Sunday, September 28, 2014

Year of Projects 4: Farmer McGregor 01



SOCKTOPUS :  Farmer McGregor

KNIT. SOCK. LOVE. : BFF • Clandestine • Cusp • German Stockings • Gothic Spire • Hedera • In and Out • Lissajous • Marilinda • Mona • Monkey • Pointelle • Rhombus • Sake • Stalagmite • Stricken • Thelonious • Twisted Flower • Wedge

... or camouflage socks as they've come to be known. Seriously! These socks are almost invisible in the grass of my backyard!

The pattern is Farmer McGregor and it's the last pattern of the Socktopus KAL. Nice to go out on a high note - this pattern is gorgeous! With all those twisted stitches I worried that the knitting might be painful, but it moves along at a nice pace. I'd be further along, except I borrowed the 2.25mm needles for some secret Christmas knitting. By this aft, those needles should be free for me to cast on sock two.

All that crisscrossing creates a fabric that's somewhat thick and inflexible so you need to cast on more stitches than you might think. For patterns like this with unusually high stitch counts, I add a decrease row at the top of the heel flap and another to finish the instep to take up the slack and transition smoothly into a fitted heel and toe. Works like a charm.

That high stitch count also means I have to pay attention to yardage so I don't run out. Yep, yarn chicken again! Not to worry though; sock one weighs in at 51 grams, leaving me with 54 grams for sock two. The yarn is a "Frog Prince" colourway on a based called "Twisted House Cat" from Wandering Cat Yarn. The extra twist of this sock yarn makes it lovely to work with and the stitch definition is fantastic. And, as you can see, this colourway is also fantastic.

I've got an out of town guest coming later this week so I'd better get moving to get the spare room ready. And I've signed up for the "Seasonal Sock Syndrome KAL" over at Revelations of a Delusional Knitter so I need to think about what socks and what yarn for fall. So far we're having THE most gorgeous fall weather ever, so I'm a huge fan of autumn at the moment. I think my inspiration may come from that old April Wine song: "Red and yellow, seasons changing gear ..."

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Gorgeous sock and thank you for the tips/tricks on making it work :)

Anonymous said...

I love Farmer McGregor! Perfect color choice too.

I'm also deciding what to make for Angela's KAL! I need to finish my U.C.F. socks and then it's on to the KAL.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Farmer MacGregor looks fantastic!

Lucy Bowen said...

Absolutely gorgeous as always. I know you are not quite done, but well done anyway!

cleancup said...

beautiful!

Leftycrafter said...

Your yard is so lush and green! That is the perfect backdrop for that gorgeous sock. It is a beauty for sure.

Andria said...

You are a sock knitting wizard, and I like your latest pair a lot. The green color makes me happy!

Christine said...

Love love love the Farmer MacGreggor socks. Must focus on making for socks in 2015... yep that this right... starting a to do list for the 2015 year... oh dear.

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

I love that sock and that yarn and even the name of them! I'm still working on mine but someday it will be finished. I'm exhausted....working outside and in..enjoy your Fall...I have ac on in the afternoon and need heat in the morning. I have no idea what to wear when I get up...layers, I guess. Congrats on a gorgeous sock!

Anonymous said...

I love your photo... and I love those socks xx

Anonymous said...

Oh I love the Farmer McGregor socks they are a wonderful finish so they are and I love the twisted criss cross stitch effect. Well done on another fabalous pair of socks.

SamiT said...

What a STUNNING pattern! Mom told me about these ones... :)

Iris said...

Yet another beautiful sock, and I love the colour. Gorgeous!

kathy b said...

Farmer socks.....all your socks are beautiful!

Crochet by Conroy said...

Wow, these socks are amazing. They really do look like camouflage in the grass.

Stefanie said...

Awesome! The lattice stitch pattern is super cool.

Caffeine Girl said...

I love the way that sock looks, but I would be afraid to try knitting that pattern. I don't have your depth of understanding of sock construction!

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

What a stunning color! As always, I'm blown away by your sock knitting speed!