Because I cannot be bothered to do anything the easy way, I decided to try a pair of scrappy Inlay socks. I knew there was a solid chance that I wasn’t going to love them, but what if I do? I had to find out. I’m no good at wondering “What if?”. Just over one chart repeat in, I realized the half of me that thought this wasn’t going to end well was spot on. This pattern is too pretty not to use solid yarn.

So, I ruthlessly frogged and began the hunt for my next victim pattern. I considered the Dalekanium pattern after admiring Bonnie’s pair. I enjoy the look of this pattern with stripes, but it’s toe up which doesn’t jive with my scrappy vision. I looked at some cuff down slip stitch patterns, but they just don’t have the same lines. So, I started brainstorming other cuff down patterns I’m familiar with and thought of the Lycaena virgaureae Socks I gifted and decided I need a pair of my own. These may be just what the Dr. ordered. Only time will tell!

Tags: handknit, knit, knit socks, knitting, sock sock yarn, socks

Last night, I pulled out my trusty 2.25mm Signature Needle Arts DPN’s and cast on for a new pair of Hunter Hammersen socks. Then, I made peace with the fact that the chart is 34 stitches wide and a truly smart knitter would be magic looping. So, I switched my shiny green DPN’s for addi circulars, only to realize that the stiletto tips had been terribly handy given all the lovely twisted stitches. So, today Lisa and I headed to an LYS to hunt down some addi sock rockets.

Now, I’ve knit more than a few socks. The majority of these have been Hunter Hammersen patterns. For most of her patterns to fit my foot, I check the gauge and end up knitting with 2.25mm needles. The yarn shop had 2.0mm needles and 2.5’s. The owner kindly ordered my preferred size.

Here’s the conversation in the car on the way back from the shop:

Lisa: So, 2.25mm. How did you discover that was THE size for sock needles? trial and error?

Me: I don’t use 2.0mm because wooden needles that small break too frequently, Signature Needle Arts doesn’t make 2.0mm DPN’s, and sometimes they give me hand cramps.
2.5mm needles do not give me a fabric as dense as I like.

Lisa: I just wonder if .25mm could matter that much?

Me: Well, Elizabeth Zimmermann knit a sock on four different sized needles to prove that it could be done and needle size doesn’t really matter. But, I think we both know I’m not Elizabeth Zimmermann.

She did not disagree.

Tags: handknit, knit, knit socks, knitting, sock, sock yarn, socks

I test knit these for Louise Tilbrook. The hardest part was choosing a color that would do the pattern justice. I also wanted to pick a color that would match several outfits, but in the end, I wasn’t in the mood to knit khaki socks. Cause this color is so much more fun!

Pattern: Comb Gill by Louise Tilbrook
Needles: 2.25mm Signature Needle Arts DPN’s
Yarn: String Theory Hand Dyed Caper Sock
Colorway: Juice
Note: When you begin, these are not going to look amazing. Just keep going, and once you have a few repeats, the magic happens.
Right after I finished these, my parents visited and we headed down to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

I talked them into lunch at Torchy’s and my dad said it might have been the best taco he’s ever had. (It might have been because we were starving, but Torchy’s is really good. )

Then, we went antiquing in Georgetown before meeting up with The Husband at Casa de Metzroth for a 42 tournament. It was a perfect day.

Tags: caper sock yarn, handknit, knit, knit socks, knitting, sock, sock yarn, socks, string theory yarn