Finished Object Friday

It was Thursday morning when I finished my New England socks. Really pretty, huh? Both the lacy pattern and the sorbet coloured yarn. On either side of the central diamond pattern and around the back of the top four inches of the leg there is a "lacy rib" pattern which is surprisingly stretchy. I'm always afraid with lacy sock patterns that there'll be no stretch and no give, resulting in an ill-fitting sock. Not so in this case. And once more I realize that I should never doubt Nancy Bush - she absolutely knows what she's doing when she designs socks.

I changed from a round toe as written to my usual with decreases every second row on each side - is there a name for that toe? It's my standard because I just can't abide the feel of decreases across the top of my toes or under my toes.

The heel is a bit odd as written - the slipped stitch rib pattern continues from the heel flap across the heel turn - but I decided to just go with it. Will it make the bottom of the heel sturdier? Maybe. I've worn out plenty of socks at the bottom of the heel so that seemed like a good thing to try.

The yarn is the biggest surprise in all of this. Based on what I saw in the skein I expected pink and yellow stripes - kind of like what happened on the back of the heels. Instead, for the most part, the effect when knitted is virtually semi-solid. It's a happy accident and it certainly suits the pattern nicely. The yarn is Alley Cat sock from Wandering Cat Yarns in a colourway called "Peeps", which is not unlike their stock colourway "Aurora". It's a lovely yarn to knit - very soft and non-splitty.

Upon finishing the socks I considered what to do with the leftover yarn. Seems to me these colours would suit a blue-eyed blond beautifully so Barbie doll clothes it is. Here she is "dolled up" in a sundress based on this pattern. Looks like there's still enough yarn for another sweater or two. They are quick little knits; besides Barbie dolls and clothes are always welcome donations at the local charity No-Charge Christmas Store.

As always on Fridays, check the links at Tami's Amis  - prepare to be inspired, amazed and surprised!