For years, I’ve been knitting my socks from the toe up.
For years, I’ve been successful at my attempts in converting top-down sock patterns for this construction… until now.
I’ve been seeing the Poet socks by Sari Nordlund pop up on my Instagram so many times that I finally cast it on. The stubborn side of me kept trying to convert it for toe-up but the pattern never showed up correctly. After 5 weeks of failed attempts, it dawned on me that maybe, it was time to learn something new?
It’s so out of character though. The old me would have just moved on and looked for another pattern but I couldn’t get it out of my head. Even though I’m not at all a lace, top-down kind of sock knitter, I just had to have this pair!
Around the same time I was trying to figure out these socks, I stumbled upon the book, Signs, for the second time around. I heard about it before – a year or so ago – and had every intention then of getting it, but I didn’t write it down and eventually forgot all about it.
This book is a collection of stories from people who’s loved ones have passed but remain close by, through the messages they send from the other side.
From the author: “I want you to understand that this book has found its way into your hands for a reason. That you are reading these words right now is not an accident. It is an invitation from the universe. In whatever way this book and these words have found their way to you, please know it wasn’t a random event. You are meant to be reading these words. “
It all started around this time last year in Barrie, Ontario.
It was my second time attending Lisa Mutch’s knit night at her studio. In case you didn’t know, she is the bad-ass boss babe behind NBK (North Bound Knitting).
Here’s the back story…
I remember coming across her patterns while browsing Ravelry and being inspired by not only her designs but her stunning indie dyed yarns as well. Fast forward a few months later, I saw her post on Instagram saying she is hosting a knit night at her studio. I’m not even kidding when I say my jaw literally dropped. Lisa f—ing Mutch wants to have a knit night! Am I dreaming?
I couldn’t describe how I felt the very first time we went. There I was, so stinking brand new to knitting, surrounded by all these amazing knitters in Lisa f—ing Mutch’s studio! All that yarn! All the knitters!
[Disclaimer: This is going waaaaay back but here, you can see for yourself the biggest smiles on our faces. Btw, I totally forgot to include myself but that’s me holding the camera]
Anyways, back to metallurgy. I’m obsessed with it. Bronze and silver with various shades of gray and hints of army green. She had a few available for us on the second knit night and so, I treated myself to a few skeins. I decided to make the Noctilio shawl with it.
Recently, Lisa added sock sets to her shop. I was excited because if you know me, then you know matchy matchy is my thing!
I really, really like that contrasting color!
Something I noticed about my handknit socks is that I was making them just a bit too short. I was comparing them to what’s left of my store bought pairs and I realized that for me, the coziest ones had longer legs. So, I decided starting with this pair, that I’m going to knit the leg up to the toe before adding the cuff. I’m much happier with the end result 🙂
I consider myself lucky to have met Lisa. She is an inspiration to me as a maker, and as a business owner. I also consider her one of my mentors! From day one, she was right there, cheering me on when my shop launched and I’m forever grateful for that. Thank you, Lisa! xo
Now, it’s my turn! When I heard that she’s hosting a Spring Knitalong, I offered a KNIT drawstring bag as a prize. I’m thrilled to have something I can now contribute to our community 🙂 If you haven’t heard about the NBKAL, head over to Lisa’s Ravelry group for the details. The KAL is running until the end of the month so there’s still plenty of time to cast on and join in!
It’s called ‘Kinda Magic’ because when you knit it at the right gauge, a leopard pattern appears. Wool and the Gang offers this as a kit which comes with 3 different needle sizes so you can rest assured you’ll have everything you need to make the socks.
Here’s everything you get:
1 x Kinda Magic Yarn
1 x Kinda Magic Sock Pattern
1 x Double Pointed Needles (5) (Size: Pack of 5 x 2.25mm DPN)
1 x Double Pointed Needles (5) (Size: Pack of 5 x 2.5mm DPN)
1 x Double Pointed Needles (5) (Size: Pack of 5 x 2.75mm DPN)
Now, I’m a magic looper, as you may already know by now. Also, the pattern is written for cuff down but I like to knit my socks toe up. So, of course, I modified to my preferences!
Thankfully, I had all 3 needle sizes on hand because it took me several tries to get gauge. I started with my usual 2.25mm needle and cast on the number of stitches called for in the pattern. Eventually, I had to go all the way up to 2.75mm for the pattern to show.
*Tip: You need to pay attention when the striping begins. To ensure you are knitting at the correct gauge, the stripe should start at the beginning of each round. If you find you began a new round and are still working with the white section or if you finished the round before the white changes to yellow, you have to tink back and try again with a different needle size.
I ended up using all 3 needle sizes for my socks.
When I figured out that I need to use 2.75mm for the pattern to show, I realized I would end up with socks that would be way too loose if I cast on using this size so I went back down to the 2.25mm for the toe then switched to the 2.75mm at the beginning of the stripe section.
The pattern has you put in a scrap yarn to mark the beginning of the heel as a guide to come back to later. Because I’ve only used Fish Lips Kiss Heel for my socks, it’s what I used.
I switched back to the 2.25mm to work the heel, then switched to the 2.75mm for the leg.
I know, it sounds like a lot of fussing but it really isn’t! It’s just as if you were knitting a sweater or a hat – where the pattern calls for smaller needles for the ribbing then has you switch to larger needles for the rest of the body.
When it was time to knit the cuff, I absentmindedly picked up the 2.5mm needles. I was already halfway done the ribbing when I realized what I had done and instead of ripping back I just went with it. I made notes to make sure I do the same for the second sock.
I did try it on as I was knitting with the 2.75mm. It’s definitely bigger than all the other socks I’ve knit (and I’ve knit a lot!) but it’s totally fine! Using the smaller needles for the toe and heel definitely helps with the fit.
Now that the socks are done and I can actually walk around with it, I’m really pleased with how it turned out. It’s so cozy! All the other socks I’ve made have a much tighter fit, yes, and some would argue you’re supposed to knit it like that because the socks stretch a bit after blocking. But I realize after making these socks that I actually like to have a bit of room in mine.
These turned out just right for me. It’s not too tight, nor too big. Lots of wiggle room. I really like the fit!
Wool and the Gang recently launched their first ever sock yarn called ‘Kinda Magic Socks‘. As you knit, a unique leopard print pattern emerges – just like magic!
The yarn was carefully developed with world-leading sock brand Schachenmayr REGIA. A collaboration that combines Regia’s expertise with Wool and the Gang’s fun and fashion-forward approach to design, creating the ultimate DIY kit to jazz up your feet.
The kits are available in 5 different colorways – no messy color changes, just one magic ball of leopard printing yarn.
Wool and the Gang gifted me one to try and I chose the colorway Cool Cat Copper. I was immediately smitten by the mustard yellow! It’s cutting it close but I would really like to try and finish these in time to wear for Christmas 🙂
Wool and the Gang is also generously giving one of you a kit! Head over to my Instagram for all the details and a chance to win your very own Kinda Magic Socks!
Hurry! This giveaway ends Tuesday, December 19 at 12am EST. Good luck!
Many thanks to Wool and the Gang for sponsoring this giveaway!
Every so often, I come across a design that I fall head over heels for and want to knit IMMEDIATELY. This is the case for La Maison Rililie’s No Show Socks.
