WIP Wednesday: WIPS? What WIPS? Camp Loopy June FO Edition

95F is too hot to model wool socks

I am happy and relieved to show my completed Monkey Socks. For a while there I considered throwing in the towel. My knitting mojo is low and my sock knitting mojo is even lower. The only thing that kept me going was the thought of not completing the goal I set for myself and the fact that I have been participating in Camp Loopy as a happy camper for so many years. I think this is my 9th year. Sometimes the goal is what matters. Sometimes it’s the tradition.

The pattern is Monkey Socks by Cookie A. It is available for free from Knitty in the 64 stitch size and as a pay pattern on Ravelry in more sizes. The yarn is Knerd String fingering weight, a blend of 75% superwash merino and 25% nylon. I’m a firm believer that socks need nylon to hold up to wearing inside shoes.

Cookie A has written a gem of a pattern. Each row makes you want to knit the next one. Each repeat makes you want to do another. Quick as can be you’re turning the heel and flying down the foot. There are 11 rows to a repeat which seems daunting but once you’ve done a few you learn how intuitive the pattern is and before you know it you’re knitting along without consulting the pattern.

The Knerd String yarn is a go to of mine. It’s a finer fingering weight than say Koigu but it’s plenty sturdy. The dye job is just lovely. It’s a varied tone which gives the yarn a sense of depth and texture. This red is called kissmekissmekissme. The sock on the right is closest to the correct shade. It is a red shade with a more blue bend. Not the red with pink/yellow bend. The yarn is soft to the touch and is a generous 463 yards put up.

I mostly followed the pattern but to meet Camp Loopy project requirements I did change things a bit. I added extra rows to the ribbed cuff and did extra repeats of the lace repeat in the leg. I also added a few extra decreases more than I ordinarily would to the toe. I have wide feet that are wide right through the toes. Normally I’d leave 36 stitches (18 top and bottom) to kitchner, this time I left 32.

I recommend both the pattern and the yarn. I have knit a few of Cookie A’s patterns and I’ve found each to be as fun to knit as Monkey Socks though this pattern is my favorite. I have yet to be disappointed with Knerd String yarn. I’m not sure how many skeins I’ve used but I’ve never found a knot which is high quality control in my book and every skein is more beautiful than the one before.

Tomorrow starts the second month of Camp Loopy. I’ll be spending today hunting for my mojo and playing around with a swatch. Yes. I’m going to knit a swatch, well, I intend to knit a swatch anyway. Will it happen? Maybe.

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