Another week and more knitting! I have had a productive week of knitting! I finished my Stage 1 Socks in time! I used some of my own hand dyed yarn and I enjoyed this pattern. It however does not fit my foot very well so I suspect I will be giving it away to someone. That is one disadvantage of these sock knitting competitions - sometimes the sock does not fit. The rules are set so that everyone has to knit a specific way to keep it fair to everyone in the contest. As soon as one accepts that they might be making socks for their gift basket, all is good!
I still did not find my sock blockers so I made myself a new set. I follow an easy DIY tutorial to make them out of plastic place mats and they are super easy and make really nice sock blockers!!
Here are my new sock blockers:
And here are my Stage 1 socks:
I also cast on the Stage 2 Socks. I am enjoying this knit! Again it is a test of knitting skills and an opportunity to learn and practice new techniques! This design includes colourwork and has us do a Latvian braid (this was a challenge to me!! I have done these braids before but always have to watch several videos before I manage to get them done again!). I have made some serious progress with these and I should be able to have them complete by the deadline of Friday. I am again using my own hand dyed yarn for this one. Here is a progress picture:
Before reading your post I just saw the photos and was trying to figure out how you got sea shells knitted into your sock LOL. Sock blocker makes more sense! I am in love with your stage 2 socks. They look quite complicated to me. I admire colorwork and as of yet have not tried it much less a Latvian braid. Well done, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks ♥
DeleteThank you for the link to the sock blocker tutorial! That solves a problem I had with the cardboard ones and actually trying to dry socks on a paper surface...not good. Your socks are so pretty...so sad they don't fit but like you said....that's one gift you can cross off your list and a mighty fine one at that!
ReplyDeleteThose Latvian Braid socks are beautiful and I can't even imagine attempting them and your hand-dyed yarn is stunning! Looks like you are making the best of your summer vacation. Have a great week...again!
Make sure you get the plastic coated place mats - I found these at the Dollar Tree.
DeleteWhat do you mean everyone has to knit them in a certain way? Like all must knit top down? That's an interesting competition. The cuff edging on your first pair is so neat. Your Stage 2 socks are extraordinary! I love that you're using your own hand-dyed yarn and the colors are fresh and bright fun.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has to follow the pattern as written and there are minimum requirements that need to be met. It is designed so that everyone does roughly the same amount of work. Those with tiny feet could knit a pair of socks much more quickly than someone with huge feet. Everyone is required to knit the foot to a nine inch length - often photos with a ruler are required :) I don't mind the rules as it makes it fair to all competing.
DeleteHi Karen :)) you definitely have great knitting skills! I love the socks! I think I would fold under the pressure of a competition lol...but you seem to thrive! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! This one isn't as stressful as you don't get eliminated if you don't finish a pair during the allotted time.
DeleteWhat a great tutorial for the sock blockers, thanks. You can never have enough of them. Well done on getting the Stage 1 socks done they are very pretty but those Stage 2 socks are just fantastic looking. Love the braid and colourwork!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for learning the latvian braid and for the beautiful colourwork. I am not doing tour de sock this year, not even as a cheerleader, but I do love the challenge. Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am not on a team this year - so no pressure! I'm just seeking individual points! And am so slow I only get one point per round!
DeleteYour stage one socks are gorgeous, but the stage two socks are stunning, well done!
ReplyDeleteYour socks are wonderful, Karen. And those Stage 2 socks - truly a work of art - especially using your own hand-dyed yarn. I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteThanks ♥
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