Early this morning (a little after 12:00 a.m.) I finished knitting these socks. I’ll take better pictures soon.
I realized, when I was finishing them, that this is Valentine’s Day, and so I’ll just call them my Valentine’s Day socks. Currently, they are soaking in a nice bath of tepid water to which I’ll be adding a few drops of essential oils of lavender and cedarwood.
You know what? This is the first time I’ve played yarn chicken. See that strand at the top of the sock. That’s all that was left. I’ve been knitting since I was eight (38 years) and I never had to do that, until this morning.
I must say that I’m thrilled that I’m finally finished knitting these socks. Why wouldn’t I be? They were frogged four times, before I finally got them exactly how I wanted them. I’m a process crafter and I’m stubborn, so I will keep redoing until I get something exactly how I want them. With the amount of “do-overs” that happened, I could have easily knit two pairs of socks. These socks should have been ‘easy’ socks to finish (and completed in record time) since I used DK weight yarn instead of my fingering/sock weight yarn. However, I really focused on customizing these hand-knit socks and I also used a personalized sock template designed specifically for my feet. I adore the sock template! It was extremely helpful in gauging when I needed to start my heel. Moving forward, I’ll definitely be using them with all the socks I knit for my daughter and myself. Another ‘new thing’ with these socks was the fleegle heel. I will be using it in the future.
Because of the (seemingly) never-ending frogging I really had a chance to put my brand-new Hiya Hiya Sharp Sock interchangeable knitting needles set to good use and I must say, these were well worth the purchase. Yes, even though I already own the other two Hiya Hiya interchangeable Sharps (Small and Large) knitting needle sets. As my recent postings testify, I have a hand-knit sock addiction. My only regret is the Hiya HIya sharp sock interchangeable set don’t go down to a 000. However, I have fixed Hiya Hiya circulars that do.
I know I’ve said this many times since starting to write about my hand-knit sock obsession, but these are the most softest hand-knit socks that I’ve ever created. A softer fiber keeps knocking previous hand-knit socks out of this position.
These socks are made with super fine merino and yak. Yak, yep that shaggy animal makes an appearance in the creation of these hand-knit socks and it’s my first time knitting with this fiber. It’s still on my list of exotic fibers to spin. Because of the incredible softness, a minor thought is how will they withstand a lot of wear, but since I’m in not stopping knitting socks anytime soon, that’s fleeting, since there will be plenty of other hand-knit socks to wear.
After weaving a few ends (I typically do this while knitting so this is a non-issue) I did try them on and oh my goodness do they feel good. Since I knit these with my Size 0, Hiya Hiya Sharp Sock needles using DK weight yarn, these actually feel as if they would provide support, almost like a compression sock, might feel. I’ve never worn them, but based on how those socks are typically described, these might be similar.
Those are great socks! I haven’t used the Fleegle heel, probably because I tend to knit cuff down socks rather than toe up, but I’m glad you’ve found one that you’re going to stick with. It’ll be really useful to have a customised pattern too because you can’t beat handknit socks that fit beautifully! I’ll be interested to see how your socks wear; I’m tending the other way at the moment with yarns that aren’t so soft but which are hopefully more hardwearing. You’d think with that big shaggy coat they’d make really long-lasting socks! xx
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Opal @ThreadLover Reply:
February 14th, 2017 at 4:33 pm
Thanks! I’m looking forward to wearing them. Currently, they are drying by our wood stove. I agree with you about customized socks. I cannot see myself wearing anything else, but hand-knit socks! I recently tried a sturdier yarn. I used Kroy. They seem to do very well. I’ll try a few others (sturdier sock yarn) in case I knit socks for others besides my daughter and me. She knows to hand wash her socks also.
I’ll be interested also. I have had some that have lasted a few years, but the latest batch of hand-knit socks I’ve made (all knit toe up) are the softest I’ve made. I started knitting toe-up in August 2016. Since then, I’ve knit twelve pairs of socks. Thus far, they’re all holding up well, but I’d be curious to see how they fare in a few years.
I thought the same thing! I had read a few mentions about them used in socks, but not the places where I read, didn’t get too specific. So that’s why I’ve decided to try it out for myself.
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They look great and warm! The only times I have played yarn chicken I lost.
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Opal @ThreadLover Reply:
February 14th, 2017 at 5:01 pm
It was close! They are warm and so incredibly soft and cozy. I wish we had snow so I’d see how they’d fare outdoors, especially since I knit them at such a tight gauge.
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