I may or may not have invested in some Size US 1 Karbonz 40" fixed circular needles. They're not cheap, but they're my favorite needles ever (light but sturdy with a sharp point and slippy-enough shaft) and they're about to come in handy by helping me get the most value out of my socks.
Why?
Because I spend a lot of money on yarn. Probably (okay, definitely) too much money. But I have a soft spot for indie dyers and unique colorways, so I'm willing to spend my extra cash on fiber that will result in a final product I'm happy with.
But it's almost impossible to use all that expensive, high-quality yarn when I'm knitting top-down socks, so I've started experimenting with toe-up - a method that's more than a pain in the butt to knit on DPNs. So although I love my DPNs and have been stubborn to switch methods, I'm loathe to say I've entered the world of magic loop toe-up socks. Brace yourself: I may even begin dabbling in two-at-a-time socks (ie: why I purchased a 40" cord).
Since I wanted to experiment with my new needles (despite having about 40 other projects I should be knitting on), I purchased the Just Another Vanilla Sock pattern by Sarah Stevens, one of the ladies behind Oh!Loops. And I'm loving it. I learned how to do the Turkish Cast-On, which may be my favorite sock cast-on I've tried. Not that I've tried many, of course, but it's much easier than Judy's Magic Cast-On, if you ask me.
I've also very easily altered the pattern to use the Fish Lips Kiss Heel. Because while I'm learning new things, why not learn something else? This short-row heel pattern is only $1, and while the instructions seem daunting when you first open the PDF (and weep), it's actually quite easy. And while some people forego the cardboard foot cutout completely, I'd encourage you to make one; life becomes much easier.
Oh, and PS: the yarn is Knit Picks Felici in the Teacup colorway.
Get obsessed with sock knitting like me! Check out My First Socks, an online Craftsy class that teaches all your sock-knitting basics - where and when you want them!
In the meantime, I'm:
Knitting: Anne's Sweater, Pop Fizzle
Reading: A Clockwork Orange
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