Cranky Socks: Monster Socks

The view from my cranking chair. It doesn't look very scrappy from here. I make these colorful, scrappy wonders (some people call them monster socks) using two or more colorways of self-striping yarn. I mostly buy Knit Picks Felici. Felici is released in limited colorways throughout the year. This means the colors I have are likely no longer available. Sometimes the yellows (or greens, or whatever) from two different colorways line up. This is completely by accident.

When I knit these, I lost count on  the one of the right. It is four rows shorter than the other sock. I had to knit another sock so I would have a pair of the right size.

Here is my replacement sock. Like a replacement player, only it keeps your feet warm. The only way you know you have a pair of monster socks is that the cuffs match. Depending on how much yarn I have I might make the toes match, too. I think I need more solids. 

I also knit up these using a coordinating solid for the cuffs, heels, and toes. These came out great!

I finished both of these on Sunday while I listened to the radio. I can Kitchener the toes closed on a pair of socks in about 30 minutes. 

Then, I printed my custom labels (with the care instructions from the yarn on the inside) and wrapped them up. It is nice to have a few pairs of these on-hand for my sock-loving friends.

Making these on the circular sock machine is possible because I have these two optional attachments for my machine. I'm never going back to the stock yarn carrier. Split is the way to go.

Split Yarn Carrier by Chambord CSM

Hybrid Mount Mini Mast for Erlbacher Gearhart Circular Sock Machine

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook (picking up dropped stitches)
Cable Clamp PRO Cable Management 4 Pack (used in place of weight buckle)
Brightech Lightview Pro Flex - Hands Free, Magnifying Glass Desk Lamp for Close Work (lens removed)
Zibra PB100LZR Grip-n-Glide 1-Inch Round Trim Paint Brush (to clean lint/dust from machine)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold extra machine needles)
addi Express Hook (picking up dropped stitches, hanging setup bonnet, finishing missed stitches)
Do4U Drinking Home Office Table Desk Side Huge Clip (I use it to hold the ball/cake of yarn while I crank but it could hold your drink, too)
BLACK+DECKER WM225-A Portable Project Center and Vise (this is my machine stand, slightly modified for a larger work surface)
RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc)