Way back in February I decided to knit a pair of socks for each month in 2008. I felt that my sock yarn stash was getting entirely out of control and I had just enough skeins to knit 12 pairs of socks.

Well, it’s almost the end of the year and I’m pleased to report that I’m DONE! 12 pairs, finished, ends woven in, mostly blogged. Before we get to the celebration, here’s pair number 12:

Pattern: Spring Forward, Knitty 2008
Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Bamboolicious in Chocoplum

Yay! Done! These were supposed to be for me, but they turned out a bit small because when I try to “knit loosely”, it never works. They’re going to my mother in law.

The pattern: pretty, but ok in general. I closed my eyes tightly and ignored the fact that the ribbing doesn’t blend into the pattern in any way. I also made the socks symmetrical by starting the second sock on row 12. This is such an easy thing to do that makes the pair look even better!

Ok, time for a sock party!

WOO!

YEAH!

SOCKS!

Statistics:

• One pair is knit with my handspun
• Two pairs are gifts: Marina Piccola and Spring Forward
• Three pairs are designs that were published in Knotions and Knitty: Oak Leaf Socks, Interlocking Leaves, and Hanging Vines
• Eight pairs are lace (well, involve yos)
• Eleven pairs are textured

So did I achieve my original goal, sock yarn reduction? Um, no.

Twelve pairs of sock yarn, all ready for 2009! Just kidding, I’m so very over socks. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to stop knitting them, as they’re the perfect portable project, but somehow I got over that all to easily. I have swatched the blue Wollmeise for a friend, but I’m in no rush to get started. I have a new, epic project waiting in the wings. For next time, sock lovers!

Pattern: Kinetic by Norah Gaughan (on ravelry)
Yarn: Malabrigo merino worsted in Azul Profundo

Poor Rob’s only scarf is my very first knitting project – a two-by-two rib scarf that looks like it’s been around the block. I decided that I needed to remedy this and was on the search for the perfect manscarf. Enter Kinetic, the perfect manscarf!

I really enjoyed knitting this pattern. Large charts don’t frighten me, especially easy knit-purl ones. I used highlighter tape to keep track of my place which worked out perfectly. The pattern as written is more of a shawl, but I only worked the 36 stitch repeat section (plus two garter stitches on each side).

The best thing about the pattern? The wrong side looks pretty damn nice, too. The photo of me wearing the scarf shows both sides – wrong side on the left, right side on the right.

Pattern: Mistake Rib, baby! (on ravelry)
Yarn: Bertagna Filati Perla (the blue), Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran

The bonus is a simple mistake rib scarf for me that I knit over the summer but it never saw any blog time. I’ve been wanting a striped, mistake rib scarf ever since I made the red one a couple of years ago. I did a big stash reorganization (big because my stash! it is too large) and found the perfect yarns for this scarf.

The yarns are similar in weight but couldn’t be more different. The Italian yarn is a highly cabled yarn with a lot of sheen, while the Jo Sharp is a smooshy two ply that’s quite matte. I think that they make an interesting pair, although if anyone else notices then they’re probably standing entirely too close to me!

The scarf is a bit on the short side because each ball of yarn was less than 100 yards (I had two balls of each). Whatever, it’s still pretty and it just happens to match my Target Wave mittens. I am nothing if not predictable, apparently!