30. March 2011 08:29
by Jobo
1 Comments

I have a soft spot for Knit Picks sock yarns. Ok there. I admitted it. Seriously though, the value is excellent, and the selection is fun.
Some time ago, I had unconsciously decided to steer away from self striping or self-patterning yarns. I think maybe it was because I had been doing more cabled and lace patterned socks, so the stripes and fancy yarns tended to get in the way of the design.
Lately, there have been a bunch of great colors in the self striping selection from Felici (a 75% Superwash Merino /25% Nylon) Blend Sock Yarn.
Every now and again, I just feel the need to make some plain jane, vanilla, boring, ordinary socks. The kind where you don't follow a pattern, you don't really plan ahead, you just go for it.
This pair had languished for a while. I had started them months ago (back before the Maritime Handspinner's Retreat back in October!) but somehow had gotten ignored in the Jeep. These were my "Car" knitting project, and I kind of forgot they were there!



The Goods:
Pattern: Made up as I Went! Knit from the toe up, 2-at-a-time on circulars, afterthought heels. No regard given to whether the yarns were at the same point in the color progression at the starting point. result - clearly related, but more fraternal than identical.
I really like the fact that these "match" but aren't identical. I love how the heels and toes look different when you wear them. Felici is soft and comfortable to wear... though I haven't had the heart to really break these in yet. They're too pretty to wear out too quickly! I had underestimated how much yarn was left when I started the cuffs. Normally I don't enjoy knitting ribbing, so I don't work too much of it in a cuff. If I make it to 2 inches, I'm doing well. So when I realized I had so much yarn left, I really didn't want to frog and knit more stockinette and then re-do the cuff. I just persevered and knit on... in ribbing... forever. The result is a nice stretchy, soft, springy cuff though. I can see why people like that feeling, and I don't think the socks will slip down as easily. Drat. The ribbing, it does *nothing*, is actually useful, and I should consider making more of it perhaps. Drat!