Episode 64: Socktober Surprise

Episode 64: Socktober Surprise

 

This week we announce winners from the 7Long drawing, discuss our Socktober progress (or lack thereof), and look towards November's Nakniswemo!

7Long Winners

We have 11 winners for 11 prizes! Thank you to everyone who knit for this project! Thank you to everyone who donated prizes for this contest! You are the best!!!

Socktober Surprise
The surprise is DAMN you all can knit socks fast. And DANG we can't. Nicole has knit two socks, frogged one, and has two cuffs ready to go. Jenny is nearly done with her second sock and has knit a pair of felted clogs towards the warm feet effort.

• Wonky Jules
• Finished Jules
• Knitpicks 32" needles are Nic's favorites
• Little Pumpkin socks
• Jenny knit some Felted Clogs
• Lion Brand Sock Ease
• Shibui Sock Yarn in Tweed
• Anastasia Knee Highs by Ceylan
• Elin's gorgeous socks

Knitters are smart! Here are some tips that we have gleaned from sock-knitting listeners:

• Knitting from the toe up negates the swatch as you can adjust as you go (Commenter Beverly)
• Judy's Magic Cast On
• Use Kid Silk Haze as a reinforcing thread (Kizmet on Ravelry)

For voluptuous calves, try the following:

• Knit toe up (Nepenthe on Ravelry)
• Go up a whole needle size on the cuff (Nepenthe on Ravelry)
• Use the tubular cast off (Nepenthe on Ravelry)
• Magic Loop helps for trying on the socks as you go (Fruitychick on Ravelry)
• Use a needle two or three sizes bigger for the bind-off (Sydneyknits on Ravelry)
• For cuff down, cast on over two needles (LizK on Ravelry)
• For more elasticity in your cuffs, try a tubular cast off like this:
  • work the cuff in 2/2 ribs
  • before starting the tubular cast-off, work one round adding 1/3 of the number of stitches by way of k1,m1,k1,p1,m1,p1 = you end up with a 1/1 rib pattern to start the tubular cast-off (Knitchy on Ravelry)
• Check out Ewephoric's Pomatomus legwarmers (Rav link)
• Ceylangul has some amazing knee-highs (Rav link)
• Cast on over two needles (long tail) knit the cuff plus whatever portion of the leg equals 3” on a needle one size up from “gauge” and at that point switch to the “gauge” needle and continue on. If you have a thicker ankle, try making the heel flap 2.5 inches long. This gives some extra room in the ankle but still preserves the stitch count for the foot. (Jess/ItchyFingers)

Sock Knitters Reference Shelf
We talk about a few good books for sock knitting reference.

Sensational Knitted Socks
Get Started Knitting Socks
Simple Socks Plain & Fancy

Socktober leads to Nakniswemo
To wrap up the Socktober Challenge Nicole will post a new thread in the Ravelry group for you to report your totals. The thread will open on October 28 and close November 3. Get your totals in!

For November, there will be a challenge for Nakniswemo! Nicole will start a thread in the Ravelry group for your goals soon. Join the sweater knitting fun!

Hey, if you are not on our Ravelry group, join us! It's a mellow, but fun group with friendly, helpful people.

If you like our music, it is because Harold is a genius! Thank you & Happy Birthday to Harold!

Thanks for listening!

Music
U Dot - Continental
Lights and Music - Cut Copy

Comments

[ElvaUndine]

No! My knee socks do not stay up, and it makes me very sad (not to mention uncomfortable). My calves are extremely average, so this baffles me.

[Jenna]

My knee or taller socks also fall down! I've tried sewing in elastic and knitting with lots of negative ease, but neither approach has worked. If you get any tips on getting them to stay up, please do share!

[Adrienne/Linuxwitch]

To keep your knee highs up, use garters! Just another fashion statement from the middle ages ;) Personally, I don't bother with socks longer than about 3-4" from the top of the heel. With a size 13D foot, it's pretty tedious to fit calves as well as the foot. Besides, it's easier to knit legwarmers in heavier weight yarn!

[Denise]

It's probably not as great as when you're using circs, but I use DPNs to knit socks and I try them on as I go. The trick is to make sure the stitches are centered on the needles, don't move too fast, and don't stab anything while the sock-in-progress is on.

I've done one normal sock this month, and two large Christmas stockings. I don't have a huge sock-yarn stash, though. The Christmas stockings are worsted weight.

[WiscJennyAnn]

Harold! Happy birthday! You & Cut Copy are the coolest!

[WiscJennyAnn]

Oh and ps, luv ya too Jenny & Nicole!