August 02, 2008
A Pair of Hearts
Well, it didn't happen in July, but on August 1, I finished the socks I have dubbed "A Pair of Hearts".
And I'm very happy with them!
It is a pattern I came up with myself, and I'll try to get it written up soon. They're being modelled by Emily, because they're a gift for someone, and my feet are too big!
Specs:
Pattern: My own
Needles: 2mm Crystal Palace DPNS
Yarn: Patons Australia Patonyle sock yarn. The yarn is so new I can't even link to it, it's not on the site yet!
A rep from ACS got in touch with me and asked if I'd like some of the yarn to review, and I jumped at the chance. Patonyle has been around for years, but was discontinued last year, much to the discontent of Aussie sock knitters.
They heard our cries of outrage, and are now rereleasing it, but this time it will be available in 100g balls instead of the old 50g balls.
And the verdict? It's the same old Patonyle! (Is that a hallelujah I hear?) It's an 80/20 wool/nylon blend, and it's a workhorse yarn in my opinion. I have a pair of Patonyle socks that I dyed up in stripes back in April 2006. Those socks have been worn a lot. I even wear my hand knit socks outside, without shoes to take out the garbage and hang the washing. They've been tossed into the washing machine a thousand times, and even into the dryer a time or ten, and they still look great.
It has great stitch definition.
And it stands up to frogging well, too. I started a different design with the yarn, but it wasn't coming out the way I'd hoped, so I frogged them and started over. The yarn behaved beautifully!
I'm told it will be available in Spotlight stores from September (unlikely at my crappy local, though!), and in LYS early next year, with a RRP of $15 a ball.
Unfortunately, the colour range is still the same, too, at least to start with. I'm going to toss these socks into a dye pot and turn them into something pretty, but I have been assured that the colour range is going to be expanded and improved next year.
Hopefully it will take dye just like it used to, which is another point in it's favour! There is also a rumour that it will be released in an undyed version! (Is there any bad news about it?!?)
To celebrate finishing the socks, I cast on for something new.
Not socks, but it's cuuuuute!
Posted by Donna at August 2, 2008 08:14 PMComments
Oh wow, that's a really lovely sock design, Donna! I love it. I've never actually tried Patonyle, but it sure sounds like a winner!
Posted by: claudine at August 2, 2008 10:04 PMlove the pattern and the stitch defination is awsome. I just did a search to see what Patons had here in the USA that is comp to your Patonyle sock yarn. We have a Kroy but 50 gram balls and a 75% wool 25 nylon. Why do they do this? Why not make it a worldwide product?
Anyhoo, the socks are lovely and will look for them when you dye them up.
Enjoy your day
What a cute pattern!! Well done!
Posted by: Kim at August 3, 2008 03:31 AMThe socks look GREAT! Clever you!! Thanks for the feedback on the yarn too. That is great to hear as we Aussie's generally don't have such a great range of Aussie yarn to choose from, so it's nice to hear good news about this old favourite.
As for the new project...is it going to be...an elephant? :)
Posted by: Terri at August 3, 2008 01:37 PMI love those socks! I'll be keeping an eye out for the pattern.
It's been great seeing your progress with the Patonyle, too. Nice to know it's as good as the old version.
Posted by: chocolatetrudi at August 3, 2008 05:40 PMLovely socks, Donna - well done!
Posted by: Lynne at August 3, 2008 06:04 PMAfter that wrap I think they should publish your sock pattern if they do a pattern book to go with the re- realease of Patonyle, look forward to some new colours, have some stash to keep my going till then.
Posted by: Rachel at August 3, 2008 07:47 PMooh...the heart socks are so pretty :) and you're so clever to come up with a pattern!!!
Posted by: Michelle at August 4, 2008 12:02 PMThe socks look great & I love the row of hearts - nice design. You gave a good review of the yarn & I will have to look out for it at Spotlight. Are you knitting one of those animals again?
Posted by: Ann at August 4, 2008 12:18 PMI love the heart pattern! So cute! And works very nicely in a solid colour (I suspect you won't be aiming for too much variegation when you hit the dyepots)
Posted by: Sally at August 4, 2008 08:38 PMGreat socks! Despite my fear of YOs, I have to say these look like fun.
Posted by: jessie at August 4, 2008 10:18 PMPretty sock pattern! I will be adding these to my queue!
Posted by: Karen at August 5, 2008 09:26 AMThe socks look great - love the pattern not centred on the side (or should that be off-centred on the top? Anyway, am sure you know what I mean!)
Posted by: roseredshoes at August 7, 2008 04:51 PMi tho't those looked like a dancer's feet!
Posted by: debbie at August 9, 2008 10:43 AM
Ooh is that an elephant taking shape. The patonyle sounds like it will be better than it used to be. I love the pattern on the socks too, very girly and pretty.
Posted by: sue at August 2, 2008 09:44 PM