Wednesday, November 1, 2017

November is for Nutkins

It feels really good to have this off the needles. The Nutkin brought my mojo back.
The irony is that I actually didn't love knitting them, especially the first sock. This is not really the pattern's fault. I was distracted a lot during the first sock and found myself having to back out a lot of stitches with dark yarn. The yarn broke and split. I almost ran out of yarn for the first sock due to mishaps and bad judgement. But somehow I finished it.

... and then it was a little tight to get on.


But they seem to have given a little with a nice soak and couple days block.

A lot of people ask if I had gaps or issues with twisting.  I noticed that the pattern was "fiddly" to knit. But I just stuck to the plan/pattern and kept going. If anything, this pattern didn't seem to have much give. It seemed far too tight for a 64 cast on.



Mods:
Long tail cast on.
1x1 rib cuff for 10 rounds.
Magic Loop
Traditional slip stitch heel instead of short row.
80 rounds for leg.

I'm keeping things moving on the needles. I am awfully tired as November comes but we press on. :) Happy Nutkin November to you all!

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29 comments:

  1. AraigneeNovember 2, 2017 at 12:18 AM

    Fabulous finish!!! They look great in spite of being a pain. That pattern really works well with the color changes in the yarn.

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:26 AM

      Thanks Araignee! After the thinking and strained eye-sight of this project my Christmas socks on the needle with their vanilla stockinette with bright colors ... a dream. A dream.

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  2. Delighted HandsNovember 2, 2017 at 5:16 AM

    Nice to have them finished and ready to wear or gift, isn't it>! Nice finish anyway. They look great!

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:25 AM

      So nice to have them done. I need to make a spreadsheet of shoe sizes for my friends and family!

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  3. BridgetNovember 2, 2017 at 5:16 AM

    I really like they way they look - they have fall colors that also blend into Christmastime. Hooray for FOs!

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:24 AM

      That's so funny Bridget, I was getting some xmas spirit while I was knitting them. Transitional colorway hehe.

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  4. The Well Fed WheelNovember 2, 2017 at 5:58 AM

    They look wonderful!! Beautiful fall colors! Yay for a sock finish!

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  5. Tired TeacherNovember 2, 2017 at 6:42 AM

    Well done!

    Looks like Patons Kroy Sock yarn. I love that yarn and how it wears.

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:23 AM

      Yes! It is Patons! I usually love this workhorse yarn, but one of my balls this time had TWO knots! I know! So unlike it, but still, it's one of those sturdy yarns that usually softens as you work it. I also really beat it up backing things out ... multiple times.

      Delete
  6. Kim in OregonNovember 2, 2017 at 6:53 AM

    Yay Nutkins! Not my favorite pattern either but hey, we did it together!

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:20 AM

      You said it! I felt so encouraged seeing your posts!

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  7. kathy bNovember 2, 2017 at 8:07 AM

    So happy you got your mojo back ! Socks will do that for me everytime!

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:21 AM

      You are so right. Sock knitting really is magic. I got really upset watching a press release at lunch yesterday. I shut it off after less than 5 mins, and picked up a Christmas sock and felt right as rain.

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  8. chrisknitsNovember 2, 2017 at 9:30 AM

    Lovely socks! In the end, that's all that matters.

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 11:12 AM

      Thanks Chris, and I'm sure you enjoy hearing this as much as I do, you're right ... that's all that matters, ha!

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  9. VeraNovember 2, 2017 at 11:09 AM

    Those turned out great! the ones I knit were tighter than other socks I had made as well. And, I've worn mine and they feel great!

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    1. elnsNovember 2, 2017 at 11:12 AM

      Thank you Vera! I am glad to know that I wasn't the only one that was surprised by the "tightness". I'm glad they are wearing well! :)

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  10. CJNovember 2, 2017 at 11:59 AM

    Lovely nutkins, beautifully done Ellen. CJ xx

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  11. JoNovember 3, 2017 at 2:33 AM

    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, I've now found your blog and I'm going to have a good read through it when I've got a little more time. I like what I've seen so far though. I've found the same thing with patterned socks, some don't have much give in them at all so you've really got to be so precise with the measurements. I'm glad they've eased a little with a blocking though as they're lovely socks.

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    1. elnsNovember 6, 2017 at 10:00 AM

      Thanks for visiting my blog too! I was glad that Stefanie had a link to you. It's always fun finding other blogs to visit! I'm a fan of sock knitting :)

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  12. karenNovember 3, 2017 at 11:21 AM

    I've knit that pattern (twice) and I do like it enough, but I like plain socks the best because then I don't have to pay attention to anything.

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    1. elnsNovember 6, 2017 at 10:01 AM

      Yes, I'm currently stockinette queen and loving every round! I will return to my texture pattern adventures shortly, okay maybe next year, but there's a lot I want to knit!

      Delete
  13. MereknitsNovember 4, 2017 at 6:24 PM

    They may have been a problem to knit but they are beautiful. Dark yarn is hard to work with I know I am trying to crochet with black right now!

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    1. elnsNovember 6, 2017 at 10:01 AM

      Aw shucks, thanks Mere! I'm with you, I realize I have 2 projects in the queue that I bought dark yarn for, sheesh.

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  14. StefanieNovember 5, 2017 at 11:23 AM

    I love these dark colors but understand how hard it can be to knit with it and if it's splitty, annoying. I think it's great you persevered because they look great.
    Yes, I agree with you how it's lovely to see little ones continuing on the tradition. I don't know how long the youngest will trick-or-treat or she may next year decide to go w/our neighbors into another neighborhood around the hill. I would love to pass out candy.

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    1. elnsNovember 6, 2017 at 10:03 AM

      Thank you Stefanie. I am drawn to dark colors, but I'm hoping that I will remind myself most pieces I knit are accessories of some sort and are better with a little pop or accent color, ha!

      You have a lot of lovely Halloweens coming, I just know it. I miss the ability to hand out candy... city living and all that.

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  15. Judy S.November 15, 2017 at 3:33 PM

    Love your Nutkins! Interested in your comments, too, and I agree totally. I made most of the same modifications and would to cuff like yours another time. To me the short row directions were confusing. I did more tinking on this pattern than any other for a very long time.

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