Somewhat Plain
Posted by limedragon | Filed under knitting, socks
Whee! These are the last pair of socks I needed to finish for holiday knitting. The original plan was to incorporate the leftovers from the other Italian series with this last colorway. That didn’t work out because I used up all of the yarn with the Broadripple and Yarrow socks. Nevertheless, these turned out well with the backup coordinating yarn (Patons Kroy in Newport Tan).
I love the little bit of pink and orange at the tops of the cuffs. They blend in so well with each other that I was annoyed by the abrupt change to solid tan. Using the same, plain yarn on the heels helped pull things together. A small part of me does wish I still had some blue and green to include.
The long ribbed cuff is fantastic, even if it took ages to knit. I was worried the stockinette leg section would be baggy, but it blocked out well. By the way, these socks are much bigger than my Size L blockers. That’s why the ribbing looks funny, the top half weren’t blocked out with the rest of the socks.
Because I wanted a hardier sock, I substituted a slip-stitch heel flap for the stockinette version given. The instructions for the heel flap incorporate a few rows of decreases at the end (that blend in with the Dutch heel). I hadn’t read far ahead enough and made the heel flap to my preferred length. Instead of including the flap decreases, I ended up modifying the heel turn slightly to compensate for the wider flap.
I used different needle sizes and/or stitch counts for different sections. The pooling variations are very noticeable, aren’t they? The colors are warm, earthy, and rich, and somehow seem appropriate to Tuscany, the name of this colorway. Someday, I hope to go on a real tour of these Italian areas I ‘visited’ through these socks.
Pattern: “Gentleman’s Plain Winter Sock” by Nancy Bush, Knitting Vintage Socks Size: Men’s Yarn: Lane Cervinia Calzetteria, 903 Tuscany (browns), and leftovers from 904 Naples (pinks), and 902 Florence (orange and green) Needles: Takumi Clover US 2 (2.75 mm) and Crystal Palace US 1.5 (2.5 mm) DPNs Started: December 5, 2007 Completed: December 17, 2007
Tags: brown, gentleman, gift, italy, knitting vintage socks, kroy, lane cervinia, nancy-bush, patons, plain winter sock, socks, tuscany
December 20th, 2007 at 7:41 am
They turned out great!! Although I must admit, my favorite part is that kitty tail…
December 20th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Kitty tail!!!!!!!
I like the tan. I think it looks cool with the rest of the sock, rilly. Cute!
December 20th, 2007 at 8:00 am
Yep, kitty tail. Those are really substantial, and the color changes make it really beautiful.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:35 am
Doesn’t it feel great to be done with holiday knitting? I’m sure the recipient will love them. :)
December 20th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Great socks :)
December 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
I think they turned out well. And now you are done. whew
December 20th, 2007 at 11:24 am
They are very striking!
December 20th, 2007 at 11:35 am
What handsome socks! You’ve just been a sock/gift knitting demon. I feel like such a slacker!
December 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Those are very nice socks! You have an eye for that sort of thing. Me? Not so much. This is why sock clubs that give me a pattern, too, always work best for me. Ugh!
December 21st, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Love the kitty tail!
December 25th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Oh, I really like those! I don’t have an eye for that either, I envy yours.
Kitty tail!
Merry Christmas!