Category Archives: SOCKS

NEW Fleece Artist Vamps Kits

fleece-artist-vamps-kit-socks

Fleece Artist Vamps Kits

A ‘Vamp’ is a Newfoundland term for a pair of hand knit ankle socks used both as house slippers and as boot liners. They are knit holding 2 strands of yarn together (one merino and one super soft kid mohair), these slippers are a warm and fuzzy tribute to this regional hand knit tradition. This pattern is best knit on double pointed needles rather than short circular needles. You can also knit this kit up as a warm and fuzzy pair of Mitts!

Vamps Kits are a double gift – they’re a great gift for knitters, and they also knit up as a wonderful gift.

Kit Includes

  • Pattern & instructions (one size, for other sizes use the pattern Rye below)
  • 125g of Fleece Artist Merino 3/6
  • 50g of Handmaiden Angel Hair

Kit DOES NOT include 4mm double pointed needles

 

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w

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Pattern Notes

After knitting up a sample we found that seasoned sock knitters may not ‘get’ the pattern that is included with the kit. If you want an alternative path try using the free pattern for Rye Socks by TinCan Knits and making the following modifications:

  • Use 4mm/US6 needles
  • In the “Cuff” omit the “Round 1” & “Round 2”: start the heel flap immediately after making the ribbing
  • The third size fits an average women’s foot, the fourth size fits
  • omit garter stitch detail down the front

 

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FREEBIE Thrummed Mitten Kits

Fleece Artist Thrum Kit DISPLAY 2

Fleece Artist Thrum Kit DISPLAY

Fleece Artist Thrummed Mitten Kits

Thrumming is a very old technique that is seriously fun and functional. Small tufts of roving (wool that hasn’t been spun into yarn yet) are knit into the garment creating a fuzzy warm layer on the inside and irresistible dots of colour the outside. As you wear them, the thrummed roving felts down, keeping your hands warm and cozy (take note dog owners, these are ideal winter dog walking mitts).

Each kit is individually hand dyed, no two will be exactly alike and the mittens will be the colour of the yarn and the thrums (roving) will peek through. This kit can also be used to make Thrummed Socks (great as house-socks or slippers) and does not include needles (3.5mm/US4 double pointed needles).

Kit Includes

  • Pattern & instructions  (or you can download them free HERE)
  • Yarn: Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester Aran, 125g (100% wool)
  • Roving: 60g (100% wool)
  • Sizes included: Child, Adult Small, Adult Medium, and Adult Large.

 

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w

 

fleece-artist-thrum-kit-combo-trio

Friday Freebie: Rye

Noro Silk Garden Solo Sock Combo BLOG

Rye

This is a store project in progress, but the good thing about socks is half way is enough to show off. We’ve been working on a quick pair of Rye sockies with Noro Silk Garden Solo (which is presently on SALE). They’re super comfy, cozy, and FAST! Great house socks or slipper socks. The yarn really softens up as you work with it.

The pattern calls for 3 skeins, but if you’re making a size Adult Small or larger you can get away with 2 if you omit a few rounds). I found one sock (Adult Small/fits women up to shoe size 9) used about 52g, which is a smidge over 1 skein. The sizing is generous. You can use any worsted weight yarn (Malabrigo Rios would be GORGEOUS), just check the yardage requirements in the pattern.

Materials

Notes

 

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Free Pattern: Quick Socks

Quick Socks
Pattern by Haley Waxberg

Notes
This is a quick, bulky weight sock that works up fast. I used a basic short row toe and heel, which I learned years ago from Wendy’s Generic Toe Up Sock pattern. To make a child size cast on 12 sts and make 2 less W&T rows, to make a men’s size cast on 16 sts and make 2 more W&T rows.  This pattern is written with the expectation your you are already familiar with working short-rows (W&T), Otherwise links to good tutorials are offered below in Techniques. we also offer classes in store at Knit-O-Matic.

Size
Women

Materials
100m/109yds Bulky Yarn, ie. 1 skein of Dream in Color Groovy (we used collour Punky Fuchsia), Sweet Georgia Yarns Superwash Chunky, or Berroco Vintage Chunky (with 5.5mm needles)
6mm/US10 double pointed needles
scrap yarn
5mm/H crochet hook (for provisional cast on)
2 locking stitch markers

Gauge
3.5 sts & 5 rows = 1″ in stocking stitch knitting in the round

Techniques
Provisional Cast On – Chained Cast On
This is the easiest provisional cast-on I’ve ever come across, it goes on fast and pops out like a zipper!  Be sure to leave the tail longer on the end you finish with so you know which end to start unraveling.  www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/knitting/provisional-cast-on

Short Rows
I really like this particular tutorial because it shows you how to make the stitches pretty:
www.cosmicpluto.com/blog/as-promised-a-short-row-heel-tutorial/
Otherwise, check out this article about the fundamentals of Short Rows on Knitty:
www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/FEATbonnetric.html

Abbreviations
K         Knit
P         Purl
PM      Place marker on right needle
R         Row or Round
Rem    Remains
Sl        Slip stitch from Left to Right needle purlwise
SLM Slip Marker
St/s Stitch/esW&T   Wrap and turn (see Short Rows in Techniques)

Directions
Toe
With scrap yarn and crochet hook provisionally cast on (see techniques above) 14 sts.
R1: Purl.
R2: Sl1, K until 1 st rem, W&T.
R3: P until 1 st rem, W&T.
R4: K until 2 sts rem, W&T.
R5: P until 2 sts rem, W&T.
R6: K until 3 sts rem, W&T.
R7: P until 3 sts rem, W&T.
R8: K until 4 sts rem, W&T.
R9: P until 4 sts rem, W&T.
R10: K until 4sts rem, pick up wrap & knit it with the stitch (see techniques above), W&T.
R11: P until 4 sts rem, pick up wrap & purl it with the stitch (see techniques above), W&T.
R12: K until 3 sts rem, pick up wraps & knit them with the stitch, W&T.
R13: P until 3 sts rem, pick up wraps & purl them with the stitch, W&T.
R14: K until 2 sts rem, pick up wraps & knit them with the stitch, W&T.
R15: P until 2 sts rem, pick up wraps & purl them with the stitch, W&T.
R16: K until 1 sts rem, pick up wraps & knit them with the stitch, turn, slip 1 st stitch.
R17: P until 1sts rem, pick up wraps & purl them with the stitch, turn.

Next Round: Sl1, K to end of row. (If you are going to have a gap or hole where the 2 sides meet, pick up 1 stitch and decrease it out on the next round). One stitch at a time, remove the scrap yarn and pick up the provisional stitches. Knit these stitches. (Again, if you are going to have a gap or hole pick up 1 stitch and decrease it out on the next round). (28 sts)

Foot
Knit in the round until piece measures 6” from toe (You can make them longer, but the superwash yarn seems to have a lot of stretch and may still fit longer feet).

Heel
Slip 14 sts onto one needle, and 14 on another. You will be working on the second set of sts.
Repeat rows 2 to 17.

Instep
Redistribute sts on 4 needles
R1: Sl1, knit to end of needle, PM, pick up & knit 2 sts in gap, K sts that were on hold, PM, pick up & knit 2 sts in gap, knit 7 sts. Place marker, this is now the beginning of the round.
R2, 4: knit.
R3, 5: K to 1st marker,  SLM, k2tog, k to next marker, SLM, ssk, k to end. At end of R5,
Leave 1 marker in the last st.

Leg
Knit until piece measures 5” from stitch marker.
Next 2 rounds: *K1, P1; rep from * to end of round.
Cast off loosely in k1p1 rib.
Weave in ends.

© 2012 Haley Waxberg and Knit-o-Matic, all rights reserved. No pattern or other material may be reproduced or distributed – mechanically, electronically, or by other means, including photocopying – without written permission of Knit-O-Matic. Pattern is for personal use only and not to be used to create items for commercial sale. 


Quick Two Skein Holiday Gifts





Thorpe
You can’t beat a classic hat with clean, sporty styling. 






Comfy Socks
House socks made with a bulky yarn are a very fast gift.








Quick One Skein Holiday Gifts



It’s time for gift knitting! This year feels like getting down to basics, simple, fast little knits that friends and family treasure because you made them. 




















New Batch of Fleece Artist Trail Socks



Just arrived, a great big bag of Fleece Artist Trail Socks!  We love Trail Socks, since it’s soft, pretty, durable, and very affordable at only $17.97. It’s not only a great sock yarn, but it also wonderful for shawls, baby sweaters, and all those neckerchiefs I’ve spotted you in. 


Here’s a small selection of some of our favourite colours from this shipment:


Turkish Delight

Sugar Plum

Orchid

Sangria

Masala

Caicos

November Sky

We got a bunch of your other favourite colours in, including berry, topaz, moss, amethyst, smoke, pewter, peacock, aurora, ocean, stardust, and salt spray.


As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!





Super fast & soft socks!



What I’d love right now … socks in super soft & warm Malabrigo Rasta!

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Holiday Gifts – Free Candy Cane Socks

Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don’t have your own account you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic.

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com.

Instant Gratification Holiday Gifts – Free Quick Socks & Slippers!

Some more gift ideas you don’t have to spend a lifetime making …. 🙂





As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com.