Knitting in pink

Today is the first day of Socktoberfest. Of course I had to join! Although, as you might have noticed, it's been Socktoberfest here at Knitting in Pink since June. My last non-sock FO was the Fitted Tank that I finished June 11. I then started the Razor Cami but that one never made it past a few inches. Since then it's been socks, socks and more socks. I really hope I'm not boring you all to death.

But this month is Socktoberfest so I have no excuse to knit anything but socks. So I hope you'll bear with my socks a little while longer.

This month, I'd like to knit the mate to the following 3 socks: Snicket, Firestarter and Strange Little Mama.

If you remember, I finished my first Snicket sock back in August.



Last night I finished my first Strange Little Mama with picot cuff.



And this morning I finished my Firestarter sock.



So now I'm stuck with this!


Oh no! I have a third foot!

Should I:

Complete each pair one after the other? And if so, which should I start with?
Cast on for all 3 and work on each at the same time?
Cast on for an entirely new sock? If so, do you have a suggestion for me?

I could have said one day late, if I'd decided to cast off and weave in the ends last night. But I was weary of making mistakes, so I decided that being 2 days late would be allright!

I hereby introduce to you my fifth pair of socks:



Forgive me the fuzziness, the light wasn't great and it was the best picture showing the eyelet rows on both socks.

Stats
First sock started August 22, finished October 3. Second sock started October 20, finished November 2nd.
Yarn: Sweet Georgia Superwash Sock in Libertine
Pattern: Anastasia Socks by the talented Pepperknit
Mods: Added a few more rows after the short-row heel before starting the pattern around the leg. Used the turkish cast-on from Misocrafty. Did a 5 inch leg instead of 6.

It was my first toe-up socks, I enjoyed the experience and I am pleased with the results. My first short-row heel had to be started twice, thankfully I had put in a lifeline expecting possible troubles. I could have done a longer leg, but didnt know how much yarn a ribbing actually needed so I stopped way before I should have. I dont mind shortish socks so that's fine.

In conclusion, unless absolutely necessary by the pattern, I will probably be knitting only toe-up socks using the magic loop technique in the future.

And this is what I have to show for it.

BEFORE


AFTER


2 completed pairs and one almost completed pair. I am less than an inch and a ribbing away from having reached my Socktoberfest goal, which was to finish all three pairs.

But maybe it's this scarf's fault:


And this other scarf's fault:


My conclusion for this Socktoberfest is that I "can" knit socks faster now and that I could knit 1-2 pairs a month. But I dont think I will again. (See scarf evidence above) I think I will try to do one pair a month (my stash definitely allows for that) and knit other stuff too.

First I have to finish the second Anastasia sock, then I will continue working on DH's scarf and probably cast on for Klaralund and another pair of socks!

I finished yesterday morning my second Garter Rib sock. So now I have another pair completed!

Stats
First sock started June 12, finished September 25. Second sock started October 15 and finished October 24. I knitted 2 pairs of socks between starting and finishing the first sock, which partly explains why it took me so long!
Yarn: Trekking XXL 103
Pattern: Garter Rib sock from Sensationnal Knitted Socks
Mods: Did the ribbing on the leg using US3. Did the foot with US2 needles. Used dpns for the firs sock and magic loop and dpns for the second sock.

I like how the socks came out although the ribbing on the leg is a little loose, but that's because I used US #3 needles. If I'd knit the whole socks on 2s it would have been perfect I think.

I have 7 days to finish my second Anastasia sock, I might be able to pull it off. If I do I'll have reached my Socktoberfest goal!

This morning I finally finished my first pair of Jaywalkers. I realize that I am a bit behind the times as everyone has made a pair or ten of these, but I had to try them for myself! Yes, they are cool and yes, I'll probably make more of them.
Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment:

Jaywalkers sans chaussures


Jaywalkers avec shoes (bought them in August and been waiting for these socks to be done so I could wear them!)


Notice the cool effect? How the striping continues from one sock to the next?

Stats
The first sock was started June 26 and finished July 17. The second sock was started October 3 and finished October 12. 22 days for the first, 9 for the second
Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Mineshaft
Needles: US 2 Clovers DPNs 2.75 mm
Pattern: Do I really need to link it?
Mods: Not really, had to pick up more stitches around the heel flap. Knitted even before kitchenering for a few rows to make the sock longer.

Note: I know that if I had used US2 (2.5mm) needles the yarn would have more striped than pooled. I guess I know for next time!

Following Lolly's example I decided to show you the extent of my stash. I hope that my husband doesnt read this!

You can also see it here with all the information on the yarns. To see information mouse over the picture.

I have, currently enough yarn for 18 pairs plus the 3 on the needles. And that's not counting the fact that in some of those balls there is enough for 2 pairs of socks. And that's not counting the fact that I won on Quiddity's contest 2 balls of Austermann Step, that I swaped some Trekking for 4 balls of Sisu and that I just bought 2 skeins of a lovely pink yarn on Etsy... Oops!
So the grand total would be at least 26 pairs of socks. Wow! I better get knitting!

Speaking of which, I just finished decreasing the gusset of my second Jaywalker. I can see myself finishing it by the end of the weekend! Photos of the sock and it's mate to come.

My goal for Socktoberfest, as mentionned in my questionnaire is to knit a mate for these lonely socks:

I casted on for the second Jaywalker 2 days ago. The first one took me 3 weeks, so I am hoping that the second one will not take quite as long because that wouldn't leave me enough time to knit the other two!

Realistically, I think I will most likely finish one sock and start on another one by the end of the month. I guess we will see!

I want to thank Alyson for allowing me to win some lovely Koigu:

Today's post will be entirely dedicated to socks in honor of Socktoberfest organized by Lolly

First I will answer to her questionnaire:

When did you start making socks? Did you teach yourself or were you taught by a friend or relative? or in a class?
I started making socks in April of 2006, only a few months ago. I pretty much taught myself with the help of Sensational Knitted Socks.

What was your first pair? How have they "held up" over time?
My first pair was made out of Sisu, and I wear them pretty regularly and wash them every time. They're holding up fine so far, but then again they were made only 4 months ago!

What would you have done differently?
Nothing really, they fit me just fine and I like them like they are.

What yarns have you particularly enjoyed?
So far I've only used Sisu, Cascade Fixation, Trekking, Lorna's Laces and Sweet Georgia. Out of that I think I've enjoyed Sweet Georgia and Sisu the most.

Do you like to crochet your socks? or knit them on DPNs, 2 circulars, or using the Magic Loop method?
No crochet for me! I have used both DPNs and Magic Loop so far and really enjoy the Magic Loop method.

Which kind of heel do you prefer? (flap? or short-row?)
I have no preference for heel flap but I have to say that I've only made one short-row heel so far.

How many pairs have you made?
I have 2 complete pairs and 3 single socks. I would like to make the mate of these 3 by the end of the month!