Socktoberfest 2006: BF's Cosmic Dawn
Pair #2 done!
Pattern: Simple stockinette for such a wildly-variegated, highly-contrasting yarn. Judy Becker's Magic Cast-on. Gusset and heel flap guidance from Judy Gibson's Generic Socks form. Sewn 1x1/tubular bind-off.
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino Basic Socks (100% merino; 115g/4oz; 325m/355yd) in Cosmic Dawn (scroll down for colorway)
Needles: US2 dpns; bamboo
Nope, that isn't some Photoshop work. Those are a pair of socks from the same ball of yarn. I kid you not. I knit one sock from each end of the yarn, thinking to meet in the middle in case there wasn't enough. So I knit the first sock (the duller one) past the heel flap, rolled it around the yarn ball, then knit the second sock. When they were both at the same point, I unrolled the first and that was when my eyes bugged out.
Here's what I think happened: the yarn was layered on itself when it was dyed, and the colors didn't penetrate as far down to the bottom lengths as it did on top. Hence the varying saturation and intensity. It took me a while to accept it, but BF didn't mind. I guess this is the type of surprise and spontaneity you get with handpainted yarn! Makes you second guess a bit, doesn't it?
Curiosity got the better of me and I tried heel flaps. Judy Gibson's toe-up version is a trapezoidal flap, a tapering pyramid shape that I thought imitated the bottom of the human heel better than the rectangular flap. Incidentally, Denise Powell's toe-up sock tutorial has clear directions for the rectangular flap version (also known as the Reverse Dutch heel). I did a slip-stitch heel flap, which makes a good cusiony back that BF likes quite a bit.
Which leads me to my next sock project for him: flip-flop socks. I cringe at the sight of flip-flops and socks (so, so wrong), but BF is stubborn. I might as well make him look stylish, you know?
So there you have it, 2 pairs for Socktoberfest! I'll save the Koigu for the Norwegian/Colorwork KAL.
Speaking of the KAL, I'm thinking a December launch date, to last 4 months or so. If you're planning on doing colorwork of some kind, keep this in mind. More details to come from either me, Mary-Heather, and Andrea! (I should've made Eunny's Deep Vee Vest so at least I'd have a handle on steeking...)
Have a good week; happy Halloween; bye-bye Andrea; back on the 4th!
wow - that is amazing those are from the same ball! crazy!
I'm up for another colorwork KAL! I'm itching to do some!
I have had the same thing happen with my Nautilus socks I'm knitting with Fleece Artist. One sock just looks so much more toned down than the other - hey, at least I'm all about the fraternal twin socks! :)
Those socks are wild and fun - they bring a smile to mmy face :D
I love those socks, whether they match or not. And your diamond design is tres chic. I'm signing both myself and Marnie up for your little colorwork KAL. We have a team project that we started in August which could use a kick-start and we'll be done with Kat's book projects by then. BTW, Caia has perked up a bit - she always rallies the day after I spend the day in tears! Your message must have had an impact on her. Have a great time climbing!
Yep, Cosmic. I think I'll still be deeply entrenched in the colorwork when December rolls around. I've begun the Snowmen and Skates Seasonal Fair Isle Vest from Knit Picks for my mom. It will be my first go at steeking. This project will either take so long that I'm still knitting it in December, or it will go so quickly that I can't help but do more colorwork.
Dude, that is so crazy about those socks! I love it. I'm glad your BF was cool with them too. Socks with flip-flops is oh-so-wrong!
Now that is wild!!!
I love the socks in your previous post, totally gorgeous!
I still can't get over those socks! They're so much fun, though, matchy-matchy or not! I've been wanting to try my hand at colorwork, so the KAL would be a good opportunity, no? :)
haha what a fun surprise! i love them
Rad! I like them with the flipflops a lot for some reason! They look really cool.
That is amazing that they came from the same ball! I think they look great though! I like socks that are fraternal ;) and it appears that BF likes them, and isn't that the most important thing?
I am totally up for the Colorwork KAL. This is my time to finally buckle down and give it a go!
Take care, MJ!
I had the same thing happen with Fleece Artist sock yarn that I used a few years ago.
It's the craziest thing!
Wow. Really though, you could just the same effect from making a pair with hand spun too. They're very nice and I'm glad he didn't mind they were different.
It's really a mystery to see that these socks are from the same ball - but I like them a lot nonetheless, they're totally unique and funky!
Love the socks! Especially your cashmere diamonds - so pretty.
Same thing happened to me with fleece artist. Including the not noticing until way late in the process.
It took me a while to decide I was ok with it but fleece artist is off of my list of sock-yarns-I-want.