Nov 11 2007
sheer brilliance
From the idea to knit a single sock and swap it with someone else to the pattern and the knitting by Kristy, this pair of socks is bursting with brilliance.
Pattern: Chalet Socks from Nancy Bush’s Folk Socks
Yarn: Tess Designer Yarns sock yarn
Skeins: 2
Needles: US 1.5
Received Sock #1: Monday, November 4
Started Sock #2: Tuesday, November 5
Finished Sock #2: Saturday, November 10
Kristy picked a pattern that I probably would have never chosen myself, despite everyone else making it, but that I ultimately have fallen completely in love with. It was a perfectly fine pattern, but never caught my eye. But the traveling twisted knits on the bed of purls? Brilliant. (I’m definitely going to play with designing my own socks based on this technique.) It took me a while to get the hang of the pattern–those charts are unlike anything I’d ever seen before, and I wasn’t “getting it” for the first few rows. When it clicked, though, I was suddenly going like gangbusters. I didn’t swap stitches the way the pattern specified; I considered them like normal cables and worked them using the method for cabling without a cable needle that I first saw on Grumperina’s blog.
Let’s talk a bit about this yarn. I’ve always been someone who lusts after Tess yarns, and spends an inordinate amount of time in that booth at all the fiber festivals I attend. I’ve bought yarn there, but never the sock yarn. I’m a total convert! It’s firm and dense and gives excellent stitch definition (great with this pattern) and is also soft and comfy. And the color Kristy chose!! Pale icy blue ranks very high on my list of favorite colors, and I found picking this sock up every day a true delight.
I don’t know how to thank you enough, Kristy! Actually, stay tuned, folks, because Kristy sent me a copy of Folk Socks (in addition to the tea, chocolates, and small bag featuring yoga-themed fabric), but I already own it. So we’re going to devise some kind of contest in which you win the extra copy.
I’m so sad that I finished so quickly. It was less than a week ago that I was marveling at Kristy’s skilled knitting. In such a short time I magically have a finished pair–and that’s the brilliance of the Single Sock Swap. (Happily, the two socks are nearly identical. Only difference? She did a better job picking up the stitches around the gusset.)
That is a cool idea. No SSS. Looks great on you.
Oh, those are lovely!
And I’m right there with you on the Tess booth (as you might remember from Stitches. :D)
Lurve. The icy blue is so very good.
Love it! The color is gorgeous but the pattern really pops! Wonderful!
Wow! These are fabulous- great job getting the mate knit already!
I love these little twists on a bed of purls, too. I’m looking forward to a pattern!
Yay again that you liked the sock :)
I love those socks! I have Folk Socks, and will have to give that pattern a try.
Enjoy!
Ooh I love that color too! What a beautiful sock pattern - I don’t have the pattern book so I’ll be on the lookout for your contest. :-)
I love the pattern and especially the photo of your foot balancing the ball of yarn. Very artistic :) I’m looking forward to getting our household good shipment and having my knitting supplies. Then the inspiration to knit some socks.
The socks are stunning! The color of the yarn really compliments the pattern. Enjoy!
They are beautiful, E. Tess is my favorite sock yarn - remember all of the yarn I bought at MDSW?
Wow, absolutely gorgeous! I’m so in love with your socks right now!
Love. Those. Socks. The color, the pattern, perfect! Now I need to get my mitts on that book, too.
They are just incredibly, incredibly lovely. Great job!
So, so beautiful! You really got that second sock done quickly!
That yarn shows off the pattern beautifully! That is a lovely and inspiring pair of socks.
What gorgeous socks! And holy crap, you finished that second one quickly.
Love those socks!! I can’t wait to knit up my Tess sock yarn. (It was the only other thing I bought after our spending spree in the Lisa Souza booth!)
They’re gorgeous! Looks like that’s another book I’ll have to pick up.
Those are beautiful socks and they look identical from the pictures. I do love Nancy Bush’s patterns, but haven’t gotten around to this one yet. Now I just might have to!
You and Kristy did a fantastic job! They’re beautiful. Enjoy!
beautiful knitting by both of you! i love that color, it makes me think of skating rinks and hot cocoa and marshmallows and candy canes!!!
Love that icy blue Tess!! Such a great sock.
Beautiful socks and photos! Looks like you could make a living as a “leg” model, too. :-)
Ooh, am I a trend setter? I’ll just pretend I am :)
Socks are lovely! Such a great color.
The socks are awesome. You’re a champ at the photo-of-legs-in-air, too!
wow, that’s a great combination of both yarn and pattern :) lovely.
Wow that was quick! The pair is definitely brilliant. I love Tess sock yarn. :)
Just beautiful! Already in my queue in Ravelry, but now even more so.
I wonder if this single sock swap is going to exacerbate Second Sock Syndrome worldwide. Now you’re all so spoiled by getting a pair of socks so quickly and easily that I don’t think you’ll ever be able to go back to the arduous process of having to make two.
That is the ONLY downside I can think of, though, because those socks are spectacular in every single way.
Gorgeous socks and the color is so lovely as well.
The socks look awesome. The single sock swap is such a good idea. I’m suffering from a bad case of SSS right now myself!
Oh, you finished so fast!! I love that you can’t tell which one you made and which one Kristy made, that is as it should be!
I am sorry I didn’t get in touch last weekend. Our trip was sort of last minute since we had pretty much decided to postpone it, but then figured why not. And we would have just gotten you sick. And then you wouldn’t want to talk to me ever again. That would make me sad. Next time. Next time.
Beautiful!!!!
I’m so happy I have that book because I want a pair of those.
OOO! What a pretty pattern! Out of curiosity, is the pattern written to have such a large stockinette toe or is that a personal preference of yours? Nice work!
Those are fantastic!
such pretty sockens!
i’m sure i will be asking you in the future about chart. i had troubles with that before ….