Socks!
Why didn't anybody tell me that knitting socks was so much fun? What a great time I had knitting these for my Toasty Toes Pal. She will be receiving them tomorrow- I can't help myself when it comes to overnight shipping. It is a weakness in me about overnight shipping- how amazing is it that it can leave my house today and be thousands of miles away by tomorrow by Noon?
For a while now I have felt pretty silly buying LOTS of sock yarn and not knitting socks. I had started several pairs and then frogged them all but these were a breeze. They are the Basic Cabled Socks ala Brainy Lady. With a standard slip stitch heel flap and a Kitchenered toe! My very first! I have no idea how Kitchenering works but it does and look at that toe. It amused the hubbalicious to no end that grafting a toe is called Kitchenering- he went to University in Kitchener. Well, technically it was Waterloo- maybe in our house we should Waterloo the sock!
They are knit out of Koigu KPPPM on two 2.75 mm circs. Why are there two sizes of Size 2 needles? And why are the 2.75 mm so tough to find. All I could find were some Susan Bates and they were pretty awful. Effective but awful. Let's just say I will be looking for a different brand- the size gave me perfect gauge but I really do not want to suffer through those needles again.
Even though I waited until the last possible minute to knit these it was all a joy and I learned so much. It was rather intimidating because my pal is seriously an expert sock knitter whose skills I greatly admire. I think that is why I put off knitting them for so long- I didn't want to embarrass myself. Another reason I was worried is that my Toasty Toes Pal and I have very different taste in colors. She prefers very muted and heathered and I go for bright solids. I hope this color is muted enough for her- I have a hard time telling- I do think it is a nice color though. (The light was awful today and this is not the most accurate depiction of the color) I thought for sure they would pool differently and be horribly fraternal, I think they are maybe not identical but more similar than not. Phew!
Well, I think it is safe to say, that I will have to come up with some other way to embarrass myself- these look pretty great, if I do say so myself!
Comments
I think they look awesome! And was it Emily that invited you to join TT? I'm glad she did -- at least it forced you to jump into the pool so to speak. I think it is incredible that you knit your first pair of socks to give away :o)
Now the real question of course is are ya up for Bloomin' Feet in the Spring?
Posted by: amanda | November 6, 2006 04:42 PM
They look fantastic ! Beautiful knitting. I'm sure the recipient will be thrilled.
Socks are a great project. A relatively quick fix,you can knit them in colours you'd never normally wear and great for carrying about in your handbag for every knitting opportunity
;-]
Posted by: Emma | November 6, 2006 05:01 PM
Congrats on finishing your first socks. They certainly don't look like beginner socks to me! Now you need to knit some for yourself!
Posted by: sprite | November 7, 2006 10:49 AM
For a first pair mighty impressive. Having been to KW (visitor not student) I like the idea of Waterlooing a toe...sounds much more impressive!
Posted by: Cynthia | November 7, 2006 12:38 PM
Beautiful socks! I'd say you're a natural!
Posted by: canknitian | November 7, 2006 01:14 PM
Congratulations on your first pair of socks! They look lovely.
Posted by: Dana | November 7, 2006 08:36 PM
Baby, you've got some serious sock mojo going!
We are impressed! And the color is delish--my girlie would deem it appropriate for a mermaid-watery, dreamy, tres heathery. Good choice.
They're beauts! Well done you!
Posted by: kt | November 7, 2006 11:26 PM
I am so insanely proud of you! I new you could do it! The toes are Quite Professional in their Perfection. Woot! That is one of my favorite patterns to knit - the cable is just enough to make it interesting without doing funny things to the colors in the yarn (which is beautiful, by the way - nice color choice).
Are you ready to use up that giant pile of sock yarn now? Hrm?
Posted by: Emily | November 8, 2006 03:38 PM