Posts tagged Ch'ichi
LAID EDGES | A Sock Project

I’m rounding out this year’s Socktober festivities with one last sock project.

This one was a bit of a challenge for me, not because the pattern was overly complicated, but because I chose an unlikely yarn for the experiment.

Knit up in Mirasol’s Ch’ichi, an alpaca/linen/bamboo blend, it wasn’t the easiest on the hands particularly while knitting in a small circumference.

But the results were worth the persistence!

Find my project notes below for the Laid Edges socks.

Enjoy!

Andrea | Loom + Spindle


STUDIO PROJECT | Laid Edges

INTENTION

Knit the Laid Edges sock pattern and explore:

  • Working with Ch’ichi

  • Working cable details on small circumference knitting

DESIGN

Laid Edges was published in May 2020 by Kellie Macpherson, a London horticulturist and budding knitwear designer. The pattern is available as a free digital download at Ravelry.com.

The pattern is available in 3 adult sizes with adjustable foot and leg lengths.

SKILLS

  • Knitting in the round

  • Simple cabling

TOOLS

  • 2.5 mm (no US equivelent) sock needles

MATERIALS

1 x Ch’ichi | Elderflower 03

PROCESS

YARN SELECTION

  • I was drawn to dense and weighty hand feel of Ch’ichi. It had a nice firm ply structure that I thought would be hardwearing enough for socks.

CONSTRUCTION

  • I followed the pattern as written. I didn’t add any extra length to the leg as I new yardage would be tight.

  • For the cuff cast-on I used the alternating cast-on method. To close the toe I used the Kitchener stitch as suggested in the pattern.

FINISHING

  • After weaving in the ends I gave the socks a short soak, after pressing out the water I used sock blockers to hang and dry.

  • The finished gauge was 28 stitches over 10cm (7st per inch).

INSIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

YARN

  • Ch’ichi is such a curious yarn, it has some softness, some drape and a durable hand-feel that all together is quite unique.

  • Without a lot of natural spring in the yarn (when compared to say a 100% wool yarn), it was tricky to work at such a small gauge. But, not impossible.

CONSTRUCTION + FINISHING

  • The charming cable detail is certainly what drew me to the pattern. Worked over just a few rows it was simple to remember and worked up fairly quickly with a bit of focused effort.

  • The twisted rib cuff was a nice detail that I think adds a clean modern look.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It was certainly fun knitting socks in Ch’ichi, but definitely not an experience for the faint hearted knitter.

Having got this experiement out of my system, I think I’ll stick to the recommended gauge for any future projects.

The resulting socks are comfy and warm.

Who dares me to rock them with sandals this summer?

…have to show off those toe to cuff cables some how, right!

Knitting Laid Edges in Ch’ichi?

Here’s what you’ll need for sizes 1-3: 1 ( 1 , 2) skeins

If you would you like to save this project for later add it to your Ravelry favourites HERE.


THANK YOU FOR READING!

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Sunny Summer Hues | Ch'ichi

Featuring alpaca, linen and bamboo with soft tweedy flecks, Mirasol’s Ch’ichi is a somewhat unusual blend.

We adore the alpaca for its softness and warmth, the linen for its drape, the bamboo for its luminance and the tweed for adding a rustic touch.

So, is it a winter yarn, a summer yarn, a rustic yarn? Perhaps something in between!

In a palette of delightfully sunny summer hues, we think this curious yarn will brighten any mood.

Shop all shades HERE.


Colourways

THE YARN

FIBRE CONTENT: 30% Alpaca, 30% Linen, 25% Bamboo (Viscose), 15% Micro Tweed
NET WEIGHT: 100g (3.5oz)
YARN WEIGHT EQUIVALENT: DK / 8 Ply
APPROX. YARDAGE: 200m (219yd)
CONSTRUCTION: Worsted spun, moderate ply
ORIGIN: Spun in Peru
CARE: Cold hand wash

PROJECT SUGGESTIONS

Ch’ichi is suitable for a range of knitted pieces. For project inspiration check out our pattern favourites on RAVELRY.

ABOUT MIRASOL

Mirasol offer a range of sumptuous yarns made from rich alpaca, wool and cotton fibres all sourced from the Peruvian Andes. A portion of every Mirasol purchase is dedicated directly to funding a school in the remote area of Munani in the region of Puno to educate the children of the shepherds who live there. Visit www.mirasolperu.com for more information.

 
 
 
 

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