Yay, I finally finished my Estonian Knee Socks that Rock. In case you were wondering, knitting knee socks with a fine black yarn on size 0 needles takes a long time. My ravelry notes tell me that I started these back in early November.I love the way they fit. I decreased two stitches every sixth row down the back from the bottom of the colorwork to the ankle which creates a lovely "seam" line. I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out. And since you can see those goose bumps on my legs there I'm not going to try again. You'll just have to imagine it.
The yarns are Knit Picks Essential Soot Kettle Dyed and Jewel of the Nile lightweight by Socks that Rock.I used the color pattern from Nancy Bush's Estonian Socks in her book Folk Socks.It really feels good to finish a slow going project like this. I know I'll be wearing them though. They will be great with winter boots!
Wordless Wednesday
Norwegian Stockings that Rock
I finally finished my Norwegian Stockings! I love them. I could have made them a little taller for full knee socks but I was afraid I would run out of yarn. It turns out there would have been enough.I did change the heel flap design a bit because I didn't like how the gusset pick up stitches pulled from the heel flap.
I am thrilled with how these turned out. They will be great winter socks because they are double thick with the yarns carried on the back.
I almost want to wear them inside out!The pattern is Norwegian Stockings in Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear, by Nancy Bush. The yarn is "socks that rock" by Blue Moon Fiber Arts. I used one skein of each Jewel of the Nile and 24 Carat.
Norwegiean Stockings - a progress report
I have slowly been progressing on this stocking. I knit the heel flap twice and turned the heel three times before I was satisfied. I was well into knitting the foot of this stocking when decided that I didn't like the way the pick up stitches for the gussets worked with the heel flap. The pick up stitches pulled the stranded threads on the back of the heel flap and made a bulge on the side of the flap and very loose stitches at the start of the gusset. I wish I had taken a photo at this point so that you could see what the problem was.This is a photo taken after I reknit the heel flap and the heel turn. I love the way the stranding looks on the inside. I think this will make a very squishy, warm, and comfortable sock.
Below is the sock as it is now. I followed the basic checkerboard heel flap design but knit the first and last stitches of each row alternating yarns with each stitch. This worked a little better than the original design but I am still not thrilled with the pick up row.
I am going ahead with it anyway and am in the home stretch now.
This is a fun pattern to knit. I am trying to decide if I want to do the other sock with the variegated yarn as the back ground. I may have to weigh the yarns and see if I have enough of the gold to knit the second one this way.
