Sock Blanks to Socks

This just sounded like SUCH a good idea......

Basically, starting with two skeins of animal fibered sock yarn & holding two yarns together, you crochet (or knit, but I crochet MUCH faster) a large piece of "fabric".

I began by chaining 63. Then, dc in the 3rd ch from the hook.  Dc in every ch after to the end of the row. Turn. Ch3 and dc in every dc. Continue dc in every dc until you use up all the yarn. Then, I soaked the "fabric" in warm water with a little mild soap and a couple Tbsp. of vinegar for about 30 minutes. Rinsed. Now it's ready for the dye.

 

 

 I added about 1/2" of water in the bottom of the Crock pot. Added a couple Tbsp. of vinegar to the water. Mixed in a few drops of food coloring (red) with the water. Since I was shooting for a pinkish shade I didn't want a LOT of red. Added the fabric and let set a minute or so to saturate the fabric with the dye. Then I flipped the fabric over to saturate the other side. Put the lid on, set the temp at low and let "cook" for about an hour.  Rinsed the fabric in cool water. Then repeated the process a few more times, always increasing my color intensity. The last dyeing was a dark red with a bit of blue as I was hoping for a red violet color. 

 

This was not really what I thought I'd end up with,

but it is a pretty watermelon color, so, after the fabric dried. I went ahead and  began unraveling the fabric and cast-on socks, 2-at-a-time. I must say, I LOVE this method. It would be great for mittens, mitts, gloves. Anything you knit 2-at-a-time! 

If you want to se some REAL sock blank artistry, Check out this post, this post, & this forum from the Sock Blank Artist's group on Ravelry. Then, let me know if you think you can resist dyeing a sock blank!