December knitting

Not a bad month for knitting, but not even close to a good month for blogging.

Here's the progress on this month's sock yarn:



So far, a very nice yarn. It's smooth, well-plied, knits into a firm fabric and has no slubs or loosely plied spots - other than that cut in the skein. I've knit past that, and it seems to be an aberration, so I'll not criticize the yarn for that. It could have been a cut when someone opened a box of yarn. (It could even have been me, but I don't think so.)

I have been busy with some other knitting - in particular, this test-knit for a new pattern for Hunter Hammersen. She calls it Truckle Socks and it's a simple, intriguing knit. There is a scallop pattern on one side of the front, one side of the back. The back set of scallops continues onto the heel flap, while the front continues down the instep. What I really liked about this pattern was the gusset decrease.



The gusset decreases on either side of the scallop pattern. For one side this is the usual position, but the other side creates an interesting pattern across the front of the sock.

I'm enjoying this. Hunter posted on Ravelry that she expects to have the final pattern available in the new year.

December Sock Yarn Review

December's sock yarn is one I got through a Ravelry swap - Black Bunny Fibers. The Yarn Harlot had mentioned it on her blog and when I saw it come up in a destash, figured this couldn't hurt.



I really like these colours - intense blue, black and green. The yarn is fine, with a very nice sheen, but not too tightly twisted.

My only complaint: when I was winding it, I discovered a cut in the yarn.



One big ball. One small ball. Cut through. I doubt this came from Black Bunny this way, since it would have made skeining a right royal pain in the you-know-where, so I suspect it's an accident of some kind.

I'm going to overlook this as a defect.

Sock Yarn of the Month - Mountain Colors Bearfeet

They're finished. Well, actually, they were finished some time ago, but this has not been a good month for writing about yarn and knitting.

I like this yarn a lot, although I'm not sure I would use it for socks again - not that it's not good for socks, but because it would be so nice for other things.



These are relatively thick socks, but make a nice firm fabric, with good stitch definitions. The socks feel nice on the feet. There is nylon, but I'm not sure how well these will wear.

Stats: Mountain Colors Bearfoot
Gauge: 8 sts per inch
Needles: 2.25 mm
Pattern: Toffee Sock

Mountain Colors has brought in another sock yarn, but this one is still offered.

progress

Not a good month to be writing about knitting, although it hasn't been a bad month for knitting itself. The weather here has finally turned, gone from being unseasonably warm to what we might expect for mid-November. Not a lot of snow yet, but it's coming. Our days are grey and dull, the way Remembrance Day is supposed to be.

Here's progress on my Sock Yarn Review sock - the Mountain Colors Bearfoot:



Almost done the first sock. So far the yarn lives up to its reputation, but I can also see where the mohair in a sock yarn would drive me crazy. I'm more inclined to knit a really nice scarf out of this, or maybe a shawlette.

My fun knitting for the beginning of the month has been this: a test knit for Lucy Hilton - Pirates Pearls. This isn't a great picture, because it really does look better on the foot rather than off, but with the deep purple yarn and the gold beads, it is rather sparkly.



I'll get better photos, because this pattern really does deserve another look.

November Sock Yarn Review

November's sock yarn is one that (unfortunately) is discontinued. I didn't plan it that way, but that's what got pulled from the bin.

Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Juniper.



This yarn is a mixture of 60% wool, 25% mohair and 15% nylon. The mohair gives it a halo not ordinarily found in sock yarns.

Casting on tomorrow morning.

October Sock Yarn - Tanis Fiber Arts

The final stats for my Toffee Sock

Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label
Colour: Sea Breeze
Needles: 2.25 mm
Gauge: 8.5 sts per inch

Composition:
80% superwash merino
20% nylon
4 oz skein (115 g) is 420 yards (385 m)

Tanis has 31 semi-solid colourways - the best selection of blues I've seen - and 8 multi-colours. This yarn would be wonderful for cabled or textured socks. This is a Canadian company; her website is www.tanisfiberarts.com

They're finished

My sock yarn review socks are finished. This is Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label. I like this yarn a lot because the socks have good heft and are very soft.

No knots in the skein and the colour is saturated and consistent. What else could I want?