Finished Object: Handspun Moccasin Socks
The Facts:
Pattern: Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Moccasin Sock from Knitter’s Almanac
Yarn: my handspun- 150-ish yards of worsted 2 ply from hand-dyed superwash Merino top from The Spunky Eclectic and 80+ yards of worsted 2 ply solid pink skein Corriedale wool made a pair of size 9 women’s socks
Gauge: 5.25 sts. per inch (tight for this yarn)
Needle: size 3mm Addi Turbo for Magic Loop
Changes: Instead of making a ribbed leg, I made a fitted stockinette one, which I prefer the looks of. I started out with 48 sts. and decreased down the back of the leg to 40. I think I’d have been better leaving the sock at 44, but I have a tendency to make my socks too big and in trying to compensate might have gotten carried away. I made the sole a little deeper to fix that. The ankle fits wonderfully.
Started spinning: July 10, 2006
Finished knitting: July 16, 2006
Aren’t the short row heels cool?
Despite being odd looking, they fit very well.
Thoughts:
These are totally fun and fast to knit and an excellent use of handspun. They’d be great with handspun tops (since that’s what shows) and commercial yarn soles, though you could control the spin and make a very tough sole yarn if you spun it yourself.
There is a kitchener seam at the bottom that doesn’t seem to cause any discomfort. I’ll let you know for sure when I can actually stand to wear them for longer than 2 seconds (it’s 96F out right now). The only problem I can see with that is the end woven in under the heel. I always avoid that in other socks and join in a new ball at the top or side.
New knitting:
Someone got a copy of Anna Zilboorg’s Magnificent Mittens and has been knitting merrily away ever since.
PumpkinMama wrote:
Very cool - I’d been trying to visualize them when you last posted. A neat design.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 11:53 am | Permalink
Stacey wrote:
very neat! I love the solid sole!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 12:02 pm | Permalink
Diana wrote:
Wow, its very interesting to see these socks knit up. Elizabeth Zimmermann’s patterns are always intriguing, but can be hard to tell what you’re going to end up with. The socks are cute! I might just knit up a pair.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 12:04 pm | Permalink
Arleta wrote:
Those are really cute.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 12:29 pm | Permalink
Tania A wrote:
Those look very cool! Yet another book to add to my want list.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 12:34 pm | Permalink
beth wrote:
I love the socks! Thanks for the tip on making them out of handspun. Unfortunately, my handspun is still on the worsted to bulky still. I love the Anna Zilborg mitten book. I have it too!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 12:37 pm | Permalink
Lauren wrote:
These are really neat. And what a great way to maximize your handspun!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 1:14 pm | Permalink
maryse wrote:
those are really cute. i love the merino — it’s such a pretty colorway
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 1:29 pm | Permalink
Beth S. wrote:
You put on a heavy wool sock… in this weather. Insane! But the sock is so terrific, I can understand why you’d risk heatstroke for it. The colors are amazing!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 1:47 pm | Permalink
anj wrote:
OK. I am not a sock knitter, but I want to knit these. Perhaps I see spunky socks in my future.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 2:41 pm | Permalink
Vick Forman wrote:
So great!!! Lovely!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 2:42 pm | Permalink
j a r e d wrote:
awesome!!!!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 2:55 pm | Permalink
shelby wrote:
so cute! They look SO comfy…I totally want some.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 4:35 pm | Permalink
Amy Boogie wrote:
I was just told to come here and see your cool socks (too much knitting no time for blogs). I’m glad I was told to come here though, those are magnificent. They’re isn’t enough praise for them. You rock.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 4:47 pm | Permalink
Norma wrote:
Very, very cool!!!!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 4:57 pm | Permalink
Becky / Knitting Int wrote:
I am intrigued by this new creation of yours Adrian. I’ll be interested to hear how they wear, if they are comfy. Beautiful colors to be sure!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 7:44 pm | Permalink
Carol wrote:
These are brilliant! A good use of leftover bits of commercial yarn + beautiful handspun where it counts. I’m inspired.
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 8:09 pm | Permalink
ann wrote:
Those are so nifty! What a cool pattern… do report back on how they feel when worn about!
Posted on 18-Jul-06 at 8:13 pm | Permalink
Delly Bean wrote:
Super-cute! I have requested the book from the library…
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 12:07 am | Permalink
Elli wrote:
Love them. I want to go home and start some of my own!
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 10:56 am | Permalink
Jaime wrote:
Your moccasin socks look great! The colors are great with the pattern.
I’m going to have to pull my EZ book out and have a closer look at the pattern.
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 12:16 pm | Permalink
Julia wrote:
EEEE! I love them, pardon me, I must go knit a pair, right this second!
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 4:44 pm | Permalink
Monica wrote:
Cool, I wanna hear how they wear in the fall!
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 4:53 pm | Permalink
Jen L wrote:
Very cool Moc Socks. You are such a speedy spinner/knitter. I’m very impressed by the turn-around time. If you can believe it, I’ve been spinning for well over a year (closer to two?) and I’ve *never* knit with my own handspun! I think that seeing your gorgeous socks may help me get over that issue!
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 7:31 pm | Permalink
Wendie wrote:
Oh lovely! I’ve often thought about making these, and now that I see how pretty they can be, I think I’m going to have to!
Posted on 19-Jul-06 at 8:43 pm | Permalink
Iris wrote:
Very cool - the solid coloured sole looks great. I think I might have to buy the Knitter’s Almanac just to get that pattern!
Posted on 20-Jul-06 at 8:59 am | Permalink
Carol wrote:
I can’t believe I missed this post! GREAT socks! I’m sooo glad I have the almanac, else, I’d have to order it. Your yarn looks awesome on these!
Posted on 20-Jul-06 at 8:02 pm | Permalink
E to the M wrote:
The socks are beautiful!
Posted on 23-Jul-06 at 10:09 pm | Permalink
Vicki wrote:
Just thought I would tell you my thoughts on this sock. I found Elizabeth & Meg Swansen (her daughter) about four years ago and I don’t know how I ever knitted without them! Several of you mentioned getting the mocassin sock pattern from “Knitter’s Almanac”. The was Elizabeth’s first trial of this pattern. She modified it after this book. The original pattern had you make it with straight needles & sew up the back seam when you were finished. In her book “Knitting Around” she had you make it with dbl pointed needles in the round. It is far better this way. Also, if the pattern confuses you, Elizabeth & Meg have a video or DVD called “Knitting Around” that gives you a visual lesson. This is the most awesome sock pattern ever! I have knit dozens of pairs and love them all. The only thing I don’t like is the k2 p2 ribbing. I like it better with k1 p1 ribbing. It seems to hold in better. All of you please try to knit these socks. They, like Elizabeth, are timeless.
P.S. Her website is www.schoolhousepress.com
Happy Knitting!!!
Posted on 09-Nov-06 at 4:43 pm | Permalink
elizabeth wrote:
I should’ve known that was an EZ pattern! I’ll have to see if it’s in Opinionated Knitter too.
I covet your Magnificant Mittens. Did you know they sell for $125 on Amazon? I’m so happy my local library has a copy!
Posted on 29-Oct-07 at 4:54 pm | Permalink