Snuggly, chunky Christmas socks

Last Christmas was my first knitting Christmas, so everyone got scarves. But this year I decided to give myself more of a challenge and make everyone socks despite what I’d heard about them being a pain to knit. I wasn’t completely foolhardy though, I did find some good patterns using big needles and chunky wool, so it didn’t take THAT long to make them. 3 pairs later, I’m a sock convert. Being able to knit such a staple of everyday living makes me feel like I’ll be useful when the oil runs out, or the world ends, or whatever’s going to happen that means we can’t buy socks from the shops anymore. So here’s how they turned out:

David’s socks

David got some short hiking socks made with Patons Shadow Tweed in Grey/Undyed/Charcoal on 4mm dpns using this Chunky Sock pattern by Arlene Williams.

Mum’s socks
Mum got long welly socks made with King Cole Magnum Multi Chunky in Bracken using this Cottage Slipper Socks pattern from Lion Brand (register and log in for free to get the pattern) and 6mm dpns instead of 9mm to make them smaller and tighter knit (my Mum has teeny size 3 feet!).

Dad’s socks
Dad got long welly socks too made from Sidar Click Chunky in Treehouse. His socks were a bit of a hybrid of the above 2 patterns. I used the Chunky Sock pattern on 6mm dpns instead of 4mm, but by the time I got to the heel I realised they were HUGE so did the leg shaping from the Cottage Slipper Socks, then heel and foot from Chunky Sock pattern again. I should have just used the 4mm dpns as the pattern said in the first place, so a lesson learned there!

So many scarves, so little time

Last Autumn, spurred on by the success of my first knitting project, I decided that it would be well within my capabilities to knit all of my Christmas presents. What’s more, the items I would fashion for my family would be cheap and meaningful. Perfect! Little did I know I had signed up for months of hand cramp and cursing. But in the end it was worth it and I finished all but one of the presents in time for the big day. I only just finished my brother’s woolly hat in time for the snow in February and I was in such a rush to post it to him that I forgot to take a photo. But here’s the rest of the presents I made.

Mum’s scarf

Using 1 x 100g skein of Rowan Colourscape Chunky by Kaffe Fassett on 7mm needles, cast on 22 stitches.

- Knit 4 rows
- *Knit into front and back of 1st stitch, then knit to last 2 and knit 2 together
- Purl row
- Repeat from * to desired length, finish by knitting 4 rows and cast off

Because each row of this pattern increases at one end and decreases at the other, it makes a scarf that’s on the diagonal which is a bit more interesting than just straight stocking stitch.

I got the pattern from the nice lady at John Lewis in Nottingham where I bought the wool. She had knitted up the design from the Rowan Colourscape book and it caught my eye.

Dad’s scarf

Using Marble Chunky wool by James C. Brett (100g of a 200g ball) on 7mm needles, cast on between 24 and 36 stitches.

- Knit a row
- Purl a row
- * Knit 3 rows
- Purl a row
- Repeat from * until the scarf is the desired length and cast off.

Great for keeping Dad warm at the rugby!

Grandma’s scarf

Using Sirdar Click Chunky wool (shade 0150, 3 x 50g balls) on 10mm needles (to make the stitch a little looser), cast on 24.

1. Moss stitch for 6 rows i.e. k1, p1 for first row, then p1, k1 for second row, then back to k1, p1 and so on
2. * k1, p1, k1, p1 then knit to last 3, p1, k1, p1
3. p1, k1, p1, k1 then purl to last 3, k1, p1, k1
4. Repeat from * for 20 rows then 6 rows of moss stitch
5. Repeat stages 2-4 until scarf is desired length, then cast off.

This gives a pattern with moss stitch edging and stocking stitch squares.

Kitty’s scarf

Using double knitting wool (I used 1 ball of 100g) on 4mm needles, cast on a multiple of 4, 32/36 is good.

- * Knit a row, purl a row
- k2, p2, k2, p2 for 4 rows (rib stitch)
- Knit a row, purl a row
- p2, k2 for 4 rows (so the rib is offset)
- Repeat from * until scarf is desired length, then cast off.

I made this pattern up when I was experimenting with variations of rib stitch, although I’m sure someone else has thought of it before me! I like the way the finished pattern looks like it’s woven.

And here’s Mum, Dad and Grandma wearing their gifts on Christmas Day!