Sock Madness!

Design on deadline sometimes gets me distracted. Or often gets me distracted. I still desire the personal wardrobe objects, along with my other booky projects. I lust after new sweaters, and lace shawls. The socks are a nice, quick diversion. These are Herringbone Rib Peddler from 3 Trails Handknit Designs. I modified the pattern by using Lucy Neatby's short row garter heel, and did color contrast heels and toes. I also used a double start cast on, that I learned again from Nancy Bush at Stitches Midwest. I say again because I took an Estonian Edges class from her last March, and quickly forgot this cast on. Perfect for stretchy applications, and has a nice little decorative aspect. The yarn is sport weight wool/hemp mohair from DZined Handpaints. I purchased some little "onesies" from a basket that was at the Stitches Midwest display. Both pictures are the same pair of socks. One side looks like it has more green because of how the yarn pooled. But--I love it. I like the fraternal twin quality of it. I think if knitters are particularly bothered by pooling, then they should stay away from handpaints. I am finding that I prefer sport weight yarn for sock knitting. I usually can get a firm fabric with size 2's, and they of course, are finished much faster. So I can move on to another pair. Someone asked me if I had problems wearing sport weight socks with my shoes--I have gotten into the habit of bringing a hand knit sock along when I try on shoes. Dansko shoes. How I love Dansko shoes could easily fill a month's worth of posts.