KAL

Warning: this post is super photo heavy.

In the knitting world: KALs (knit-a-longs) have never really been my thing. I could never get myself motivated to actually finish an item or two when joining a KAL, until now.

In June 2009, I joined the Socks From the Toe Up KAL on Ravelry. We knit two patterns a month: one from the book by Wendy Johnson and one of her free patterns. I cannot put my finger on it but for some reason this group has motivated/inspired me to finish an actual pair of socks each month (and sometimes 2 pairs)!

In June:



Pattern: Lacy Ribs Socks from "Socks From the Toe Up", by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Indie Dyer Supersock in Fruity
Needles: Size 1
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Gusset Heel
Bind off: Sewn Bind Off
Started: June10, 2009
Completed: June 29, 2009

In July:



Pattern: Nanners by Wendy Johnson
Toe: Judy’s Magic Cast On
Heel to be used. Slip Stitch Heel
Bind off: sewn bind off
size of needle used : 1
yarn and colorway used : Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Maple Leaf
Start date: July 1,2009
Finished: July 16, 2009



Pattern: On-Hold socks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in Lettuce
Needles: Size 1
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel used: Slip stitch heel
Bind off: Sewn bind off
Started: July 16, 2009
Completed: July 26,2009

In August:



Pattern: Seaweed Socks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn CO Happy Feet in Color 1
Needle: size 1
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Slip Stitch Heel
Cast off: Sewn Cast off
Started: August 1, 2009
Completed: August 12, 2009



Pattern: Diamond Gansey by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Colorway: Terracota
Needle size: 1
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Slip stitch heel
Cast off: Sewn cast off
Started: August 12. 2009
Finished: August 24, 2009

In September:



Pattern: Feather and Fan Socks by Wendy Johnson
Needles: size 1
Yarn: Tuscan Grove Venice
Colorway: Grape Polenta
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel : Gusset Heel
Cast off : Sewn Bind off
Started: September 1, 2009
Completed: September 9,2009



Pattern: Trilobites from Socks From the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Sanguine Gryphon Sea Sock in Maggie May
Needles: size 1
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Slip stich heel
Cast off: Sewn Bind Off
Started: September 9, 2009
Finished: September 25, 2009

In October:



Pattern: Peace Socks by Wendy Johnson
Needle: size 3
Yarn: Schaefer Little Lola
Colorway: Blurple
Toe: Judy’s Magic Cast On
Heel: Gusset Heel
Bind off : Sewn Bind Off
Started: October 13, 2009
Finished: October 17, 2009



Pattern: Mock Cable Socks by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Sundara Sock in Basil over Buttercup
Needles: size1
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Slip Stitch
Cast off: Sewn Bind Off
Started: October 09, 2009
Finished: October 24, 2009
I added an inch rib cuff.

In November and December:



Pattern: Toe-Up Socks with Gusset Heel by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn
Colorway: Harvest Afternoon
Needles: Size 1
Started: November 1, 2009
Finished: November 9, 2009
Cast on: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Gusset
Cast off: Sewn bind off



Pattern: Toe-Up Slip Stitch Heel Sock by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Good Grrl by Tempted in Fiesta
Needle: size 1
Started: November 9, 2009
Finished: November 16, 2009
Toe: Judy's Magic Cast on
Heel: Slip Stitch
Cast off: Sewn bind off



Pattern: Toe-Up Socks with Gusset Heel by Wendy Johnson
Yarn:Tuscan Grove Venice
Colorway: Three Tenors
Needles: Size 1
Started: November 16, 2009
Finished: December 1, 2009
Cast on: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Gusset
Cast off : Sewn bind off

My current WIP (work in progress):



Pattern: Toe-Up Socks with Gusset Heel by Wendy Johnson
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn
Colorway: Lumberjack
Needles: Size 1
Started: December 1, 2009
Cast on: Judy's Magic Cast On
Heel: Gusset
Cast off : Sewn bind off

As you have guessed, I am in LOVE with knitting toe up socks.

Why, you ask?

1. I HATE picking up stitches. By knitting socks toe up, I avoid wasting time by picking up stitches and my gusset to heel transition is MUCH prettier (no holes, etc).

2. Judy's Magic Cast On for toe-up socks is easy and makes the toes appear not so lumpy.

3. Elizabeth Zimmerman's Sewn bind off is beautiful when finished, stretchy and simple to do.

Now if I can only be inspired/motivated to keep up with this blog...