Socks for my sock-ret pal have begun. The hardest part about knitting for someone you do not know is deciding on a pattern and yarn. Will she want something plain or fancy? Solid or variegated? Lace, cables, fair isle, entrelac or pure rib? Wool or cotton? Bright colors or more neutral? What size? If I were a mathematician, I might be inclined to figure out the number of combinations all these choices make. At any rate, a lot of planning needs to be done before a single stitch is knit.
My pal's answers to the Sock-ret Pal Questionnaire indicate she likes natural fibers and prefers neutral or jewel-toned colors. Her shoe size is the same as mine, so I am hoping that if I knit the size that fits me, the socks will fit her, too. The yarn I decided upon is Gems Merino fingering weight in the French Navy color. I have socks in a deep blue that I love to wear. While the bright, variegated socks are a riot to knit, I find I don’t enjoy actually wearing them as much as I do my solid color socks.
The pattern I have chosen is Baudelaire from Knitty Summer 2006.
(Pattern and Images © 2006 Cookie A.) Cookie A., the designer of these socks, also designed the Pomatomus socks. She is so talented and adept to design both a challenging knit and a beautiful, wearable design. I am truly excited to knit these!I began last night by studying up on the figure 8 caston as these socks are knit from the toe up. My first try ended up with the stitches twisted on the first row. But after that one false start, I have completed the toe. Tonight I begin the fun part -- the patterning. My Socktoberfest has begun!
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