Sometime back in February, I finished my second pair of socks for the year and thought to myself "That wasn't so bad". Famous last words. For some reason, I got it in my head that I should knit a pair of socks each month for the year...for no reason other than just because.
Don't get me wrong! I've loved working on them and I'm so excited to be able to throw away some of my old hole-y store bought socks and replace them with my hand knits. But I will say - it's a little stressful trying to finish a pair a month on top of other projects I've got on my needles!
However, it has allowed me to try out some fun new yarns and play with colors I normally wouldn't wear in my everyday wardrobe. I've found the fit that I like best and have almost memorized how to turn a heel, making these the perfect travel project to take with my on the road.
There's been a lot of love for these projects on Instagram as I post them (on Ravelry or #lamercerieyearofsocks if you want to follow along), so now that we're halfway through the year, I wanted to share all the details in one spot...yarns used, patterns followed, etc. in case anyone else wants to start their own year of socks!
JANUARY:
Socks for Nate. He picked the yarn back in December when I was ordering some for myself and decided he needed a pair. For reference, he wears a size 10 shoe.
I didn't follow a pattern for these, just cast on 24 stitches (12 on each needle) using Judy's Magic Cast On and then increasing every other row until there were 68 stiches (34 on each needle). Switched to main color and knit and knit and knit until I was two inches from the heel. Placed some waste yarn for an afterthought heel and knit the rest of the sock. Picked up heel, including an extra stitch on each side of the sock to avoid holes. Knit two rows, then decreased every other row until there were 14 stitches left on each needle. Kitchener stitch cast off.
Yarn:
Main Color: Dorsey in Peepaloo Fields Sensible Sock
Contrast Color: Neon Pink in madelinetosh Twist Light
FEBRUARY:
After Nate's neon socks, I wanted a pair of my own...only more neon! I followed the same steps I took on the January socks, except with my sizing. Cast on 16 stitches (8 on each needle) and increased up to 64 stitches (32 on each needle). Finished the sock with an afterthought heel, decreasing down to 12 stitches on each needle before casting off.
Yarn:
Main Color: Carnaval in Black Trillium Fibres Pebble Sock
Contrast Color: Neon Pink in madelinetosh Twist Light
MARCH:
Started feeling feisty and was ready for some texture! I love the look of cabled socks, but I was worried that too much would make them uncomfortable for everyday wear. I found the Confetti and Cables pattern and fell in love...you'll see this pattern pop up again later this year, I'm sure!
Followed pattern as written, except I used an afterthought heel instead of the gusset heel that the pattern calls for. I just couldn't wrap my head around it at the time. Next time, I'll try to work the pattern with a gusset for a better fit.
This pair of socks got major love on Instagram! We're currently sold out of these colorways in the shop, but I'll be ordering more soon.
Yarn:
Main Color: Champagne Pools in Woolberry Fibre Simple Sock
Contrast Color: Ginger in Cedar House Yarn Sapling Sock
APRIL:
After a few months of afterthought heels, I was ready to step up my game with a gusset or two. I decided on the Hermione's Everyday Sock pattern, since I've made it in the past and loved them. I think when it comes down to it, afterthought heels are easier, but don't fit your foot as well as a traditional gusset heel.
I love the subtle variations in this yarn and didn't want to lose it with the texture of the pattern, so I left it out and just knit plain stockinette.
We're nearly out of almost all of our Woolen Boon yarn (yikes!) but will be getting a HUGE order later this summer...hopefully this month! If you've been looking for a specific color, keep an eye out on our Instagram or sign up for the newsletter to find out when our next update will be.
Yarn:
Main Color: Mint Julep in Woolen Boon Boon Classic
Contrast Color: Snow in Cedar House Yarn Sapling Sock
MAY:
I had originally bought this yarn for a Find Your Fade Shawl that I was going to make for my mom. Turns out I didn't pay enough attention...the Work Sock yarn from madelinetosh is a sport weight! Oops. Slipper socks for me it is.
I roughly made up the pattern. I wanted them to be a little more slipper-like than socks, so I purposefully made them a little big. They don't fit super well, but I like them a little slouchy and messy.
Cast on 18 stitches for the toe (9 on each needle). Increased until there were 42 stitches (21 on each needle). Knit in the following pattern: K2, P1, then switched to a 1x1 rib for the cast off. Worked an afterthought heel, decreased until there were 20 stitches left (10 on each needle).
Yarn:
Violet Baudelaire in madelinetosh Work Sock
JUNE:
Back to my gusset heels! I've been missing my home state of Colorado a lot lately, so this month's socks are dedicated to the mountains. I wanted a straightforward pattern in classic colors and I LOVE them!
I used the Basic Sock pattern from Churchmouse Yarns. This is a definite staple pattern to have in your arsenal if you're a sock knitter! It covers both a fingering weight version and a sport/DK weight version, so it covers everything you need for all types of socks. It's a basic pattern to teach the essentials, and then you can add texture and personality from there!
I added a simple stripe before starting the toe decreases that is made up of two rounds in the contrast color. Nothing fancy, but I love the impact it has on the socks.
Yarn:
Main Color: Oyster in Cedar House Yarn Sapling Sock
Contrast Color: Robin Red Breast in Cedar House Yarn Sapling Sock
I'm already so excited for the rest of the year! With our newest shipment of Swift Yarns, I've been newly inspired. We've even decided to put our favorite colorways into some special sock kits! There aren't many available, so grab them up while you can!
