Year of Projects 2: Gent's Socks for Evening Wear

Folk Knitting in Estonia: Aino's Gloves • Anu's Christmas Gloves • Anu's Mittens • Anu's Stockings • Avo's Mittens • Ellen's Stockings • Helgi's Mittens • Hilja's Mittens • Ilmar's Socks • Juta's Stockings • Kalev's Mittens • Kristi's Mittens • Laila's Socks • Landra's Gloves • Liidia's Gloves • Liivi's Stockings • Maarja's Socks • Maimu's Mittens • Marko's Mittens • Meida's Mittens • Merike's Gloves • Rita's Stockings • Sander's Mittens • Tiit's Socks • Ulla's Gloves • Virve's Stockings

Knitting Vintage Socks: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern (1887) • Gentleman's Sock in Railway Stitch (1889) • Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern (1895) • Bed Sock in Lemon Pattern Fancy Knit Stripe (1896) • Cycling or Golf Stockings with Fancy Cuff in Trellis Pattern (1897) • Heelless Sleeping Socks (1897) • Child's French Sock in Citron Pattern and Diaper Knitting (1898) • Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear (1900) • Evening Stockings for a Young Lady (1900) • Fancy Silk Sock for a Child of 5 or 6 Years (1900) • Gentleman's Fancy Sock (1901) • Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock with Dutch Heel (1901) • Child's Sock in Miranda Pattern (1904) • Baby's Bootikin (1905)  •  Little Child's Sock (1907) • Infant's Fancy Silk Sock (1909) • Ladies Useful Stockings (1913)  •  Ladies Silk Stockings with Clocks (1914)

Yarn arrived in the mail on Thursday - a gift from Jill at Studio June Yarn - and the colour is such a pretty tulip pink that I couldn't wait to cast on. The subtle tonal variegation in this yarn looked suitable for this elegant sock with its intricate lace pattern down the front of the leg - Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear.

Once again the pattern suggests that more than 500 yards of yarn is needed; but in this case other Ravelers' notes suggest that the yarn requirements are overestimated. I've abbreviated the ribbing on the cuff by a handful of rows and abbreviated the stockinette below the cuff by another handful of rows. Now I'm trying to decide how many repeats of the decorative pattern for the leg. Seven as written? Or one or two less? Hmm ... how brave do I feel?

One thing's for sure - I'd better get a move on with these socks. I'm feeling some pressure to knit a couple of pairs of Shark Week Socks; and right now the necessary needles are occupied with these pink socks. Must. Knit. Faster.

Finished Object Friday

Pattern: Bunny Egg Cosy

Yarn for Bunny #1: scraps of On Your Toes (cream), Candy Skein First Birthday (aqua) and unknown yarn from Wabi-Sabi sale bin (beige) Bunny #2: scraps of unknown dark blue, Sydney Sock (light blue) and On Your Toes (cream) Bunny #3: scraps of Cascade Sock (dark brown), Alley Cat (light brown) and On Your Toes (cream) Bunny #4: scraps of unknown red, On Your Toes (cream) and unknown beige from Wabi-Sabi sale bin

Needles: size 2 (2.75 mm)

Modifications: none

Comments: Just in the nick of time! But they're done and they're pretty cute even considering my terrible embroidery skills. Those uneven eyes give them more character, right? Each bunny is the perfect size for a Grade A Large egg - or as shown here, a Kinder Surprise egg. My niece and nephews are expected within the hour. Now I'd better get a move on with cleaning bathrooms before they get here. Happy Easter everyone. And if you have some time, check out the links at Tami's Amis!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

Bunny bits! I need four finished bunny egg cozies by Friday for my niece and nephews. Number one was knit and finished to double-check fit - she sits atop a Kinder Surprise Egg perfectly! Bunny two is knit but all the assembly remains. Bunny three has been started. Fortunately they're a quick knit. Even the finishing doesn't take long although it's a bit fiddly ... especially the embroidery which is really not my strong suit.

The pattern is here. I'm knitting entirely from sock yarn scraps; no shortage of colour choices in my stash. I'm just trying to decide about bunny fur colours. I could make them all different if I include some grey bunnies, but I'm leaning towards another cream and another tan instead because grey just seems a bit ... well ... grey. Besides, I think grey faces would necessitate black embroidery rather than dark brown, and I'm not enamoured with that thought either.

Happy Easter everyone! Our celebration takes the form of a long weekend spent with family and chocolate. It's Work-in-Progress Wednesday over at Tami's Amis. I bet you'll find more Easter ideas in the posted links :)

Year of Projects 2: Infant's Silk Sock

Folk Knitting in Estonia: Aino's Gloves • Anu's Christmas Gloves • Anu's Mittens • Anu's Stockings • Avo's Mittens • Ellen's Stockings • Helgi's Mittens • Hilja's Mittens • Ilmar's Socks • Juta's Stockings • Kalev's Mittens • Kristi's Mittens • Laila's Socks • Landra's Gloves • Liidia's Gloves • Liivi's Stockings • Maarja's Socks • Maimu's Mittens • Marko's Mittens • Meida's Mittens • Merike's Gloves • Rita's Stockings • Sander's Mittens • Tiit's Socks • Ulla's Gloves • Virve's Stockings

Knitting Vintage Socks: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern (1887) • Gentleman's Sock in Railway Stitch (1889) • Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern (1895) • Bed Sock in Lemon Pattern Fancy Knit Stripe (1896) • Cycling or Golf Stockings with Fancy Cuff in Trellis Pattern (1897) • Heelless Sleeping Socks (1897) • Child's French Sock in Citron Pattern and Diaper Knitting (1898) • Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear (1900) • Evening Stockings for a Young Lady (1900) • Fancy Silk Sock for a Child of 5 or 6 Years (1900) • Gentleman's Fancy Sock (1901) • Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock with Dutch Heel (1901) • Child's Sock in Miranda Pattern (1904) • Baby's Bootikin (1905)  •  Little Child's Sock (1907)  • Infant's Fancy Silk Sock (1909) • Ladies Useful Stockings (1913)  •  Ladies Silk Stockings with Clocks (1914)

Once again I finished up last week's socks - Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted pattern - in time for a Finished Object Friday post. If you missed it, they're here. And then I had a look at what to cast on next. Flipping through the pages of Knitting Vintage Socks, and referring to the project notes from other Ravelers, I decided on Infant's Fancy Silk Sock. Admittedly, I have no infant to knit these for, but I was in the mood for something cute and quick with the idea of giving them away. Numerous Ravelers comments describe the finished socks as "precious", "sweet" and "adorable"; their posted photos of newborns also suggest that the socks fit well.

After seeing Shell's "Not Sik nor Infant" project I was inspired to work in contrast - In Silk and at Infant size. My new Blackthorn size 00 (1.75 mm) needles arrived last week too; isn't this the perfect pattern to try them out? A few hours and 30 grams of silk later, et voilà ... a finished pair of infant socks. All those other Ravelers were right; they are precious, sweet and adorable, if I do say so myself.

Next for my Year of Projects, I think I'll cast on Little Child's Sock. There's a skein of Araucania Ranco Multy in my stash that might work nicely with that pattern. And if the Araucania is too busy for the pattern, I have a plan B in my stash as well. But first I'd better finish some of my other WIPs!

Finished Object Friday: Fluted Socks

Pattern: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush

Yarn: A whole bunch of scraps!
 • Meilenweit 100 Merino from Lana Grossa for charcoal grey cuff, heel and toe
 • 1st stripe (blue) is SRK On Your Toes
 • 2nd stripe (grey) is Sandnes Garn Sisu
 • 4th stripe (green) is Malabrigo Sock
 • 5th stripe (blue) is Fleece Artist BFL
 • 7th stripe (grey) is Sandnes Garn Sisu
 • 8th stripe (blue) is Studio June Sydney Sock
 • 9th stripe (blue/brown) is Wandering Cat BFL

Needles: size 0 (2.00 mm) Blackthorns

Modifications: I added a knit row to begin each colour change, but otherwise these socks are knitted as written.

Comments: Can you tell that I ran out of yarn on the first blue stripe of the second sock? I had to supplement with another blue that's a shade or two darker for the third pattern repeat. Oh dear, I thought, I hope I haven't miscalculated on all the stripes! But no, just that one. Still, they are scrappy socks and the intention was to run out of yarn, so Mission Accomplished.

The fluted pattern continues down the heel flap - and that looks nice - but it's bumpier than I'd like for comfort. If I did this pattern again I'd work the heel flap in eye of partridge instead. I wasn't entirely convinced about the calf shaping as it looked kind of lame in the pattern photos and illustrations, but it looks just fine when worn and the fit is wonderful. One more thing? The cuff is really generous, but that's a good thing for knee socks. I could even wear the cuff folded over.

For a scrappy pair of socks, these have been a pleasant surprise. Now I just have to decide whether I keep them for myself or give them away. They fit me beautifully but they'd do more good for someone up North who has more need of wool socks. I guess I've talked myself into sending these socks to the Warm Hands Network, haven't I? Once again, it's finished object Friday and I'm linking up with Tami's Amis.  It's almost Easter; I hope to find a bunny or two in those links.

Year of Projects 2: Fluted Socks

Folk Knitting in Estonia: Aino's Gloves • Anu's Christmas Gloves • Anu's Mittens • Anu's Stockings • Avo's Mittens • Ellen's Stockings • Helgi's Mittens • Hilja's Mittens • Ilmar's Socks • Juta's Stockings • Kalev's Mittens • Kristi's Mittens • Laila's Socks • Landra's Gloves • Liidia's Gloves • Liivi's Stockings • Maarja's Socks • Maimu's Mittens • Marko's Mittens • Meida's Mittens • Merike's Gloves • Rita's Stockings • Sander's Mittens • Tiit's Socks • Ulla's Gloves • Virve's Stockings

Knitting Vintage Socks: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern (1887) • Gentleman's Sock in Railway Stitch (1889) • Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern (1895) • Bed Sock in Lemon Pattern Fancy Knit Stripe (1896) • Cycling or Golf Stockings with Fancy Cuff in Trellis Pattern (1897) • Heelless Sleeping Socks (1897) • Child's French Sock in Citron Pattern and Diaper Knitting (1898) • Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear (1900) • Evening Stockings for a Young Lady (1900) • Fancy Silk Sock for a Child of 5 or 6 Years (1900) • Gentleman's Fancy Sock (1901) • Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock with Dutch Heel (1901) • Child's Sock in Miranda Pattern (1904) • Baby's Bootikin (1905)  •  Little Child's Sock (1907)  •  Ladies Useful Stockings (1913)  •  Ladies Silk Stockings with Clocks (1914)

If you missed it, I finished Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern last week and blogged it here for a Finished Object Friday post. Lovely pattern!

No sooner were those socks off the needles when I cast on Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted pattern. My half-baked idea was to work odd rounds in dark grey and even rounds in scraps, but  I quickly realized that wouldn't work. This fluted pattern is constructed from knit and purl wedges; plain knit rounds at colour changes would entirely disrupt the pattern. Instead I settled on the idea of wide stripes, with a colour change after every three repeats of the fluted pattern.

As the word "stocking" in the pattern name implies, this is a long sock. I've worked 15 repeats for the leg and wound up with a knee sock. That's okay though, because the generous cuff, stretchy pattern and calf shaping instructions make the pattern well suited for this length. It's a really comfortable sock. And as I'm working from scraps, there's no worries about running out of yarn.

My colour choices were more muted on the leg than on the foot. Maybe I should have distributed the colours differently for a more even effect? Or maybe I should stop fretting because the brights will be inside my shoes? I'm not feeling at all inclined to rip out and re-do it, so I'll just live with it like this.

The fluted pattern continues down the back of the heel, and that's the only aspect of this pattern that gives me pause. It's on the bumpy side for my taste. If I did this pattern again I'd switch the heel to eye of partridge. But that's another day. Today I'm going to cast on sock two with the plan to match sock one exactly ... hopefully my scraps hold up for that :)

Finished Object Friday: Lozenge Socks

Pattern: Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush

Yarn: Top Cat MCN from Wandering Cat Yarns in "Celery Seed" colourway

Needles: size 1 (2.25mm) and size 0 (2.00 mm)

Modifications: As written the pattern requires 600 yards of fingering weight yarn so most of my mods are intended to get these socks out the single skein of sock yarn I had. I shortened each cuff repeat by one round, then shortened the cuffs by one full repeat and shortened the leg by two and half repeats.

Also, I thought that the leg was likely to come out a bit baggy as written so I worked the leg across 70 sts rather than 80 sts and then switched down one needle size at the ankle and through the foot. Oh, and I worked my usual wedge toe because I find that the most comfortable at the tips of my toes.

Comments: This pattern really surprised me ... in a good way. I wasn't very enthusiastic when I first cast on, but within a few inches of the first leg I was really pleased. The finished socks are quite striking and fit really well. The pattern is easy to follow and I could easily work it from memory while watching TV without referring to charts or written instructions.

The yarn is a pleasure to work with and a pleasure to wear. I love the softness that you get from that little bit of cashmere, and I find this base just a bit plumper than most sock yarns which makes for a really nice thick knitted fabric. And, in case you're wondering, after all my modifications I made it through with about 8 grams of yarn to spare.

Once again, it's finished object Friday and I'm linking up with everyone over at Tami's Amis. Spring is just around the corner. Don't you want to go see what everyone else is working on for Spring? Maybe there'll be a few Easter surprises :)

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

When casting on this latest pair of socks I was determined to make them scrappy. After all I've got about a shoebox full of odd balls of sock yarn that I need to work through. I'd picked out the pattern Gentleman's Shooting Stockings in Fluted Pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks, with the half-baked idea that I'd work odd rounds in dark grey and even rounds in scrap colours. But recalling this advice from Weldon's vintage patterns - when changing colors, the first RS row or round of the new color must be knitted plain -  I quickly realized that wouldn't work. Given that this fluted pattern is constructed from knit and purl wedges, working plain knit rounds with any regularity would entirely disrupt the pattern. And I wasn't prepared to ignore the advice and let purl bumps of the previous colour disrupt each successive round, so wide stripes it was. That one knit round after every 18 rounds of pattern just disappears into the work.

Until you try it you just never know whether the colours are going to work together. When combining scraps I try to think about how quilters do it. In this case I gathered all my cold coloured and neutral coloured scraps. Working in my favour is the fact that most of my scraps are solid colours or subtle tonals - they'll all play together fine. I've also tried to make sure there's sufficient contrast between adjacent colours and tried to avoid putting blues side-by-side. So far I'm pleasantly surprised by the effect. I'd wear that.

It's Work-in-progress Wednesday and I'm linking up with the group at Tami's Amis. Please take a few minutes to click the links and see what the others have been working on. You may find the next great idea for your stash yarn!

Year of Projects 2: Lozenge Socks 2

Folk Knitting in Estonia: Aino's Gloves • Anu's Christmas Gloves • Anu's Mittens • Anu's Stockings • Avo's Mittens • Ellen's Stockings • Helgi's Mittens • Hilja's Mittens • Ilmar's Socks • Juta's Stockings • Kalev's Mittens • Kristi's Mittens • Laila's Socks • Landra's Gloves • Liidia's Gloves • Liivi's Stockings • Maarja's Socks • Maimu's Mittens • Marko's Mittens • Meida's Mittens • Merike's Gloves • Rita's Stockings • Sander's Mittens • Tiit's Socks • Ulla's Gloves • Virve's Stockings

Knitting Vintage Socks: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern (1887) • Gentleman's Sock in Railway Stitch (1889) • Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern (1895) • Bed Sock in Lemon Pattern Fancy Knit Stripe (1896) • Cycling or Golf Stockings with Fancy Cuff in Trellis Pattern (1897) • Heelless Sleeping Socks (1897) • Child's French Sock in Citron Pattern and Diaper Knitting (1898) • Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear (1900) • Evening Stockings for a Young Lady (1900) • Fancy Silk Sock for a Child of 5 or 6 Years (1900) • Gentleman's Fancy Sock (1901) • Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock with Dutch Heel (1901) • Child's Sock in Miranda Pattern (1904) • Baby's Bootikin (1905)  •  Little Child's Sock (1907)  •  Ladies Useful Stockings (1913)  •  Ladies Silk Stockings with Clocks (1914)

Seems like this pair of Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern is knitting itself. That's one thing about knitting most of the sock on needles larger than size 0 - the work progresses very quickly. After all my mods - abbreviating the cuff pattern, omitting one cuff repeat and shortening the leg - my first finished sock weighed in at 47 grams. Phew! I'll make it with just one skein of yarn with a little bit to spare. Many Ravelers faced with the same concern shortened the cuff even further, but I'm glad I didn't. The cuff is the stretchiest part of this pattern so it needs all the cuff it can get to avoid being slouchy. And besides, I'm finding that wide rib broken up with purl rounds really attractive ... a nice contrast to the diagonals in the leg pattern!

A friend recommended that old HBO Series Deadwood, so we rented the first season yesterday on a seven day rental. Seven disks, seven days, seven dollars; that's a pretty good deal.Three episodes later and we're hooked! Fortunately this sock pattern is perfect TV knitting. In each round the pattern travels one stitch outward or inward until the diagonals cross - no reading of charts required. And now that the gusset decreases are completed on the second sock I barely need to pay attention at all. My guess is that the second sock will be finished at some point during episode six later tonight.

What's next for my Year of Projects? Maybe I'll try the Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted pattern in sock yarn scraps. Looks like the stitch pattern is strong enough and simple enough to withstand some colour variation. We'll see after an inch or two, but you never know until you try!

FO Friday: Lace Ribbon Scarf

Pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf

Yarn: 2 skeins Hand Maiden Sea Silk (70% Silk 30% Seacell)

Needles: size 3.25 mm

Finished size: 14" wide x 80" long after blocking

Modifications: I made the scarf wider, casting on 80 sts rather 53 sts as written. And as suggested by several other Ravellers in their notes, I omitted the final two knit rows and bound off immediately after completing row 24 of the lace pattern.

Comments: I can't say enough good things about this pattern. It's easy to memorize. It's easy to pick up and see exactly where you left off. Perfect for travel knitting or even at work knitting where you're likely to be interrupted.

And it's really striking when finished. The lace columns sway back and forth to create a beautifully airy pattern with lots of movement. Absolutely stunning after blocking! As soon as the work hit the soak water the lace flattened out and opened up. Now that it's dry the silk has beautiful drape. I think this might be the best thing I've ever knit - certainly it's one of the best combinations of yarn and pattern.

My coworker is off today, but she'll be at work on Monday to see her finished scarf. It's not a surprise - she actually tried it on last week Monday - but she might not realize the effect blocking would have. I can't wait to see her model it. I know that the colour is perfect for her, I just hope the style suits her as well. Mostly I hope she's as happy with it as I am.

 It's finished object Friday over at Tami's Amis ... go on and have a look through the links to see all the hard work from all those talented people!

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

It's not a very good picture of my Lace Ribbon Scarf is it? What you should notice is how little yarn is left. Once that's done, the scarf is done. I'm looking forward to showing it off with better pictures in a Finish Object Friday post. One thing's for sure - it's getting huge!

Instead let's look at my Lozenge Pattern socks. Last night I turned the heel and started the gusset decreases on the first sock, so this pair is progressing really nicely.


I shortened the leg to seven diamond pattern repeats rather than eleven as written, after shortening the cuff by one full repeat and shortening each cuff repeat by one round. There's no way I'd have enough yarn otherwise. Looking through other Raveler's notes, most had taken similar steps and several still barely made it. As written the sock would have gone over my knee!

I started out on 2.25 mm needles but as I approached the ankle I switched to one size smaller. That was another tip I saw in the Ravelry project notes. As you can imagine there's not a lot stretch to this stitch pattern, so I'm hoping it'll help the fit at the ankles. Don't you hate baggy-ankled socks?

The yarn is divinely soft. It's Top Cat which is a Merino Cashmere Nylon blend. Definitely a pleasure to knit and to wear! The colourway is called "Celery Seed" and it puts me in mind of the first hopeful sprouts of spring bulbs - something I'm keenly awaiting after a snowy January and slushy February! Longer, warmer, sunnier days wouldn't come amiss either.


It's Wednesday, and I'm tagging up with the group at Tami's Amis for Work-in-Progress Wednesday. Follow the link to see the list of crafters who've posted today!

Surmount the Stash March update

accomplished: finished booties, finish my French Socks, knit two pairs of socks including one scrappy pair, make some squares for SIBOL

nope: Christmas 2012 knitting (about 75% complete now), Lace Ribbon Scarf (about 80% complete now), acrylic baby yarn hats (not started), weave something from cotton (not started)

When I set out my goals for February I guess I forgot that it's the shortest month of the year. Maybe I was a little unrealistic in my goals. As far as last year's Christmas knitting goes, that problem with the yarn colour running dampened my enthusiasm. Never mind though, I gotta get it done! This month I think I'll just carry those unfinished goals forward for a March list that looks something like this:

• finish Christmas 2012 knitting
• finish Lace Ribbon Scarf
• knit remaining acrylic baby yarn into hats
• weave something from cotton
• finish the Lozenge pattern socks I started on Saturday
• knit one pair of scrappy socks

Year of Projects 2: Lozenge Pattern Socks

Folk Knitting in Estonia: Aino's Gloves • Anu's Christmas Gloves • Anu's Mittens • Anu's Stockings • Avo's Mittens • Ellen's Stockings • Helgi's Mittens • Hilja's Mittens • Ilmar's Socks • Juta's Stockings • Kalev's Mittens • Kristi's Mittens • Laila's Socks • Landra's Gloves • Liidia's Gloves • Liivi's Stockings • Maarja's Socks • Maimu's Mittens • Marko's Mittens • Meida's Mittens • Merike's Gloves • Rita's Stockings • Sander's Mittens • Tiit's Socks • Ulla's Gloves • Virve's Stockings


Knitting Vintage Socks: Gentleman's Shooting Stockings with Fluted Pattern (1887) • Gentleman's Sock in Railway Stitch (1889) • Gentleman's Socks with Lozenge Pattern (1895) • Bed Sock in Lemon Pattern Fancy Knit Stripe (1896) • Cycling or Golf Stockings with Fancy Cuff in Trellis Pattern (1897) • Heelless Sleeping Socks (1897) • Child's French Sock in Citron Pattern and Diaper Knitting (1898) • Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Half Hose in Ringwood Pattern (1899) • Gentleman's Sock for Evening Wear (1900) • Evening Stockings for a Young Lady (1900) • Fancy Silk Sock for a Child of 5 or 6 Years (1900) • Gentleman's Fancy Sock (1901) • Gentleman's Plain Winter Sock with Dutch Heel (1901) • Child's Sock in Miranda Pattern (1904) • Baby's Bootikin (1905)  •  Little Child's Sock (1907)  •  Ladies Useful Stockings (1913)  •  Ladies Silk Stockings with Clocks (1914)

No surprise that my Lichen Ribbed Socks are finished. They knit up really quickly, especially as I pushed to finish them this weekend in order to gift them to a friend as a house warming present. A hand knit pair of socks will very literally make a new house feel warmer, right? Besides they're the perfect colour scheme for her and the size looked about right too!

I squeaked through with less than 2 grams of the main colour left. That's ideal really. The whole stash-busting thing worked out pretty well, I'd say.

Next up for my Year of Projects are Gentleman's Sock with Lozenge Pattern. The look of the sock reminds me of Business Casual Socks that seem to be all over the blogosphere these days. The pattern is written for 80 sts on size 0 needles for a pair of men's large socks from 600 yards of yarn, however I'm working with about 435 yards so some serious modifications are called for! I've cast on 72 sts on size 1 needles with the intention to decrease after the cuff to 70 sts for the leg. The yarn is Top Cat from Wandering Cat Yarns - it's quite plump and lofty, so the larger needles are a better choice I think. As well I'm skipping one round of ribbing in each repeat of the cuff pattern and plan to shorten the legs to mid-calf. Hopefully after all of that I can manage the pair with the yarn I have.