I’m rounding out this year’s Socktober festivities with one last sock project.
This one was a bit of a challenge for me, not because the pattern was overly complicated, but because I chose an unlikely yarn for the experiment.
Knit up in Mirasol’s Ch’ichi, an alpaca/linen/bamboo blend, it wasn’t the easiest on the hands particularly while knitting in a small circumference.
But the results were worth the persistence!
Find my project notes below for the Laid Edges socks.
Enjoy!
Andrea | Loom + Spindle
STUDIO PROJECT | Laid Edges
INTENTION
Knit the Laid Edges sock pattern and explore:
Working with Ch’ichi
Working cable details on small circumference knitting
DESIGN
Laid Edges was published in May 2020 by Kellie Macpherson, a London horticulturist and budding knitwear designer. The pattern is available as a free digital download at Ravelry.com.
The pattern is available in 3 adult sizes with adjustable foot and leg lengths.
SKILLS
Knitting in the round
Simple cabling
TOOLS
2.5 mm (no US equivelent) sock needles
MATERIALS
1 x Ch’ichi | Elderflower 03
PROCESS
YARN SELECTION
I was drawn to dense and weighty hand feel of Ch’ichi. It had a nice firm ply structure that I thought would be hardwearing enough for socks.
CONSTRUCTION
I followed the pattern as written. I didn’t add any extra length to the leg as I new yardage would be tight.
For the cuff cast-on I used the alternating cast-on method. To close the toe I used the Kitchener stitch as suggested in the pattern.
FINISHING
After weaving in the ends I gave the socks a short soak, after pressing out the water I used sock blockers to hang and dry.
The finished gauge was 28 stitches over 10cm (7st per inch).
INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
YARN
Ch’ichi is such a curious yarn, it has some softness, some drape and a durable hand-feel that all together is quite unique.
Without a lot of natural spring in the yarn (when compared to say a 100% wool yarn), it was tricky to work at such a small gauge. But, not impossible.
CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING
The charming cable detail is certainly what drew me to the pattern. Worked over just a few rows it was simple to remember and worked up fairly quickly with a bit of focused effort.
The twisted rib cuff was a nice detail that I think adds a clean modern look.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It was certainly fun knitting socks in Ch’ichi, but definitely not an experience for the faint hearted knitter.
Having got this experiement out of my system, I think I’ll stick to the recommended gauge for any future projects.
The resulting socks are comfy and warm.
Who dares me to rock them with sandals this summer?
…have to show off those toe to cuff cables some how, right!
Knitting Laid Edges in Ch’ichi?
Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-3: 1 ( 1 , 2) skeins
If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.
THANK YOU FOR READING!
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