Real Socks!

This is the first pair of socks with real sock yarn.  The first two pair were from yarn labeled worsted weight.  I can't believe I actually managed to knit with fingering weight yarn.  It isn't as bad I as I once thought.

The textured design is actually a mistake.  I found a spiral rib that looked fun but it was written for straight needles.  When I wrote it for circs, I made a few errors and ended up with a wiggly bubbly effect that is very stretchy.  I liked it so much, I didn't tear it out and rewrite.  The only down side was trying to duplicate the pattern when I dropped stitches.  It was a real effort for my brain to think backwards through the pattern to pick the stitches up with a small crotchet hook. 

Wiggly Bubble Rib (multiples of 4)
Rnd 1: *Knit 2, Purl 2; rep from *
Rnd 2: *Purl 2, Knit 2; rep from *
Rnd 3: Knit 1, *Purl 2, Knit 2; rep from *, end Purl 2, Knit 1
Rnd 4: Rep rnd 3
Rnd 5: *Purl 2, Knit 2; rep from *
Rnd 6: Rep rnd 5
Rnd 7: Rep rnd 3
Rnd 8: Rep rnd 3

The next pair of socks will have a zigzag rib up the top of the foot and around the leg.  It is a cool pattern written for circs in Socks a la carte.  I can't wait to get my copy of the new version written for toe up socks, Socks a la carte 2.

Going Stir Crazy/Sock Crazy

Since this month has been RAINY, I feel like my spring is slipping away and the heat of summer will break out in full force. I had to have a new distraction to brighten the gray days. Knitting socks has provided the perfect mental focus. I always thought they were way out of my league. All those little needles sticking out and tiny yarn tangling on the tips, how could that be fun?

This whole thing started with a question from my SIL on Mother's Day, "Have you ever knit socks?" My answer was, "No, because sock yarn is usually wool." But, I got to thinking with all the new fibers, surely knitters had more choices, like bamboo and cotton blends. So I went on a quest to find the best circular needles, the best sock method/book (no local yarn shops with classes), and sock yarn in blends less than 50% wool (I have allergies to wool fibers).

I posted an off topic question about circular needles on the treadle owners' list and it just sort of evolved from needles to books on knitting socks. One lady said the best book was The Crazy Toes and Heels Sock Book by Mary Ann Beattie. Her claim that I could knit socks with any yarn in my own gauge and two circular needles, no little needles sliding out and dropping tiny stitches; sold me. I joined the Yahoo help list and ordered the book.

Well, I must say, Mary Ann's method is easy. If you can knit and read instructions, socks are a moderate challenge with a worsted weight yarn. I now feel confident to try my second pair with finer yarn. And, yes, they will match this time. ;)