Year of Projects 2: Liivi's Stockings 01

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

In fact the second of my Hilja's Mitts is still awaiting a thumb, but I thought I'd cast on a sock instead for travel knitting. Turns out for the next couple of weeks I have a lift to and from work, so that's a couple extra hours of prime knitting time each day! Here's my start on the pattern Liivi's Stockings.

It's the longest leg I've ever knit for a sock - 13" from cuff to top of the heel flap - and if I were to do it again, I'd shorten the top of the sock by at least an inch and a half. Maybe that's why they're called "stockings"?! The cuff starts out at 80 sts and then a gradual series of decreases down the leg bring the 72sts at the ankle. As well, with the colourwork knit on larger needles, the finished leg actually fits quite nicely. At least it fits Gavin nicely.

I'm knitting from stash yarns and wasn't entirely sure how successful that would be The light green flower pattern breaks up a bit against the variegated background field, but I think it's still okay.  Please don't tell me differently; I'm absolutely determined to use up these odd balls of Jojoland Melody superwash. What really surprises me is how much those blue bands pop. Honestly I thought my yarn choice there was too subtle. Just goes to show.

The rest of this sock is plain stockinette with a simple clock pattern at each side. Perfect travel knitting, right? Now I just need to set aside some time to finish that last thumb on my mitts!