stranded

Pattern: Socks from Ivo from Andean Folk Knits.

After I finished the Fancy Silk Socks I thought for sure I was done with socks. I loved them but was tired of tiny stitches going around and around. So, I picked up an old project I had started before the summer heat made it difficult to have a heap of wool in my lap. And after a few days of feverish knitting I realized that I wasn't on deadline and I didn't need to finish a shrug for myself in less than a week. Suddenly, socks seemed like a relief.
I found that I was feeling angry and resentful towards the thick yarn (heavy work hurts my wrists) -so I went back to socks.
All these emotions about knitting and projects. It's funny. I find myself drawn to projects and I try to follow my whims since one thing leads to another and sometimes a brain storming session of new ideas will strike as I knit on something mindless.


The main yarn is Lang Jawoll and the contrast yarn is Paca-Peds. I love how the stranded knitting with a monochromatic variegate yarn looks. I really really like these socks! This pair is for a friend who has a birthday coming soon. But, I'm pretty sure I'll be making another pair in different colors soon.
Has anyone used the yarn Paca-Peds-from the Alpaca Yarn Company? I tried looking for finished socks but didn't see any out there (except for the ones on the yarn companys site).

greenish knee socks

greenish knee socks
Originally uploaded by katcoyle.

Greenish Knee Socks for the Nervous Knitter
(That would be me, nervous not about the knitting but about life outside of knitting)

Pattern notes:
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, Camouflage color (215 yds, 2 oz); 1 skein for each sock (with not a lot left over).
Needles: 4 dpn size 2 (for cuff and leg), 5 dpn size 1 (for heel and foot)
Gauge: 7 1/2 sts and 11 rows = 1” with size 2 needle.

To fit a foot that wears a size 8 1/2 shoe. Alter the length from heel to toe for a different size foot. Though if you’re going to make it longer you will need more yarn.

Basic Pattern:
Cast on with size 2 needle 64 sts. Work 2” of 2x2 rib (about 22 rows).
Work St st until pieces measures 14 1/2” from cast on edge (about 138 rows in St st).
Change to size 1 needle to work heel and foot. Work short row heel on 32 sts on needles 1 and 2 for left sock and needles 3 and 4 for right sock.
Work 7” of St st from the heel (about 85 rows). Then, work the short row toe on 32 sts with same needles as heel sts.
Graft (32) toe sts to top of (32) foot sts.

Weave in ends, put on socks and party.

Pretty socks, done

finished socks
Originally uploaded by katcoyle.

These fancy socks sat on my desk for the last nine or so months, patiently waiting for me to complete the second sock. Finally, I got around to it. It took a while getting back in the swing of a pattern that has been put down for so long; and the yarn had issues. Some critters had chewed bits from the working skein so I had to do quite a bit of splicing. But in the end, all is well. What a relief and the good news, they fit really well, much better than I suspected. The pattern is Petticoat Socks in the book Weekend Knitting. My feet thank me!