The second pair of socks of the year is finished!
(The first pair was another pair of boyfriend socks, which I planned to tell you all about, but didn't. It's easier to take pictures of my own feet than coordinate to take pictures of somebody else's. Maybe one day. If you are good. And send me cookies)
Diamond socks Technical details
Ravelry project page
Pattern: Wanida Socks, from Cookie A's Sock innovation
Yarn: 2 balls of Crystal Palace Panda Cotton in the Lacquer Red colourway (discontinued)
Needles: 2.25mm for the ribbing and 2.5mm for the sock, both bamboo dpns
Notes: I did 13 rounds for the ribbing. The heel flat was 16 groups of purl-knit repeats. For the foot, I completed the chart twice, and then did until row 6. Because I was so close to close the diamond pattern, I did the centre YOs and double-decrease from row 7 in the 1st row of the toe set-up, which I think really helps closing the pattern.
Fluff: I love my socks!
The pattern caught my eye every since I bought the book. I knew I had to pair it with a solid yarn, and that gave me the best excuse to actually buy some Panda Cotton, after which I had been lusting for a while. I was lucky to find a UK supplier, Cafe Knit. I have a little review of the yarn nearly written up, so I will post that when I have had a change to actually wear it. The socks/yarn feel really warm, so I am hoping it will keep my toes from falling off.
The socks were fun to knit, and very quick. I can't help thinking they look like ballet slippers, with the criss-crossing of the diamonds. The pattern is not terribly difficult, but not too easy either. The general feel for the diamond pattern is not difficult to get hold of, although you still need to keep an eye on the chart regularly, so it's not mindless knitting.
One thing that is not so much an errata as a less straight forward instruction is in the change from the leg to the heel flap: the way the instructions are written, it doesn't make a lot of sense. But if you start the heel flap on Row 2 (purl) of the two row repeat, everything suddenly falls fine into place.
I really enjoyed knitting the socks, and am very pleased with the final product.
Oh those are some very nice socks! I don't have that book but it's on list once I'm back to buying books again. And that pattern in particular is now on my list.
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking forward to your feedback on Panda Cotton. In my climate I can only wear wool socks so many months of the year so I'm thinking more cotton will be in my future. I know your reasons for choosing cotton are different, I remember why that is, but I can't remember if you ever tried Cascade Fixation?
Thanks! It is a great book (the intro section on how to design and adapt socks is great, as well as the patterns).
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Cascade Fixation yet. It's on my list of things to try, but I've not successfully located a UK/European supplier. For non-woolly socks, have you had a look at Grumperina's list? It's a good starting point!
Ooh, I love these enough that Wanida's on my list now. I didn't like the picture in the book before but your version looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteOoh, those are so pretty! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you are pleased! Those are very pretty!
ReplyDelete