Saturday, June 09, 2007

Look! Knitting!

I actually finished these guys a couple of days ago, but work has been completely crazy. We put on a BBQ where I was literally running for about five hours. That's the not the point.
The point is these:

Mom's birthday socks. I'm not spoiling the surprise, since she already knows about them. The woman has issues with animal fibers. I won't say she's allergic, because I'm highly skeptical when people claim that, but she has called cashmere "scratchy."
So when some Panda Cotton popped up at the LYS, I figured it would be perfect for her, particularly since this very much her colorway. It's called "Blueberries and grape," but is unfortunately not scented as such. (That would be really cool though.) Also, I really wanted to try out this mostly bamboo yarn. It's supposed to have anti-bacterial properties and hold up quite well.

This are my first attempt at Toe-Up socks, following the "On Your Toes" pattern from Interweave Knits summer 2007. It's a really good first pattern, but I did have some issues with the short row heel. There seemed to be a really big gap where I knit the top part of the heel together. I don't really know what caused it, but it might have something to do with me not following the pattern exactly to the letter. You live and learn.
I'm very pleased with the way these came out, though. The pooling actually looks quite good, and is similar on both socks. It's one little skein of Panda Cotton for each foot. I highly recommend going toe up with this yarn, because although it's rather thick, there's not a whole lot of yardage. I also highly recommend the yarn, but with a caveat. It will unravel. There's nothing you can do about it. Just pay attention while you're knitting and the finished product will come out fine.
My mother has expressed the non-knitters disbelief that someone would actually take the time to knit socks. Like all other sock knitters, I am out to convert the world. They fit me all right, but they will fit her slightly longer feet better. Wait until she tries them. Then she will know. Soon, all the non-knitters will know. Muahahahaha.
In Summary:
Pattern: "On Your Toes" from Interweave Knits summer 2007
Yarn: Two skeins Panda Cotton (55% bamboo, 24% cotton, 21% nylon) 170yds.
Needles: Size 1 dpn
Cost: $15
Time: About a week to finish the pair.

10 comments:

DK said...

THEY LOOK AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Romi said...

Oooooh! Pretty socks! :)

N. Maria said...

Very, very beautiful socks. I didn't even notice the pooling until you mentioned it. I looked again and really like the way they look.
Good job!

Amanda said...

They are beautiful! Love them. And your mom will love them too.

I cast on my first sock this afternoon - wish me luck! I bought YET another skein of yarn this week to do it. This no yarn buying thing isn't really working for me, although I am knitting almost as fast as I've been buying it. Maybe it isn't sooo bad? Ha!

Amanda said...

Oh.. and by the way - you are downright evil for sending me to that etsy shop. Her yarns are beautiful! I can't seem to resist anything these days, how on earth can I resist all those pretty colors?

Unknown said...

Now this colourway is just my cup of tea. Love the way the colours zig zag. Excellent socks!

Anonymous said...

Love the zigzagging colours too! Very nice socks.

Anonymous said...

Cool - I like the blueberry colorway! I would like to try toe-up socks and it's good to know that the article in IK was helpful in doing so.

Carrie Penny said...

That color way looks like ocean waves rolling across you feet! I love it!!!! My mom didn't understand socks until I crocheted her a pair a few years back, now she can't wait to get her knitted ones!

Jen said...

I love the way those pool. They look great. I am glad you are converting another non-knitter. Someday everyone will understand the joy of the hand-knit sock. :)