pepperknit

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.)