“Breezeway” Noro Socks
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock, colorway S269
Pattern: Classic Socks in Folk Socks, by Nancy Bush
Needles: Size US 2 / 2.75mm

Started for the Project Spectrum AIR element back in June, I finally finished these socks in Socktoberfest. I have never met a Noro yarn that I did not like – but I am not wholly convinced that this yarn is suitable for small gauge sock projects. The yarn broke on me several times, all while doing k2tog decreases (and I don’t knit particularly tight) for the gusset, heel, and toes. The yarn would be much better suited for a project on bigger needles with looser tension: shawls, scarves, and garments. The yarn created a thick and warm fabric with the size 2 double pointed needles.  The yarn does have some thick and thin spots – another factor that led me to think that this yarn would be better suited for a different kind of project.  I will definitely wear these socks – their thickness relegates them to boots more so than my regular work shoes.  They would also be perfect house socks, but that feels a touch indulgent, considering they are silk, and they would just end up with dust bunnies and dog hair all over them  

Completing these socks, and my Laila’s from the last post means that I actually met my goal for this year’s Socktoberfest!  I finished both of the single socks on the needles.  With a few days to spare even… in the meantime, I am already planning ahead for plenty of warm sweaters and scarves, and even another pair of socks too…

Laila’s Socks
Pattern: Folk Knitting in Estonia by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill (Loden), Louet Gems (Mustard)
Needles: Size US 1 / 2.25mm

The stranded colorwork was a lot of fun.  The pattern was easy to remember, and the colorwork is ideal for a beginner.  The heel was fun to make – combining short rows and a heel flap, with a little padded cushion of slipped stitches at the bottom of the foot.  I chose to make a solid heel to match the toe – the pattern calls for single row stripes of the two colors.  (You can see all the others that people have made on the Ravelry Project Pages.)

 Once I got rolling on the second sock, I had it finished pretty quickly (for me).  It wasn’t until after my sister’s wedding reception that I realized that the sock was the same color as my bridesmaid dress… of course, I would not have worn them for the ceremony (strappy brown heels with folk socks, anyone?) but it definitely would have made for some fun photos if I had finished it up a little earlier   By the way,  thanks to everyone for your kind comments about the wedding photographs – my sister and Andrew read my blog, so once they return from the honeymoon, they will be thrilled to see so many well wishes from all of you! 

These are my seventh pair of socks for my long-term Nancy Bush Compendium Project (you can see all of the completed socks for this project in my Gallery), and the second pair from this book, Folk Knitting in Estonia.  The book includes some beautiful mittens and gloves, as well as socks.  With so many charted colorwork (and some lace) patterns, I could easily use the mitten charts to make socks too… The book has a great history section at the beginning too.  If you have read my blog for awhile, you know that I love Nancy Bush’s work.  I was even honored to interview her for the 2006 Socktoberfest (you can read the transcript and listen to that here!) Her new book on Estonian lace looks beautiful – and someday when I have the courage to do lace like that, I will definitely turn to this book   …In the meantime, I have four other Nancy books to keep me busy!  I am planning to focus on Folk Knitting in Estonia and Folk Socks for my next few sock projects – there are some great patterns in both that really jive with my newfound love of stranded colorwork! 

The Ravelry Socktoberfest group remains a busy discussion area for all things SOCKS, and a great place to show off your finished socks and your works-in-progress.  The Socktoberfest group on Flickr is also brimming with new activity.  Add yours to the pool!

And my point this time?

Socktoberfest is a worldwide phenomenon!

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

(updated 10.15.08)

Over 80% of you are from the US, so I wanted to show which states have Socktoberfest participants.  I am basing these stats on the questionnaire over on Ravelry.  Is your state green?  (nope, I did not make them “red” or “blue” on purpose!)  Please leave a comment and let me know and I will fill it in!  I would love to see all 50 states (+DC) represented!  (As you can see, we still need WV, AR, WY, and SD!)

And on the world stage!

Is your country represented?

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

(Accounted for: Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States)

Are you from a country that is not on the map?  Please let me know!  I would love to have an idea of where everyone is!

Whatever the reason, I decided to be proactive in my approach – multilateral and disciplined. I cast on for both of my outstanding socks at the same time. No more excuses. Once I knit a few rows on each, there was no turning back.

The “Breezeway” Socks that I started during Project Spectrum’s AIR element – finally making their way back to the needles.  This is a wonderful and simple pattern (the Classic Sock pattern from Nancy Bush’s Folk Socks) and perfect for all the TV shows I have been watching lately… Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn has the same quality as the regular light worsted SG.  If you like working with that, you would like this one too.

Laila’s Socks from Folk Knitting in Estonia.  A simple and fun pattern that is perfect for beginner stranded colorwork.  I love looking at all of the different color variations that people have used on Ravelry – each pair is so beautiful and unique!  I am using Cherry Tree Hill in Lichen (green) and Louet Gems in Mustard (yellow).  I commented on Flickr about the way that these 2-ply yarns twist so much as I knit, and I picked up a good hint from Amber on how to fix it:

There is a method of putting a giant slip knot around your ball with the tail end of your yarn – you then hold the ball up by the tail of the slip knot and the ball spins to let out the twist. I learned this technique in Beth Brown Reinsel’s Estonian twisted knitting class. It works great.

I will be trying it tonight!  Thanks A!

I am so inspired by all of the Socktoberfest spirit around – specifically on Ravelry and Flickr.  Please add your socks (and socks-in-progress!) to the pool.  I would love to see!

SOCKTOBERFEST!!

–

I started the month off simply:  winding my pretty hank of Tess Designer Yarns Twinkle Toes (merino/silk/nylon) into a cute little center-pull ball.  Now it is all ready for a very special project!

Have you heard Kirsten’s great idea?  I could not be more thrilled with this idea – just the “shot in the arm” that Socktoberfest needs in its 4th year:

I thought it might be fun to do a Through the Loops “mystery” sock in honor of Socktoberfest. Starting October 1st, I’ll post a section of the mystery sock pattern every Wednesday of October (10/1-cuff, 10/8-leg, 10/15-heel turn, 10/22-foot, 10/29-toe). I will post the instructions in this topic area of the group. The sock will have a simple 4 stitch x 4 row repeat and will be appropriate for anyone who has made socks in the past and done yarn overs, k2tog., and ssk.

All you need are 100 grams of sock yarn – solid or semi-solid will be best but variegated that isn’t too wild will be fine too, and a pair of needles that you would normally use for the given yarn. I will write the pattern in 4 sizes using a 56, 60, 64 or 68 stitch cast on. Pick the size that you would typically use for that yarn and needle size if you were to do a plain stockinette or ribbed sock. If you want to swatch you may do so in a 2×2 rib in the round.

From Kirsten’s post on Fans of Through the Loops Ravelry group

I love this idea, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the possibilities. According to Ravelry, the socks are already in 137 queues, and 58 people have already cast on! This is all since she announced the knitalong yesterday.  The first clue is up:  the cuff!

This has been a slow sock year for me – only one completed pair, and two single socks. I feel the sock mojo coming back!  Just in time

There are some fun activities planned for the month, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, tell me what you are planning!

Some of the beautiful socks created in last year’s Socktoberfest – and you can add to the beautiful parade of socks by joining us this year for the 4TH ANNUAL SOCKTOBERFEST!

In anticipation of this year’s event, Knitty Otter created some cute buttons for us too!  Here are a few, but there are more over on Ravelry – feel free to take one and add it to your blog.  (Save to your own server first, please!)

What is Socktoberfest?

A very simple concept with very few restrictions – Socktoberfest is a month-long celebration of socks. It is a simple celebration of the accessories that we make as crafters to cover our feet. Think of it more as a festival than a knitalong – people who love something come together and celebrate it!

Who can participate in Socktoberfest?

You love socks? You’re in. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you have a blog, or a digital camera. Come one, come all. If you do not have a blog, but would like to show off your work for others to see, think about joining the Socktoberfest Flickr group and the Socktoberfest Ravelry group. You can upload your pictures and everyone can see and comment on them! You can join us anytime during the month of October.

What will happen during Socktoberfest?

Each year of Socktoberfest is slightly different in scope. 2008 is going to be a simple celebration.  Frequent photo posts of what people are making and how they wear their socks.  Please let me know if you are willing to prepare a photo tutorial to share with the other Socktoberists!

Is Socktoberfest a sock swap or an exchange?

The original concept behind Socktoberfest did not involve a swap or an exchange. However, like Project Spectrum, I would be happy to endorse side projects that crop up around Socktoberfest. Project Spectrum engendered several color-themed swaps – feel free to start a Socktoberfest swap if you are so inclined! I will gladly direct anyone to it. I cannot personally add that component to this project as I already have enough admin work to keep me busy!

Are there restrictions, rules, or guidelines to follow for Socktoberfest?

I am a liberal project leader – I don’t like to get bogged down with rules, so things are pretty free around here. Some participants are using Socktoberfest for stashbusting purposes, using up that beautiful sock yarn that you picked up back in 1995. Others are planning to use Socktoberfest to finally finish up sock projects that have lingered too long on the needles and hooks. Still others plan to spin or dye their own sock yarn and use this to make a truly special pair of socks. Some Socktoberists use the month to make quick holiday socks for family and friends. It is truly up to you!

The festival starts on October 1st, but you can definitely start on your socks now! You do not have to finish your socks by October 31st either, although the Socktoberfest blog coverage will end at the close of the month. Socktoberfest can easily be combined with other projects and knitalongs – and there is no such thing as “not having time for Socktoberfest”… if you plan on even looking at your sock needles this month, that is enough!

The only guideline that I have for Socktoberfest: be an encourager! Participants range from first-time sock knitters to sock designers and experts. Lend a helping hand or an encouraging comment. Take a few minutes to check out the progress reports that I post and let someone know that you saw their handiwork. If you know the answer to their question, write them a comment or an email. Encouragement goes a long way – and you may even make a new friend!

Cross-posted on the Socktoberfest Page

• Do you wanna make socks?
• Whose in?
• What are you planning?