socks
that ROCK!
……. self-portrait Tuesday …….
Well alrighty now! The game is afoot!
This is my first pair of STR and although I have a little bit in ye olde stash, these socks are the first to make it on the runway…
After reading about this yarn for YEARS now, I am a little behind the curve, but better late than never. Especially since the newer distribution is in bigger hanks [and less likely to fraternal-ize from foot-to-foot as seen above].
I do not mind the difference. I do not mind the Flash. I do not mind ze POOL!
I swim freely!
Of all things knitting, socks make me the very happiest and I would make them all the live long day if I could. This yarn is downright dee-lightful and performed really well in just a simple boot sock pattern.
Ever on the make for stitch patterns that work to bring out the groove in the handpaint could be a life work – what are your favorites? Corinne, my partner in socking on this outing, is making her STR in a cool pattern by Empress Nancy Bush (Heeless Sleeping Socks from “Knitting Vintage Socks”) that works that striping in a very fine way.
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I really find that the chevron stitch patterns work well with these kinds of yarn. Jaywalkers, etc, work WITH the yarn instead of get lost in it.
I making “Monkey” by Cookie A. right now (it’s in Knitty). I’m using Med weight STR in “Dutch Canyon” Makes my heart sing – they are so beeeutiful.
I love “zee pool” where on the one foot, it is red and on the other foot, it is mmmmmm … green. Amazing balance and terrific looking socks. Yes, they do rock.
Hey Bonne Marie! Sorry I didn’t answer your email sooner – I was babysitting three kids – 6,4,and 2 – this weekend and pretty much lost my mind. The old put up of STR was 325 yds. Hope that helps! The socks look GREAT!
I’m a stockinette kinda gal for socks, and like you, I don’t mind the pooling, flashing or striping variations that come with variegated yarn. I also don’t even attempt to make the socks match.
I’ve been seeing a lot of gorgeous socks out there in blogland and I’m probably going to start trying more patterned socks. Probably. Try.
I love a simple shifting rib pattern for handpaints. K3 P2 for two rounds then shift it all over one stitch by adding or taking out a purl in the back. wash rinse repeat and it spirals up the leg giving just enough interest but not competing too much with the yarn.
That is some beautiful stuff! I rather adore the identical yet not pooling right where the leg meets the foot in front! How cool is that?
In my extensive (not!) sock knitting experience, I find that, beyond stockinette, simple texture patterns work well with variegated yarns.
I’m with Corinne on the Heeless Bed Socks. Then there’s Ribble Socks from “Socks, Socks, Socks”, Hello Yarn’s Twisted Cable socks, and Ann Budd’s Diagonal Rib socks.
Love that colorway! Yesterday I did an eye of the partridge heel and I love the way that makes the handpainted yarn pop. Not many folks will see that down there in my shoe, but I will know it’s there!
I have two skeins of STR in my stash from a trip to Portland last year. Even after seeing so many wonderful socks, I just can’t bring myself to knit them. Yours are lovely, and may be the tipping point to get me going!
I know what you mean! I just love L@@KING at the stuff…
I usually stick to plain stockinette with the fancy handpainted yarns, but you can’t go wrong with Feather and Fan either. I think that stitch is even prettier with a variegated yarn than it is with a solid. Fun to knit, too. I use the pattern in “Socks Socks Socks”, but I leave out the weird garter ridge at the ankle and just continue the lace pattern straight down the instep. Try it, you’ll like it!
I have a few skeins of STR in my stash too and have yet to actually knit with it. Someday…
Your socks are lovely!
I agree that the Monkey pattern would work well with handpainted yarns. I also think that Thuja (another Knitty pattern) would work great with the yarn and also Feather and Fan and Chevron stitch patterns. Hmm, just reading your comments have given me new ideas with my STR and other handpainted yarns. yours are just gorgeous!
I’d second the Jaywalker notion and add the RPM sock in Knitty (Fall 06, I think). Did that in medium-weight STR Watermelon Tourmaline and those are my current most-favorite socks! :D
i love this self-portrait and your new socks! your feet look so happy and fancy-free :)
must try STR… i’ve heard nothing but rave reviews!
At the mention of “sleep socks” I perked up. Followed the link – and lo and behold I own that book. I love sleeping in handknit socks, but they tend to twist leaving the heel in wierd, non-heel places. Those sleep socks look wonderful and I have a skein of STR of my own!
They look like so much fun!!!
Love the colourway – what is it? Sure makes for happy looking feet!
I love the free Melanie’s Twist pattern. I haven’t tried it with STR yet, but it’s great with most Trekking XXL colors.
Love ‘em sockies!
Button decision, that’s a tough one. Somehow I lean towards the torties, they just look more at home there.
I love those rust and green lightning bolt flashes over your insteps! I’m not the one to ask about great sock patterns. I have tons of them, and do a simple top down stocking stitch every time. Sometimes I get really creative and do a picot top.
And you are the second blogger I’ve seen this week that has nominated Nancy for higher office; someone else proposed her for a better Bush for the White House. Ah, if only knitters really ruled the world.