Sock Knitting

I finally finished this pair of socks, which I started way back in November last year. Quite a bit of these were knitted while we were on holiday at Taupo. and then at the beach earlier in January.  These were made for one of my auntie's 60th birthday and she was thrilled with them. She couldn't quite fathom how I'd used 5 knitting needles to make them, lol. 

Details:

Pattern:Vanilla Latte Sock (free pattern)

Yarn: Drops Fabel 159 Red Chili

Needles: 2.5mm

Size: M

Late last year I lost one of my Knit Pro zing double pointed needles down the side of the couch, never to be seen again, boo hoo, so I placed an order for a new set as well as a couple of other sets to add to my collection. I ordered these through Vintage Purls, based in Dunedin, and they were here in a couple of days. I have some gorgeous Vintage Purls hand dyed yarn which I bought last year, you can check out the lovely yarn here.

I've got some more socks underway, using some Opal sock yarn, I just love the colours and how the pattern is forming.

(pattern: My favourite vanilla socks)

This is some of my sock knitting yarn, all ready for the year ahead. Most of these are Drops Fabel and also a couple of Opal sock yarns.

See you soon x

Fruit Nougat Socks

Well I did it! I finally finished knitting my first ever pair of socks!  

I'm so pleased how they turned out. I still need to give them a wash but they fit, are so toasty and warm, and they are even matchy, matchy, lol.

All the details:

Sock Yarn - Opal Sweet n Spicy 3 4ply 9120 Fruchtnougat
Needle size - 3.0 mm to cast on, Knit Pro Zings 2.5mm
Pattern - Basic 4ply sock by Christine Perry (Winwick Mum). I followed the Sockalong posts.

Christine's sock along is great if you are a first time sock knitter - all the terms and techniques are explained in easy to follow steps and there are lots of photos.

I chose to knit my socks on double pointed needles, but alas I managed to lose one down the couch one night, never to be seen again, grrr.

I've already cast on for another pair, using some of the lovely Bleating Art yarn I purchased at Knit August Nights last weekend.

I'm using this pattern from Ravelry.

I can see why now sock knitting can become very addictive!

Winter Knitting

I've been getting through a bit of knitting over the winter months. I even made a new project bag to take my knitting in to Wellington, a craft project and a book are always the first things to be packed when I go on holiday!  

This project bag is based on a tutorial by Betsy Makes. I changed the fabric measurements to be tall enough for my knitting needles to stand up.

I knitted this super warm beanie for my father in law's recent birthday, kindly modeled by Hannah.
This pattern can be found here.

I have also made a couple of pairs of these handwarmers, one pair for my sister in law and one for a friend. This pattern can be found here.

Recently I went for a visit to one of my favourite local knitting shops and picked up some new knitting stash - Opal Sock yarn, Knit Pro Symfonie single pointed needles and some snazzy double pointed Knit Pro Zings.

I've been wanting to have a go at sock knitting for some time but have always been a little hesitant due to my "lefty" nature when it comes to knitting, I am right handed but have left handed tendencies when it comes to knitting, if that makes sense?

So I found the courage one night to get my first ever sock underway, using a wonderful tutorial by Winwick Mum, which is just perfect for a beginner to sock knitting.  

I love the colours in this particular yarn. I've been making great progress on my sock and over the weekend I completed my first heel flap, heal turn and gusset.  So much fun!  I've also been spending quite a lot of time browsing yarn sites, podcasts and blogs checking out more sock patterns and gorgeous yarns - this could get addictive!

Some of my other little knitting projects have included baby knits. I knitted several little hats for a friend's little girl.

This little cardigan is also finished, just have some buttons to sew on.

                      
The cardigan as well as these little hat and bootie sets are to be sent to Melbourne shortly, one of my cousin's recently welcomed a little girl to their family.

Purple hat pattern found here:

Purple Bootie pattern found here

The cream crochet hat pattern is from the Ruby & Custard Crochet book. I recently got this out from the local library but will definitely purchase a copy of it sometime, it has some lovely crochet patterns in it. Cream booties pattern can be purchased from here.

I'll be back soon with a sock progress report!