Sunday, April 9, 2017

Year of Projects 6: Week 41


As expected Albert de Moncerf socks are done. I couldn't resist the morning sun so I took photos in the front hallway - lots of sun and contrast and glowing white winter legs! Eek!

It's a really, really nice pattern. Just the right amount of cabling. Just enough chart to keep it interesting but not so much to require full attention. A really squishy resulting fabric that clings snugly. And it's free! I highly recommend it!

I've knit this pair exactly as written and the resulting pair weighs 86 grams. Considering that I started out with slightly less than a skein - 90 grams - it couldn't have worked out much better. If I'd had more yarn at my disposal I'd have added more length to the leg. The leg is stretched out in the photo but tends to squish down lower towards the ankle when left to its own devices.

The yarn is Red Sock Blue Sock Basic Sock yarn. I picked it up at the Toronto Knitter's Frolic a few years back. The base has since been discontinued. Although I loved the dye job on the yarn I didn't enjoy knitting it and wouldn't have purchased it again. It's quite thin resulting in a thin-ish fabric even when knit on 2mm needles, so that's not good. As well, it's not very smooth and it has a lot of twist so the stitch definition isn't great. Oh well, I've knit all of it up now so that's water under the bridge.

I'd definitely consider buying from Red Sock Blue Sock again because the dye job is lovely. The photos don't do it justice, but the colourway is a lovely tonal blend of blues and greens that I just couldn't resist. I picked it up, snuggled it, put it down, picked it up again, walked around the shop with it, put it down again, and then I gave in and bought it. Nicely semi-solid so it doesn't pool or compete against the pattern, but still gorgeous and interesting. Maybe I'll like one of their new bases better?

With this pair off the needles I've been devoting my time to my Fidget Socks. Another free pattern, but this one is so simple that it's on the boring side. The first sock is coming along nicely; I'm nearly ready to start the heel. But I'm tempted to cast on another sock. I happened across this pattern for Somewhere Socks and was thrilled to find a coupon code to download it free on the first day it was released. I think it'll be fun to knit up with yarn scraps, so I just need to look through all my oddments and make a plan. Mostly I'm trying to avoid starting them so that my concentration remains focussed on the socks already on the needles!

That's my knitting update for this week. The next several weeks are going to be super busy. We're planning to list our house at the end of the month so I need to deep clean, de-clutter and stage room by room. Fingers crossed the process goes smoothly and quickly!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The finished socks look great. I printed off that pattern.

Good luck with the house. Selling is no fun, but necessary to get to the things you REALLY want to do.

Hugs,
DK

Breathing Life said...

Good luck with your house sale adventure. We are seriously thinking of doing the same. Must be Spring, eh?

Sam I Am...... said...

Those socks turned out great and it is rare that you find a variegated colorway that still allows for the pattern to shine through but you did it! So pretty! When you say 'boring' my ears perk up! Those are exactly the sock patterns I look for! LOL! I also really like the Oz socks and you can still get the 4 patterns for $5.00 which isn't bad although FREE is the best...lol. Good luck with your cleaning and clearing and staging. I hope I finally got the roof fixed so I can move forward to that exact same end. Have a great week!

Lucy Bowen said...

My fingers are crossed, hope it goes well. I love those socks, as always.

Becki said...

Your Albert socks are wonderful. I love the pattern. And I clicked on the Fidget socks link because the name intrigued me. I love those! Can't wait to see yours. Getting a house ready to sell! You'll be busy, busy! Keep us posted on the process if you're so inclined. I've been feeling the itch to move for years.

Anonymous said...

Yay for another pair of socks. These look terrific. The stitch pattern really draws your eye in and I feel like it's plucked off from an ancient city.