These socks serve the dual purpose of being my second completed pair in the Summer of Socks, as well as the August edition of Ravelry:Sockdown, in which we were to knit either a Sockbug pattern or a lace pattern. I chose a lace pattern from Sockbug, so I'm well covered!
And so are my feet...
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These socks knit up really fast. Or maybe it just seemed like they did when compared to the humongous socks that are my other pair on the needles right now. In any case, they were quick and fun and I really like them!
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I've been wanting and needing to add to my work-wearable socks, and these definitely fit the bill, matching most of my work wardrobe. The yarn, Brown Sheep Wildfoote, is one that I know that some others really don't like. I've read reviews that it's splitty and pilly, yet I didn't have much trouble with either. I knit really loosely, so maybe that's why I don't get as much splitting, maybe? I actually rather liked using the yarn.
By the time I took these pictures after work, the ground was quickly descending into shade, so I had to get creative:
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It's a good thing nobody can see into our backyard. It's bad enough that I take a load of photos of my knitting, but even worse that I do it flat on my back with my besocked feet sticking straight up in the air. I'm more than willing to look silly in my quest for good blog photos!
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On to the details:
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Pattern: River Rapids Socks (pdf) by Sockbug
Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon), in Camel (63g, just less than 1.5 skeins)
Needles: US1/2.25mm magic loop (because my only set of DPNs was already in use)
Gauge: 8.25 st/in
Notes: This sock as written, in sport weight, US3 needles, 64 stitches) would have been HUGE on me, so I did it with my normal 64 stitches in fingering weight on US1s. Came out fine. I could have done an extra repeat or more on the leg, I got all the way to the bottom of the heel flap on the second sock before my first skein ran out.
Modifications: I did a slip-stitch heel, only because I wasn't paying attention to the pattern (it was supposed to be eye of partridge). Not a pattern change, but I moved the purls to the ends of the needles, so that they started with knits instead. I hate starting a needle with a purl. On row 11, I skipped the YO and picked it up on the next row to prevent it from being too stretched, which the designer warns about in the pattern notes.
Comments (8)
I love them! They're beautiful in that solid colour. It shows off the pattern to perfection.
Posted by Opal | August 15, 2007 9:51 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 21:51
They're beautiful. The pattern shows much better in this colour than the CTH.
Posted by Dave | August 15, 2007 10:00 PM
Posted on August 15, 2007 22:00
Good looking socks! Isn't it difficult trying to create good pictures of your own feet in socks? No spectator sport anyway! I might reserve that pattern for 'cuff down' month, whenever that is! I would agree with you about the extra pattern repeat, I must note that on my copy of the pattern. I have done that with my 'embossed leaf' socks -I like my socks to still be ankle length when they have slouched a bit.
Posted by Sue | August 16, 2007 12:39 AM
Posted on August 16, 2007 00:39
Wow they look great! I love that colour. I was caught taking pictures of my feet in my new socks out on my balcony the other day by someone in the building across from me. At least they got a laugh, I guess. :)
Posted by Kirstie | August 16, 2007 5:16 AM
Posted on August 16, 2007 05:16
They look fabulous! And wonderful that you could finish off a pair for yourself while you work on those 11's.
Posted by lisa | August 16, 2007 3:50 PM
Posted on August 16, 2007 15:50
Gorgeous. And you can wear them to work. That's a combination that can't be beat.
Posted by Batty | August 16, 2007 6:44 PM
Posted on August 16, 2007 18:44
Great job on this pattern! Looks very nice!
Posted by tiennie | August 16, 2007 8:55 PM
Posted on August 16, 2007 20:55
I meant to comment the other day on these socks! I think they look great. You will enjoy wearing these to work and basking in the glory when people oh and ah over your hand knit socks. (What? They won't do that? Hm.)
The Purdue sweater and hat is very cute too!
Posted by Beverly | August 17, 2007 5:53 PM
Posted on August 17, 2007 17:53