Monday 20 March 2017

Rose City Rollers

I finished the Rose City Rollers socks which I was knitting for Eleanor. The pattern is free on Ravelry and is by Mara Catherine Bryner.


They're a short sock, like a trainer sock, with a rolled top and they knit up really quickly. I used Knitglobal Sock yarn in Summer Berries colourway and I have to say that I'm really impressed with the yarn. It's a gorgeous colour and the yarn itself is beautifully soft. One thing I would mention though is that I noticed a huge amount of dye left in the water when I blocked the socks, I'll have to make sure that Eleanor knows to hand wash them separately. This doesn't bother me though and I would love to use this yarn again, I'll have to see what other colours they do it in.

The socks were nicely wrapped and popped in a box of Happy Mail which Mick delivered to Eleanor when he was working in Nottingham and I'm pleased to say that she loved them.

As the Rose City Rollers are only short socks, there was quite a lot of yarn left over from the 100g skein so I thought I'd knit Eleanor another pair of short socks. This time I didn't follow any particular pattern, I just knit eight rows of rib before starting the slip stitch heel and then finished the socks off as I would an ordinary pair of plain socks. I think they've come out very well.


This sock yarn was very reasonably priced and to get two pairs of socks out of one skein is brilliant. I shall wrap this latest pair up and pop them in the next box of Happy Mail to be sent to Eleanor which will be after Easter now as she'll be coming home for the holidays at the end of next week.

I hope she doesn't read this blog post!

46 comments:

  1. I have tiny feet, so quite often can get 2 pairs of socks from 100grams :) - I also never knit very long legs has have the typical New Zealand women's wide calfs! Love both pairs - what a neat idea doing ankle socks.

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    1. Eleanor likes these trainer type socks so it was good I was able to get a couple of pairs out of one skein for her. I find this style a little uncomfortable to wear, I like a little more length in the leg.

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  2. I love the idea of Happy Mail boxes...it's such a great way to say 'thinking of you'! Getting two pairs of socks from one ball of yarn seems like excellent value for money. Jx

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    1. Eleanor loves getting her Happy Mail, I fill the boxes with little gifts, some functional and lots of treats. This yarn was very reasonable and even more so now I've managed to get two pairs of socks out of it.

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  3. The socks came out great! I'm sure Eleanor will love them.
    I bet she's loving the little parcels you send, I know Stevie did when she was at Uni :-)

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    1. I'm really pleased with them. I think I enjoy making up the parcels as much as Eleanor enjoys receiving them, I love choosing all the little treats to include.

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  4. Love the colors, Jo, but make mine a little taller, please. Just joking. You are so talented. P. x

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    1. I prefer more length in the leg too, I find these trainer style socks a little uncomfortable to wear, they always feel as though they're falling down to me.

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  5. The socks look great, Jo. The colourway does look like summer berries - or maybe raspberry ripple ice cream. Yum! :o)

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    1. I love this colourway and you're right, it does look like raspberry ripple.

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  6. They're snazzy. Flighty xx

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    1. They are. They meet with Eleanor's approval.

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  7. Two pairs from one skein...that's a bargain. They do look nice and cosy.

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    1. I'm really pleased that I managed to get two pairs out of the one skein, these shortie socks don't take up much yarn.

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  8. Love those socks! I am definitely going to add Happy Mail to my list of things to do when the kids fly the nest!

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    1. I love making up the boxes of Happy Mail and Eleanor loves to receive it so it's a win win situation. I always try to add something handmade, some sweeties that she might not have had for a while and those little plaques with saying on go down well with her too.

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  9. They are lovely, Jo! I can't knit so I admire anyone who can, and admire even more anyone who can make things as beautiful as these socks!
    Margaret P

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    1. I've been knitting for as long as I can remember but I'm not an accomplished knitter, I manage to get by but I enjoy being able to make things, especially for my family.

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  10. They look smashing! Two pairs from one skein is a bargain. 😊

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    1. It certainly is. Eleanor loved the Rose City Rollers so I hope she likes the second pair as much.

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    1. Both Eleanor and I are pleased with them.

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  12. These are very happy socks...I love my feet snuggly and happy....I really should try knitting myself some socks!!

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    1. You definitely should. I've worn hand knitted socks all through winter and my feet have been so warm and cosy.

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  13. That pattern is on my to do list! Love seeing some made in "real life".

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    1. It's a nice pattern and doesn't take very long to knit up.

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  14. Lovely Jo & I do like the fact you can just wing it with socks. So clever of you. Take care.

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    1. Once you know how socks are made up, rib, leg, heel, foot and toe, you can incorporate your favourite patterns to make the exact sock you want.

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  15. Nice socks! I like the pattern the yarn makes as you knitting with it. That's good you got two pairs of socks out of the skein!

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    1. There's some gorgeous self patterning sock yarn. I'm really pleased that the skein made two pairs of socks, there's still a little left over too so each pair of socks hasn't taken much yarn at all.

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  16. Really pretty socks, I love the roll top. You must be looking forward to the Easter break and spending quality time with your girl again xx

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    1. I'm really looking forward to Eleanor coming home for Easter. She's got two weeks off, which is a lot less than some universities take off at Easter, I remember Daniel being home for a month when he was there. I shall be counting down to summer then when she goes back.

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  17. Lovely yarn and lovely socks. Eleanor's feet are very lucky. I wish I could knit socks as easily as you. I have to concentrate VERY hard. X

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    1. I had to concentrate hard when I first started knitting socks but it does get easier the more you do. I still make silly mistakes sometimes.

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  18. They look almost edible! They remind me of raspberry ripple ice cream. Excellent getting 2 pairs of socks from one skein. I think I'm going to have Bay City Rollers songs in my head all day now after seeing the title of this post!
    Lisa

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    1. I really love the colour, I'm wondering what other colourways they do this yarn in now. Ha ha, it's funny that the Bay City Rollers didn't actually pop in to my mind until you mentioned them, I think I'll have their songs in my head all day now too.

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  19. Such lovely socks and you are right, that colourway is so pretty! I'm not surprised that Eleanor was thrilled to get them. And two pairs of socks from one skein - wonderful!

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    1. I love the colourway. I bought this yarn from a yarn festival so I shall be looking out for some more. I've only given Eleanor the one pair so far, I'm sure she'll be pleased when she knows there's another pair for her.

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  20. They are both really wonderful.

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    1. I'm pleased with both pairs and the yarn knit up beautifully.

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  21. Love them...please dispatch them immediately! xxx

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    1. I think Eleanor might have something to say about that.

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  22. Great socks, love the colour combination, such a lovely idea of a happy box, every one loves to receive surprises, a little bit of home whilst away. xcx

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    1. I really love the colours in these socks. I enjoy putting the Happy Mail together for Eleanor and she enjoys receiving it.

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  23. I do like this Summer Berries colourway.

    It will be so lovely for you to have Eleanor at home for the Easter break ... her two terms seem to have gone by quite quickly!

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm looking forward to Eleanor coming home for Easter. You're right, she's nearly finished her first year now and it's flown by, I don't know where the time's gone.

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