Testing Paton's Sock Yarn on the 1/4-inch Knitting Loom

Half of the foot is knitted already.  10 more rows before I can start to turn the heel.

I am testing Paton's sock yarn on the CinDWood 1/4-in Knitted Knocker 56-peg loom -- which has become my standard with the cushier Chic Sheep Yarn by Marly Bird.  But those create a thicker sock, that is fine for slippers or boots, but I'd need a bigger shoe to wear them to work.  Hence, I am testing a thinner yarn ...  I think the 1/4-inch gauge is the same as the KB Knitting looms.

Paton's sock yarn is rated at a 1 gauge, which means it's a finer yarn.  I suspect socks made with this finer yarn can be warn in the shoes I wear for work--like normal people!  Paton's is readily available at local craft stores, meaning I wouldn't have to order online unless I wanted specific colors (and oh--the colors!)

My real reason for testing this yarn is to decide if I need a new CinDWood loom in the 3/16-in gauge sock looms for finer yarns like this.   Then the next question is: If so, would I need the 64 or 72 peg variety to fit my foot?

Paton's sock yarn seems to be knitting up just fine on the 1/4-inch loom.  It's not coming out lacey or holey, or too tight to get my foot into it.  It's a thinner sock, but still has nice stretch to it.  The inside seems to be nice and cushion-y.   I am wondering if it will be a smaller sock overall -- which would require more pegs to make up the difference for the finer/thinner  yarn.  l suspect I'll have to add more rows to make up the difference.

This photo compares the size of the resulting knit on the 1/4-inch Knitted Knocker Loom.  The speckled Marly Bird Chic Sheep yarn  creates a bigger and thicker stitch-- as expected.  It's a thicker, loftier yarn.  

Here are the yarn labels comparing Marly Bird sample with Paton's.

There's a 4-to-1 difference.  The finer yarn creates a finer knit. 

So far as I can tell, Paton's sock yarn on my standard Knitted Knocker CinDWood look will work out just fine for my feet.   I'll have to find another reason to order other CinDWood looms.  ;-)

I caught some of Scarlet Royal's  live session on Facebook last week.  She held a question and answer session featuring her new book: Any Sock, Any Toe, Any Heel: Loom It!   She confirmed that for her (and all the socks she's made in her life), the 1/4-in loom is her standard.  She doesn't really go finer than that.

If you are interested in learning more, Hypnotic Hysteria is starting up a Knit-Along for making house socks on a knitting loom.  She's the one I learned from.  Once you have the basics, you can go anywhere!   She is also re-posting many of her videos that were lost last year when her account was hacked.

Poppa's Leafy Green Socks

 A new pair of socks for my DH. 

They fit!  They fit!  Even though they look really big as they were growing out the bottom of the loom.  I had to bind them up with a rubber band to keep they tucked up and out of the way as I worked.   

I asked him what color he wanted and he said green, so of course I had to first dye they yarn back in November.  Leaf Green Procion dye on 2 balls of 100% merino yarn (Chic Sheep).  I used the same method as explained in this post.   They were dyed in the same pot at the same time, and still came out with slight variations, but are still close enough to be a pair.

The specifics of the pattern re-sized for his foot:

     Use the CinDWood Knitted Knocker Loom 56 pegs 1/4 inch

     Kitchener Cast-on (I like this because it feels like weaving, and leaved a seamless join)

     Work the toe box with with 10 decreases / increases

     Then start working in the round for  85 rows

     Work the heel with 12 decreases / increases on the opposite half of the toe

     Work in the round 50 rows for leg

     For Ribbed Cuff: 30 rows of 2 Knit and 2 Purl

     Super Stretchy Bind off.

Detail of the ribbed cuff made with 2K 2P for 30 rows.

This time, I marked the pegs to KNIT with rubber bands.  This helped keep me on track for the K2-P2 rows for the cuff of the leg.    It was easier to knit the marked pegs, as purling would catch the rubber bands on the down stroke.  Here you can see the super stretchy cast-off ready to be popped off the loom.

What to do next?
I have a new stash of Knit Picks yarn from the November sales.  I want to try some of the finer sock yarns as these socks are nice and toasty, but the Chic Sheep yarn is too thick to wear  in my every day work shoes.  Not sure if that means I need a finer gauge knitting loom (3/16?) to go with the finer fingerling yarns?  That will take some experimentation ... 

Delphinium Blue Speckled Socks

I finished my second pair of socks on the CinDWood circular knitting loom.   Thanks to a trip to Idaho (Yes, Sheila!  I was visiting my old friend up near Boise) last week, with plenty of idle time in the airports.  Yeah! And they seem to fit, too!

Here are the specifics:

Yarn : Chic Sheep 100% merino wool (with great springness suitable for socks)
Color : Lace (hand-dyed by me with Wilton's Delphinium Blue)
2 balls (1 per sock)  at 189 yards with a little left over.

Loom: CinDWood Knitted Knocker Loom 1/4 inch 56-pegs

Pattern:

I followed Hypnotic Hysteria's instructions for Loom-Knit Toe-Up Socks on this video:

[This isn't actually the video I learned on, but it's very similar.  Hypnotic Hysteria had a You Tube disaster where her channel was hacked and she lost everything, and had to start over.  To date, she has not re-posted the one I started with, but this one is close.  I think the only difference is that the leg is a little longer, and she was using the 56-peg knitted knocker loom, like I did.]




Just for kicks, I'm going to add this video, too.  It's a different loom, but the pattern is closer to what I did:


My alterations:
          Instead of 7 decreases/increases for toe and heel, I did 9 stitches. (I need a wider toe box.)
          65 rounds for length of foot
          45 rounds for leg above ankle
          20 rounds for cuff
               (Ribbing is Knit 2 / Purl 2 for more springiness)

Now onto the next project!

A Tale of Two Socks

I finally finished the second sock to match the one I made here.   I used Hypnotic Hysteria's pattern, which is quite simple one you understand the basics. 

Since this was the prototype and otherwise the first socks I've ever made (ok  -- 2nd pair of socks), I can offer some observations about the process.

When I realized 1 skein of yarn wouldn't quite be enough for 2 socks, I dyed another skein of speckled yarn with Wilton's broken violet.  It must have been a slightly different process (more or less vinegar, more or less time to develop, more or less steam, more or less water in the yarn to begin with) because there are subtle differences in the each sock.  One has a bluer background, and the other is a little more pinkish.  Don't get me wrong -- They are both pleasing to the eye -- THey just don't quite match.

Note to self :  Dye 2 skeins of yarn at the same time with the same technique (if not simultaneously) for socks.  That way, you are more likely to get a matched set.

Here's the speckled yarn I dyed a few weeks ago with broken Wilton's Delphinium Blue.  It appears that these skeins seem to be much more alike than the violet skeins I did separately above.    I am already starting a new pair of sock with this yarn.    Yes--It was such an enjoyable process, I'm doing it again!

Also since this was the first "real" pair of socks, I learned some additional things.

1) The CinDWood 56-peg 1/4-inch Knitted Knocker Loom is my loom of choice.   It has plastic pegs that give a little while you are working the yarn.  It also has these nice little scores in the column of the pegs where you can run the hook to get at the correct loop without splitting the yarn.  Believe it or not, this was a huge problem on one of the other looms I tried. 

2) A sock made on the CinDWood loom fits my foot just about right, so long as I knit it the right length.  The first sock was an inch or so too long (75 rounds after the toe box) for my foot, so I made the 2nd sock a little shorter (65 rounds is sufficient - or 7-1/2 inches from toe to ankle bone, just before beginning the heel).    Seeing as how I have a mis-matched pair here, I'll just keep these to myself.  Prototype kept for study purposes.

3) It appears I'll be able to make socks for my husband on the CinDWood loom as well -- I just need to make them a little longer to fit the length of his foot.  Otherwise the width seems like it will work for him -- which surprised me, but ok.    That means, I can also make socks for my dad, too.

 Delphinium Blue Speckled yarn on the Knitted Knocker Loom.

Now what other colors do I want to dye for socks? 

Speckled Socks on a Round Knitting Loom

I'm really very happy with the way this speckled yarn is knitting up on the CinDwood Knitted Knocker Loom.   This yarn has a nice spring to it, and is very soft 100% merino wool. 

It's the Marly Bird Chic Sheep Merino wool that I dyed with Wilton's Violet, expecting the violet to break into its component colors -- and it did!

Here's the view from the inside, looking down into the toe of the sock from the top of the loom.  Those strings are the remains of the Kitchener cast on, that will be cinched up shortly.

The purl side inside the sock feels softer than the knitted outside.   I am imagining it cushioning my feet some day ... Yes, Happy Feet!

Here's a detail shot of the outside / knitted side.  I love how those speckles are coming together, all pastel and soft for Spring!



I am following a tutorial video by Hypnotic Hysteria, demonstrating how to make a toe-up sock on a knitting loom.   She's left-handed, so I have to do a little transposing to get things to work for my brain.  [I am including the videos here for my own future reference, which will come in handy when I have to make Sock #2!  I may have to dye another ball of yarn to match!]





She begins with the Kitchener Cast-on, which feels like weaving (Yay!).  It looks kind of messy and chaotic, but it does stay orderly and  cinches up seamlessly to close the toe box.   In my mind, it's 100x easier than trying to close that seam with a needle one stitch at a time. 

Purple Alpaca Wristers and progress on the KB Sock Loom

Made this morning on the Addi Express Knitting Machine.  This is 3 strands of a fine alpaca yarn someone gave me a while back.   Basic instructions in this video.    These are toasty and warm.  I'm hoping this yarn won't pill up like the black acrylic did.

Here's the yarn I used.  Someone gave me a nice big bag of it a few years ago.  It looks nicer worked up with multiple strands than it does with the single strands.  Funny how that works!

I also worked up a sample swatch of this multi-blue wool yarn that I dyed with my friend Lynda a few years ago.  I was wondering how that might look in a pair of socks.  Not bad!  Just means I need to dye up enough to make a pair.

Just bought a stock of 10 skeins of Merino Wool during the 30% off yarn sale at Joann's.   Looks like I was just in time yesterday for the sale, as now they are back up to full price.   Lynda and I have another Colors / Dying date next week.  I'll have to think about what color combinations I want in the meantime.  And how big to wind the hanks for socks.  

I got the KB His and Hers Sock Loom set.  It's plastic, so the pegs have a little give to them.  I was having a tough time with the original KB adjustable sock loom with metal pegs for a number of reasons.  This one works a lot easier for me.  I am practicing with some wool yarn -- just cheap nothing-special Fisherman's Wool.  I've been ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the great variety of sock yarns out there.  Most of which I can't get locally, but would have to order online.  I really want to FEEL it before I buy it, and I'd also like to know how it will knit up before putting a lot of time and effort into it.  Of course that sends me down yet another rabbit hole of DIY dying ... and makes me want to play with colors again.

The photo above shows the emerging toe box, with the requisite decreased and increased stitches. It's kind of amazing to be creating things in 3D like this, to see it emerging from below.  

This is the back side of the photo above.  This shows the Kitchener Cast-on (not unlike weaving).  This will get cinched up later on, closing the seam at the ball of the foot.

Here's the view from the inside.  Nice and orderly.  

This is what I've gotten done since Friday evening.  Not bad for a knitting meditation.

Twisted Tube Socks on the Knitting Loom

 The Twisted Tube Socks are done and ready to wear!

Made on the knitting loom with a nice bulky acrylic and super-wash wool -- which means they are warm and washable.  I don't have to worry about the felting in the laundry.

 

 These would be considered slipper socks.  Nice and bulky and toasty warm.  

Too think to wear in a pair  of shoes, but they might work in boots. 

 

Bottom of the foot.

 Detail of the toe.  It's basically a 2-round draw-string type of closure.  

Seems effective for closing the end, with no holes from draw-down.

I've been anxious to try socks on the knitting loom.  After all,  it was watching those old mechanical sock looms work their mechanized magic that got me interested in knitting to begin with.  Socks have been on the wish list after mastering fingerless gloves / half-gloves.

So I thought I'd start with tube socks -- I know -- No one likes tube socks, "But this time it is by Shakespeare!"  Or rather this twisted variation that adds a nice design element to it.
The video for Twisted Tube Sock Variation is by Hypnotic Hysteria.  Very practical.  She seems to be left-handed, so I have to do a little translating to make the instructions work for me.  Not bad--and good practice to be in the minority sometimes. 

I am using the green Boye knitting loom (just like in the video) with 24 pegs.
Works great with a bulky yarn like this.

The yarn I chose is Yarn Bee Dream Spun - Color is Meadow Dream.  This appears to be comparable to the Lion Brand Unique she's using in the video.  It's a really nice bulky yarn that is 80% acrylic and 20% superwash wool-- which makes for washable socks.  

 

One sock took nearly 1 76-yard skein of this yarn--there was a little leftover.
  I love this colorway!

It kind of reminds me of a fish with scales and tale, or seaweed --maybe even Gillyweed? -- the way it's emerging fully formed from the bottom of the loom.

 

Voi la!

For future reference, here are Hypnotic Hysteria's video tutorials on how to make these Loom Knit Twisted Tube Socks, plus the Variation.