Friday, December 18, 2015

rose city roller socks

Welcome to finish it up Friday!
I have a new pair of hand knit socks! I finished these this morning...just minutes ago! I love how they fit! This is the second pair of socks I knit with this particular sock yarn. (You can see the first ones here.) I still can't believe that I was able to squeeze out four socks from 2 balls of yarn! love that I was able to use almost ALL of the remaining yarn I had on hand. It almost feels like I got a free pair. :)
I especially love the contrast toe, which was even more leftover sock yarn. One day I will figure out how to do a contrasting heel as well. But for now, this is great!
I used this pattern as a guide. What a fun knit! This is my 15th pair of hand knit socks to date! I already have pair #16 on the needles. :)
One more little finish for today...I finished my rainy day birdie coaster (#2!) that I started back in September. I love how it turned out! The pattern is in Erin's book Sweet Tweets. The crocheted edge was the challenge, as my crochet skills aren't super strong, but I think it ended up pretty cute! I used the instructions as a guide (noticing a theme?)..and then I kind of made something up that looked good on my coaster. For the edging, I used up more leftover sock yarn (yay!), which worked pretty well! The pattern called for embroidery floss, but I wanted to use what I had on hand. It is scrap project #121!

Next week we will not have a link up party on Friday, since it is Christmas day. I think I will move it to Monday, the 28th instead, so you can share what you made for Christmas or any other finishes you may have between now and then. Does that work? I hope so!

Also, I will be picking 2 winners (one from the comments and one from the links) this week to win a 3 pack of PDF patterns of their choice from my pattern store as a thank you for joining me for finish it up Friday!

Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! I hope all your last minute Christmas prep is going well. Remember to breathe! Have a great weekend! xo

83 comments:

Melissa Corry said...

Those socks are so fantastic!!! I love the colors :)

beth s said...

Someday...I'm going to learn how to knit socks!! Love yours.

a maidenhair fern said...

a perfect fit!!

Brooke said...

Merry Christmas!!

brooke@sillymamaquilts.com

Amanda said...

Merry Christmas! Knitting socks is so fun!

em's scrapbag said...

Hand knitted socks must be wonderful! Your rainy day coaster makes me smile.

Debora Exum said...

I like the crochet trim on your coaster. It is a great alternative to binding and still gives a nice finish. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed by your socks. Knitting is not something at which I have any skill (or the patience to learn the skill, unfortunately). I will admire yours from afar!

fracla said...

I just love your rainy day birdie coaster. It is just too cute.
I wish you and your familiy a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Many greetings from Germany.
Take care,
Claudia

Sarah said...

Love the black toes of your socks and the variegated colors of the socks! I have never knit a gusset heal, but with an hourglass heal, it is easy to add a contrasting heel. I learned how to knit this heel from "The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook" by Lynne Vogel. This book has many ways to knit socks and lots of photos of dramatically colored socks. (I have a hugh collection of crazy colored socks!)

Jocelyn said...

I love the socks. I would love to learn how to knit socks. They look so cozy.

Lorna McMahon said...

The socks are beautiful. I like that they are ankle length. And the little coaster is such a sweet tweet!

Judy said...

Love the socks. The easiest way I have found to get contrasting heels is to do after-thought heel socks. The heel is knit the same way as the toes. Here are two videos I used to learn how to make them:

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNMd9-C6YDM
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l04Kl5kXnQ
3)

DaisyLiz said...

I adore your birdie coaster and the sketch stitching! I'm also pretty excited for a chance to win your patterns. That thread catcher has been calling my name for a while, but I just haven't prioritized it yet. Happy Holidays!

tink's mom said...

I finished a pair of socks this week. Too bad they don't fit me. Good thing that my sister has small feet. Yours look very comfy. Will give the pattern a look over. Love your coaster. The crochet is a perfect finish.

Sue @ Quilting the Green Star said...

Love the socks and if I may say so, the gussets are beautiful! I am just knitting my first pair and the heel turning bit has been a bit of a challenge. I will try your pattern next time!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

The socks look so cosy! The coaster is so sweet and agree the crochet finishes it perfectly!

Little Black Cat Quilting said...

Love the little birdy, so bright and cheerful! :)

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Yay for cosy toes and a very cute coaster, you seem all set for a good night snuggled up knitting the next pair!

eleanor said...

Holy smokes! And I'm proud of my one pair of socks I knitted, can't even imagine 15!

Diane Beavers said...

OMG your birdie coast is so sweet! I remember Erin's blog hop when you partook. Cool that you upcycled some yarn.
One of giftee's want's mismatched socks, hmmm, I can knit mittens but have not yet attempted socks, so I will take at peak at your tutorial. THanks for sharing the "how to bind tiny things". I've emailed you a pic of my finished up mug rugs . Easy peasy, you're the best at encouraging me to try. Merry Christmas to you and yours also and I hope hubby is enjoying his coasters:)

bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Empress Charlotte Handmades said...

Adorable socks and I love the coaster design! Thanks for hosting the linky party.

Mel said...

Knitting is too fiddly for me, but I have made one of those coasters - so cute! Cheers, Melanie melane99@gmail.com

Heide said...

I just ordered Erin's book Sweet treats, looking forward to getting it at Christmas. Your little bird is cute.

Unknown said...

Majorly cute socks! I just might make these my first pair to knit. And, your coaster is adorable. I've been thinking about getting that book and your post has moved me in that direction.

Unknown said...

Have a great Xmas.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Those look like the coziest socks. Sock making--still on my list of things to learn. And your edging is beautiful!

Ella said...

Fabulous job on the socks! I have a pair of those on my needles right now.

Colleen said...

those are great socks Amanda, I wish I could knit ! love the little coaster too - it's amazing how you slip a little polka dot into just about all your projects :)
Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Vicki in MN said...

Your feet will be toasty warm this winter!

Turid said...

What a lovely bird coaster.

Laura L. said...

Love all of the inspiration you give. Thank you for being so dedicated to your blog and readers. I appreciated you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

What great looking socks. They look comfy.

Susan said...

Great socks! I have just read Di's post (@ random thoughts do or di) about the Afterthought heel. I'm sure you could incorporate this technique into your next pair! I really need to learn to knit socks!!!

Quilting Grannie said...

I love your socks. I have never knitted socks for myself. We lived in Finland when 3 of our 4 our children were in grade school. I knitted socks for them to wear over their lighter weight socks in their felt boots. They wear like crazy!

Susanhusan said...

Your socks are wonderful! How I wish I enjoyed knitting socks, but it just hasn't happened. Maybe someday :) I love your coaster as well!

DeniseClaire said...

The little bird is very cute. Knitting socks...I wish! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Unknown said...

very nice this post by victoria

Patti said...

My new year's promise to myself is to learn how to knit socks! I love yours!

Rita Lynn said...

You are so versatile. You knit,embroider and quilt.

Unknown said...

I love your socks! I like that they aren't tall. I love short socks. Merry Christmas ;c) shopgirl7232 at yahoo dot com

Debbi said...

I love to knit socks. The Kitchener stitch always makes me happy; it is like magic!

gigi said...

Cute, cute, cute!

Lee said...

I just love to see you finished projects! You inspire me to move forward and get things finished! Happy Holidays! Mamagiff on ravelry

Linda in PA said...

Love the socks! I need to try making some. lraetaylor at gmail dot com

kmcallister said...

Love the socks. I knitted one pair and started my 2nd pair and that is as far as I got. Could probably not remember what I did now!

Needled Mom said...

Those socks are terrific. I like the contrasting toe. Your little coaster is sooo sweet.

Marla said...

Great socks and I love the use of the yarn to crochet the edging of the coaster.

Therese said...

The socks are so cute! I look forward to someday doing all these fun things right before Christmas.

Nancy in IN said...

Love the socks. I want to try again. I made a pair of socks in 1964, my senior year in college. They are for hubby and are still in cedar chest!!

cjmont said...

love your socks, beautiful and comfy-cozy all in one,

Barbara said...

Cute little bird, I'd hate to cover him up with a drink. Super fun.

sandi s said...

I love your socks! The birdie coaster is so cute. Merry Christmas! Hugs,

Cathy Melancon said...

Amanda, you are so....talented!!! I'm envious of your knitting skills! I do crochet sometimes, but so far only an afgan or 2!!! The coaster is totally adorable!!! Have a wonderfully merry Christmas!!

Holly said...

Your socks look great! I would love to learn how to knit sock and to relearn how to make mittens. My knitting skills have evaporated over the years, but I'm determined to retrieve them.

Unknown said...

I would love to win a pattern from you. Merry Christmas!
Jackie
jackiealu@aol.com

Kim said...

The coaster is adorable!

Vicki H said...

Love the socks! I think you did a great job on the crochet too.

Shellie said...

Love the coaster. I also love that you number your finishes. Great idea to keepas a record.
Shellie

Liberata said...

I don't knit socks, but I love your little tweet coasters.

Carol E. said...

I love the socks! I have to knit some for myself one of these days. Those skinny needles kind of scare me off.

Karen said...

OK, had to do a little research on "Rose City Rollers", but have got it sorted now :) Yep, your gorgeous socks look like tough, long wearing derby socks, and they're just the right length for the crazy "winter" we're having here in Maine--50 degrees this week. (Your $75 socks sound like the fear I have about ending up with a $90 homemade bag.) Merry Christmas to all of you, Amanda Jean. Thanks for all the great posts in 2015!

Lodi said...

Love your socks,so good luck with the heel. Personally I am super afraid of "the sock"! Can it be so much more difficult than fabric, needle and thread?

Lodi said...

Perhaps we should have a sock-a-thon?

Rita Montgomery said...

I have never knitted before but those socks make me want to learn. I love the Sweet Treats bird and need to get that book. Thanks.

Judy said...

Love the socks, really cute. I wish I could knit, I've tried many times but just never seem to get the hang of it. I can do simple crochet, knitting is just beyond me. Now that coaster is to die for. I've been making some and some mug rugs, and never thought to put crochet around them for finishing. That's even easier than binding!! Very cute!!

Katherine said...

Wow! So impressed that you were able to get 2 pairs of socks from those 2 balls of yarn. Super cute with the contrast toes on the second pair. I love handknit socks!

Cuteness overload with your sweet birdie coaster. Loving the patchwork and that you finished it with crochet trim. Super sweet!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and thanks for keeping up motivated with Finish it up Fridays!

Unknown said...

The socks are wonderful! I am especially taken with the crochet edging on the coaster. What a nice touch. Love it!

margaret said...

I like your bird coasters. I wonder how the crocheted edge will hold up in the wash. I don't work with yarn much (at all anymore).
Have A Merry Christmas!!!!!

Daytona Damsel said...

Love those socks. I do not get to wear soft warm socks often in Florida but when it does get cold my socks are the first thing I dig out. The coaster is so cute too. Have a great Christmas.

Debbie

Annette said...

Love the socks. Knitting isn't something that I've attempted yet.

Shirley JB said...

LOVE your socks!!!

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine said...

The crochet looks great on the coaster, super cute!

JudyD said...

Love your socks and the rainy day coaster- how precious! Merry Christmas! Always look forward to your posts!!

Lisa E said...

I wish I could knit! (And no, I do not need to start another hobby.) I still need to decorate my Christmas tree!

NebraskaNative said...

The socks are great! What a lost art... Holiday cheers!!!

Anonymous said...

Cute and cute.
Nice job on the crochet.

Angela Atkins said...

The coaster is adorable! I don't think I would be able to put a drink on top of it.

Marcelle said...

I started reading your blog about a year ago and I just wanted to say that you have inspired me so much. I usually only have time to read when I sit down to nurse my baby, but I am so thankful for you because you have given me a lot of hope: that handmade things matter, that scraps are useful/valuable, that time spent creating is well-used, and that both the process and the product are satisfying. Wishing you happy holidays and success in all your endeavors!

Marcelle said...

I started reading your blog about a year ago and I just wanted to say that you have inspired me so much. I usually only have time to read when I sit down to nurse my baby, but I am so thankful for you because you have given me a lot of hope: that handmade things matter, that scraps are useful/valuable, that time spent creating is well-used, and that both the process and the product are satisfying. Wishing you happy holidays and success in all your endeavors!

Marcelle said...

I started reading your blog about a year ago and I just wanted to say that you have inspired me so much. I usually only have time to read when I sit down to nurse my baby, but I am so thankful for you because you have given me a lot of hope: that handmade things matter, that scraps are useful/valuable, that time spent creating is well-used, and that both the process and the product are satisfying. Wishing you happy holidays and success in all your endeavors!

Marcelle said...

I started reading your blog about a year ago and I just wanted to say that you have inspired me so much. I usually only have time to read when I sit down to nurse my baby, but I am so thankful for you because you have given me a lot of hope: that handmade things matter, that scraps are useful/valuable, that time spent creating is well-used, and that both the process and the product are satisfying. Wishing you happy holidays and success in all your endeavors!

leanne said...

awesome socks and that birdy is adorable !