3 posts tagged “inca”

Pink Sock

Having started, and restarted my eldest sister's birthday gift a few times, I've finally decided that she will be getting socks (whether or not she needs thick and cosy bed socks in Perth is not to be asked), and a few other treats!

I started this sock last night, and worked on it some more at Knit Rangers this afternoon (along with a few rows on one of my blanket's mitred squares). One thing about working with the Patons Inca again is that it's incredibly quick to knit! (what wouldn't be with a 28 stitch round). I got two balls of this shade for $3 each a wee while ago - don't tell my sister how cheap I am! ;-)

I'll be able to finish this one up tonight (once I decide how to finish it off) and will be in good shape to mail it off with a mate in time for the big day (and the birthday before one's 50th is indeed a big day). This sister is short and proportionately little-footed, so I hope that the size is going to be OK. I'm using the sizing guide in Sensational Knitted Socks as a guide, so fingers crossed.

A couple of new faces (she says being a three meeting veteran) at Knit Rangers this week, after the gathering got a mention in a local paper, which was cool. Justine was kind enough to pick me up from the ferry, so no bussing involved, and for the first time (for me) it wasn't raining! If you live in Auckland, and knit (or crochet, or whatever), come be social in a couple of weeks.

Well, as amykins suggested, knitting a sock with 32 stitches was indeed super quick! I threw in a few rows of purl to break things up a bit, but otherwise, this pair a just good old stocking stitch, with "easy toes" (from Sensational Knitted Socks) and short row heels. The Patons Inca yarn was really nice to knit with.

They're thick, and very cosy, and will keep my size nines warm this winter. In fact, they're keeping them warm right now! I had just been intending to post my progress from last night (I end up taking one to my meeting instead of my other unfinished pair - go figure), and those picutres are to the left.

However, with no effort at all I finished them off today after signing off from work, and here they are!

I wildly overestimated the amount of yarn I'd need, so I've got plenty left for another pair or possibly two. In getting my camera out to take the pictures though, the thin cloth cover tore, so I think I'll use a little to whip up a little case for my camera first. The resulting fabric is certainly more resilient and cushioned than the existing cover, and still less bulky than my actual camera case.

The short break from Sock Knitting will give me a chance to decide which yarn and pattern will be next!

Inca

Paton's Inca yarn is a blend of wool (50%), acrylic (30%) and alpaca (20%). It's chunky, warm, and quick to knit - the perfect follow-up to my stripey socks.

The colourway I've chosen is 7020, and is comprised of three strands of blue in varying hues. It reminded me of work socks, for jamming into gumboots and heavy work boots. But whereas they were coarse and prickly, this is soft and plump - ideal for someone who works from home and hardly wears shoes!

Inca Toe

It's toe-up again, because I have no idea how long I want them to be, and frankly, I quite like doing the provisional cast on, and making sure I get a good fit around the foot. Especially as I'm knitting this on a 5MM ciruclar needle, with a gauge of 4 stitches/inch!

Right now I have 28 stitches, an am contemplating whether I'll need 30 or 32. We'll see, I guess. At least with so few stitches, pulling it undone will be quick... 

Once I've got the toe sorted, I'll be casting on the other sock, so I can work them together/alternately as I did with the stripes. Given that I still haven't finished the second of another pair (done to the leg, mind!) I think this way definitely works best for me (in my quick experiments I found working two on two circular needles together too messy/tangling). Still, I'''d best take the unfinished sock to my WW meeting tonight and get it done while I wait. Or I'll still be talking about it next month!