After a fun-filled evening with the Aloha Knitters, I came home itching with good knitting vibes and anxious to start a new pair of socks. I was particularly inspired to start a pair with a special hank of yarn that I received from the ever generous Sue of Mommy Susie Knits. It’s Socks That Rock in the colorway For Love In Idleness. (I do believe that the color is discontinued, but correct me if I’m wrong.)
I wanted a simple tried and true pattern so I chose Monkey by one of my favorite designers Cookie A., but I ran into a snag. As I knit, I developed major pooling issues. Too much for my taste.
I was disappointed because 64 sts is the magic number for Cara of January One. I had high hopes that it would hold true for me. Plus, I really had my heart set on a pair of Monkeys.
I even tried going to a smaller needle in the vain hope that it would somehow solve the pooling problem. I soon realized that it wasn’t going to solve anything.
I finally threw my hands up in defeat. Sixty-four is not my magic number. Not when it comes to Socks That Rock. I decided to try the Monkeys again later with a different type of yarn.
Still, if 64 isn’t my magic number there must still be a number out there that will work for me. Then I remembered a pair of socks that I made with STR that came out beautifully. I decided that if it worked for me then it should work for me now.
So I turned to another tried and true pattern and proceeded to cast on. After a couple of inches I knew I hit the jackpot. I found it! Seventy-two is my magic number!
Is it sad and pathetic that I did a little jig with my sock because I was so stinkin’ happy that there’s no pooling whatsoever? If it is, I don’t think I care. I am totally and blissfully in love with how this is turning out. The crappy pictures don’t do it justice. The colors are a lot deeper and more jewel-toned.
I’m not the only one who’s fallen in love with these either. My mother absolutely loves them and in a fit of generosity, I offered to knit these up for her instead. Since she only has one pair of handknit socks, I’m more then happy to do so. :)
Have a great weekend and thanks so much for reading!
October 27th, 2007 at 10:23 am
You are a good woman, Miss Opal. I’m not sure I could part with socks so beautiful!!!
October 27th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Much bettah! Yay for mom! Tell her I said she deserves them (oh, and Brodie says HI!).
October 27th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I love how that sock’s turning out! You are such a good daughter to give away something so gorgeous.
You have a great eye for color!
October 27th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Oh the Pomatamus is beautiful! What a difference a couple stitches makes!
October 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
I think they are both beautiful, 64 or 72 :)
October 27th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
These are so pretty. I love the color, and I bet your mom is going to be thrilled with them. What is pooling???
October 27th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Gorgeous! I really need to try this pattern. And what a nice daughter you are to make your Mom socks!
October 27th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Knitted jewels from the hands of a daughter to her mother: could anything be more perfect?
October 27th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Oh wow that is a seriously gorgeous sock! That’s it, the next pair of socks I make are going to be Pomatomus’. They are too beautiful. I think your mother is lucky lucky to get them!!!
p.s. personally I think Monkey’s are another sock pattern that looks better in a solid, or semi solid. ;)
October 27th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
what a coincidence – i came home from aloha knitters and cast on for monkey socks with str cobalt bloom in lightweight, but because i’m not sure if there’s enough yarn (325yds-this was deep in my stash and acquired before they added more yardage) the leg is shorter. it’s very nice and squishy soft. i was tired of all the green i’ve been knitting, i needed some change. your pomatomus socks are gorgeous – lucky mom! oh, i also ordered those knitpicks harmony needles…couldn’t resist….
October 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I love the P-socks too … a little bit more than Monkey. Leave the Monkey for solid colour, maybe. ;)
October 27th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Of course, 64 or 6+4=10, 1+0=1 (one *is* the loneliest number) or 72, 7+2=9 (lucky number nine.) It makes perfect sense.
Lovely Pomatomas!
October 27th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Wow. The difference between those two treatments of that yarn is amazing! You are relentless in your sock knitting pursuits, and I do hold you in heart and mind, as I rip out that which does not please me.
October 28th, 2007 at 12:58 am
So glad you found the right number. I had the same trouble with STR Watermelon Tourmaline until I, too, used 72. And I know some people don’t mind pooling. However, it drives me nuts. I hope your mom just loves the socks. You are some kind of wonderful daughter.
October 28th, 2007 at 1:00 am
I admire your tenacity! The pomos will be lovely. I always wanted to knit a pair, but the pattern is way too big for my feet and way too small for Roy’s. I am too lazy to figure out how to adjust the pattern…someday.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:38 am
It really is kind of astonishing what a difference in stitch count can do to the look of your yarn!
I really like the P-socks look but I wonder about the elasticity of the sock with all those knit-through-the-back stitches. I take it it’s not a problem?
The Monkey socks are pretty cool too and I have some Lorna’s Laces that I keep thinking might work for them pretty well. Hmmmm…
Who am I kidding? The next pair of socks I start will probably be because of a stitch pattern that just caught my imagination – just like the others :)
October 28th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Woooo Hooo I am so glad that the Pomatomus is the key — maybe the key to the universe? I know the Monkeys will come to life in another yarn.
You are so generous with you knitting – and your Mom will love them! Oh and as for the jig you did when the pooling disappeared—- that is entirely normal! — you had the cats there to help you with it too ( I can just see Quincy joining in!)
Hugs!
October 28th, 2007 at 7:33 am
64 is my magic number of STR as well. I have another friend who has yet to find her STR magic number. I know she’s tried both 64 and 72. Funny how that works out, huh?
October 28th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Yay for 72! The sock looks great now. I can’t handle the pooling either. Well done figuring it out.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Wow! Those are the MOST beautiful Colors!!!! They look great in that socks… pant pant..
I’m drooling… really!!! Please bring to Aloha Knitters so I can rub them on my body!
;P
October 28th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
It is a beautiful colorway, it just took the right pattern to do it justice and you have found it! Knit on girl!
October 29th, 2007 at 3:15 am
I cannot believe what a difference additional stitches make!!! I am totally amazed. Did you say what size needles you are using? I am constantly learning.
October 29th, 2007 at 5:06 am
I believe that Love in Idleness is a seasonal color, and that BMFA is just making more room for the new (which I can’t wait for!) Raven series.
I have had some good luck with 66 stitches and STR. Glad you found your magic number. It looks gorgeous in Pomatomus!
October 29th, 2007 at 5:26 am
How could there possibly be anything wrong with dancing a jig with your knitting? :) Lovely socks–what a difference 8 little stitches make…
October 29th, 2007 at 5:27 am
Love the new sock!
I totally understand the dancing. It’s so frustrating to work with that yarn and not be able to find a pattern that will make it look good.
October 29th, 2007 at 5:36 am
While I liked the swirling effect on the monkey socks, I must agree that the Pomatomus looks great in that yarn. Your mom is very lucky!
Now dance like no one is watching. And pull the shades if you want to be sure that no one is watching.
October 29th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Dear Opal,
It’s just like you to give away a beautiful pair of socks after so much time and effort, but that’s you Generous to a fault! Oh well. Guess you have to go buy more yarn:-) Beautiful work as usual.
October 29th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Good ole Pomatomas to save the day! I can’t get over the different looks of the two socks with the same yarn. I wonder about doing Pomatomus for my Flower Power STR. Your blog inspires me to cast on yet another sock!
October 29th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
72 is your number! That is so pretty!
October 30th, 2007 at 1:12 am
Once more you’ve found the perfect pattern – and obviously the perfect stitch count! – for a beautiful yarn! It’s amazing to see what a difference 8 sts make!
October 30th, 2007 at 2:13 am
Ooh pretty. You know, one person’s magic number is another’s nightmare. I like the new pattern better.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:45 am
I haven’t knit these socks, but for me, 52 is my STR magic number….no pooling at all, tho’ around the heel (remember I knit toe-up) the stripes become double-wide! then all settles back down to one-row stripes on the cuff…at least with the patterns I use!
hmm…haven’t tried an STR Feather & Fan sock, but you know, that would just make my magic number 72, as well!
lolol
Love your Monkeys and how sweet to gift them to Mom!
(((Hugs)))
October 31st, 2007 at 7:34 am
HEY!
whatever makes you happy…
Magic number blessings!
October 31st, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Opal–that is really educational for a sock-novice like me! Thanks for posting all that, I will definitely keep this in mind when I go to knit my first sock. Soon. Soon. :) Glad you found your magic #!