Awaiting Fulfillment Socks

On May 6th, after returning from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I decided I wanted a circular sock knitting machine. I wanted one enough to do serious internet research, select my machine, and lay down the substantial amount of money required to buy a high-precision machine. What I wasn't expecting -- in this Amazon-will-have-that-to-your-door-tomorrow world -- was the long lead time. I'll talk about that experience when my circular sock knitting machine ships and arrives at my door. Until then, I decided I would hand knit some socks with the same stitch count as the cylinder I ordered so I would be ready for a comparison. What I learned is that you can hand knit more than a single pair of socks while waiting for that sock knitting machine to ship, even if you don't knit very fast. Anyway, this post is really about the socks, not the machine.

Because I was experimenting with socks that I will try to replicate on the circular sock knitting machine, I chose the Trust Toe Up Sock. This is a free pattern on Ravelry. I don't know that I've knit many socks from the toe up and my prior experience with the afterthought heel wasn't positive. But, I was going to give it a go -- for science!

I cast on from the toes on May 27th. This was my take-along project from then until last weekend when I got to finishing the afterthought heels and weaving in those ends.

I knit while waiting for Sunday breakfast. 

I knit while riding in the car. 

I knit while waiting for a doctor's appointment. 

I knit while drinking coffee. That piece of red yarn is where the afterthought heel goes. 

And in the car. 

I added a 1 by 1 ribbing cuff. I used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off, but I didn't do the right stitch for the purls. I'm not bothered by this; I still have wearable socks. Then it was time to pick up those afterthought heels.

It wasn't difficult, even if it was a little stressful. Closing up the possible holes at the corners was the most challenging. I did use a YouTube video by The Chilly Dog to help me along. 

I used the Kitchener Stitch cheat sheet from the Tricksy Knitter to finish off those afterthought heels. No matter how many times I use this stitch I refer back to this cheat sheet to stay on track. This isn't the point at which I want to fail. 

After what seemed like forever, I was finished.

There you have it, a pair of finished socks. Time to knit: almost seven weeks; 48 days. And I'm still waiting for that circular sock knitting machine to ship. I have learned that I will likely use the knitting machine to knit the monotonous part of sock knitting, the endless rows of stockinette and then finish off with afterthought heels and toes in a contrasting, or coordinating color. That way I will still have projects that are easy to carry with me. 

Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Sock Yarn
Pattern: Trust Toe Up Sock
Kitchener Stitch cheat sheet from the Tricksy Knitter
Afterthought heel: The Chilly Dog
Bind-Off: Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-off

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Knit Picks Fixed Circular Sock Knitting Needle Set (appropriate for magic loop sock knitting)
Knitter's Pride medium sock blocker