Is anybody else out there still just discovering Cookie A’s Monkey socks from Knitty? I just finished my first pair and now I understand why they’re so popular. The pattern is easy to memorize and the effect makes people think you’re doing some complicated cable sequence when it’s really strategically placed yarn overs, decreases and knits and purls. I usually make a basic ribbed sock for myself, but I like this pattern since I didn’t have to do any modifications to make it fit.
Yarn: Trekking Pro Natura Yarn, color 1507, 75% wool, 25% bamboo; 459 yards, 100 gram skein. Machine wash, dry flat.
I like this yarn and would gladly buy more if I wasn’t trying to use up some of my sock yarn instead of adding to my stash. At $20 a skein it isn’t as economical as some, but it’s pleasant to work with and feels good on the feet. The bamboo is supposed to give it extra strength so I’ll be interested to see how these wear. The col
or is a faded rose red and will go great with denim.
Needles: US 0 and 1. I think. I need to start taking better notes about my needles. I know I used US 1′s, just can’t remember if I did the cuffs on smaller needles.
Modifications: I added another repeat to the leg length since I like my socks to hit about mid-calf. I also decreased down to 60 stitches for a tighter fit on the foot. Otherwise, as is.
Lupine mittens
Years ago when I was in the first throes of knitting obsession, I bought yarn as if sheep were going to sprout feathers instead of wool next season. And if the yarn was on sale, the compulsion was even worse.
That’s how I ended up with some Harrisville Highland yarn I’ve had in stash for over 10 years. It was 50% off, I liked the color and there was a lot of it so I bought it. While some yarns have sat happily and quietly in stash for as long, this yarn has constantly nagged me to use it. Probably because I decided I didn’t like the color on me and wouldn’t ever wear a sweater made with it.
Since I’m tired of the nagging, I’ve decided to turn it into small projects. My goal is to have it out of my bins by the end of the year. First up will be several pairs of mittens and then I think I’ll do some hats and try lining the hats with polar fleece to reduce the itch factor.
Yarn: Harrisville Designs Highland worsted weight, Color: Lupine; 100 gram, 200 yards. Recommended needle size is US 5 – 8 which probably would work for a sweater, but not mittens. Hand wash, dry flat.
Needles: US 3 for cuffs and US 4 for hand. This produced a very dense fabric, but I tried it on US 5′s and it was just too loose for my liking.
Pattern: Just a basic design I cobbled together from my files. Started on 28 stitches for the cuffs, increased to 30 for the hand.
Tomorrow: progress on the one hundred push ups challenge.
Love the Monkey Socks, they look even better in person. I’m unfamiliar with this “stash busting” thing you’re doing. Maybe I should give it a try!! LOL! See you soon!
Yeah I was able to create a small dent in the bins, which I promptly filled with the stuff I bought in Portland. Oh well, what would I do with an empty yarn bin?