2022 My 1st Color Work Socks - Needles at the ready sock knit along February 2022

Start Date: February 6, 2022

Finish Date: February 10, 2022

So I stumbled across this super sweet couple on YouTube and am completely addicted to their podcast. Either one of them could be the little brother & brother in law I always wanted. For reals. They make me laugh, make me ponder and really inspire me!  They go by Needles At The Ready and I am in the process of binge watching from the beginning.  While watching their latest podcast yesterday they announced that they are doing a sock knit along this month and I decided to join in! This will be my first actual "knit along" as I am just staring to feel confident in my sock making skills, so I hope I won't look silly. For this sock I am really reaching outside my box. I have been so inspired lately with all the colorwork projects I see so I have decided to try making my first colorwork socks. While I am inspired by a free written pattern called Easy Peasy Socks, I am not knitting that particular pattern as written.  Why? Well because I cannot wrap my head around top-down socks yet. I know it is probably silly of me but I have just found the right combination to making the perfect size toe-up socks for my feet and I don't really want to change yet. SO, having said that, I am going to use the colorwork chart from the pattern as I do love the combination she put together.  For the rest of the sock I am winging it through the toe and bottom of the foot and plan to make a gusset heal and my own double thickness cuff.

Supplies I am using:

Cascade Yarns Heritage, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon, color #5618, snow

Queen City Yarn, Uptown Sock, 75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Stellina, color: southern charm

Chaiogoo US 2 - 2.75mm 40" circular needles

My slightly modified color work chart from the free pattern listed above.

I let my mind go and just went with it. After casting on the toe I added the contrasting color and alternated stitch by stitch around with the main color. I believe I have achieved the goal I was shooting for on the toes and made a nice transition into the colorwork part of the foot. 

At this point in the process I am learning. 

• Although I went up a needle size from my original vanilla socks because I am doing colorwork, the socks are still coming out very tight on when I try them on. I questioned whether I should continue. I decided to continue because, if I don't, I will never know if they will loosen up when it comes time to wet block. And if they don't, I know a dear granddaughter that might love to wear them 💕
• The colorwork is not showing up as much as I would like it too. it just looks random and that is because there is a lot more cream in the southern charm yarn than it originally looked like and it is blending with snow that I am using as the main color. I need to learn more about making color choices that will stand out in colorwork.

Today is wet block day! I have finished knitting my 1st colorwork socks they are soaking in the absolutely delicious Eucalan Jasmine wool cleaner. I could live in this scent for life it smells soooooo good!

Well, I am sooooo glad I kept going! After wet blocking these socks they came out PERFECT!! I think these fit me the best of any sock I have made so far! I am so glad I started this journal so I will remember the needle size, yarns, etc. I could not be happier!!

Project Completed

February 10, 2022

I recommend Always Shopping Local First.  Since I started shopping local all of my creations have come to mean so much more to me personally. The people I have met and all I have learned, that would never have happened solely online. Even if you are an introvert, like I am, I never feel out of place or like an outsider at my local shops. When you find the right shop, you know it, because, you are treated like family. Plus, once they know your creative style they are so helpful when it comes to ideas, help, learning, special orders and more. Don't miss out on all those happy smiles and hellos from shop owners, employees and fellow creators like yourself.