Frankly, it’s not a UFO

I’ve been working on several projects using worsted weight yarn (more about these next week) and I started to get tired of the sameness in gauge. My solution was to pick up my abandoned Fluted Banister socks from last September.

They looked like this when we last saw them, one leg and the second cuff just completed.

Little by little, I’ve been working on these for about a week now. It wasn’t long until I finished both heel flaps.

Catching up on the current season of Grey’s Anatomy helped me zoom through both gussets and I’ve put the socks aside to take with me when I mall-walk. I prefer to keep my knitting-while-walking projects very simple, and stockinette insteps are perfect.

What socks will I knit next? I’ve long wanted to do some sideway socks like these. I started swatching last night, and the Opal I was planning to use did not work out. I would have had to use a US 2.5 to get gauge and the resultant fabric was too thin, not at all suitable for socks. I’ve found another yarn to use, but I’m not yet sure how well the stripes will work out. Sometime in February (if not sooner), I’ll cast on and see how things go.

If you haven’t seen this, Sheri of The Loopy Ewe posted an impromptu quiz about Frank or Martha socks…

There are two distinct types of sock yarns - the Marthas and the Franks. Take this quick quiz to see which describes you best:

1. When you have a crisis in your life, you: a - scream and then vent to a friend, or b- you are never in crisis-mode
   
   
2. Your coffee of choice is: a - Venti Mocha, or b- regular, black
   
   
3. Your knitting basket contains: a - what knitting basket? or b - each of your projects in Ziploc bags
   
   
4. What’s for dinner? a - whatever you can find in the freezer when you get home, or b- whatever is on your menu calendar for that day
   
   
5. When reading the newspaper, you: a - skim the front page & head to Lifestyle, or b - read the main stories & editorial pages
   
   
6. In a crowd, you like to: a- stand out, or b - blend in. (10+ years ago, I would have answered A.)
   
   
7. The number of knitting projects you have in the works: a - more than five, or b - less than five
   
   
8. These kinds of test: a - amuse you, or b - annoy you.
   
   

Score yourself. Mostly A’s? You’re probably a Frank. Mostly B’s? You’re probably a Martha. (Yes, very unscientific. Very stereotyped. No real rhyme or reason to it. But I think it’s a good basic indicator. What do you think?)

So who are Franks? Franks are people who like to wear bright, flashy, “look at me” types of socks. You figure, “What’s the point in wearing anything that isn’t fun?” We named it Frank after a guy we know who has worn red “look at me” socks with every outfit for as long as we’ve known him. He makes a statement with his well-known red socks.

And who are Marthas? Marthas are people who like to wear classy, conservative, “normal” looking socks. You might love big jewelry or have a fancy car, but in socks, you prefer them to blend in. We named it Martha after a calm, soothing, classy teacher I once had. When you were in her room, everything was right with the world.

Most of my socks would fit into the Frank category. Generally, colors delight me; I often knit colorful socks, but can also appreciate classic colorways. These socks above fit into the Martha category, don’t you think?