It’s a little late, but I finally finished the pair of socks meant for my mom’s Mother’s Day present. Luckily, she knew I was knitting them and she didn’t really care that she wasn’t getting them in time. It’s not like she really needs them with temperatures in the upper 80′s during the day and in the 70′s at night.
Pattern: My own toe-up 2×2 rib pattern with short-row heel from Sensational Knitted Socks.
Yarn: My own handspun from CJ Kopec‘s Montana Moon 100% Merino fiber.
Needles: Size 2US/2.75mm
Started: April 8, 2009
Finished: May 13, 2009
Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of how the colors played out in the beginning, I enjoyed how soft the yarn was. Eventually I even came to like how crazy the colors came together as well.
I don’t do a lot of toe-up socks, so this was an adventure for me. I used the Turkish Cast-On for the toe. That didn’t give me any grief. I was more afraid of how the heel was going to work out.
Thank goodness for the book Sensational Knitted Socks. I swear that book is like a sock knitting bible. It’s got just about everything you need to know in there. And in the end I was quite pleased with how my short-row heel turned out.
The most important thing is that my mother loves the socks. So even if there are minute details that irritate me (like the yarn isn’t as consistent as I’d like or there are a couple of holey bits in the second heel) all that really matters is that it pleases the recipient.
Yesterday, Dee said she couldn’t help but notice how well Sammy coordinates with my curtain. I do have to agree with her. Now I can never change my curtains, because I’d really hate to have my cats clash with my decor.
O.o
Now I need to go and watch the season finales of Bones and Grey’s Anatomy. From what I hear, they won’t disappoint.
Happy Friday, everyone!
May 15th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Love the socks! I have to say, heels are the part I don’t like for toe up socks. I can’t ever get them to fit right…
May 15th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Handsome! But I cannot imagine wearing socks in that sort of balmy weather. I wear them when the temps go below, say 20F. Hot feet here :)
May 15th, 2009 at 10:24 am
love this pair…even the colors. and i wonder if i have that book at home. will have to check!
May 15th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Not ugly!
Will there be more toe-up socks in your future?
He’s a such pretty boy. I’m glad you didn’t have to redecorate to suit him. ;^)
Oh! And don’t think too much about what happens on Bones. Just let it wash over you. Trust me.
xo
May 15th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Your mom’s socks are lovely. Congratulations on the knitting AND the spinning.
Pensive Sammy says, “Man, I’m a handsome guy!”
May 15th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Beautiful socks! I love them.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
What a nice gift! And Sammy is a lucky guy!
May 15th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
They’re cute! I love the colors.
Bones was, well, different!
May 15th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
wow, matchy-matchy kitty curtains! I love your socks, your madre is lucky–I must try that short row heel, I bet I’d like that version….
As usual, you are so inspiring!
Knit on!
May 15th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Sammy matches those socks too.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Love the socks for your mom. They look so comfy. And that picture of Sammy looks like it’s taken by a pro. Have you considered changing careers?
May 15th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
oh.my.god. have you watched Grey’s yet?
May 16th, 2009 at 1:08 am
The socks came out beautifully. I often find myself questioning a sock when I’m only an inch or two in, but they *usually* work out once you get some more fabric. Bet they feel wonderful — yippee for moms!
May 16th, 2009 at 2:24 am
The socks are really nice – love the colors! And Sammy goes so well with them too!
May 16th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Your socks are great – I think the colors are pretty cool too. How gratifying it must be to knit with your own hand-spun!
Carica is also beautiful!
Actually, I’ve long suspected that cats actually *enjoy* clashing with their surroundings. The hair they shed shows up *so* much better then you see…
Heheh…
May 16th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Handspun socks, what a treat! Your toes and heels look great. It’s as if you spun your own self-striping yarn. Your curtains bring out Sammy’s colors quite nicely.
May 16th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Your mother is going to love those. Hand spun and hand-made. Enough said.
I’ve made three pairs of toe-ups so far. I do like the Turkish cast on too. And Sensational Knitting Socks definitely rocks! I’ve used more than one thing in there so far.
May 17th, 2009 at 7:53 am
sounds blissful…
May 17th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
What a lovely pair of socks. Your handspun work so well with your pattern.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:48 am
The socks look so cozy!
May 19th, 2009 at 6:00 am
The socks are great. SKS is such a wonderful book. It is my goto for all things socks.
So, are those your feet, or your mother, modelling the socks?