Socks? Socks. Socks!
Socktoberfest is over, so it’s finally time to catch up on all the socks I’ve been knitting. These are pairs 8 through 11 of my grand sock-a-month-plan, and I’m almost done with the last pair. Finally! No more socks! I’ll be very happy when the sock knitting is complete.
Pattern: Gentleman’s Fancy Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Yarn in Crew
I originally omitted the calf shaping, but it was working up too small so I added it back in. It’s so nice to be able to follow a pattern verbatim for once!
There’s only one knit row between rib blocks. Also, I worked the rib blocks for two stripe color changes. Also also, I worked an afterthought heel and did my own thing for the toe shaping.
Pattern: Anna’s Socks by Kirsten Kapur
Yarn: Piece of Beauty Sock Yarn in October Day
I think these are a perfect combo of yarn + pattern! The pattern chart is pretty simple, yet I love the way it looks.
My gauge was smaller than the pattern’s (and I have large feet), so I modified the stitch pattern to be wider along the front and back (I think one extra repeat?) with less ribbing on the sides. I also extended the stitch pattern all the way to the toe.
Pattern: Marina Piccola by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Knitpicks Essential. I overdyed the grass green skeins with a bluish green.
Overall, I love the way the pattern looks! I did have a few wee issues with it:
In half the sizes the ribbing doesn’t match up with the pattern. I did a bunch of increasing and decreasing to make the ribbing flow into the waves of the pattern. This is only an issue in sizes where you’re working an even number of stitches between pattern repeats.
The pattern comes with a great chart on which side to select based on your gauge and foot size. However, these socks are definitely on the snuuuug size (and I definitely knit a swatch!). I’d go up a pattern size if I knit this pattern again.
I had some tension issues – the left side of each stockinette section (the ssk and regular m1 side) is much looser than the right side. I think that ssks are out to get me. These socks haven’t been blocked yet – maybe the magic of blocking with solve everything?
These were supposed to be a gift for my mother in law, but my 12th pair of socks is a bit to small, so she’ll be getting those. The heel flap on these is pretty short, and I’ve learned from all this sock knitting that I have a huge instep, so I should really frog back to the heel flap and make it taller. The thought of ripping this pattern that I knit on size 1 needles and that I’m oh-so-very over pains me greatly. So we’re going to go ahead and call them finished for now.
These are a little preview of my design for the winter issue of Knotions! The issue looks awesome overall, Jody did a fabulous job putting it together. You can queue these up on Ravelry now – I’ll post more when the pattern comes out next week.
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ooh, lovely socks.
Wow, your sock design is amazing! Congrats on that. The other three pairs are lovely, too. Good thing we’re transitioning into sock weather here in Houston, eh?
Hey, that October Day knitted up really nicely! I’m so glad that you took them off my hands, they became gorgeous socks! And the new sock pattern you have —- just absolutely stunning!
I think I just had a sockgasm.
How beautiful, all of them!
Gorgeous socks!! Your design looks amazing, I can’t wait to see the pattern.
whoa, that is A LOT of socks in one post! they are all lovely. and i think that SSKs must be like that for everyone. i have the same issues and i know several other knitters that do as well.
Say what? Tired of socks? Nevar! Oops, that was supposed to be never.
Those are great socks! I’m so excited to see your sock designs in Knotions, too. But I can understand that you’re a little over socks after twelve pairs! At least you’ve got quite a few new ones to add to your wardrobe?
all of your socks are gorgeous! anna’s socks are my favorite :)
Congrats on your year o’ socks! What are you going to do now?
A bevvy of beautiful socks there!
whew!!! that is a lot of socks! love the stripes!!!!
Wow, look at all those gorgeous socks! Now, I have sock envy.
These are all so beautiful!!!
Awesome socks! Especially love the blue and green ones – your new pattern looks very cool.
oh my.
I have put a moratorium on myself, not to knit more socks until I’ve finished up some other stuff. Cause I don’t need more socks.
I was wrong. After seeing this I really, really need socks.
You have a great eye for combining yarns and patterns, I want to steal the red and blue ones off your feet.
Fabulous socks! I wish I could get my hands on some vesper sock yarn. So pretty!
That is one fantastic sock collection, right there.
Thanks so much for sharing. I love to knit socks, and that sounds like a grand plan. I never thought to make a pair a month. Then it’s like a great big party at the end of a 12 month period for all the pretty socks!!!! Tell me, where do you find your patterns? Do you make them up yourself?
One pair is more beautiful than the next! Really lovely work.
I just wanted to tell you I like very much your blog and I come frequently to see what are you knitting.