Cranky Socks

This is where my alternate ball of yarn rests while I work the heel on a monster sock. This little epiphany has really helped me knit the heel faster and more accurately. This is possible because the yarn guide for the mini mast has slots for the entire yarn path.

What makes a pair of monster socks a pair? Usually the only thing that matches is the cuff. Otherwise, they are made with one to two row stripes of scraps of Knit Picks Felici in whatever color I happen to grab. No two socks are alike.

Sunday mornings, after we've had breakfast and Darling Husband has left for the market, I start the laundry, change the bed and bath linens, clean the bathrooms, and sit down to finish a pair of socks. Sometimes there are only two socks (like last Sunday) sometimes there are several pairs of socks. 

Finished monster socks! One of these days I'm going to post a bunch of these on Etsy for sale. I'll keep you posted. You could put scrappy on your feet this winter.

If you would like a pair of socks machine knit just for you, stop by my Etsy shop and send me a note. I'm sure we could work together to create your new favorite pair of socks. If you have some socks yarn and you don't have the time to knit it up, maybe a sock tube is something you would like to try. Send me a message through Etsy for that.

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):

Knitter's Pride Aqua Sock Blockers, Medium

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)