FO: Douglas Fir LichensPattern: Lichen Ribbed Socks, Nancy Bush, from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock Solid, in Douglas Fir
Needles: Knit Picks US 1 Metal DPNs
N requested a pair of simple socks, and picked out the color of Lorna's Laces online. I adapted the pattern, written for a women's foot, to accommodate a men's 10.5 shoe size. I cast on 80 stitches instead of the recommended 60, and went up a needle size from 0 to 1. I used just under 2 skeins of yarn, and probably could have made each sock about 1" taller.
I loved using the metal needles! I have knit all my other socks on bamboo. This is WAY BETTER. I have a full set of bamboo needles, so I tend to use them for everything, regardless of whether or not the yarn and pattern are a good match for the bamboo. I broke a bamboo DPN a while back, and ordered a couple metal pairs on knit picks, for sock knitting. Best thing ever. So much faster and cleaner for picking up stitches, and doing decreases.
I loved this pattern and Nancy Bush's book. I loved learning a new toe and heel, and revelled in the thought that someone in the Victorian age used these techniques, so different from our usual, to make socks. I repeatedly and enthusiastically bored several family members and friends with my knowledge about sock construction from the 1850s. The book includes enough history to appeal to my history nerd side, and enough different techniques to keep me interested for a long while. A solid investment, indeed.
A local yarn shop, Marin Fiber Arts in San Rafael is going out of business. I hopped over to their liquidation sale and picked up some worsted wool to have a go at color work. Fair Isle has been calling my name lately.
Some of San Francisco's more colorful buildings:
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2 comments:
Beautiful socks, and the Russian is quite the model! Do you have metal double pointed needles? I have not seen those. I, too, like metal needles for some things. They make me feel very retro and remind me of my mother.
Have a great 4th in Oregon!
Beautiful socks indeed! I am such a chicken about socks, I feel as if I could never do them. Love your mural pictures. They are done by Precita Eyes Muralists, who just happen to employ my daughter.
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