Thursday 25 April 2013

When not to wear hand knitted socks.....



I'm back into sock knitting mode and have just completed a pair of Broadripples for my very big sister's 50th birthday tomorrow (and I even got them wrapped up and posted in time - I'm so impressed with myself!!)


 
I also finished these lovely Tadpoles last week.

This Crazy Zauberball yarn is so delicious - I really enjoyed knitting with it and looking forward to each colour change - so on Saturday I bought two more Zauberballs in different colours, but neither of them make me as happy as this one did.


And now I'm  being fickle.  I printed off three different sock patterns on Sunday to use this wool - which I'm calling my Blackcurrant and Licorice - then changed my mind completely and went for Nutkin which I plodded on with for a few days - but I wasn't really enjoying it which is strange as it is only a very slight variation on the Tadpoles which I have just enjoyed knitting so much.  The knitting seemed a bit baggy and then this morning I discovered I had lost a stitch so I ripped it all back and decided to try Jeck instead.

I'm not sure whether the pattern will have enough going on to keep me interested as there is only one pattern row alternating with a knit row.  I've discovered that I'm definitely a "process" knitter rather than a "product" knitter - I really need to enjoy actually knitting the pattern rather than just being pleased with how the finished item looks.

I haven't quite worked out what it is that makes me like some patterns and dislike others because I can really enjoy the very simple 2 row repeat of Broadripple socks and I like the ebb and flow of Tadpoles and Monkeys but Nutkin was annoying me - very strange!

How do you choose patterns?  Do you have any good sock recommendations?

I wear hand knitted socks every day - ideally in matching pairs but I'm not too fussy - but the one time I have to change out of them is when I go running as I have discovered that I have a tendency to run holes in the toe of my socks and the one time this happened with hand-knits I was very upset!


I'm gearing myself up for my big run this weekend.  I'm really rather scared as I have never run in an organised race before and certainly not with this many people!  But I have been talking to another runner on Facebook who volunteered at the race last year and she has been able to reassure me a bit.


I'm not actively fundraising but I have been sponsored by my mum and dad and my boss and a few other people so will be proudly giving some money to Cancer Research UK who are the official charity for the run.

Please wish me lots of luck - this is going to be a really tough challenge!  I have Mr Locket and the little Lockets primed to meet me en route with a drink of squash and some jelly babies and then to have a lovely Snickers bar for me to munch at the end - I think I will have earned it!

12 comments:

Gina said...

Good luck with the run Lucy!

wonderwoman said...

wow Lucy, good for you, I wish you loads of luck for your run and im sure you will be spectacular! I always love your socks, have not actually mastered a sock myself yet but I live in hope! xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Helen said...

I think you are amazing Lucy...
xx

driftwood said...

gorgeous socks! I am yet to try anything other than pretty wool, a pattern is one step too tricky. I've made a shawl in Zauberball it's so soft.
Best of luck for the race, I'm sure you'll do great. Jelly Babies and snickers sound like the perfect race treats. Have fun!

rachelmp said...

Best of luck Lucy and I am off to look at those sock links. I'm doing my first fun run in May too

Mitzi Hanson said...

Good luck Lucy I'm sure you will do well.

Thimbleanna said...

Ohmygosh Lucy! A 10K! I'm SOOO impressed! I think I'm finally to the point that I could maybe do a 5k. Good for you!

I have no advice on sock patterns. I tend to knit the same ones over and over again because when I try new ones I never like them as much as the old ones. ;-D

mcllwd said...

Your socks are lovely Lucy - such pretty wool. You'll be very pleased to hear that I have, just tonight, finished my first ever proper sock which I took great delight in trying on... after all that talk about it, I've finally done it. Number 2 is on the needles so hopefully it won't be too long before it has a matching partner and I won't be like Dobbie. At the minute, the thrill of knitting a basic sock is good enough for me without worrying about patterns yet. Good luck in your races - you must be super proud of yourself. Your old friend Shell xxxx

Annie said...

I think you are a champion...knitter and runner. I've never knitted socks, but you always inspire me to have a go...they look so lovely

Quinn said...

Just popped in to wish you best of luck in the run, Lucy! :)

trash said...

How funny that man offered you such a variety of cars when this is do obviously a post about feet and running!

Good luck for race Locket :-)

Quinn said...

Hi Lucy I know your race was already underway when I woke up this morning, but I've been thinking about you ever since! I hope it went well, and I'm sure you earned your Snickers bar! :)

(Oh dear, one of my verification words is "injuries" - I hope none were experienced!!!)