday. Stay tuned!
Have a great weekend.
I love them Lol! I think I am going to do something like that for my next pair.
I love this Koigu colorway! It’s so nice! I have all these sweater projects going on/planned, and like you, I want to wear them before it gets too warm. I’m thinking of doing the Hourglass sweater in the same yarn you’re using but I have so much going on now that it’s probably not going to happen until next fall!
I love those socks - I’ll have to put Koigu on my list of sock yarns still to try!!! I think you chose well doing the shorter socks for the first run - better safe than with one and a half socks and no more yarn!!! Can’t wait to see the lovely pink socks, that yarn is so pretty. Don’t let Hourglass make you feel guilty - you’re coming along fine and it will be done before you know it!!
The Koigu colours are just divine! I have the same problem as yours … I love to try out more sock yarns, but before I can do that I have to use up some of the stash!
Love the cute pinky yarns! Wish you find a matching cute pattern for them.
Take care.
Lolly, they look great! Koigu is just the best. When I first knit a pair of socks with it (my only pair actually) I was thinking it was nice, but I didn’t see what all the hoopla was about. Then, when I finished them, and started wearing them, I was sold! Awesome stuff!!
BTW, I would like to sign up for color spectrum. At first I thought “too much joining”, but heck, I’m gonna be knitting anyway, and I am all about the color! Great idea, my dear!
Great socks!! I have a big foot too and also worry about not having enough yarn. There’s nothing wrong with short socks.
The socks look spectacular! I think the pinks will look great as socks too. Can’t wait to see what pattern you choose for them and how they look.
Love your Koigu socks! Yummy!! I want to buy more Koigu but my LYS hasn’t had any for ages. (That’s a terrible excuse; there are tons of yarn shops in various neighborhoods of this city.)
Those socks are vividly gorgeous, Lolly (& a mere 10 days!)! I am getting set to start my first pair of socks (hopefully) this come week. Love the pink yarn & really love the fact that it’s not wool (I may have to check me some Plaisance out).
xo
The Koigu socks are great! So cute and love that color. Lace would be nice for the pink yarn — nice ventilation for spring and summer.
That colorway of Koigu is fabulous! Who needs a fancy pattern with yarn that gorgeous! Your socks look great, I imagine they will get a lot of wear.
*screams* I’ve just totally mucked up the clapotis I’m making as a surprise for my best friend in New Zealand….and now I’ve just frogged it and started again….*bawls*
Your Koigu socks turned out beautifully. I love how they didn’t pool or stripe weirdly, just perfect variegation! Very cool.
Lovely socks! I love Koigu.
Great socks! I love that colorway. I’d love to get more Koigu… but yes, I must knit stash first.. booooo.
Oooh they look nice!! hey I called dibs on the leftovers!! heheheh
I have one lonely ball of kpppm in that colourway..
wrist warmers?
Anyway..That’s alpaca silk you are making the hourglass in? Is it Lettuce colour? If it is and you run out call me!! I have some that I dunno what I am gonna do with!
10 days? Very impressive! I still haven’t gotten past the toe on my Opal Tiger socks. Sigh.
I’m already dreaming up things for Project Spectrum!
oooh! I love them! don’t you love koigu? they have the yarn dying thing down!
I am looking forward to Project Spectrum! I’m looking for yarn dying books to check out
Pretty socks-that is the perfect pattern to showcase the Koigu! I have never knitted with it before, but it sure does looks like a great yarn to work with. I have to cast on for my red socks too, but I am constantly thinking about what I want to do for Project Spectrum. It is such a great idea-it has really got me excited about crafting!
I am totally envious of that gorgeous stash!
Have a super weekend!!
Love that Koigu color! Thanks for posting so many Project Spectrum buttons — it’s hard to pick, so I think I’ll just rotate them! I’m really looking forward to this, you know.
Awesome socks! That is a really nice colorway of Koigu. Must find some….must.
Your socks came out great! They look so comfy! I could totally see your Phildar Plaisance making great socks!
Amanda
Love those Koigu socks! You can do it! re: the Hourglass Sweater - hang in there. You might surprised at how fast it goes, since it’s knit in the round.
Such lovely socks, Lolly! Your socks are definitely an inspiration to me. Looking forward to seeing more of your Hourglass!
I still can’t get over how VIBRANT the blues are in your Koigu socks! They look so cheerful! The color just feels so “active”–does that make any sense? The happy pink Phildar yarn will take you into Spring/Summer. And is it wrong that when I saw the picture of the green yarn you are using for your hourglass, well, it looked so soft that I just wanted to bury my nose in the fabric? Happy Weekend!
The socks came out great - I just love the Koigu. I’m looking forward to seeing the pink worked up - it looks gorgeous.
Those are beautiful socks. Maybe it’s time to try a toe up sock. You don’t have to worry as much about enough yarn–just keep going until you’re out of yarn. Of course, now you have an excuse to try another pair-to make longer tops
Cute socks! I’ve heard so many great things about Koigu- I feel like I’m the only knitter who hasn’t used it yet. Sign me up for Project Spectrum, please. What a fun idea!
Mmmm, yummy blue socks….I’ll have to start in on some of my koigu stash soon.
Thanks for the well-wishes for Conan, btw. He was doing better, but had a bit of a barf-a-thon today. I’m taking it day to day.
Great new socks! They look really comfy, and I’m glad to hear your review of Koigu, another yarn I haven’t yet tried. That new pink stuff looks divine - hope you find the perfect pattern
The socks look great! It has been 3 years since I took a sock class (& never finished the 2nd sock) - this year I definitely want to get going with socks again! Thanks for the Project Spectrum buttons - I’ve added one to my site.
The socks do look absolutely wonderful indeed, I absolutely love those colors. I also highly recommend giving them a good soak, it will really soften up the fabric nicely. I think you and I are alike in that the knitting wheels in our heads don’t stop turning, it gets us in trouble sometimes
Only 1 week until the superbowl sale, woohoo! Did I tell you my friend works at Springwater now?
Saw this and thought of you! - Enjoy!
Amy
http://www.herrschners.com/products/product.aspx?sku=710069&id=3962&tab=
lovely! I got to see them today in person…which was lovely as well…
I think it’s going to be a great year…spectrum, knitting from the stash…dominos and mah jonng tiles oh my!
great socks, and they look so comfy! wow, love the beautiful PS buttons, makes it hard to choose just one! my brain has been thinking in colors lately thanks to you:)
I love that blue! I’ll have to look for Koigu in that colorway - those are great.
Hi, Lolly! I’m so sorry for the late comment…we’ve been in and out all day, and I’ve been trying (unsuccessfully) to tackle Bloglines during our brief “in’s” before running “out” again.
Your Koigu socks are BEAUTIFUL!! That colorway is just gorgeous and I love how they’re footies. That’s my favorite cuff length! I think this may be the year I break down and order some Koigu… see, you’re leading me down the dark road of temptation! 
Your pink yarn is so pretty, too. Can’t wait to see what you decide to knit up with it. And your Hourglass sleeve looks wonderful and you’re almost there! I ordered the yarn for mine yesterday. 
(Thank you, again- I LOVE that book- it’s one of my faves!) Have a great weekend and take care, sweetie! Love xo, c.
Lolly, now where did you get the time to knit those socks up in 10 days. Have you given up studying or something? I guess if I was knitting socks with Koigu life would stand still too. 10 days, that’s insaine… and not a flaw on them.
*taking myself off to look at my dpns again*
Hi. I’ve been lurking around your blog for a while and always enjoy reading it so I thought I’d stop and say hello this time. Love that pink yarn, btw. ~Sharon
YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY socks!
you are almost there! if it makes you feel any better, I’m stuck in sleeve-island right along with you (hopefully there are no black clouds or ‘others’ here!).
your shorties look so cute, you’re really doing great with stash knitting and wip finishing. cant wait to see your next socks
Love your Koigu socks! Perhaps toe-up socks are in your future? Prevents the worry about running out of yarn. And I love the pink yarn you are going to use for socks.
Those socks are so cute. I love that they were done in 10 days too! That’s a good turnaround for socks! I’m happy you’re working on the Hourglass again. Just knit those two sleeves and then you’re really close to finishing the whole thing.
Koigu is so nice and springy feeling! I love those socks. They fit perfectly and the color is great.
I love the blue socks!! Very cute! You’ve got me stewing to knit more socks!!!
And after I looked at the spectrum time line I realized I’m right on track for my Red project! I am working on a top down raglan in red. Yippee!!
Your socks look great! I love the Phildar yarn as well.
Amy
Lolly,
Adorable socks! How many skeins did they take? I like how short they are. I’ve been tempted by Koigu recently but haven’t bought any…maybe after I get rid of some of my stash, I will reward myself.
Koigu = Gooooooddddd
Lorna’s Laces = Baddddddd (IMNSHO)
Your socks look great - I’ll have to check out that pattern.
Have a great week, Lauren!
The socks look fab!! I love the colorway (it’s a shame that I have to give the one I’m working on away). Keep going on the sleeves for Hourglass! Don’t you just hate sleeve island?!
Cute socks Lolly!
Hi Lolly!
I just kind of stumbled onto your blog. Love the socks! Nice job. I think we must be neighbors since All About Yarn is not far from my house and I shop there all the time! Happy Knitting!
Great socks! wonderful color!
I love that KKPM color, I have that same one waiting to be knitted up into socks in my stash
the leaf color of your hourglass sweater is just absolutely beauitful, lolly it is going to look great on you:) can’t wait to see it! And I can’t wait for the spectrum KAL to start, I have things already planned!
Great Socks lolly! Can’t wait to see the hourglass finished as well! You picked a great color for that one!
Lovely socks and you’ve been busy. Look at all that progress on Hourglass. Love the pink yarn by the way.
I love your Koigu socks! I have yet to try Koigu - but as much as everyone raves about it… I think I’d better! Yours are beautiful. And, up goes your sock count! yeah!
I love the indigo koigu socks - the blues are so intense and vibrant. Not to mention they look like they knit up fast - my kind of sock!
Love the newest sockies! Boy you are just knitting those things in your sleep, eh?! Hope you had a great weekend. xo D
Lolly, you’re amazing! I don’t know how you find time to put together all these knit-alongs and knit as well!
I’ll be interested to see how you feel about the Andean Silk once you get to wear it. I’ve had my eye on that yarn for a while, for the same project. =)
woops! Forgot to mention — the link to my blog on the Project Spectrum page is messed up. No rush to fix, of course, but I thought I’d just let you know. =)
Thanks again for everything you’re doing!
Nice socks! I also recommend knitting them toe-up to maximize your yarn potential. Don’t worry about your hourglass progress, after the sleeves it’s super quick to finish! And my second sleeve went much quicker than the first (though not for any logical reason that would suggest it’s a universal thing
).
Cute socks Lolly!
Those koigu socks look so yummy I’m practically drooling! The socks look fabulous!
The potential pink socks make me think of candy! But then, a lot of things make me think of candy. May I just say, “Good Golly! Look at all the pretty buttons!” It’s going to be hard to pick just one.
Oh, I love your blue socks. Very vibrant. I am itching to make some socks, but am waiting for the Knitting Olympics. I am tackling knee socks. Whew!
I’m a sucker for a good button! Fab socks, too!
Wendy
Hi Lolly,
Those socks are so cute! I have size 10 feet too so I understand your concern about running out of yarn before the toe. Can’t wait to see how your Hourglass turns out in that great green color. It’ll look fab on you!
I love your socks - the colorway is absolutely adorable! Blue is just such a vibrant and healthy color, it always reminds me of summer, sun and the ocean! I’m looking forward to see Hourglass finished too, and wish you a lot of fun with knitting that one!
Those socks are sooooo gorgeous, I am in love with the colors, I must go find that yarn..
Absolutely LOVE the socks!! I’ve never tried knitting with Koigu - it is now a MUST DO!
cute, cute, cute! and i love that plaisance. i am so excited about project spectrum — brilliant idea.
Hourglass is looking great. I wish I had enough Lettuce to make it too.
Great job on the socks. They look Koigulicious.
I’m thinking about working on some journal pages and some knitting for Project Spectrum.