Sunday, March 30, 2014

Year of Projects 3: Kwalla 01


SOCKTOPUS: Totally Vanilla • Kandahar • V Junkie • Kwalla • Farmer McGregor • Shur'tugal • 2luvcrew • Vorticity • Rumpled! • Crowley • Om Shanti • Mince Pie Mayhem • Hundred Acre Wood • De Stijl • Fiori di Zucca • Caretta Caretta • Spring Shoots

That second Shur'Tugal sock was finished up last Sunday evening while Gavin and I watched "Red 2" ...  wow, was that a terrible movie! If you haven't seen it, don't bother. Thank goodness I knit through it or it would have been a complete waste of time! Once the grafting was complete and the ends sewn in, I had just less than a gram of yarn left. Hurray for good yarn usage! This pair has been tucked away for gift giving later this year.

The next sock of the Socktopus KAL is Kwalla. In fact, the KAL for this pattern runs from April 1st to May 31st so I can't cast on just yet. I can, however, have a look through my stash to decide on what yarn to use. At the moment I think this Super Cash Soft sock yarn from Studio June Yarn in a colourway called "All the King's Horses" could be just the thing. It's hard to know how variegated yarn will behave with a pattern until you try it, but from looking at the finished patterns from other Ravelers it looks like the pattern can stand up to some busy-ness in the yarn. I guess we'll know after a couple of inches. There's a more subtle tonal yarn in my stash that can be my "Plan B" choice if needed.

There are a lot of worrying notes in those project pages about sizing. Sounds like a lot of people used a smaller needle size for the cuff ribbing, then a larger needle size for the leg, before decreasing to a smaller pattern size through the heel and foot. Looks like I'm going to have to really pay attention on this one and be prepared to rip a time or two. I guess we'll know more about that after a couple of inches too!

5 comments:

Wanderingcatstudio said...

They turned out great!
I love that "horses" yarn - great, warm shades.

Stefanie said...

What a creative colorway name. Cables and have make an interesting combination. I oppose you don't have to fiddle too much.

Anonymous said...

Kwalla DOES look busy, but I think the yarn will work.

It looks like THEY used a pretty busy yarn for the model.

Lucy Bowen said...

I love the last pair - they will make a great gift. The new yarn looks lovely, I can't wait to see how it knits up.

Sam I Am...... said...

What a novel idea...putting away gifts ahead of time instead of pulling all-nighters at the last minute. LOL! Although, since I've retired I pay no attention to any dates or deadlines except those put out by the IRS!
I love all the socks you make and end up faving them for some day in the future when I am a more talented sock maker.
The Horseman yarn is fabulous. I hope it turns out just how you want it too. I will know I have "arrived" as a knitter when I can watch t.v. and not screw up my knitting....that is the true test! Have a great week and by now you have cast on your new sock KAL project. Good luck! Can't wait to see it on the needles.