52 of 52

Pattern: Kitty Socks from Kitty Knits: Projects for Cats and Their People by Donna Druchunas
Yarn: Natures Palette
Needles: 3.25mm

What a fun (and challenging) year this has been. Thank you, thank you, thank you for organizing the plunge. Now it's off to knit those Sock Madness socks...

Almost done - Pairs 48-51

Pair 48




Pattern: Mingus Sock by Cookie A.
Yarn: Ocean Wind Knits
Needles: 3.25 and 3.0 mm

Pair 49




Pattern: A variation on Mingus Sock by Cookie A. I'm calling them Dufus Minsug Socks.

Yarn: Ocean Wind Knits Needles: 3.25 and 3.0 mm
I actually knit this pair before knitting the real Mingus socks. Dufus Minsug socks are what you get when you don’t bother reading the Mingus pattern’s instructions and just jump right in to the charted stitch pattern. I like them in an off-kilter kind of way, but decided to go ahead and knit another another pair of real Mingus socks (see the real Mingus socks above)


I wasn't going to count the next two pairs as I have other pairs in progress that are much more interesting. But events have conspired against me today and I'll be unable to get the others done. In the interest of getting a complete set of 52 pairs posted, here they are...

Pair 50

Pattern: generic baby socks
Yarn: Koigu KPM & KPPPM

Pair 51

Pattern: Inside Out by Kaci Kyler Hays (modified)
Yarn: Zen String Bambewe fingering (colorway: Sequoia)
Needles: 1.75mm
The cable patterns on the legs of these socks don't match. I'd done the original one following the Inside Out pattern. When I found that it wasn't stretchy enough to fit over my incredibly high instep and heel I used a different cable for the leg of sock two. So, although they look like a pair, they don't quite match. Some day (but not tonight) I'll re-knit the leg of sock one.

Pair 52
Still on the needles. Cuff down. Almost to the toe of sock two :-)

The Zaftig Lady Sings...

Well, folks, we've had a good run, but it is drawing to a close (less than 10 hours!!)...
I can hardly believe it's been a year... indeed, for me, it's been about 6 months (my computer was stolen in October so I'm posting hastily--and against policy--from my workplace)...

CONGRATULATIONS!
to those of you who have met and/or exceeded your own expectations...
and a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of those who were up to giving the challenge your all.

I must admit, I finished far short of the goal. I lost a lot of enthusiasm when 1 1/2 socks and 17 pairs-worth of yarn were stolen (in the theft mentioned above). Yes, I know, WHO steals sock yarn?! I think it was a grab-and-go kind of deal --> they took 3 of my bags (computer bag, purse, and woven hobo sack), how did they know what was in the third one! Normally, I would give it another go, but I'm ready for more of a variety in my knitting...

Here's the rub:
I did have fun facilitating the 52PP... so let your friends know that there will be a 52PP 08-09 beginning on 1 June 2008! Sign-ups will end 31 May 2008.
TO SIGN UP: email your name, email address, and website (if applicable) to eknitabeth@gmail.com
If you sign-up post haste, please do not expect a response before 25 May 2008. I have VERY limited computer access and, thus, few chances to check my email!

Twenty-Nine of Fifty-Two, The Final

Here is my last pair for the plunge. Started March 14, finished the 31st. Vanilla socks knit with Fabel sock yarn, 60sts on 2.25mm needles, heel over 30sts, toe to 20sts.

It was fun! At least I surpassed my personal goal of 26 pairs. Would have been nice to hit the 52 mark, but 29 will have to do!

Happy knitting!

Sheri aka Lexa
knitoftime.blogspot.com

49 and 50

Here are pairs 49 and 50

The first is Knit in Koigu KPPPM 68 stitches and size 1 dpns. I am not sure of the color number.

The second pair is knit in Opal Rainforest in the Tiger colorway. 64 stitches on size 1 dpns

I have pair 51 and 52 on the needles and hope to have them finished by midnight.

Monica

45, 46, 47

Pair 45: Pearls

Pattern: Pearls -- Nov 2007 pattern from Socken-Kreativ-Liste
by Stephanie van der Linden
Yarn: Merino/Tencel
Needles: 2.5mm

Pair 46: Marilinda

Pattern: Marilinda by Cookie A. cookiea.com
Yarn: 4-ply Merino/Cashmere from The Knittery
Colorway: Passionfruit
Needles: 2.75mm

Pair 47
Pattern: Stockinette with garter toe and short-row heel
Yarn: ?
Needles: 3.5mm

31 of 52

Last week when I posted my 30th pair of socks I really thought it was my last for this challenge...but I finished pair 31 this morning. Still far from the goal, but a good accomplishment non the less. Here are my Croc Socks... Monica's pattern (available at The Loopy Ewe and The Yarn Grove). I knit these in Lorna's Laces Sock - Sand Ridge on US1 dpn's.

Karen M

The final Roundup

I think it's pretty unlikely that I'll finish any more socks before April 1, although there is one pair that might make it...

But until then here's the most recent set:

Pair #33



BFF socks for my friend Cathy

Pair #34



Zombie Socks for Sock Madness

Pair #35



And a pair of Uzume socks for me!

Add five more pairs BUT...

The grand total only comes out to 37 pairs of adult socks. It seems that I did not hit the 52 count, but I feel that I did a good showing. so lets view the last five:

Sockamania's March Rib pattern, Lana grossa #5050

Sock madness round #1 Mad Zombies! Trekking XXL #163

Autumn Socks completed in the spring, my own letter design. Regia yarns

Slip stitch pattern. Fortissima

Slippery stitch pattern from Knitty.com Lorna's lace Envy
Its been fun seeing what you have put up for show and tell. I'll keep making socks this year, but I am also looking forward to a few sweaters and other odds ends. I'll be here

And Pair 52!

Done. Absolutely surprised that I actually finished.

The final pair are Wild Cherry Chain links -



Started 22 March, finished 27 March 08.

Cherry Hill supersock in colourway Wild Cherry (I can just hear you saying duh right about now).

I am leaving the "Charge of the Sock Brigade" contest open for a few more days. Come up with alternative stanzas to the ones I did or help finish the poem and win some sock yarn. Just drop your contribution in the comments section.

Looking back over this last year, I knit socks for just about everyone in the family and certainly replenished my own sock shelf. I found that the trusted and true patterns suited me better than many of the sock club challenges or complicated patterns.

I love warm feet and I want my socks to last a long time (I have several pair, worn regularly which are over 10 years old). But when I can't see all the patterns and hard work once they are on my feet, then I am happy with fancy colours or simple pattern stitches to keep me entertained during the knit.

Summary -
52 pairs of adult socks. All but three pairs were completely started and finished within the year, the other three had less than 1/2 a sock started and had been in the UFO pile for over two years. Since I really needed the needles....

I hope that everyone had as much fun as I.

=Holly

PS, not going to do this again for a few years. I have other things that I want to knit.

43 & 44

Pattern: None - just plain ol' stockinette with a ribbed cuff
Yarn: Crystal Palace Maizy (82% corn fiber + 18% elastic nylon)
Needles: 2.75mm (or was it 3.00?)

Pattern: Ripple Weave Sock by Charlene Schurch (from Vogue Knitting - Fall 2006)
Yarn: from my stash and unfortunately separated from its label
Needles: 2.5mm

Pairs 45 & 46 are done but no pictures yet. 47-52 have all been started, some are near completion. Adding all the WIPs up, it looks like I've only got 4.2 socks to go. It'll definitely be close, but I might actually be able to make it :-)

Thank you!

I am going out with a crazy picture...I made these for my mom who loves them. It was an on-line yarn, I forget the color...size 1.5 needles, plain vanilla pattern. I finished these the last week of 2007.

I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by...thank you so much for starting this KAL! it was fun, though it made me realize that I cannot knit a pair of socks every week for a year, since I also make a lot of other things. I made half that number, and didn't even post all of them here.

I am sort of hoping there will be some kind of continuation of this...it was so great to see all the different socks that people were cranking out.

If this will be closed, well, I had fun! Thanks again.

Karin

www.knitting-and.blogspot.com

Charge of the Sock Brigade

with apologies to Alfred, Lord Tennyson (to read the original poem>). In case you need the reference - the charge of the British light Infantry occurred in 25 Oct 1854, Balaclava, Ukraine in the Crimean War. Other references include this one, this one and this one.

Charge of the Sock Brigade

Half a sock,



half a sock



Half a sock onward




Into the Valley of Panic

knit the one hundred.


'Knit, 52pr Plungers!
Go for the line!'
Into the valley of Panic
Knit the one hundred.

'Forward, on 52 Plungers!'
Was there a knitter dismayed?
Over committed they knew
They had blundered:
Theirs not to make whine,
With hands full of pain,
Theirs but to try, and cry,
Into the valley of Panic
Knit the one hundred.

Yarn to the right of them,
Needles to the left of them
Patterns in front of them,
Cables and Laced.
Overwhelmed with blogs and choices
Boldly they knit well
Into the Jaws of April
Into the mouth of Hell,
Knit the one hundred.

---- -------- -------- -------

Half a sock to go.

(watch for it here and also on Proseknitic )

-Holly
(if you want to reference this - please use the following permalink - http://www.proseknitic.de/2008/03/charge-of-the-sock-brigadecharge-of-the-sock-brigade/)

Final Count

My final count is 38 pairs of socks. I have four pairs on the needles right now, but they will not be finished before April 1, 2008. This was a fun challenge. I regret that I did not have more time to devote to it. There are lots of warm toes out there wearing my socks so all is not lost. I will keep tracking my sock knitting on my 52 pair plunge blog until I have knit 52 pairs of socks - whenever that may be.

Congratulations and bows to those who were able to make all 52 pairs.

Cheers,

Bev aka paletpc
http://newbhs.blogspot.com

My Final Pair For the Challenge

Number 30 is done. Knit in Wisdom Yarns Los Angeles colorway. This is the Twin Rib pattern, 66 stitches on US1 dpn's. They match pretty closely even though there were two breaks in the yarn in the second sock. It's been a fun challenge (even though I didn't hit the goal). Congrats to those who did.

Karen M

41 & 42

Pair 41 - Zombies Too
Pattern: A modified version of the Zombie socks from Sock Madness 2, Round 1
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
Needles: 2.75mm

Pair 42 - Grinchy Crusoes
Pattern: Crusoe
Yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight
Colorway: Grinchy
Needles: 3.0mm

Pair 40 - Zombies

Pattern: Zombie Socks by Emm1e (from first round of Sock Madness 2)
Yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight
Colorway: Grock (Raven series)
Needles: Leg 3.0mm & 2.5mm; Foot 2.5mm
Started: 3/14/08 Finished: 3/15/08

Pair 39

Pattern: Lace Hemp Socks by Kathy Chapman (modified to use k2,p1,k2,p1 for leg and instep ribbing instead of k5, p2)
Yarn: Hemp for Knitting - Hempwol 65%wool; 35% hemp 250yds/100g (required 1+ skeins)Color: 046
Needles 3.0 (caston 60sts)

Pairs 34-38

Pair 34
Pattern: Plain ol' stockinette
Yarn: Knit Picks Simple Stripes

Pair 35
Pattern: My own generic garter rib
Yarn: Trekking XXL

Pair 36
Patern: RPM by Aija Goto (Knitty)
Yarn: Socks that Rock Leightweight
Colorway: Monsoon

Pair 37
Pattern: Modified version of Mock Wrap cable from "The Ultimate Sock Book"
Yarn: Socks that rock Mediumweight Millend (100% superwash merino)

Pair 38
Pattern: Rainbow Socks (SWTC) - modified to have 9sts/scale instead of 8
Yarn: Sheepaints Bamboolaine 75% wool; 25% bamboo

Pair #51

Meet the Zombies - from Round One of Sock Madness.

Knit of merino/nylon sock yarn in colourway "Black & Blue" there were 64 stitches knit top down on 2,00 bamboo needles.
Started evening 13 March, finished 1330, 15 March - today_

A bit darker in relief, the drop stitches strike this nice balance between gaping holes and bits of flesh falling off (grin).

Only one pair to go. I am trying to decide - do I crank them off to have be done? Or do I do something spectacular for the last pair?

52 Balls of yarn the wall, 52 balls of yarn -
take one down and knit it around...
51 balls of yarn on the wall....

-Holly

Twenty-Eight of Fifty-Two

March socks for SAM5, also pair 28 of 52 for the 52PP. They are knit with Regia Mini Ringel and are for the Littlest One. Started March 9, finished March 13. Knit with 2.25mm needles and 52sts, standard heel flap over 26sts, toe to 20sts.

Happy knitting!

Sheri

knitoftime.blogspot.com

Pairs 47 and 48

Moving right along. I finished both of these this weekend. The pink ones are knit in yarn I dyed a couple years ago. I think I may have enough of this dyed to make a baby sweater. The pattern is the Triple Twist pattern but I did a short row heel instead of a heel flap.

And this is pair 48. Knit in some left over Fleece Artist in the Hercules colorway

I cast on for pair 49 this morning. The end is in sight.

Monica

That's a dozen!

to see pictures of my 12th pair ... check out my blog (blogger is being stubborn today!). They are pink ... and Bamboo!

46 of 52

I just wove in the ends of pair 46. The pattern is Denmark from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush. This is one of the few patterns I have knit several times, but the first pair for myself. Now I am off to cast on for the second sock of pair 47. Hopefully I can get to the heel tonight and then finish it tomorrow.

Monica

Pair 32 of 52

I'm not going to get to 52 pairs unless the socks get very small. This pair is some Opal superwash sock yarn in a 75% wool/25% polyamide blend. The label's mostly in German. I got the part about machine washable, no dryer. They're for the baby's two-year old male cousin. I've got another pair on the needles in the same yarn for another little boy, the son of a co-worker.

44 and 45

I have finished 2 more pair this week. The first pair is knit in Opal Uni I am not sure the color number but it is a medium denim color. The pattern is Cable Galore It is pretty dark and gloomy out today so I couldn't get good pictures.

The second pair is knit in Pagewood Farms 3 ply Glacier Bay yarn in the Navajo color. This is a heavier yarn, much like Jitterbug, and comes in a huge hank. It is lovely to work with.

Now, I am off to knit more.

Monica