Socks.
They serve many purposes.

They can be a quick and mindless (or is that mindful) knit.

A skill builder.

A distraction.

A distraction from other projects, other responsibilities and sometimes a hectic life.

For me it’s usually some combination of all three.

So this month, when I needed a win and a distraction from life I reached for the Reverie sock pattern from Pom Pom’s inspiring Dreamscape issue.

Jam packed with lots of skills - colour work, bobbles and twisted stitches, they provided an interesting project, super quick and satisfying to knit.

Find the project notes below.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | Reverie Socks

INTENTION

Knit the Reverie sock pattern and explore:

• Working with Meia and Meia Print

• Knitting small circumference colourwork

• Extending skills with short rows, twisted stitches and bobbles

DESIGN

The Reverie sock pattern was designed by Allison Lutes and first published in Pom Pom Quarterly Issue 40, February 2022. Issue 40 is available HERE or as a digital download on Ravelry.

The pattern is available in 4 sizes. I knit size 2.

SKILLS

• Small circumference knitting

• Two-colour colourwork

• Twisted stitches

• Knitting bobbles

• Short-row shaping

TOOLS

• 2.25 mm (US 1) Tulip 6" Double-Pointed Bamboo Knitting Needles

MATERIALS

• 1 x MEIA PRINT | MULTICOLOUR 107

• 1 x MEIA | BEIGE 06

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• Inspired by Pom Pom’s knitted samples I wanted a speckled main colour and a contrasting solid in a hardwearing fingering weight yarn.

• The Meia sock yarn range was a perfect match with its extensive palette of speckles and solids.

• The handy 50g balls also meant I wouldn’t have copious leftovers.

CONSTRUCTION

• I followed the pattern as written except for the bobbles where I added some extra rows to make them pop. I didn’t add any extra length to the leg.

FINISHING

• After sewing in the ends I soaked and blocked the socks.

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

• Meia sock yarn is woolly and soft. A nice tight ply suggests that it will be hardwearing enough for socks.

• Meia knit up to gauge using the pattern’s suggested needle size.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

• The pattern worked up quickly, the various elements keeping me entertained.

• The short-row garter stitch heel is becoming a favourite of mine.

• The Meia Print didn’t seem to pool too much in the small circumference.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I was certainly happy with the result.

The socks knit up quickly and I really liked the design elements.

Meia is a soft and comfortable sock yarn. I’ll be working with it again for sure.

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Knitting the socks in Meia?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-4

Yarn A: 100 (120, 140, 155m)
Yarn B: 115 (145, 185, 225m)

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

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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

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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.

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When Cleckheaton’s new Brushstrokes arrived, I was immediately drawn to the playful colour pallet and knew I had some young and knit-worthy recipients that would love the splashes and speckles as much as I did.

So, to test the limits of this new nylon/acrylic blend, I agreed to knit a pair of socks for an 8-year-old who I knew would really put this yarn through its paces.

We found a pattern that we both liked, the Kujira Ikka (reversible) socks, known colloquially in our house as the banana socks 😉.

A quick sock project sized for all feet, big and small. Find my project notes for Kujira Ikka (reversible) socks below.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle

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STUDIO PROJECT | KUJIRA IKKA

INTENTION

Knit Kujira Ikka (reversible) socks and explore:

• Working with Brushstrokes

• Working a sock, toe to cuff

DESIGN

Kujira Ikka (Reversible) was published in April 2021 by Yucca, a Japanese knitwear designer. It’s available to purchase as a digital download from Ravelry.com.

The pattern is available in 9 sizes, from baby to adult with adjustable foot and leg lengths.

SKILLS

• Knitting in the round

• Knitting flat

TOOLS

• 2.5 mm (no US equivelent) sock needles

MATERIALS

2 x Brushstrokes | Future 5501

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

• The pattern provides a gauge for a 4 ply sock yarn, but I loved the look of this design and was keen to try Brushstrokes, a 5 ply / sport weight yarn. I decided to go with it, intending to size down after I figured out my gauge.

CONSTRUCTION

• The first step was to determine a needle size. After a quick gauge swatch switching between a few sizes, I found that a 2.5mm needle produced a nice firm fabric with a bit of elasticity, perfect for socks. My stitch gauge was 7 stitches over 2.5cm (1'').

• Given the above metrics, a pattern gauge of 8.25 stitches over 2.5cm (1''), and the foot measurements I was working with, I opted to knit size 4-Child S, to get a size 5-Child M.

• I followed the pattern as written adding length to the leg. Not sure I would have enough for a full second sock, I did use a second skein to knit the second sock. If I’d made the legs a little shorter one skein would have been enough for two socks.

FINISHING

• I used a stretchy sewn bind-off for the cuff.

• After weaving in the ends I gave the socks a short soak and lay them flat to dry.

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

• Brushstrokes is so incredibly soft and delightful to work with.

• I did’t alternate skeins in this project and had no problem with pooling with either skein. I’m really happy with the speckle and splash distribution in this small circumference project. Note - if working a larger project I would probably alternate skeins to be on the safe side.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

• This pattern was unique for me, the design elements that stood out were the garter stitch sole and short row heel.

• I love the 2x1 rib, the reverse side of the fabric being equally as appealing.

• The wearer loved the results and was particularly delighted with the cushy garter sole for wearing around the house on the cold hard floors.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The socks are holding up well after a lot of wear and a few washes.

I have it own good authority that they are super comfy and warm.

There have been requests for more pairs, so I’m looking forward to trying out a few more colourways!

Knitting Kujira Ikka (reversible) in Brushstrokes?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-9: 1 ( 1 , 1) ( 2, 2, 2) (3, 3, 3) skeins

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.

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GET 10% OFF YOUR NEXT BRUSHSTROKES PURCHASE.

Simply join or confirm your subscription to the Loom & Spindle newsletter and get your discount code.

CONFIRM SUBSCRIPTION

10% off Brushstrokes

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