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August 28, 2020
Cranky Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

This is where my alternate ball of yarn rests while I work the heel on a monster sock. This little epiphany has really helped me knit the heel faster and more accurately. This is possible because the yarn guide for the mini mast has slots for the entire yarn path.
What makes a pair of monster socks a pair? Usually the only thing that matches is the cuff. Otherwise, they are made with one to two row stripes of scraps of Knit Picks Felici in whatever color I happen to grab. No two socks are alike.
Sunday mornings, after we ...

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August 21, 2020
Cranky Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

When I post my fresh-off-the-machine socks with the waste yarn still on the toe I often get asked interesting questions like "I'm so confused!

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August 14, 2020
Cranky Cranker from Becca's Crazy Projects

This what my Erlbacher Gearhart looks like when you break it down to parade rest. This is where I ended up when I couldn't figure out why it was dropping stitches because it wasn't doing what it should do.
You can't see the grub screw in that hole. Because I screwed in in until it was well inside. I can tell you that if it sticks out far enough it will cause all manner of problems.
While I was in there, I wiped everything down and added some oil. Smooth operator!
I think putting those 72 needles ...

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August 10, 2020
Cranky Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

Friday I cranked out another monster sock. These are so much fun to make. 
My machine and I had a bit of a disagreement while I was making that second sock. The second sock took all Saturday afternoon. I'll share more about that on a different post. Let's just say I learned a little more about my Erlbacher Gearhart circular knitting machine and I'll be ready for the next time it happens.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook ...

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August 3, 2020
Cranky Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

It took all week to finish these. I can usually only squeeze one in after work. 
Made with Knit Picks Stroll for the hung hem and Knit Picks Felici for the rest. 
These came out great!
Wrapped up and ready to send to their new home! Where is that? Well, I don't know. This pair was listed on Etsy. Check them out if you like the colorway. Want your own pair? Stop by my Etsy shop Becca's Crazy Projects and send me a message. I can knit you a pair in any of the current Felici colorways from ...

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July 29, 2020
Cranky Socks: Monster Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

The view from my cranking chair. It doesn't look very scrappy from here. I make these colorful, scrappy wonders (some people call them monster socks) using two or more colorways of self-striping yarn. I mostly buy Knit Picks Felici. Felici is released in limited colorways throughout the year. This means the colors I have are likely no longer available. Sometimes the yellows (or greens, or whatever) from two different colorways line up. This is completely by accident.
When I knit these, I lost count on  the one of the right. It is four rows shorter than the other sock ...

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July 3, 2020
Cranky Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects

I cranked up a couple pairs of socks last weekend. Fist was a pair using this fun Stroll Gradient from Knit Picks. Like many of their yarns, this might be a limited run color. If I see a color I really like I make sure to buy it. Or, like this, I buy it when it goes on sale.
I am still loving the sock knitting on my Erlbacher Gearhart circular sock knitting machine. Socks are quick and they make great gifts!
When I had finished that pair, I switched gear to crank out some monster socks using leftover Knit ...

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June 5, 2020
Cranky Striped Socks from Becca's Crazy Projects


Last month I learned about an accessory for the circular sock machine. The mini-mast is a great way to add stripes to your machine knitting. The first thing you need is a split yarn carrier. I found one through Chambord CSM. The yarn carrier showed up before the mini-mast, so I had some time to get used to it before trying two yarns. It works great and I'm not sure why I didn't buy one before.  
The mini-mast is sold by TurtleMade on Etsy. I purchased the Hybrid Mount Mini Mast for Erlbacher Gearhart Circular Sock Machine and ...

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