Happy Socktober! This year we’ve decided to celebrate with a mystery sock knitalong! I’m so excited about this month-long event and hope you’ll join in on the fun. We’re using the unsung hero of sock yarns, Bella Cash. Bella Cash is a yarn that blends extra fine merino, cashmere, and nylon for projects that are luxurious, soft, and durable.
Use this graphic on Ravelry and on social media to share about the knitalong.
Let’s start with the knitty-gritty. Each week in October I’ll be revealing a different portion of the pattern with you in the following order:
9/30/20: Week 1 – Colors
10/7/20: Week 2 – The Cuff
10/14/20: Week 3 – The Leg
10/21/20: Week 4 – The Foot
10/28/20: Week 5 – The Toe & Heel
11/4/20: Week 6 – Wrap-up
If you join, we’d love for you to spread the love and share your progress on social media using the hashtag #UYSocktoberMKAL and tagging us on Instagram (link) and Facebook (link). Join in with chatter here on the blog and in our Ravelry forum (link).
Please add your project to Ravelry, too! You can find the Ravelry listing here (link). You can use the graphic above and on the Ravelry listing for your project page, too.
Does the thought of knitting something without knowing what it will look like first scare you? Not to worry – you can find spoiler images here (link).
Now that we’ve covered the details, let’s dive into the first week!
This week is all about preparing to knit your socks. The first thing you’ll need to do is choose your colors. The first segment of the pattern is available now (link) and it includes a bunch of information about choosing colors that make your heart sing. Everyone in the office is joining, and I’m going to share our color choices with you today.
I’ll start with my own color choices. Put simply, I wanted my socks to exude all of the autumn vibes. I chose two colors with subtle contrast and one color to pop among them. I looked to colorful autumn squash, pumpkins, and gourds for inspiration. That’s actually why I’ve named these the Sweet Dumplin’ Socks. They’re named after the delicious and colorful variety of squash (bonus recipe ideas here!).
You can’t have a knitalong solo, so I was thrilled when Aubrey, Heather, and Yonca told me they wanted to join. I asked each of them to tell me a little bit about their color selections.
Fellow designer and Instagram maven, Aubrey, chose colors that remind me of Valentine’s Day. Here is what she had to say:
“I’m a die-hard romantic, and I love nature. I chose to pick a trio that expressed the contrast between softness and harshness found in nature. In this case roses – my favorite (very romantic) flowers, and marble. I’ve always loved gemstones and geology. I’m so looking forward to wearing my socks while I indulge in some favorite movies and warm tea during the cold months coming up!“
Her selection is so beautiful, and it’s lovely to see the vibrant pink hue paired with two neutrals. It makes me picture a vase of beautiful pink roses on a gorgeous marble countertop.
When Heather, our social media connoisseur, agreed to join, my initial hunch was that she’d choose some blissful blues for her socks. She surprised me, though, with this earthy color combination.
“When I heard about Rachel’s concept for fall socks, I decided to lean into it. Normally I go for blue tones, but this time I decided to embrace the season. I’m calling mine Hot Choco Sockos, and am looking forward to sipping some marshmallow-topped hot chocolate while wearing my completed socks. Rachel actually shared a really great spicy hot cocoa recipe last winter that I’m going to use. You can find it here.”
As an autumn-colors gal, I’m smitten with this combination! They are aptly named, and I’m pretty sure a nice mug of Mexican hot chocolate would be perfect for sipping between rows while knitting.
Last, but certainly not least is Yonca, our fabulous managing director. I love her combination of a beautiful jewel tone with a pretty pastel and snowy white. When I asked her about her colors, here is what she said:
“I’ve always loved shades of pink and purple, but for some reason, I haven’t worn those colors in years. This knitalong seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce a little more color to my wardrobe.”
I love how different all of our colors are. There is nearly no overlap between our color choices. With 26 colors of Bella Cash to choose from, there is a virtual cornucopia of color combinations. The color wheel is a useful tool for understanding how colors interact with one another.
In this week’s portion of the pattern, I chat a little bit about how you can use the color wheel as a tool for helping you choose colors. You’re probably already familiar with the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue, as well as the secondary colors: orange, green, purple. However, have you thought about how to use these colors together?
Looking at the color wheel I’ve created above, you can see arrows that point to colors that are complementary to one another. Complementary colors are opposite hues on the color wheel, for example, red and green. These colors create a strong contrast when placed next to one another. Choosing opposite colors would be a great starting point when selecting the main or contrast color for your socks. Take a look at the combination below for a great example of how you could combine complementary colors in your socks.
Left to Right: #102 Blush, #120 Pistachio, #101 Apple
You could also choose to use analogous colors. Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. One example of this would be the colors between red and purple. Purple, pink, and red are analogous colors, which are shown in Bella Cash colors below.
Left to Right: #103 Violet, #117 Tulip, #118 Orchid
Monochromatic colors are all colors of the same hue. You might also refer to this as a gradient of colors – think of a greyscale, but all the same hue.
Left to Right: 120 Pistachio, 125 Emerald, & 126 Forest
Speaking of a greyscale, another factor to consider when selecting your colors is their value. Value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color. A greyscale is a great way to think about value of a color.
Like I mentioned earlier, I chose two colors with subtle contrast and one very dark color to pop among them. You could also choose colors that have a dark, medium, and light value so that each color pops even more. Aubrey’s palette is a great example of dark-medium-light. Notice how there is a clear distinction in the darkness and lightness between each of her colors. If you aren’t sure how your colors will look together, you can take a quick snapshot with your phone using black and white mode.
Need more inspiration? Take a look at the first part of the pattern. I highlight more color combinations and chat a bit about the color wheel, much like I’ve done in this post. Whatever colors you choose, I’m sure you’re going to create a beautiful pair of socks! What colors do you have in mind? Let us know in the comments below!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Lemon Drop Socks in Bella Cash (pattern link here).
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Bella Cash is the unsung hero of socks. I’ve knit myself several pairs in Bella Cash, and they’re still soft and good-looking even though I just toss ’em in the washer and dryer. Which is why I’m so happy to see a brand new pattern using Bella Cash today!
The Lemon Drop Socks are knit in the round, cuff-down. Colorwork is Fair Isle stranded.
They feature an afterthought heel, so-named because you’ll be putting the stitches on either side of the heel on waste yarn, then knitting the rest of the sock, then coming back to work the heel as an afterthought. Amy Gunderson shared a tutorial on this technique on our blog a while back – you can find it here.
This pattern is sized from toddler on up to adults, so it’s easy to make sets for anyone in the family! Matching tootsies, anyone?
A big “thank you” to our Design Lead Rachel Brockman for being willing to stand on her toes and model these for us. She’s talented in so many ways. 🙂
PS – if you like these, check out the free Bunny Got Back socks. Super fun!
This is part 11 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 3 Edition.
It’s Day 11 in the 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection. We can’t believe how quickly time seems to be going. Before we dive into today’s kit and post, I’d like to take a moment to highlight that today is Small Business Saturday. We’re right in the midst of what is arguably the biggest shopping period of the year. As you gear up for the holiday season, don’t forget to support your local small businesses. For those of us who love all things yarny, it’s the perfect day to show some support to your local yarn stores. Without them, we wouldn’t be a business at all! Local yarn stores are front and center of the fiber community – offering a space to learn, socialize, and of course, purchase some yummy yarn.
And now, onto today’s kit (which you can find at your local yarn store).
Today we’re excited to introduce the Trinket Socks, knit up in deliciously soft, yet strong, Bella Cash. This is a great all-around yarn, but here in the office, it has become a favorite for knitting socks. Thanks to the superwash merino, they’re machine-washable and easy to care for. Cashmere adds a touch of luxury, and nylon ensures these socks will be strong enough to last for ages. These socks feature a lace and twisted stitch pattern that is addictive to knit, and quick to work up.
Speaking of twisted stitches – we have a tutorial to share today. If you can recall from Day 7 of Winter (the Mountain Pines Cowl), we shared a tutorial on Right and Left Purl Twists. Today, we’ll be showing you how to knit a regular Right and Left Twist – no purling necessary. Note that for today’s tutorial, we’re using Deluxe Chunky so that it’s easier for you to see.
Right TwistStart by making a swatch. Swatches are not only crucial for getting the finished item you want but are also great for practicing new stitches. Work in your pattern until you’ve reached the two stitches you need to twist. I’ve highlighted these stitches in purple so it’s easier to see. We want to change the position of these two stitches by moving the left stitch over the top of the right stitch.Begin by knitting two stitches together, but do not drop the stitches from your needle. As you can see, the two stitches remain on the left needle, but there is now a new stitch on the right needle. Next, knit the first stitch on the left needle. Drop both of the stitches from the left needle. You now have completed the Right Twist, and have two new stitches on the right needle. Easy, right?Left TwistWork in your pattern until you’ve reached the two stitches you need to twist. I’ve highlighted these stitches in purple so it’s easier to see. We want to change the position of these two stitches by moving the right stitch over the top of the left stitch.The first step is to knit only the second stitch on the left needle. This stitch is highlighted in purple. As you can see, the first stitch on the left needle remains in place. After knitting the second stitch, do not drop the stitches off the left needle. Next, knit the first stitch on the left needle. Drop both of the stitches from the left needle. You now have completed the Left Twist, and have two new stitches on the right needle.Here is what each set of twisted stitches will look like. Notice that the Left Twist leans to the left, and the Right Twist leans to the right. In the Trinket Socks, Right Twists and Left Twists are alternated to create an undulating panel.
The Right and Left Twists are a great addition to your knitting toolbox. You’ll find that they’re quite fun to work, and they can really make a stitch pattern interesting. I hope you’ve found this tutorial to be useful.
Notice those panels of twisted stitches – pretty!
Remember, you can find the Trinket Socks kit, as well as the rest of the 12 Days of Winter Kits at your local yarn store. Happy knitting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Channel Socks in Wacki Saki (pattern link here).
We love Wacki Saki for its bold patterning. Here, Rachel Brockman wisely went with a simple pattern that lets the yarn colors do the heavy lifting.
Worked cuff down, these socks feature a heel flap and gusset.
The twisted stitch ribbing flows right onto the heel.
The stockinette feet are comfy, while the twisted stitches on the leg create a snug fit. These beauties will stay up!
Super fun colors to match your personality. Have happy feet all day!
Saying “happy feet” gives me an excuse to share this video, which brings me joy because it’s a puppet tap-dancing, so of course you never actually see him below the waist. I choose to believe that he’s wearing crazy socks on those webbed flippers.
We hope you dance your way through this weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Garden Wall Socks in Angora Lace (pattern link).
This one’s a bit of a rare find!
The Garden Wall Socks were previously only available in a long out-of-print publication. What a delight to be able to share them now for free!
Designed by Carol J. Sulcoski, these are knit cuff down, with a heel flap and gusset. We love the trellis effect of the purl stitches in the leg.
Oh, that heel!
Angora Lace is a beautiful choice for this design. Honestly, it was after feeling how soft these socks were that I decided to design the Contented Socks (pattern link) for myself. There are so many beautiful colors, and they’re all cloud-soft. And you deserve something warm and wonderful, don’t you?
Yes. Yes you do.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Towanda Socks in Deluxe DK Superwash (pattern link here).
I’ve written before about making socks for my dad, but I’m not sure I’ve mentioned my mother. So, everybody say hi to my mom!
Hi, Mom!
Yes, the baby is me. There aren’t enough good adjectives to describe my mom, so we’re just going to go with “amazing.” In writing this, I backspaced over at least 20 astounding things that she’s done that demonstrate her incredible character, but none of those really capture it, so let’s just go with “amazing” and move on. I could wax rhapsodic about my mom all day, and we have socks to talk about!
I knitted my very first pair of socks for my mother, over a decade ago. She treasures them, and takes excellent care of them and everything else I’ve knitted her. So to the list of her good qualities, we’ll add “knitworthy.”
When Mom asked for a pair of basic warm house socks, I knew the perfect yarn. This isn’t the first pair I’ve made in Deluxe DK Superwash, and it won’t be the last. She also requested blue – her favorite color – so I went with 856 Teal Rustic. The rustic colors in the Deluxe Superwash yarns have great depth of color – an almost (but not quite) tweedy look.
A lovely blend of aqua, violet, and navy. Perfect.
Now, I know she asked for “plain” but I felt like an eye-of-partridge heel wouldn’t be too distracting. It’s also my favorite heel, so that settled it.
Toe up, around the heel, then on to the leg!
Because these were done on US Size 4 (3.5mm) needles, they went very fast! And there’s plenty left over. Perhaps I could use that for coordinating colorwork in my own pair? Hmm…
I named these socks Towanda after her hometown in Pennsylvania, a spot we’ve visited in many happy trips. I think it’s time to go back again, for a hike in some homemade socks.
I leave you with one more picture of my mother and me, from many years ago. We were just grabbing breakfast after working on a Habitat for Humanity house, on their first all women-built home. Like I say, a very knitworthy person.
We wish you a joyous weekend, full of connections to the people you care about.
Happy crafting!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Contented Socks in Angora Lace (pattern link here).
Recently we shared an article called “The Modern Trap of Turning Hobbies into Hustles.” It struck home with a lot of people. The pressure to turn our joy into dollar signs is real, and people were glad to have the reassurance that it’s not just them, and that your craft can be just for you to enjoy, with no pressure to make it “useful” in the monetary sense.
Angora Lace color 105 Paradise
I’ve had this experience many times, and I’ll bet you’ve had a similar one: I was making socks while waiting for my deli order to be ready, and the person behind the counter said, “hey, could you make me a pair, too?”
My stock answer now is, “No, but I can teach you how!” So far, there have been no takers.
Enter: the Contented Socks.
I do love a good heel flap.
I tend to make socks for other people – my spouse, my child, my parents… but it’s been a while since I made a pair just for myself. When I felt a ball of Angora Lace and realized how soft it was, I knew it was meant for me. I am every bit as knitworthy as the people dearest to me.
With that in mind, I decided on my favorite construction – toe-up, heel flap, but with a slip-stitch heel instead of my usual eye-of-partridge. I like the way the columns look with the stripes in the yarn.
For the leg, a simple four-row lace repeat. I will say – this lace pattern is stretchy, so in coming back around from the foot to the leg, if you have small ankles you might want to drop down by a multiple of 4 stitches. Either way, in knitting these, I had about 1/3 of a ball left over – probably enough to get a pair of ankle socks out of.
There are plenty of multi colors to choose from, as well as solids. And I really do recommend this yarn – it’s like holding a cloud.
I hope you find time to take joy in the things you do, not because someone else gives you permission to do so, but because you know your worth.
May you find both the small joys and big happiness.
There are so many things to love about Easter: dip-dyed eggs, the first blooms of the year, chocolate filled baskets. And really, Easter candy is the best seasonal candy of the year as far as I’m concerned. But for me, the overwhelming bunny imagery is my favorite part of this spring holiday.
I had a pet bunny as a child named Fuzzy. What can I say? Toddlers are not always great at naming things. But Fuzzy was a great bunny. She hopped around the house, snuggled, and got along great with our dog, Fluffy (do you see a trend in pet naming here?). As a young adult, I had a mini lop bunny named Emma and even managed to litter-box train her.
I gave just one of my bunnies a floppy ear. Customize these and make them your own!
Bunny Got Back socks (pattern link) are my homage to Easter and to my dear departed pet bunnies. They are knit toe-up and it’s easy to customize foot length. I kept them anklet length in order to add useless but adorable pom-poms to the back, but you could easily keep on knitting for taller socks.
I thank Rachel Brockman for her superb foot modeling skills, and Heather Hill for her masterful flavor text at the beginning of the pattern:
I! Like! Warm! Toes and I cannot lie!
You other knitters can’t deny!
When you go toe up with a little short cuff
And a cottontail full of fluff…
BUNNY GOT BACK!
This pair is knit in one of our newer yarns, sport weight Bella Cash. It works wonderfully for socks. Bella Cash is a blend of washable fine merino, cashmere (mmmm), and nylon for strength and elasticity. We’ve been mostly using this yarn in kid projects, but I see sweaters in my future and definitely more socks using this scrumptious blend.
I hope you enjoy this gift for spring. Happy Easter!
Let me set the scene for you: It’s snowing outside. You’re curled up on a sectional sofa with freshly made hot-cocoa (with a nip…and marshmallows), the sun just set, and your favorite furry friend has his head on your lap. You have no worries, no place to be, you’re on vacation, and you can sleep as late as you like tomorrow morning. The fire is crackling, but it’s still a bit drafty. Cool enough that knitwear is very much required. You’re just about to turn on the first episode of a TV series you are quite sure will be binge-watched. You have just cast on for your next sweater project that you’re fantasizing about wearing this year still. And last but not least, you’re already wearing your Cozy House Socks that were started just yesterday because they go crazy quick!
Sound like a dream? Well, at least one part of that fantasy can be very real. Knit in Deluxe Chunky Naturals, these socks are a truly quick project. I know, because I personally knit the sample over part of a day! Each sock pictured took about 60g of a 100g skein, leaving plenty of room for giant man feet or to make the leg a bit longer.
These socks are knit from the top down with a gusset and short-row heel. The cable pattern is both written and charted. You can find this the pattern for this kit, Series 1 Day 3 of our 12 Days of Winter collection here (link).
Over the next 12 days, we’re releasing a series of kits designed by the Universal Yarn Design Team. It’s a cozy, wintry collection of accessories that make perfect gifts–for yourself and your loved ones. To accompany the kits, we’d like to share a blog post each day. This series will highlight special aspects of each pattern and include inspiration, tips, tricks, and a few tutorials. For Day 1, we’re introducing the Blue Spruce Socks in Deluxe DK Tweed Superwash.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved evergreens and conifers. I’m not sure if it’s because of their fragrant needles and bark, or if it’s because their beautiful colors brought me joy during long and endlessly grey winters. Whatever the reason—I’ve always been drawn to them, so it’s no surprise that I designed the Blue Spruce Socks for our 12 Days of Winter collection.
These socks are warm, cozy, and a joy to knit. If you aren’t a fan of stranded colorwork, don’t fret! The Blue Spruce motif is achieved through slipped stitches. One color is carried at a time and only the stitches requiring the working yarn are knit—the rest are simply slipped purlwise. It requires twice as many rows, but the overall effect is very similar to the appearance of stranded knitting.
In addition to colorwork, the small details make this project ever so special. It features a 1×1 Twisted Rib cuff and an Eye of Partridge heel. My favorite detail is the slip-stitch stripe just before the contrasting-color toes.
You can find this kit, Day 1 of our 12 Days of Winter collection here.
