Red Sox For The Win!

These Straight-Laced Socks were knitted in the summer of two-thousand seven, during a Southern California heatwave that left Earth in a melted puddle at my feet.

In the past twenty-four hours something strange has happened here: precipitation has fallen from a cloudy sky. In the middle of December. On this side of Oregon.

We are having  actual real worsted-weight-yarn-wearing-weather! I can sport my Straight-Laced socks without suffering heatstroke!

I'm so impressed with myself for knitting something so intricate — and especially for not puncturing a lung or poking an eye out while using five double-pointed needles at the same time.

The pattern for the Straight-Laced Socks are from the sock-shaped board book, Knit Socks! by Betsy Lee McCarthy. I can say quite confidently that I would never have learned how to knit socks without this book. There is a new grown-up edition of the book that includes instructions for circular needles (and less vomit-inducing photographs). If you follow the links and check out the "Look Inside!" feature, you will have access to the page that explains how to correctly gauge in-the-round! Invaluable!

Also invaluable are the Working-the-Heel-of-A-Sock and Kitchener Stitch instructional videos over at KnittingHelp.com.

I'm tempted to make another pair 'cause I love this pattern and these socks! One thing I would do different, though: I'd use larger size needles when knitting the ribbed cuff — to make it more stretchy and then switch back to correct gauge DPNs when beginning the lace pattern of the leg.

I'd definitely again use Caron Simply Soft or Caron Simply Soft Collection yarn (mine are in garnet) so they have more of a slipper sock feel to 'em. And 'cause the yarn is cheap, and, um, simply put — soft. A pair of handmade socks for around five dollars? FTW!

Comments

[Linda Woods]

I bet they look great with your black hoodie!

[Tami]

I remember the old posts of these in progress!

[cjaxon]

My "I Taught Myself to Knit" book is calling my name! You have my fingers itching to learn ... now if you could grant me the patience.

[BellaKarma]

Linda ~ Everything looks great with a black hoodie.

Tami ~ Girl, we go way back! Remember Al Pacino's "little friend" comment?

Carrie ~ Yes! Do it! I'm sure you'll get it fast.