July 17, 2009
Rick socks
So, having nothing but the hood to go on Emily's hoodie, I got stuck into the Rick socks. (Who didn't see that coming?)
And late last night, I finished the second sock.
Watched over by yet another teddy bear.
Specs:
Pattern: Rick Socks by CookieA from her awesome book, Sock Innovation.
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Fingering in "Riverview Drive", which was a sock club offering.
Needles: Kollage Square DPNS, 2.25mm, 5" length.
Mods: I like my toes rounder than Cookie designs, so I changed the decrease rate. And I only did 16 pattern repeats in the leg, rather than the 18 recommended in the pattern.
The pattern is fun! It's not hard at all, although it looks daunting. It's a four row repeat in the leg, and it's pretty intuitive. The top of the foot is harder, but not horrendously so. I did have a problem in the second sock, where I ended up with extra stitches in the pattern, and I still don't know how. But I ripped out a few rows and had no problems when I redid it.
This sock is not very stretchy in the leg!!
I only did 16 pattern repeats in the leg, because if it were any longer, it wouldn't have gone round my calf. I have cankles, and these are borderline too-tight. I probably wouldn't knit them for myself again, but they'd be fantastic on someone with nice slim ankles.
I really like the MCN fingering yarn. I have a couple more skeins in the stash. It's nice and soft, but has a nice twist, so I think it will wear nicely.
And I love my square DPNS! Kylie had some at Knit Camp, which she'd bought in London. My sister-in-law was still in London at the time, so she popped in to I Knit London for me and grabbed me a set.
They're a very lightweight aluminium, they almost feel like bamboo needles to use. I got the short length (5"), which is perfect for me. They really do feel nice to use.
There was a minor drama a few days ago, where I'd lost one at the library. Fortunately I realised pretty quickly and went back to find it in time!
Overall, I give the project an A!
Em picked out the next sock club bag.
Wollmeise! In Granatapfel. I'm going to make Firestarters with this. But I'm going to try to finish the hoodie first.
It's the rows and rows of stocking stitch that are doing me in!
Posted by Donna at July 17, 2009 01:52 PMComments
Great progress with the PSC (personal sock club) and such an interesting pattern. I'm sadly behind with my PSC. The colour of the yarn for the next socks is wonderful - so rich.
Posted by: lynS at July 17, 2009 04:01 PMooh, I love the new colour! (do I always say that? I think I do because its always the case!).
the Rick socks look very complicated.
Well done on the hoodie progress!
Posted by: Sheridan at July 17, 2009 04:21 PMLovely socks. And I feel your pain with the hood. Just finished the one I'm doing.
And I haven't said it before - but I love your teddy bears. My mum collects handmade miniature bears - and ones that look at you in the shop in such a way that you blank out and end up with another in the collection. What's worth is I think they problem is genetic. ;) The look on that lad's face is just adorable.
Posted by: Shelley at July 17, 2009 06:25 PManother gorgeous teddy bear. I have had the leg non stretch problem with Cookie A before - the socks look great and now can't wait to see the result of the red ones.
Hoodie is looking good too.
Love the Cookie A. socks! The yarn you chose for the Firestarters socks is perfect, I have that pattern in my "queue"too.
Posted by: Pam Grushkin at July 17, 2009 09:42 PMI love those socks Donna, beautiful color too. Em's hoodie is looking great, and it wont take you too long to knit up, your a speedy knitter remember. The next lot of sock yarn looks simply scrumptious!!
Posted by: sue at July 17, 2009 11:32 PMThe socks look great. Very interesting design. The next sock yarn looks yummy, Em picked a good one.
Posted by: Suzanne at July 18, 2009 09:50 AMA cute green bear - I like the bears, When you used to make them, did you make them as fast as socks? I bet you did!
Great socks - love the pattern. I didn't get Cookie A's book because most of the patterns seem like too much work, but seeing yours makes me think I should check it out.
Love the yarn for next month!
Posted by: Jeanne at July 18, 2009 11:12 PMwhat an unusual pattern. sure have to admire designers. The color is pretty. When I make socks for myself I always see if I can have 72 sts cast on. Otherwise they will not fit. I like my sock higher up as I wear birkenstocks all year long.
Posted by: KSee at July 19, 2009 02:55 AMAwesome socks. Love that book. Good to know about the leg.
Posted by: Madame Purl at July 20, 2009 12:08 AMvery impressed by the ricks, that really is a terrific pattern. and whoever invented the square needles should get a nobel prize or something. mmmmmwollmeise...
Posted by: kms at July 20, 2009 11:30 AMThe socks are gorgeous & I like the color (my favourite). I have heard good reviews about those square dpns & will have to get some one day.
Posted by: Ann at July 22, 2009 07:12 PMOh wow, look at your Ricks! Good to know about the fit, I'll have to bear that in mind if I make them!
Love the wollmeise (but of course!!) - perfect for firestarters!! I've got some in Indisch Rot, that might be good for firestarters too - thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Rose Red at July 22, 2009 10:21 PM
Oh those socks are very interesting. I love the swirly round bits and the uppy-downy bits too!!!
Posted by: 2paw at July 17, 2009 03:21 PMThe new colour is perfect for Firestarters!!