Yay Me!

Yes, I know I sound like London from The Suite Life of Zac and Cody (or Suite Life on Deck if you're currently watching the show), but I got over another "blah me" hurdle and finally started my Knit Along Project for Goldenbird's New Techniques year long KAL! And I've found that I'm learning a few new techniques.

I decided on the Mini Mochi Entrelac socks (and if they don't fit me, I may cry until I totally dissolve, because I think they are going to be a lot of work).

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I am using Premiere Yarns Deborah Norville Collection Serenity Sock Weight Yarn which is nice and cheap, 50% Merino Superwash, 25% Bamboo, and 25% Nylon. It is a little splitty, but at $4.50/230 yards, the price is right (but I am realizing I'm going to have to get more, as size 3 needles are recommended, and I'm using size 1 - as per the pattern, and I need 500 to 550 yards and I only have 460). And the colorwasy are lovely. I'm using Chili.


socks by PaulaStitches

AND, to get started, I had to learn a Provisional Cast on, which totally geeked he out when I watched Lucy Neatby's great video on it, as it's crochet AND knitting at the same time!! Could anything be better? You can watch the video here.

So, I'm only on the first knitted layer of the first sock, but I was so excited about knitting a few stitches that I had to blog about it. Why have I not been knitting? I LURVE to knit! Look for updates, I will try not to gripe as these are my mortal nemesis, socks.

Yay Me!

What? Knitting content?

I know. It's been an inordinately long amount of time since I posted anything about knitting on my formerly knitting blog. But guess what, knitty friends? I'm writing a knitting post! This is all brought on by the fact that I joined Golden Bird Knits' 2001 New Techniques Knit Along and am feeling that urge to pick up the sticks again. She's having a giveaway right now; go check out her site and become a follower (and the KAL is on ravelry).

Anyhow, I have never knit a pair of socks that properly fit me. My calves are genetically large and I have a very very very high arch. So when I go to put on my knitted socks I (a) can't get my foot into them and/or (b) constrict all of the blood in my calves to the point that my foot looses all circulation. I Want to knit a pair of socks I actually like! And in the process, I'll practice a few techniques.

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Crystal Palace Yarns has a really cool pattern for entrelac socks that uses two single pointed needles. The Mini Mochi Entrelac sock pattern offers me a chance to learn entrelac and also learn a new sock making technique. The ravelry reviews on this sock have said that it is a large sock, which fits my huge calve needs, too. And it's so darn cool looking, and would give me an opportunity to use some of the self striping yarn that I have.

This pair of kilt hose was knit by Ravelry member mrsmcg

Then there's the Tiorneach Kilt Hose. They have a lovely lace edge which hides a garter to hold up the sock. The calves are ample and the pattern uses DK weight yarn. I have some cashmere blend Karabella yarn that I've been holding onto forever, waiting for the right pattern, and I think this might be it. And I like the "seam" detail that runs up the back of the hose. This pattern was designed for man legs and can also be modified, so I'm thinking they just might fit me.

So what do you think? What pattern do you fancy? I'm not sure which to start with, so let me know what you think!