nonaKnits

When in Doubt, Felt

Nona's a confident gal, so I can be honest, the nesting socks turned out terribly - not even worthy of the demotion to slipper socks.  Let me use a few words to describe them; saggy, bulky,  heal-sliding ... you get the idea.  Nona-sister4 put in a subtle, sisterly bid for the slipper socks, but I wouldn't wish them on anyone. 

What does any good knitter do when face with a project that turned out yucky.  No, you don't knit it again to fix the yuckiness -- it's important in life to learn from your mistakes and move on!  The correct answer is, you felt them in the washing machine.  The Nesting Socks are in the dryer with a bunch of towels as we speak.

Late breaking news, just in ... the felting helped the socks tremendously.  They are definitely still slipper socks, but wearable! Photo spread of my Nesting Socks.

Once felted, they're not so bad!!

Nona, what did you like about this project?

I haven't made socks in awhile and this project reminded me how much I enjoy shaping the heel and the gusset.  Besides, don't you just love that word, "gusset"! 

Nona, what would you do differently next time?

I'd use finer yarn to make a better fitting, more refined sock.  I'd also remember the tried-and-true wisdom, never make two socks exactly the same.    

I already have my eye on the next sock project... stay tuned!

Nesting Socks Are On Their Way

I'm almost down to the heel of my first Nesting Sock.  The top of the sock is worked in the Kathmandu Aran Tweed yarn.  At the heel, I'll switch to the Llama Seta.  The jury is still out on these socks.  I'm afraid they will be too bulky for actual wear and will have to be demoted to slipper socks.  Or perhaps I'm just jealous of the socks Alison is making out of the more delicate Koigu yarn.

For those who enjoy knitting socks, there is a wonderful poem, "Ode To My Socks" by Pablo Neruda.

If you're wondering why the sock is on my hand, then you've never seen my toes!

Nesting Instinct: Must Make Socks

It's that time of year that brings out the nesting instinct in me.  Perhaps it's the short days or the chill in the air -- anything shy of 60 degrees is bone chilling to nona -- or perhaps it's simply the need to make something practical.  Whatever it is, I'm having another urge to knit socks.

This time around, the urge was triggered while leafing through the Queensland Collection by Jane Ellison.  There are many things I like in this pattern book, which includes several patterns mixing a tweedy yarn with a mohair using simple strips -- I've definately added the Esme Cardigan to my must knit list, but that's another day.  The back cover features two pairs of feet looking awfully cozy, "Knit me nona", they seem to scream.

Not one to ignore screaming feet, I picked up the called for Kathmandu Aran Tweed and Llama Seta yarn at my LYS and I'm off and runniing.

"Knit me into socks nona"