Socks! Socks! Socks!
Sock #1: Plain Ol’ Stripey.
Socks + stray, again. The yarn is Yarn Pirate in Hannah, in her way-back-when original base yarn. Where way back when is about six months ago. I knit these on US0 needles, and got about 9.75 sts/inch. I really, really like the thinner socks - they were a bitch to finish, but I think I’ll be more likely to wear them than my thick Koigus.
These are plain old toe-up sockinette socks with a three-inch ribbed cuff. Woo. I had some fit issues around the heel my first go around, so I increased 12 stitches before working the short-row heel, then decreased those stitches after the heel. Specifically, I chose a center stitch on each side and increased on each side of it, every four rows, three times, worked a few rows, worked the heel (which included half of the increased stitches), then worked decreases similarly. The increases caused the stripes to get all flashy on me - not so noticeable from the top view, but very obvious from the side. The things I do for fit.
Sock #2: Mad Color, indeed.
I loved Stacey’s Mad Color Weave socks, and mine are going to be more similar to hers than I originally thought.
This is the point at which I ran out of yarn. I extended the leg by a couple of pattern repeats because the cuff as written is way short, but my toes are going to be cold this way. I have some leftover chocolate brown yarn from these socks and a skein of berry sock yarn that might match, so I have options.
I’ve even grown to love the barfy Koigu colorway. It looks much nicer outdoors, a place I don’t travel to very often this time of year. I keep reading about people starting to feel an autumnal chill in the air and I am insanely jealous. The only chill we feel around here is from the blasting air conditioner.
Sock #3: Finally writing up that damn pattern.
I finally waded through the sea of free, buggy software to create some charts for the Ironwork Socks. Yeah! I’ve been going back and forth about selling the pattern or giving it away for free. I’m completely undecided about this. I’ll probably go the lazy route and give it away. The hardest part about this whole process has been creating new font characters for some of the japanese symbols and one kelly-created knitting maneuver.
Why all the socks these days? Besides my desires for some Wollmeise, now, a certain purple sweater is getting reknit. Details next time.
Don’t forget about Yarnival!, submit your August yarny action here.
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Your Mad Colorweave socks are beautiful! I love the barfy Koigu!
I see you are a mac user too. Do you mind sharing where you found that charting software? I need to chart a few patterns and it looks like just what I am after.
For what my opinion is worth, that is a really beautiful sock pattern and also pretty complex. I wouldn’t mind paying for it.
Hi, there, I’d like to know that chart software, too! p.s. your socks are lovely!
Wow, that is a complicated chart! I love the colorweave socks, they really show off that yarn.
NIIIIIICE SOCKS!!
what program are you using for the chart? I would love to know too. :)
Pretty socks! And charting software? The public needs to know. :)
Yay for plain stripey socks! And the barfy Koigu never looked better.
I submitted the yarnival yesterday!
Hehehe, you definitely need to knit with Wollmeise! ;-p
i love all the socks! i’m with you on the thinner gauged socks. although i did buy a pair of boots last year a half a size bigger than normal just so i could comfortably wear handknit socks with them :)
the mad color weave doesn’t look bad at all in the pics. i love that slip stitch pattern.
Fabulous socks! You need to be wearing capris with these to show them all off.
wow!!!! that charting is CRAZY!!! :) I think brown would look great as toes for the mad color weave. Those contrasting toes are catchy!
You’re going to be so ready with socks when the temps drop below 90 degrees, huh? Isn’t it hard to even model socks right now?
I love the way the crossovers show the colors in the barfy Koigu. Very nice.
I would also like to know what software you used for the charting, if you’re willing to share!
Wow! How amazing a different yarn will transform a sock. I love the variegated look with this pattern. I’m bookmarking today.
That sock looks nice, but drafty. I love the YP ones.
Yeah, those people who can feel fall coming? What’s up with that? I always think of August as the peak of a summer that lasts from April to November.
I just started knitting with the Yarn Pirate yarn, and I do like the thinner stuff! I think the Mad Weave socks look great. I read a tutorial somewhere on how to setup the software to sell your patterns. I can find a link if you’re interested.
Ah, Open Office. It’s quite fantastic isn’t it?
And I love the YP socks, they’re lots of fun, even though I’m sure it seemed like miles of stockinette!
And what is up with that autumn chill? Seriously, it’s still 98 degrees here all the time! I’d really go for a “fall breeze” on my bike commuting days…
Thanks for the link to the Mad Weave socks. I love the color you’re using and it doesn’t look barfy at all!
Lovely work on those socks!
Way to go sock MANIAC!!
You can’t go wrong with Yarn Pirate yarn. The socks look very nice.
That chart looks scary. Don’t know how you chart readers do it!
Oh, man, I can’t wait for that Ironwork sock pattern! It is fab! (and looks so fun to knit).
I’m really loving on your partial sock ;-).