"Z" is for "Zig Zag"

"Z" is for "Zig Zag"


My last and final pair of socks for the Alphabet sock challenge is complete!  Zig Zag is a free pattern, and I have made this last pair for myself, as well.  I am quite pleased with how they've turned out, and the Zig Zags are very easily seen!  The yarn I've used was brought back for me from Nova Scotia a few years ago when he went out to visit (without the family)  I love the soft colours.

I am so pleased with this challenge!  I have used much of my "stashed" sock yarn, and was able to use ALL free patterns, thanks to Ravelry's pattern database.  It has been a blast to follow along with everyone else's progress, too!  I think, however, for my next challenge, that I'll need to do something to use up the scraps...  A bookmark per letter, perhaps, or a blanket with all the scraps?  hummmm....... I must get thinking!

"Y" is for "Yarmando"

"Y" is for "Yarmando"


I have made 24 pairs of socks to give away as Christmas gifts.  I have actually accomplished more then I expected to!  I am so pleased with the gifts, and I hope most of the recipients are happy with them, too.  In celebration of this gigantic "Feet" of accomplishment, I have chosen to make pair 25 for myself.  This yarn I have had for quite some time, and have been saving it for a cozy pair of socks for myself.  This seems like the perfect time to use it. 


Yarmando is a free pattern, and these socks are SO warm and fuzzy!  I love them!!

"X" is for "Eyelet Rib" (Wildcard)

"X" is for "Eyelet Rib"
Yes, I KNOW that Eyelet Rib doesn't start with "X", but, failing to create my own pattern, I'm having trouble finding a free "X" pattern that will suit for my friend!  The challenge includes two wildcards, for just such problems, so I'm using my first one on my "X" socks.


This Free Pattern sock set is for our babysitter!  Warm and cozy for winter nights, I hope she likes them!  I know she'll be happy with the colour.

"W" is for "Waffle House"

"W" is for "Waffle House"


This FREE PATTERN Waffle House socks are a Christmas gift for a new lady who has just arrived in the UK, along with her family.  Her house is big, with lots of bare floors, so these will help to keep her feet warm as she chases the children from room to room!

"V" is for "Vanilla"

"V" is for "Vanilla"


A pair of simple socks for Sir J's Christmas gift!  They turned out well, and actually fit me very nicely, so I can adopt them myself if he doesn't prefer them.  I'm sure he'll want to know why there are no secret pockets...  :)  Free Pattern Link

"U" is for "Undine"

"U" is for "Undine"


I'm knitting for a knitter this week!  These beautiful socks are for a co-worker who does lovely work, herself, so I must get them right!  They have turned out so nicely, that I am tempted to keep them myself! I am pleased to find such a nice FREE PATTERN.

"T" is for "Toe Up"

"T" is for "Toe Up"


A quick and easy FREE PATTERN this week!  These "T" socks will be a Christmas gift for my middle son, Sir C.   I've never knit him anything before - since he always inherits the things I've made for his big brother, so I hope he'll enjoy getting something made just for him this time!  :)  

"S" is for "Summer Socks"

"S" is for "Summer Socks"


I have completed the socks for my last niece, "J".  They have turned out well, despite the photo - the picture makes them look very chubby, but they aren't, they look quite nice.  It's a free pattern - again, don't judge the pattern on my photography...  :)

"R" is for "Rib-Eye"

"R" is for "Rib-Eye"


I have a special lady in my life who never had children of her own, but who "adopted" my brother and I as her special kids, and showered her love on us.  For this amazing woman, I have knit some "Rib-Eye" socks for Christmas.  They are a beautiful deep purple colour, and made with soft Wendy Happy Yarn - the "eye"s in the pattern should help the sock breath well - good for air circulation around the foot.  Here is the link to the FREE PATTERN.

"Q" is for "Quill"

"Q" is for "Quill"


These dainty, pretty socks are a Christmas gift for a young lady who is the daughter of co-workers.  She is sweet and my children enjoy spending time with her.  Her mother is a knitter, so I know the time and effort gone into making these will be understood!  I'm sure, by now, you're not surprised to know that this is a FREE PATTERN!  Here is the link to it.

"P" is for "Presto"

"P" is for "Presto"


I knew I was in trouble when I came down the stairs this morning to see my hubby trying on the newly completed socks I had left on the coffee table (not for him). They stayed on, all day. I reminded him that he has told me numerous times that he didn’t want me to knit him socks. His response? “But these are a PERFECT fit, and feel so wonderful!” I think, after 14 years of seeing me wear knitted socks, he’s finally been converted!!


So, they have been adopted - not their intended owner, but that's just fine!  I'm happy they are going to be loved.  Here is the FREE PATTERN.

"O" is for "Overkill"

"O" is for "Overkill"


These socks, a FREE PATTERN, were a lot of fun to knit!  I have a friend from India who always seems to be larger then life, or over-the-top, and these seemed to be perfect for her Christmas gift!  I haven't used the crazy colours that are used in the example, but they are still pretty funky!  (I'm sorry the photo didn't turn out very well to show them off)

"N" is for "Nasturtium"

"N" is for "Nasturtium"


I have been saving this yarn for a special pair of socks because I love the way the colours blend.  It was chosen for this FREE PATTERN, as a gift for a special co-worker who has been a real blessing to our family - especially as we try to figure out Lady R's diet!  Since she has a similar condition, she was able to give me some hints and tips to handle every-day things.  She often complains that her feet are cold, so I hope these will be blessing to keep her feet warm this Christmas!

"M" is for "My Petticoat"

"M" is for "My Petticoat"


What better pattern could there be for a young lady who loves all things Jane Austin?  For this lover-of-lace, I made this lovely FREE PATTERN.  The yarn is called "Wendy Happy" and I think the name is very appropriate!  These are tiny socks, as she has very small feet.

"L" is for "Lancaster"

"L" is for "Lancaster"


A Special pink and purple blend of wool went into making this FREE PATTERN.  These socks have turned out to be very soft and cozy - a Christmas gift for my niece "A"!  

"K" is for "Knitmore Girl"

"K" is for "Knitmore"


Here is a simple FREE PATTERN.  I like the hues in the blue yarn, so I've chosen a simple pattern so that the colour is shown off a little.  These socks are a Christmas gift for my Sister-in-law (my brother's wife).  I've never made her socks before, so I hope they fit her well.  They will keep her feet cozy on her hardwood floors!

"J" is for "Jaywalker"

"J" is for "Jaywalker"


I have knitted this pattern before, and really like it, so I'm tackling it again for this challenge.  It is a FREE PATTERN, and here is the link!  These will go to Jeff's Grandma - a beautiful knitter herself, so I'd better get them right!  

"I" is for "Impressionnisme"

"I" is for "Impressionnisme"


Impressionnisme, a FREE PATTERN, is based on an old, traditional "vintage" pattern.  One of my co-workers and her husband collect antiques and all things vintage, so I thought this would be the perfect pattern for her Christmas gift - knit in a traditional colour.  It has taken a lot of plugging along, as it seems that this is a very slow knit - or perhaps I just wasn't very focused on it.  Either way, they are complete, and I hope she likes them!

"H" is for "Hearts Abound"

I started on my "H" socks tonight - I'm following the "Hearts Abound" pattern from Knit Picks (yup, another free pattern!)  It is a toe-up sock, so a little different in construction then the patterns I usually use, but it's always good to learn something new, right?  I've really enjoyed making them, and I think I'll use this construction again in the future.  These are a Christmas gift for a friend of mine from Canada who also lives in the UK.  

"G" is for "Girlie Anklet Socks"

"G" is for "Girlie Anklet Socks"!

They have turned out very well, and I think my wee lady R will be pleased with them as a Christmas gift this year - they are very girly!  I did make them a little on the big side so that they will fit her for a while - nothing more discouraging then working hard on a project, only to realize that they will only fit their recipient for a week!  Here is a link to the FREE PATTERN!

"F" is for "Froot Loop"

My "F" pattern is "Froot Loop" - it's a free pattern!  I've been eyeing this one for a while, I love the way it looks - pretty, but subtle.  I've chosen a solid purple colour...   These are for my niece "C".

"E" is for "Escalator"

"E" is for "Escalator"

I'm quite pleased with how these socks have turned out!  (free pattern!)  They will be  a Christmas gift for my niece "L".  I have dyed this yarn myself, featuring her two favourite colours -- blue and purple.  On the up side, if she doesn't like them, they will probably fit her mom!  She's only a young teen, but already has big feet!

"D" is for "Dunn's River"

"D" is for "Dunn's River"

I've always loved the look of ripples, and this pattern is no exception!  I'm very pleased with how these have turned out, and I'm certain my mother will like them as her Christmas gift this year.  Even the colour seems to pop nicely!  This is a free pattern, too!

"C" is for "Charade"

"C" is for "Charade"


I'm glad I used a lighter colour for this free pattern - I think it would have gotten lost on something darker.  I am pleased with these, tho, and I think my sister-in-law "M" will be pleased with them for Christmas.   The yarn is deliciously soft, so should feel lovely on her feet.  

"B" is for "Baudelaire"

"B" is for "Baudelaire"

This free pattern is from Knitty, created by Cookie A -- both my favourite sources for patterns!  I was a little intimidated by the chart of lace, but it was easy to follow, and has turned out beautifully!  They are scheaduled to go to one of my best friends for Christmas, but I am tempted to keep them!

"A" is for "Air Raid"

"A" is for "Air Raid"

Well, here we go!  The first of (hopefully) 26 pairs of socks to be completed this year!  I'm quite pleased that I managed to complete these before casting on for "B"!  This free pattern knitted up very quickly, and look great!  They are for my mother-in-law for Christmas, so I hope she likes them. The lacy holes should help the socks breathe well.

I Might Just be Crazy....

I've joined a challenge this year - to knit socks through the alphabet!  The group is on Ravelry.  I've had a real lack of focus with knitting lately, but lots of sock yarn in my stash, so I think this will be the perfect way to get started early on some Christmas gifts, and use some of my treasured stash yarns.  I am going to take the challenge one step further and attempt to use only FREE PATTERNS for my socks - tho that might prove to be more difficult as the more uncommon letters come up -- "Q" "X" and "Z"!  Follow along with me as I progress, and see my success (or failure!)  


Or, even better, why not JOIN me????  We can be crazy together!