Summer Sherbert Knee Socks
In spite of my Red Scarf committment, I have to be honest and admit right now that when it comes to new projects it's really all about me. You would have thought that after I finished my pair of Sloopy Socks that I'd have gotten right onto making John's pair of handspun socks. No, I got side tracked from that after taking the time to discuss pattern stitches with him. And when I started to think about pattern stitches, I realized that I wouldn't have a simple sock project that could run around town with me. So I decided that it was time to start another pair of socks for me -- after seeing a few pairs of knee socks show up in the knitting blogosphere, I knew I wanted a pair for me, too.
Mine started when I placed my handspun Sloopy (orange) sock yarn next to the Say A Little Prayer (lime green) Sock Hop (also handspun) sock yarn. It reminded me of those orange and green sherbert mixtures that used to show up in the summer time when I was a kid. Wouldn't it be fun, I thought, to have green socks with orange heels, toes and cuffs. Cheerful and summery, I figured, the perfect remedy for Chicago winter. Can you believe that I've never knit a sock with a contrasting heel and toe?
As if contrasting colors in a sock weren't radical enough, I also decided that I wanted to make the most out of my Sock Hop -- what better then, than knitting from the toe up? I'd been resisting toe up sock knitting because while I like short-row heels, I don't really dig short row toes. But after some small amount of digging, I discovered what most of you have known for a long time: it's possible to start a toe up sock from a provisional cast on and then knit in the round with increases so that I could have the 4 point increase/decrease toe that I like best.
When I cast on, my intention was to keep everything very simple and just knit in plain stockinette. But right around the time I turned the heel, I got to thinking that it would be fun to play with a pattern or motif to see how the striping played off against it. Given that the striping in the Sock Hop yarn is pretty dominant, I figured that the pattern would need to be simple. And to keep the knitting more or less simple, I decided that I would keep the motif at the sides of the sock. So I pulled out my Barbara Walker Second Treasury (of all of her 4 pattern stitch books, I have to say, this is the one that I keep going back to) and found the "Ears of Grass" stitch -- I loved the simple eyelets and gentle curves. And as a panel of 15 stitches, it was almost perfect as a motif for these socks, given the 56 stitch circumference I had started with.
I did a test swatch to make sure that I liked how it would turn out. After deciding that I loved it, I continued on with the sock. This sock took me a little less than 5 days to bring to life. To say that I love it would be an understatement. I was a bit worried that the pattern detail when combined with two color socks might be a little overwhelming, but I think the final result is well balanced.
This detail shot shows you what I love about this pattern motif -- you get a subtle biasing that creates a little wave in the striping. Nothing too extreme, just a gentle undulation. It also shows that the pattern motif doesn't get lost in the striping. Something else that also makes me very happy. After all, why go to the trouble of knitting eyelets if you're not going to see them?
Although this sock is 16.5" from cuff to the bottom of the heel I still have a little bit of the Sock Hop yarn left. Not sure if I could have gotten the heel, toe and cuff from it, but it probably would have been close.
So now I'm chomping at the bit to get the second sock started. But I've told myself that I can start or finish nothing else before my Red Scarf is ready to send on it's way.
I am so impressed that you can spin sock weight yarn!! I am a novice spinner and it's something I look forward to achieving! The sock is magic (I have also only ever knitted 2 3/4 socks).
Oooh! I love that sock. The fact that you knit it from your handspun makes it even more special.
The knee sock is awesome. I love the design stitch up the leg, that really makes it perfect.
Your sock is crazy similar to the one I just ripped! Too loose -- even at 56 stitches on 2s. What needles did you use? I love the wheat pattern and the subtle ripples. Nice work.
How ingenious! Not only is the sock amazing (truly love the motif and the colors), the use of leftover bits is resourceful.
Wow! Love it!
Beautiful!! God I want to be spinning again.
Great choice for the motif.
I really like the green and pumpkin color together. But, the "subtle wave" is the best! Very nice.
So will you make us a pattern for these knee socks? I need an excuse to make an order to CMF.
If you can muster together the energy to write up this sock pattern, I bet you would get a lot of customers! It is great! Finish that scarf soon so you can have those socks in time for the frigid weather...
Very nice!
Very cool.
Cool sock. I've been wanting to make a pair of knee highs. Might have to get around and actually do it someday:)
I love the colors and the lace is the perfect touch.
BW's 2nd treasury is also my favorite. The sock is awesome, by the way. Great colors.
This weekend I *will* finish the red scarf I'm working on. I am suffering a bit of scarf ennui in general.
I love this sock! The green and the orange look great together (I never would have thought to do that!) Does the motif help keep the sock snug around the calves?
thanks for sharing the knitty link on toe-up toes, i hadn't seen that one before.
You don't even need a provisional cast on. I've been working on the Figure-8 cast on and have finally achieved a four increase toe with nothing but two double points and my brain! And yarn, I guess!
Oohh, I love how the motif on the side didn't mess up the striping at all but instead inhanced right at the point of the motif and left the rest striping as it should. That is a lovely sock.
It turned out perfect. I've never done a sock with contrasting heels and toes myself, as well as never knitting a knee sock. I'm inspired :)
I am so inspired by all the knee socks I have seen knitted lately. I don't think I'm quite ready to start a pair, but it's definitely going on the "to-knit" list. :)
It looks great! I started toe-up socks this past weekend with my first handspun sock yarn and I am LOVING it! I think I'm a convert.
Just beautiful. It's a lovely sock. I love the way you freewheeled it and let the knitting tell you what it wanted to be.
I salute your commitment to the knee sock. Nice work.
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Really wonderful !!
I want to do kneehighs but I need to be sure the pattern works for me, and they stay 'up' on my leg. It looks like you have some shaping in the leg - is there a pattern for the sock ?
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Holy cow, it's awesome! And I love what you did with the Ears of Grass motif on the sides. Just beautiful!
The sock is beautiful and I love the stitch pattern up the side of the leg.
Cheers
Your socks are great. I'm using virtually the same stitch on a pair of short socks, but I think yours are prettier. Mine was called fern stitch, but I can't remember where I found it, and I'm not using it in quite the same way.
Oh it's absolutely beautiful. Well done! I've done one sock with contrasting heels and toes, but then I ran out of yarn for the 2nd sock and the pair was never completed. C'est la vie.
That knee sock is wonderful! Keep on knittin' red. you'll be done soon. :)
I love everything about this sock Theresa! Well done!
PS - Try the Turkish Cast On for toe ups, it's so easy and you'll come out with the wedge toe you favor (and no messing with waste yarn!)
That is a gorgeous sock!
what a glorious sock of rainbow-sherbert goodness.
Love the tiny pattern on the side.
Must knit me some knee socks too!
Those are great knee highs! I kind of wish I had chosen a more fun color for my first pair, but I suppose it is just the encouragement I need to knit another pair. I love the sherbert look! Too fun!
It was great to see that sock in person at KIP last night...beautiful work!
great socks! i have admired that yarn forever. waiting for more to become available. very lovely.
Lovely, T! Funny thing is, I've got green kneesocks on the brain too, though I have ginormous calves. That is the beauty of the custom-knit sock!