I decided that I'd go for a thicker sock that he'd be able to wear in his walking boots, something that'll keep his feet nice and warm during the winter months. He chose the yarn himself, Opal Wintermond in colourway 8922 - New Years Eve. This is a 75% wool yarn for warmth and 25% nylon for strength.
I thought the cushioned fabric, which the Blueberry Waffle Socks pattern by Sandy Turner works in to, would be extra cosy so I went with that pattern. As it turns out, I wasn't 100% happy with either the yarn or the pattern choice.
The heel of this pattern was not what I was expecting at all, it's different from the heel pattern I usually use, the part which goes underneath the heel is square rather than tapered and doesn't give anywhere near such a good fit. If I knit these socks again I would definitely use a different heel pattern.
I was disappointed to find that the yarn had several joins in it and I didn't think the pattern was matching up as I was knitting. As it turned out, it does match up quite well.
I actually thought I was going to run out of yarn, I found these socks very greedy, they used just about every little bit of the 150g ball with just a short length left over at the end.
I'd like to try this pattern again but this time in a finer yarn and with a different heel pattern incorporated. That's one of the great things about socks though, you can take lots of different components from various sock patterns and put them together to create a pair of socks with all your favourite features.
Mick's put a request in for another pair of socks now but he'll have to wait, I have a pair for Eleanor on my needles.
I'm glad to hear you had enough yarn to make both socks. It's so annoying when you run out of material just when you're about to finish. I think they look great and I do like Mick's colour choice. I can see the heels are angular rather than the usual curved shape, but it's still a great pair and they're warm and thick. He'll enjoy wearing them. x
ReplyDeleteIt really was touch and go whether I'd have enough yarn to finish both socks, I'm glad I did. I was surprised at Mick's colour choice, not what I thought he'd choose at all. I definitely won't knit this heel again but the socks are fine for what they'll be used for.
DeleteClever, clever, clever. I have dock and knitting envy. Loving the colours.
ReplyDeleteIt was socks that got me back in to knitting. I used to knit as a child and in my teens then stopped for over twenty years. When I saw hand knitted socks popping up on blogs I decided that I wanted some myself and so I picked up my needles once again. I'm so glad I did.
DeleteI do like the colour of the yarn Jo ...
ReplyDeleteThe pattern looks nice to me.
I'm sure Mick will enjoy wearing them
All the best Jan
It's a nice pattern but spoilt by the heel in my opinion. I'd like to try it again but I'll put a different heel in this time.
DeleteLove the colours
ReplyDeleteThe colours are not what I though Mick would choose, he surprised me.
DeleteI hate finding joins in sock yarn, it drives me nuts......a textured sock pattern generally does take up more yarn than just a stocking stitch, I quite like the colours in the pattern. It took me quite a while to find my own vanilla sock recipe which I use most of the time, it's all trail and error really, I'm sure Mick will love his cosy socks.
ReplyDeleteIt was so annoying finding the joins, in the end I stopped trying to match the socks but they've worked out pretty well anyway. They're for Mick to wear in his walking boots so they should keep his feet nice and warm.
DeleteI have sock envy everytime I visit when you have been knitting these wonderful creations. Disappointing about the yarn having so many joins it is so frustrating but I really did like the colours it certainly looked to have knitted up well.
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased that they do match up quite well even with all the joins in the yarn, it got to the point where I just carried on knitting and hoped for the best. Mick's already chosen the yarn for his next pair of socks but he'll have to wait a while, Eleanor got her order in first.
DeleteI have knitted this pattern up a few times, I didn't like the heel on the first sock so frogged it out and did my normal flap and gusset. I have tried the fish lips kiss heel but most of my socks are for men and they all seem to prefer the standard flap and gusset.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like this heel. Though I've heard of quite a few people knitting this pattern, I haven't heard anyone mention the heel before so I thought I might be alone in not liking it. I've heard the Fish Lips Kiss Heel pattern mentioned on podcasts many times but I haven't tried it, I must give it a go.
DeleteI haven't heard of the fish lips kiss heel - I must investigate. It is so annoying to have several joins in one ball of wool - especially when knitting socks when you don't have a seam to darn the ends in. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe most annoying part of the joins was that they messed up the patterning in the yarn. I didn't think the socks were going to match but in the end they haven't turned out too bad.
DeleteThe colour of that wool is very pretty, (but don't tell Mick). I've still not done any socks & have no idea of all that heel speak above. I now know who to turn to with any sock problems. Thanks & take care.
ReplyDeleteSock knitting was a mystery to me before I started knitting them myself. I think you just have to dive right in and then it will all make sense.
DeleteI've yet to knit my first pair of socks but i'm glad you mentioned the heel because i've seen others do this pattern and they must have done a different heel although they haven't mentioned it. I like the yarn colour, but hate when you get those little join bumps, most annoying, especially as yarn is not cheap.
ReplyDeleteYou'll become addicted to knitting socks once you start, be warned! I definitely won't knit this heel again, I think it spoils the socks as the fitting isn't great but the pattern other than that is okay, I'd like to try it again with my own amendments.
DeleteThe socks look great, Jo, and, if Mick has asked for another pair, he must be happy with them. Well done you! :o)
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone who doesn't love hand knitted socks. I'm a total convert since I started knitting them, they're so much warmer and cosier than other socks.
DeleteI quite like the colourway of the yarn, probably because I'm partial to grays. I'm about half way done the socks that I have going but these don't have to be finished until my moms birthday in January, so I'm not in a panic about them quite yet :)
ReplyDeleteYou might get some quiet time over Christmas when you can crack on with your mom's socks. I've got a pair on the needles for Eleanor at the moment but they're not growing very quickly as I'm short on time in the run up to Christmas.
DeleteLoving those colours :)
ReplyDeleteI like how the colours knit up together. You can get some lovely yarn these days.
DeleteOh, I love those socks. x
ReplyDeleteThey'll certainly keep Mick's feet nice and warm.
DeleteI love the colours of these socks Jo. They would be my perfect sock if I ever learn to knit socks.
ReplyDeleteI think the turquoise really lifts the greys and contrasts well with the lilac. I didn't think I'd ever be able to knit socks but it's really easy once you get the hang of it and you don't even have to use dpns these days with circular needles.
DeleteI've knitted this pattern a couple of times and my Dh was quite happy with the fit of them, although he does prefer a 4 ply sock.
ReplyDeleteIt's just the heel really that I'm not happy with. I'm going to knit Mick some 4 ply socks next, I just thought these thicker ones would be good to use with his walking boots.
DeleteI know you can be critical of yarn and patterns, but, like Mick, I'd just be asking for another pair.Where else can you get such fab socks? xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's true. Hand knitted socks are the best.
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