#ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 - days 25-31

In October I wore hand-knitted socks (almost) every day, and shared them on my grid. I have a drawer full of amazing socks that are too lovely to hide in my shoes, so I celebrated them! Here are my socks from days 25-31.

Days 25-26

 

When is a pair not a pair? When they’re fraternal! I made these two pairs of socks concurrently many years ago. I knitted the rainbow heels, toes and cuffs pair first, then the full rainbow pair afterwards. I keep meaning to make another set because I love both pairs so much! Maybe with pink or purple as the solid…
I might be a bit quiet this week because it’s half term and I want to spend as much time as possible with my kids. Today’s activity is pumpkin carving. Wish me luck.


Day 27

Trying to escape from autumn today with some super socks in spring colours. Inspired by daffodils, this self-striping yarn from @StrawberryFieldsYarns was a joy to work up, and now it makes me dream of lighter days and spring flowers.


Days 28-29

Yesterday’s socks… might also be today’s socks… the weather is dank and gloomy today, so a sofa day is very tempting!

This is my only pair of scrappy socks, and I still made them match as much as possible by adding a neutral to bring all the colours together! The yarn was from an advent swap a few years ago, and I was very proud of myself for keeping up and getting the socks done for Christmas!


Day 30

Running really low on non-Christmas socks now! These cosy socks are an early pair, knitted in a Regia Arne and Carlos colourway.


Day 31 (part one)

What’s that Vikki, today you’re wearing one sock and it still has stitch markers on it? Well, this is my #SOYWSKAL2021 sock. I did not manage to make a whole pair of socks, because knitting from a sock blank was a learning curve! I knitted this sock much tighter than I usually do (I think there are 40 sts to 10 cm, when there’s usually 32…) because I had to tension the yarn enough to straighten out the kinks. I love how the sock turned out though, so will work on sock two throughout November! Did you finish your socks?


Day 31 (part two)

 

After I failed to finish my #SOYWSKAL2021 socks, I had a deep dive into my sock drawer and found my most seasonally appropriate socks - stripey witch socks! I think these will be perfect for trick or treat with the kids later (and my feet will be warm!). See photo two for some Halloween treats of the edible kind!

Want to see my other #ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 catch-up threads? You can find them here.

#ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 - days 17-24

In October I wore hand-knitted socks (almost) every day, and shared them on my grid. I have a drawer full of amazing socks that are too lovely to hide in my shoes, so I celebrated them! Here are my socks from days 17-24.

Day 17

Getting in early with my Halloween Socks this year! These fab stripes are by Strawberry Fields Yarns, and I love them, even though I hate orange normally.


Day 18

Isn’t it lovely being able to wear socks you finished in the summer for the first time? I had actually forgotten about these socks that I knitted this summer. They’re modified Hygge Socks by Nordic Stitches Designs, knitted in yarns by Cuddlebums Yarns (variegated) and West Yorkshire Spinners (pink), and are lovely and cheerful. I switched the colours for the two socks, so while they’re mis-matched, they’re definitely a pair.


Days 19-20

 

 

A double dose of socky goodness today, because yesterday was very much a run around chasing my tail day. Today is much calmer. Yesterday’s socks are my Siren Song pattern in Space Cowboy by The Wool Kitchen and are the most incredible neon purple. I love them. Today’s socks are also purple, and are vanilla socks knitted in a sock set from Cuddlebums Yarn Can you tell I love purple?


Days 21-22

 

Another double sock offering today as I was travelling all day yesterday. I own a lot of socks knitted in Felici by Knit Picks. The yarn is so soft, and is ideal for both padding round the house, or wearing while walking all day.


Days 23-24

Have you ever worn the same socks two days in a row? I don’t often, but I got up late yesterday, and didn’t leave the house. A glance at the overflowing laundry pile may have influenced my decision I re-wear these today.

Pattern is Heel Toe Do Si Do by The Crazy Sock Lady.

Want to see my other #ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 catch-up threads? You can find them here.

#ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 - days 8-16

In October I wore hand-knitted socks (almost) every day, and shared them on my grid. I have a drawer full of amazing socks that are too lovely to hide in my shoes, so I celebrated them! Here are my socks from days 8-16.

Day 8

A rare pair of patterned socks that aren’t one of my designs. These are Rainbow Connection Socks by The Crazy Sock Lady,* knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in Sherbert Fizz and Drops Fabel. I loved knitting these and they flew off the needles. They have lots of slipped stitches, which make them super cosy!


Day 9

Apparently I photographed these yesterday, then didn’t post them. These are the prototype for my Siren Song Socks. I made a couple of changes for the final pattern - most notably, the final pattern is top down, while these are toe up. The yarn was one of my golden skeins: a skein so lovely I didn’t want to knit it up! It’s called Mermaid Hair and is a merino/cashmere/nylon blend that is gloriously squishy! I’m so glad I turned it into socks as they’re a real treat for my feet.


Day 10

Today’s socks had *sparkle*! These are very much the 1980s in a sock and I love them! They’re knitted in an Opal colourway from a few years ago, and it is the sparkliest sock yarn I’ve ever found - do you like your socks to have some sparkle?


Day 11

Some of you have noticed that I moved this year’s #ShowOffYourWoollySocks to October from November. So far, so good. But today is *not* woolly sock weather. It’s summer dress, cardi and tights weather. There aren’t enough of those days in the UK, so I’m embracing it! Normal service will resume tomorrow.

Cardigan is Lush by Tin Can Knits. Yarn is Essential DK/Aire Valley DK by West Yorkshire Spinners (discontinued).


Day 12

Good morning! I forgot to take a photo of yesterday's socks until just before I went to bed, and was too tired to construct a sentence to go with them, so decided to wait to share them. If Monday was summer dress and cardigan weather, yesterday was wellies and woolly socks weather. These socks are knitted in Paintbox Yarns Socks, a great sock yarn, but only a few colours are available now, and this isn't one of them. I've been thinking these socks are about to go through the toe for ages now, but they're still holding up. Maybe I should do a pre-emtive darn…


Day 13

A heavily filtered photo this evening of these glorious Siren Song Socks. The depth of colour is stunning (dyed by Phileas Yarns, who is no longer dyeing) and these socks have made me smile every time I’ve looked down today!


Day 14

It’s a stereotype that the English always talk about the weather, but it’s there for a reason… today is pretty clear, a bit cool and really rather lovely. I’m off out for a walk after the school run to start the day off on the right foot. I’ll be wearing these Knit Picks Felici socks in the colourway Spring Bloom. I love the bright pink stripes in among the greens - I’m much fonder of spring than autumn, and these socks remind me that it will be here before I know it!


Days 15-16

Travel socks for travel days! I went to a 50th wedding anniversary party this weekend, so wore my London tube map socks for two days of travelling. It was wonderful being able to see family members I hadn’t seen for at least two years, but wow, all that driving has made me tired! Today is definitely a sofa day (I’ll share today’s socks when I’m dressed. That might be roughly lunch time 😂).

Yarn is Mind the Gap by Trailing Clouds.

Want to see my other #ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 catch-up threads? You can find them here. 

*Ravelry link. May affect users with photosensitivity. Proceed with caution.

#ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 - week one round up

Hello Socktober! A month to celebrate hand-knitted socks. This month I will be wearing hand-knitted socks every day, and sharing them on my grid over on Instagram. I have a drawer full of amazing socks that are too lovely to hide in my shoes, so I will be celebrating them. If you feel the same, share away - tag me (@VikkiBirdDesigns) and use the hashtag #ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021

Missed the first week? Here's your chance to catch up!

 

Day 1

 

#ShowOffYourWoollySocks2021 is here!!!

Starting strong today with one of my favourite pairs of socks. They started off as a zebra-striped sock snake (yarn by Paintbox Yarns), and I was going to add bright pink heels, toes and cuffs, but had a last-minute change of plan and added pink, yellow and blue accents to make… liquorice allsort socks!!! I love them, in fact I love them enough to have darned them when I caught them on a loose carpet staple.

Day 2

 

A bit later in the day than yesterday, because it’s a Saturday, and while I’ve been up for a while, I’ve only just switched out of my pyjamas. It does mean the light is better for today’s sock photo though 😂

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Today I’m sharing one of my designs: Hiding in the Bamboo. These socks have an all-over bamboo texture, and are named in honour of my kids’ favourite game at a local gardens. Any day when you get to jump out and startle your parents is a good day out as far as my kids are concerned. The socks are knitted in Milla Mia sock yarn* - a nice basic wool/nylon blend that is wearing really well.

 

Want to get the pattern? You can find all purchase options here. 

 

Day 3

 

Ooh, birthday cake socks 🎂 don’t mind if I do! These socks are *very* pink, and pink isn’t usually my thing, but I love these because they’re so cheerful, and they make me think of birthday cake! And of friends - the yarn was from a secret Santa with my knitting group, and they’re the greatest set of supporters I could ever ask for! So thank you Rachel, Lynda, Jo, Sam, Lynn, Lucy and Clare! I hope I haven’t missed anyone…

Yarn is King Cole ZigZag; pattern is Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherley.

Day 4

 

 Today, every time I look down at my feet, I will think ‘duck feet’ 🦆 !

These socks were my first ever sock pattern! The Lynda socks are named after my lovely friend Lynda, who encouraged me to knit my first socks. If you want to make your own, you can find the pattern on Ravelry,** PayHip and LoveCrafts.*

Day 5

 

A *very* wet day today, so I’ve gone for some of my coziest socks. They’re knitted in Felici by Knit Picks, which I had heard about for many years before I finally got to try some. It has lived up to all my expectations, somehow making socks that are both durable and soft. This colourway is called Playhouse, and I knitted these last summer, while driving round the country to visit people in a slightly surreal socially distanced way.

I made these socks with afterthought heels, partly to preserve the stripes across the top of the foot, partly to make them even better as a travel project.

Day 6

 

Another pair of Felici socks today. This was my first Felici project, and my first ever afterthought heels. It’s always a bit nerve racking cutting into your knitting, but worth it for those bullseye heels!

Day 7

 

My Little Pine Cone Socks in action! This is the first wear for my latest pattern, and the love how autumnal they look! 🍂 

Want to make your own? You can find all the buying options here.

 

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Fancy knitting yourself some new socks in October: THERE'S A KAL! #soywskal2021 is an excuse to knit yourself a new pair of socks to wear on October 31st. You can use a WIP, or cast on something new. The theme for this year’s KAL is ‘try something new’. What you try is up to you: cables, lace, toe-up, top-down, a new-to-you heel, the possibilities are endless... I’ll be knitting my socks from a sock blank (I have a stash of them, but have always found them a little bit intimidating!). Remember, these socks are *for you* - no gift knitting in this KAL! Just post your progress on IG with the hashtag #soywskal2021 to take part.

 

Want to see how mine are going? Here's my progress so far. I'm enjoying knitting them, but am a loose knitter, so am having to conentrate hard to keep my tension consistent.

 

 

*Affiliate link. 

**Ravelry link. May affect people with photosensitivity, proceed with caution. 

#showoffyourwoollysocks2020 Days 22-30

In November I hosted #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 over on Instagram, where I showed off my woolly socks every day in November. I've already published run downs of days 1-7, 8-14 and 15-21 here on my blog, but I never got round to sharing days 22-30, so here they are!

Days 22-30

Day 22: My socks for Day 22 are my Spinnaker Socks; they’re DK weight, and lovely and warm. I used Ripples Crafts Yarn Doubly Reliable Sock, and it was a delight to work with, and is now a delight to wear! The pattern is available on Ravelry,* LoveCrafts and PayHip. 

Day 23: Day 23's socks are beautful and subtle (so not really my usual thing!). I designed these Seed Head Socks in the summer, and really enjoyed the whole process. They use dipped stitches to create little seed heads, and are a lot of fun to knit. You can find the pattern on Ravelry,* PayHip and LoveCrafts.

Day 24: Today's socks are the Bobby Socks, which is one of my designs. They have a super-cute, fun frill, and a lovely delicate lace pattern. You can find the pattern on Ravelry,* LoveCrafts and PayHip.

 

Day 25: These socks are knitted in Knit Picks Felici (it’s my favourite yarn, you might have gathered that by now!) in the colourway Spring Blooms. The pattern is Non-Euclidean by Sarah Jordan* and it features a heel that doesn’t need you to pick up any stitches.

Day 26: How early is too early for Christmas socks? I wear these socks all year, but on Day 26 I was wearing them with one of my favourite Christmas jumpers. I was using the greenery as a backdrop for some pattern photos and thought I might make the most of it being out! Yarn is by Unbelievawool.

Day 27: In my effort to spend less time on my phone on Day 27, I accidentally forgot to take a photo of my socks! Here’s a late night shot as I headed to bed. These are my Amy socks, named after my a fabulous friend. They’re knitted toe up, and have a simple lace pattern that is really intuitive. You can find the pattern in my PayHip, LoveCrafts and Ravelry* stores.

 

Day 28: The frost was heavy on the 28th, so my plans to wear lacy socks were put to one side and I went for these festive sport weight ones instead. The yarn is from Austria or Germany and was gifted to me by the lovely @jinyknits. They make me think of cookies and Christmas preparation.

 

Day 29: Another pair of cosy socks for the penultimate day of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 These are sport weight, and were made from a colourblocked yarn by @knitcrate I snipped the yarn into its constituent colours and striped it, using the smallest portion for the toes, heels and cast off. These socks have silk in, which is a great alternative to nylon as it adds strength.

 

Day 30: For the FINAL day of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020, I wore the socks I knitted in November for the #soywskal2020. I knitted them in yarn by Stripey Cat Yarns, a fabulous UK-based dyer who specialises in stripey yarn. They are made in high-twist Bluefaced Leicester, and were so much fun to knit!

That's it for the 2020 edition of Show Off Your Woolly Socks. Wht do you think? Should I bring it back next year?

*Ravelry link: may cause issues for people with photosensitivity, proceed with caution.

#showoffyourwoollysocks2020 Days 15-21

Have you heard of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020? Over on Instagram, I’m showing off my woolly socks every day in November, and I’d love you to join in too! Simply take a photo of the handknitted socks you're wearing every day in November and tell me all about them! Use the hashtag #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 and tag me (@vikkibirddesigns) so I can see them. I cannot wait to have a little tour through your sock drawer!

This year, I'm hosting a knitalong, so that over the course of November, we can all knit a new pair of socks together and wear them on November 30th! The KAL is taking place on Instagram using the hashtag #SOYWSKAL2020, and works in progress will also be allowed if that increases your chances of having a finished pair of socks by November 30th.

Not on Instagram? I’m sharing a summary of my woolly socks once a week on my blog (vikkibirddesigns.com), and I'll have two threads open in my Ravelry group (Ravelry link - may cause issues for users with photosensitivity; proceed with caution): one for the KAL and one for you to show off your socks of the day.

Week 3: Days 15-21

Day 15: These are my Hiding in the Bamboo socks. They’re a great vanilla plus pattern - perfect as a second pair of socks, or for when you want a mindless knit. They have a ribbed structure, which means they fit really nicely. If you want to knit your own pair, you can find the pattern in my PayHip, Ravelry* and LoveCrafts stores.

Day 16: Here are my socks for Day 16: these are some of my most cheerful socks, I adore them, even if they are a little worn. They’re made in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in the colourway Rum Paradise. WYS make lots of self-striping colourways. The yarn is great value, and wears really well. I use WYS for most of my gift-socks as it withstands being machine-washed really well.

Day 17: I’ve had to take today’s sock photos on a slightly different background to usual because I wanted to show off the heels as well, and that’s a bit tricky while sat on the sofa or lying on the bed, so this photo was taken sat cross-legged on the floor! Today’s socks are the inverse of yesterday’s - plain main colour, stripey heels, toes and cuffs. I love that they look so different.

Day 18: Today’s Socks of the Day for Day 18 are another pair from the ‘knitted in 2020’ pile. These are my Contorto socks,* and they’re knitted from the toe-up, with lots of little cables to keep them interesting. I used to knit all my socks toe-up, but now knit roughly half top down, mostly because I can do the cast on for top-down without looking, which works better while watching tv!

Day 19: Today’s socks are one of my favourite pairs. They’re knitted in Paintbox Yarns Sock in the colourway Summer Vacation. I love them as they make me think of Doctor Who! This colourway is discontinued as far as I can tell, but the yarn is wearing really well, so I’d definitely use it again (the original ball was gifted to me by LoveCrafts, but I have bought balls since. If you fancy trying the yarn for yourself, while also sending a few pennies my way, why not use my affiliate link: https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/paintbox-yarns-socks?utm_medium=affiliate&a_aid=34bc6779

Day 20: Day 20’s socks are an early pair. My mum bought me this yarn the first Christmas after I started knitting socks and I love it. She wasn’t sure how much I needed, so bought me two balls and the other is still in my stash (it’s an Arne and Carlos Regia, a great workhorse yarn). If you look closely, you might see that these two socks are slightly different colours - one ended up in a wash with the school jumpers a couple of weeks ago, so has a slight red tinge! I do try and wash my socks in pairs, but once in a while one escapes! I reckon they’ll go back to matching again within a wash or two.

Day 21: I was been feeling a bit under the weather over the weekend, so on Saturday my socks only went on at gone 2pm, and only because I *had* to go out. They’re good socks though, Knit Picks Felici in the colourway Time Traveller. Lovely and soft, a hug for my feet. Saturday’s knitting involved my mitred square blanket - nothing complex for an easy day!

*Ravelry link: may cause issues for people with photosensitivity, proceed with caution.