Gox Socks are finally finished!

I started my Gox Socks as a test knit back in August of last year.

Now do you say why I say I'm a slow knitter?

But due to snowstorms (and here I was hoping winter was done!) I had the spare time today to finish up the toe and weave in the ends.

So here we go, another project finished!  They're nice and warm, since they're a bit denser with all the twists and cables; and I'm hoping they'll keep my feet warm over the days to come.

And, despite my initial worries that I would need a second skein of yarn, I actually have a small bit left of the Blue Label.  I don't know if I could have gotten the large size out of one skein, but the small had some yarn left over. 

More Socks

It seems I have a love of test-knitting socks.

In this case, I'm testing knitting Foare Socks (and no, I'm not quite sure how you pronounce that, but the pattern is awesome, regardless).

It's a colour-work pattern, so I balled up both colours, and it came out quite well.  I think the colours should work well together.

For the lighter, (and main) colour, I'm using the other skein of  Tanis Blue Label in "Frost" that I originally got in case I needed it for the Gox Socks.  Well, the Gox socks are getting closer to done, and I don't think I'll need it, so, I put it to use.   The darker colour is an inherited mystery yarn, so I'm happy to try and use a bit more of it up.

The other nice thing is that the pattern is a lot of basic stocking stitch, which makes it wonderfully brainless television/computer knitting.  That's good, considering that the deadline for having one sock done is Jan 19th. 

Gox Sock the first is done!

Well, the post title pretty much says it all.  I finished up the first of the Gox Socks at about 11:30 tonight.

I could have waited to get a better picture tomorrow morning in sunlight, but I'm impatient!  (That and I have lots to do tomorrow, so I didn't want to have these languishing without a picture for too long).

Since the test-knit only asked for one sock, this means that they can be back-burnered for a while while I focus on holiday knitting and my various KALs.

They're actually -really- comfy.  The arch shaping felt a little odd when I first tried it on, but it works out well.  Don't let the odd look of this sock deceive you, it really does work. 

Almost done. . .

I've been knitting up a storm over the past few days, and, well, I've got some work to show for it.

My Gox Socks Test Knit is almost done, I've just got the toe decreases left to do.  The pattern is actually really enjoyable.  It's the first time I've done a sock with arch shaping, and it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be.   The deadline is the 30th of September, so I should have them done with days to spare. 

As much fun as these are, though, I think the second sock will get sidelined a little, just simply due to KAL's and Christmas knitting.  But that's ok.

I'm knitting away on a few other projects, too. Hopefully I'll have more pictures for people soon. 

Sock Gussets and more pretty yarn

So, I'm about half-way through the gussets on my Gox Socks.

 

They're going to be tight to the Sept 30th deadline, but I should be good.  I'm actually really enjoying this test-knit.  These socks promise to be nice and warm.

Also, I was out at the Purple Purl yesterday (The Purple Purl is about a block north of my volunteer sites, so it's really convenient when I'm out there),  and I picked up the skein of Silver Label I was planning on getting.

Tanis Fiber Arts Silver Label in Cobalt:

I'm -loving- the colourway, and it should look -awesome- knitted up.

I no longer fail at cast-ons!

So, after my spectacular inability to cast on, I've finally gotten some actual work on the Gox Socks test knit.

Now that I can apparently not screw up something simple, I'm actually really loving the pattern.  It's an involved knit with cables and twists, but it's reasonably easy to remember.  (Though given my luck with it I don't think I'll bring it as my transit knitting!)  It's also producing a nice thick fabric that promises to be very warm.

Also, I took the 2.25 mm needles I just freed up, and am now using them for these.  Since this pattern uses arch shaping, I've been warned that all the gusset increases happen on one needle, so the longer the needle, the better.

But I'm really enjoying these, now that I don't fail at casting on!

Test-Knit Woes

Ok.  So remember how I started a new test-knit?

Well, I did. And I'm loving the pattern.

However, I think it's cursed.

This is my 4th attempt at a cast on.

The first, I accidentally twisted my cast-on when joining in the round.

The second, I screwed up the cuff pattern badly enough that I just decided it was easier to unravel.

The third, I had a double-pointed needle come loose of my knitting while it was in my bag, the yarn caught on my notebook, and I had an unraveled mess.

So, attempt number four is going well.  No pictures yet (nothing really of substance since I haven't finished the cuff yet), and I'm holding my breath hoping I don't have to cast on -again-!

However, despite my trouble with the cast-on, the pattern's looking pretty awesome.  It's the first time I'm doing a sock with arch shaping, so it also looks a touch intimidating.  But the designer's been awesome about answering questions, so I'm not too worried if I get stuck.

New Socks Test-knit

So, the details on my new test-knit.

The pattern is called My Gox, and the Ravelry database page for it is here.

I picked up two skiens of Tanis Blue Label from The Purple Purl today for this; and I have to admit, I'm actually really excited about these, despite my mounting pile of other knitting. (I even had enough reward points to get 25 dollars off, too!)

So, Tanis Blue Label in Frost:

 

It's a neat colourway, and I think it will really suit the pattern (not to mention, I'm loving the Tanis Blue Label for socks.  It seems to work really well.) 

I was hoping to only need one skein of Blue Label.  I still might only need the one.  But in speaking with the designer, the yardage for the pattern is just enough that I'd rather have the second skein.  I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.  And, I have plans for that second skein anyway -- the leftovers from the Gox Socks will (hopefully) become the Birch Leaf Socks from "A Gathering of Lace."

Oh, and speaking of test-knits, the pattern for my previous pair of test-knit socks (I should really finish the other sock of that pair!) just went live.  They're Pacific Rim socks, and the pattern is a) really fun to knit, and b) a great way to use up oddiments of sock yarns.