Back in September, I got the insane idea to knit socks as Christmas gifts for my friends and family. As expected, my sock loom and newly picked up knitting needles have been very busy over the last three months! When it was all said and done, I ended up knitting eight pairs of socks, a hat, and a scarf. Hopefully, getting socks for Christmas this year won’t be a bad thing!
Friends and Family spoiler alert!!! You all probably know you’re getting socks, but there is still the surprise of how they look. If you want it to remain a surprise, don’t scroll down any further!!
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If you’re still scrolling, you must be okay with peeking . . . (Shame on you! Just remember Santa is watching!)
As for everyone else, here’s what I’ve been knitting:
Batch #1: Bright and Colorful
For the most part, I opted to make short socks with a thicker yarn. Instead of knitting 6 inches for the leg, I went with 4 inches. This decision gave me more bang for my yarn buck and allowed me to complete a pair of socks in less than a week, (which is rather handy on a tight schedule!). However, I made two pairs of full-length socks, because I had a lot of yarn in those particular colors and I didn’t want it to go to waste.
Yarn used:
- Yarn Bee Snowflake Wool Blend – Berries/#14
- Yarn Bee Snowflake Wool Blend – Nazcar/#200
- Yarn Bee Snowflake Wool Blend – Pale Aqua/#03
- Baby Bee – Carousel Ombre/#114
- Paton’s Kroy Socks – Lavender Jacquard/#55309
Batch #2: Thick and Warm
All three pair are again of the short sock variety, but with much ticker yarn. The mismatched stripes are actually done on purpose! The more I knit socks, the more I realize how much I love making socks that don’t match exactly – I guess you could call that my trademark. The colors are the same and so is the pattern, but I purposely switch up the stripe pattern to give them a little oomph. Β As my mother would say, “that’s what makes them homemade!”
Yarn used:
- Lion Brand Amazing – Arcadia/#206
- Lion Brand Amazing – Wildflowers/#203
- Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice – Grey Marble/#860
For more details on how to make socks on a knitting loom, check out Leisure Arts’ fantastic how-to guide, Sock Loom Basics. I’d still be hanging out in the “non-knitter” section of the craft store if it wasn’t for this little book!
Batch #3: Warm Accessories
There are two people who will not receive socks this Christmas because I didn’t know their shoe size with enough certainty. It’s a good thing I picked up knitting needles, so I could make something just as special for them!
The scarf is actually the first thing I ever knitted on a pair of knitting needles, (without help). Considering I am still learning, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s a gift for a very good friend of mine and I hope it keeps him warm. The hat comes from the idea of a pattern my mother had for many years. She lost it along the way, but together we found a comparable match, so I could make this hat for my dad. I hope he likes what I made with my two little hands! (Dad, you better not be peeking!)
Hat Pattern:
Yarn used:
- Lion Brand Alpine Wool – Barley/#224
- Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool – Oak Tweed/#200
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Stay tuned for a look at how I wrapped these “knitty” gifts. Handmade gifts deserve handmade wrapping!
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c.b.w. 2012
Beautiful! I especially love the thick and warm socks, the uneven stripy pattern is fantastic!
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Aren’t those stripes fun? π I have several mismatched pair and I just love them!
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Wow! Your friends and family will be so chuffed! I know I would be π
Xx
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Thanks! I hope they love their new socks on Christmas morning! π
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All I have to say is I wish I was a member of your family. LOL
Lovely! π
Have a great holiday. π
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LOL! π
Hope you have a wonderful holiday, too!
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These are all so beautiful. I wish I was part of your family. π Have a wonderful Christmas and if you have any left over foot warmers, I know someone who would LOVE to have them. π
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There are two pair I’m nervous about because they may not fit. So, you never know . . . I might have extras! Lol! π
I hope you have a wonderful holiday!
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Your knits are amazing. Such lucky friends and family especially since they are all filled with love too. I look forward to seeing what you do during 2013 with your new talents.
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Awww! Thanks! π
Wait until you see the hat I’m working on! It’s gorgeous! π
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LOVE them! Wish had some of those adorable thick and warm ones this past weekend in the snow!!!
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Be sure to stop by and see me tomorrow. π
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These are brilliant!!
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Thanks! π
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Well done you. What a busy girl you’ve been.
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Thanks! π
I always keep quite busy. There’s never a boring minute in this house!
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I am impressed! Socks and scarf and hat are wonderful! It would be wonderful to be on your Christmas list. I am still clicking away on my first needle-knitted scarf. It is slow going, but I am enjoying it. I wondered how thicker yarn on the sock loom would work – thanks for doing the experiments for me. Next yarn sale I’m going to pick up a skein of the thicker Lion Brand, ’cause I love your stripes. I particularly like that the stripes don’t match, undoubtedly because mine don’t match either.!
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Ooo, how fun! I can’t wait to see how your scarf turns out. π
One day I just decided to see what would happen if I used thicker yarn. That pair turned out so nice, I just kept going. I went as high as a 5 weight and they turned out great!
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Ok, so I peeked! Everything is so beautiful!
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I knew you’d peek! Lol! π
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Oooh, I love these! Your family will be so thrilled to have the cozy handmade gift. You are so sweet. π The colorful socks at the end of the 1st picture are my Favorite!!
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Those super bright socks are for one of my best friends. I hope she’ll like them, too. π I love giving handmade gifts – it’s so much fun to personalize each person’s gift.
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Wow, I am very, very impressed!
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Thanks!! π
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Time for one of my ‘delete-as-inapplicable’ thank-you letters… π
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LOL! π
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Love the thick and warm, but all are absolutely yummy … do you ever sleep, C.B?
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I’m busy making a pair of thick and warm socks for myself. I can’t wait to finish them so I can wear them! π
I’m not much of a sleeper – never have been! π
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I’ve never slept much either.
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The socks are so pretty and make me want to get out the fancy sock yarn I bought and try it again. Socks are my bane. Maybe the third time will be the charm.
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Do you knit on needles or a loom? As I learn more knitting skills, I’ve discovered I hate knitting on double-pointed needles. My socks are always made using a sock loom. You get the same result (if not better) and its a lot easier to work in the round (especially when it comes to short rows for the toe and heel).
Whip out the yarn and try again! π
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They are all going to be in tears. There’s nothing like a homemade gift from a loved one. C.B.’s Etsy Shop?
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My husband jokes that we need to open a small business with a cafe on one side (he is an amazing cook) and a gift shop of my handmade goods on the other side. π
I can’t wait for everyone to unwrap their socks!!
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Love all the colors!! Wonderful job and I bet a stress reliever too.
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I am so grateful for knitting as it is very cathartic. I love the rhythm and the process as a means to soothe my nerves after a hard day. The last month or so has been quite trying and knitting has been my way of relieving some of the stress. π
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Pretty cool!
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Everyone loved them and thankfully they all fit! π
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