So, the story of my Groovy Big Kid Socks is one that starts with a grey day in early April when I received a magical package, it was the March installment of the Tanis Fiber Arts Year in Fiber Club. Inside was a magnificent green yarn and an inspired pattern for socks, Marching On by Glenna C. I was inspired and after years of thinking sock knitting was stupid I decided I wanted to make socks. I had to place an order with KnitPicks for some supplies to finish my Oak Ridges Moraine Bag and the 2011 Felici had been released. I decided to get some sport because I thought it would be easier to make my first pair of socks with slightly larger yarn and, as such, slightly larger needles.
So I picked out the ever popular Jaywalker and set forth. And then the first sock was too big, and the yarn was going to run out before I finished the toe, so I frogged and restarted with this 2-at-a-time pattern.
I am quite pleased with myself and my socks. They are a bit too large (too much ease), however I am wearing them with pride, despite the fact that it is middle of summer here in Ontario and I wear sandals all the time.
I haven't decided on the pattern for my next pair of socks, but don't you worry, there will be a next time.
Project Name: Groovy Big Kid Socks
Pattern: Kid Stuff by Melissa Morgan-Oakes in Toe-up 2-at-a-time Socks
Recipient: Me, me, me
Yarn: KnitPicks Felici Sport in Groovy (Felici are limited edition so this one is from 2011)
Modifications:
- Increased my needle size to get a larger gauge, which allowed me to make the socks which were designed for a 7" foot to fit on my 8.5" foot.
- Used the small sized leg ribbing and continued till I was out of yarn, about 5".
New Skills:
- Making Socks
- Making 2-at-a-time socks
- Making Toe Up socks
- Making a foot gusset
- Turning a heel
Feedback: LOVE! The pattern was relatively clear (and all the instruction at the start of the book is very helpful). While it was a very plain sock, it shows off the striping well. The yarn was fun to knit, however in order to get matching stripes I had to cut almost 3g off one ball and then halfway through the sock on had an extra long stripe which meant that one sock switched colors more than 2 round soon meaning that the stripes don't match at the cuffs. However, for the cost, Felici is unbeatable it is fun, unique, soft, machine washable and dryable.
Re-Knit?: Very likely. Much like mittens, I can see this technique, toe-up, 2-at-a-time being a go-to for me. I like using Judy's Magic Cast On and being able to get a stretchy enough bind off with Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off.
