Wednesday, April 11, 2012

DADDY'S RIB KNIT SOCKS

Hi everyone,


Okay, so I'm finally getting a new blog post up with some photos. For the longest time, my father has said he'd like me to knit him a pair of ribbed socks.  Now that's easy, except he kept making one addition special request.  The ribbed cuff must go all the way to below his knees.  Hmm...that's a bit tough. However, I'm always up for a challenge. Oh, since I always knit custom-to-fit socks for the most part, this shouldn't be too difficult, right? Here's a photo of what I've knit so far. This is sock #1 of the pair:
































Knitting a rib pattern in Knit 2, Purl 2 is really, really easy.  Indeed, all of knitting is based on those two simple stitches. However, I'm finding that I'm going to have to do an increase and decrease in the cuff to fit my dad's legs, so that the cuff won't sag down.  So this first sock that I"m knitting is a real experiment.  I won't include the instructions yet, since this is a literal knitting experiment. Perhaps, when I knit the second sock, I'll include the details. 




I had a really hard time finding a really good explanation of how to increase and decrease stitches in the Knit 2, Purl 2 ribbed knit pattern. I did find one thing that might work. However, if you have a good explanation or know of a good site, I'd be really grateful.  This is the yarn that I am using to make my dad's socks. These were purchased quite a few months ago, so the actual cost of the yarn escapes me right now. It's "relatively" inexpensive for this type of sock yarn.
































I like this kind of sock yarn because it has a small percentage of acrylic in it. That eliminates the need for me to use reinforcing thread in the toe and the heel of the socks. However,  you can add some regular cotton sewing thread if you'd like. It's inexpensive. It works and almost everyone has some in their home.  Here's an extra gratuitious pic of my lovely sock yarn on my cute, vintage shop scale that I inherited from my aunt. Previously the scale belonged to my grandmother, and her father before her:































That's my project so far.  I just received another "Road to Avonlea" DVD in the mail from Netflix. This is my favorite tv series in the entire world.  It's a fabulous show that was produced in Canada, our lovely neighbor to the north :)  So I'm going to go watch some episodes and work some more on my socks. Stay tuned next Wednesday to see how my socks have progressed.  Until then, here's a lovely picture of some Spanish moss that I took while out on my walk this morning.





























That's the news from the ocean shores of California today. Love and hugs, Heather 

15 comments:

Jenn said...

How did you learn to knit? Do you recommend specific resources?? I would LOVE to learn! Can't wait to see pictures of the final product :) :)

Jill said...

Can't wait to see it finished :-) I will have to look into this series, sounds like something i would like.
Have a wonderful day!

blessings,
Jill

Faye Henry said...

You are so smart... I can not knit very well at all.. Your picture of the moss is beautiful.. We don't have it growing here in Canada.. But, if you came for a visit we could drive for an hour and a half and be in Prince Edward Island.. grin..
God bless...

Anonymous said...

I love snuggly warm hand knitted socks! I cant wait to see how they turn out!

aimee said...

Good luck with your knitting project! I like the yarn you are using.
Love the spanish moss--I never tire of seeing it:)
Blessings, Aimee

Camille said...

Does your Dad know how much you love him?? Does HE know how blessed he is to have you for a daughter?? I *love* it that you are knitting him *custom* socks...how sweet! :)

Yaay for *Road to Avonlea*...and *Anne*...yippee for Canada! ;-)

Love to you!
Camille

Carol J. Alexander said...

Learning to knit socks was on my winter bucket list. I'm halfway through one sock and discovered that knitting just kills my neck. When I get done with just a couple rows I have to quit or I will be in pain for days. What am I doing wrong?

Under Her Wings said...

What a talented girl you are! And I love Spanish moss. We don't see as much of it here as we did in Florida.

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Jenn - I learned to knit while I was studying abroad in Norway. So my first books are all in Norwegian. I'm not sure what American resources to recommend, but if you are on Facebook, look up a page called Ravelry or Knitty. They're both great sites for knitters/crocheters etc. Someone there could give you a good recommendation :) I personally love video series, because I like listening and watching.

@Jill - you and your girls would absolutely LOVE "Road to Avonlea" If you liked Anne of Green Gables, then this is a series for you :)

@Faye - Prince Edward Island trumps moss anyday :) :) Someone told me it's not actually moss, but something called "lichen". Although when I looked up images, it didn't look like anything that's hanging from this tree.

@ournourishingjourney - I promise to post progress pics. The first sock will be really "interesting" looking, and the second will probably look more normal.

@Aimee - thank you. I love this stuff, too!!!!

@Camille - I think my dad knows how much I love him :) :) Yep, I do...even when he's annoying I love him :) :) :) Oh yes, another awesome product of Canada are "Stone wheat thin crackers" They're the best cracker in the universe. My grandmother used to buy them all the time. That's how I found out about them :)

@Carol - I'm not sure what's causing the pain, since I can't see you when you're knitting...but for me, I notice that I have to relax my shoulders quite a bit. If not, i tend to shrug my shoulders a lot. That and I make sure to keep both feet on the floor when knitting. Although that doesn't always work, because it's more fun to knit curled up on the couch :) :)

@Under Her Wings - thank you. Spanish moss is gorgeous. I was told this isn't actually Spanish moss, but I'm not sure. I'm tryingt to track down my neighbor who is a professional landscaper, to find out :)

Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California :) :) :)

Sheila said...

That's a good start on your dad's socks. I like the looks of that sock yarn. Is it easy to work with? Love the picture of the moss in the tree--it reminds me of back home in Louisiana. Take care.

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Sheila,

Oh, YES, this yarn is very easy to work with...I find that to be the case with most all sock yarns. I like this one very much. It's a new brand that I've never knit with before...so far it's knitting up wonderfully!!!!

Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Hello Heather,
It's so nice to read what you've been up to. I cannot knit yet, but I hope to learn sometime. I think it's awful nice to make your Dad such a nice custom pair. I love your spanish moss picture. So pretty. Is the DVD you mentioned related to Anne of Avonlea? Have a great week and thank you for sharing.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I've always wanted to learn to knit. I have tried but just can't seem to get the hang of it.

The photo of the moss is gorgeous!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

@Heidi - yes, the tv series was a spinoff of the first two Anne of Green Gables movies, but centers around the King family. It's a fabulous series!!!

@Manuela - thank you :) :) Someone told me it's "lichen", but until I find a picture that looks just like this one, I'm calling it Spanish moss ;) :)

Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :) :) :)

Morgan said...

I would love to learn how to knit socks - what a neat project :).