Forgot to Mention the Yarn

My March socks are done.  I meant to add a few words about the yarn I used for my Kellswater Socks.  It's called Adorn...a lovely merino with a nice amount of nylon added.  The yarn should be fairly durable given the amount of nylon at 20%.  Even with the nylon it still feels very soft to the touch and has enough bounce to make the cables pop.  The skein is BIG at 430 yards...still have 37 grams left after finishing the socks.  It was hand dyed in various shades of blues by Sharon and her gang of merry dyers at Three Irish Girls in Duluth, Minnesota.

This was my first time using anything from my stash of Three Irish Girl yarn.  I have several skeins of various weights and fibers thanks to my 'membership' in their Stash Menagerie.  It was a really good way to get a wide variety of special yarns.  It also made it difficult to stop participating in the club after several months...it seems as if you can't stop with just one.  In my stash I have aquired: Adorn, Springvale Bulky, Elenya Alpaca, Springvale DK, Roslea Organic Merino, Springvale Super Merino, Glenhaven Cashmerino in all kinds of special exclusive colorways.  I have a few patterns in mind for each one...just need to relocate my notebook.  I can't seem to put my hands on the darn thing.

Of course anytime Sharon posts a new colorway I drool on the keyboard...so far I have resisted a few.  Others were not ignored quite as well and are spending time amongst the stash.  A few will be participating in my Self Imposed Sock Club.  I'd best get cracking on choosing next month's yarn and pattern...

My March Socks

I finished early once again.  I'm not sure how it happened since I was sidetracked a few times by the white stuff...otherwise known as snow.   Along with a few days spent snow boarding and the last several days outdoors working in the yard I didn't think it possible to finish so quickly.

This month's Self Imposed Sock Club pattern was Kellswater by Sara Morris in the Spring 2012 Issue of Interweave Knitting.  I truly enjoyed knitting this sock.   Not only was it my first toe up pattern it was also the first time using 2 circular needles to knit a sock.  I always thought I would be one of those knitters that used DPN's (double point needles) for my sock knitting...not anymore.  Now it would seem I have crossed to the dark side...can't wait for that discussion with my knitting buddies.  

That's what I love about knitting there always seems to be something new...could be yarn, technique or pattern it doesn't really matter.  I love learning new stuff...it keeps it fresh.  I feel pretty certain that I will continue using the circular needles to knit my socks.  The other thing that surprised me was the ease of doing the sock 'toe up' rather than the conventional 'cuff down'.  I even learned another cast on technique...the Turkish or Eastern method.  A bit fiddly starting out, but once a couple of rows were complete it moved smoothly. 

rope cable

Back of sock...anchor and tree

The only problem encountered was with the needles.  My brand new wooden circular needle developed a rough spot that kept snagging my yarn.  I broke out some 220 grit sandpaper and some wax paste to fix the spot.   It got me through the sock although I'm not too pleased that the wooden needle seems to be splitting apart.   Of course these may be jinxed...remember the first set arrived broken.




Details:
Pattern:  Kellswater Socks by Sara Morris

Yarn:  Adorn by Three Irish Girls, 80% merino, 20% nylon, 3.5 oz./430 yards, colorway: Rhys

Needles:  2- US 1 24" circular needles

Gauge:  32 sts x 48 rnds

Short row heel

Modifications:  I changed the pattern slightly when I reached the heel.  I ended up doing a traditional short row heel rather than the combination of knits and purls.  The sock didn't need all the fuss at the heel...and I didn't like the instructions written out row by row. 

I think I need to cast on something other than a sock...I'm craving something different.  Tomorrow I need to investigate the possibilities...between stash and patterns.  Oh and I need to decide on my next pattern for Sock Club.  All that plus I need to finish the yard work we've started a few days ago...so close to being done.  One load of mulch left to go and the destruction of one more bed.  What fun!