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FO: Stripey socks

February 28th, 2007 Leave a comment Go to comments


Stripey socks done!


Pattern: Project inspiration from Weekend Knitting,Ribbing stitch from Thuja, afterthought heel instructions from Weekend Knitting and The Keyboard Biologist
Yarn: Merino Twine (base yarn Licorice Twist) hand-dyed by Creatively Dyed Yarn
Needles: #4 circs
Gauge: 6 sts per inch
CO: 40 stitches

The base yarn for this was to die for. I picked it up on a road trip to Greer at Yarns Forever. Turtlegirl76 and I had a Browncoat (Firefly fan) bowling get-together to go to in Greenville, but we couldn’t resist a side trip. The store had some lovely stuff. The owner is quite serious about her dyeing. I wasn’t expecting this yarn to stripe as crisply as it did, so it was a pleasant surprise.



I decided to try an afterthought heel, which was a new technique for me, so as not to interrupt those beautiful stripes. I think this is my new favorite technique for self-striping yarn.

Knit down (or up) X amount, knit a row or two of waste yarn, then when you’re ready to pick up the heel, snip the waste yarn and basically knit a toe. I also put in lifelines on the rows just before and after the waste yarn so I wouldn’t have to hunt for the stitches.


This technique worked out beautifully. I didn’t even waste much yarn getting to the right spot in the skein for the color change, as it happened to fall in pretty much the right place. I’m really happy with how these worked out. I also opted to maintain the stitch pattern down the back of the heel, and up over the foot and top of the toe. The sole is stockinette.


And now for the down side. I don’t know why I thought this yarn was superwash. It says on the label that handwash is recommended. This is a picture of the socks after being worn and washed twice. As you can see, the sole is pretty fuzzy. I’m sure this is also a result of loose gauge, but it’s still more than I was expecting. These were handwashed in Eucalan per instructions on the bottle, albeit with a rinse in still, cool water afterward, then hung out to dry.

If I had it to do over again, I’d probably not continue the patterning onto the toe box, as it feels too stretchy around my toes. I might not do it onto the heel, either, but that’s not as firm. I still might use this yarn, as they make good slipper socks. They do smell a bit sheepy coming out of my shoes on a hot day, though. I still have a good 700 yards of this yarn that I need to figure out what to do with. Baby sweater? Felted something-or-other? I have no idea, although I’m open to suggestion.


This was an enjoyable project where I learned new things, so I’ll count it as a success.

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  1. February 28th, 2007 at 14:47 | #1

    I know it’s kind of boring but what about a scarf? They don’t really get washed that much do they?

  2. February 28th, 2007 at 14:47 | #2

    I know it’s kind of boring but what about a scarf? They don’t really get washed that much do they?

  3. February 28th, 2007 at 15:03 | #3

    The socks came out gorgeous. Beautiful work on the heels.

  4. February 28th, 2007 at 15:03 | #4

    The socks came out gorgeous. Beautiful work on the heels.

  5. February 28th, 2007 at 16:43 | #5

    The stripe around the heel just amazes me. I find it rather daunting to think of even attempting something like that. Very pretty!!

  6. February 28th, 2007 at 16:43 | #6

    The stripe around the heel just amazes me. I find it rather daunting to think of even attempting something like that. Very pretty!!

  7. February 28th, 2007 at 17:20 | #7

    That’s some gorgeous striping. Will have to pick your brains for the info on the heel 🙂

  8. February 28th, 2007 at 17:20 | #8

    That’s some gorgeous striping. Will have to pick your brains for the info on the heel 🙂

  9. March 1st, 2007 at 17:23 | #9

    My spingrot missed your spingrot last night! Everything okay?

  10. March 1st, 2007 at 17:23 | #10

    My spingrot missed your spingrot last night! Everything okay?

  11. March 1st, 2007 at 17:44 | #11

    Sorry, I was just wiped out. I’ve had some kind of sinus thing, and have been more tired lately. I was in bed before LOST last night. Even though my husband told me it was an all-nude episode where everyone dies, I’m still about to go watch it.

  12. March 1st, 2007 at 17:44 | #12

    Sorry, I was just wiped out. I’ve had some kind of sinus thing, and have been more tired lately. I was in bed before LOST last night. Even though my husband told me it was an all-nude episode where everyone dies, I’m still about to go watch it.

  13. March 1st, 2007 at 18:10 | #13

    Aww, I hope you feel better soon, nekkid dead LOSTians or no 🙂

    Sinus crud and all that are perfectly good reasons to stay home and rest. I guess you probably just caught what Emily had before..

  14. March 1st, 2007 at 18:10 | #14

    Aww, I hope you feel better soon, nekkid dead LOSTians or no 🙂

    Sinus crud and all that are perfectly good reasons to stay home and rest. I guess you probably just caught what Emily had before..

  15. March 2nd, 2007 at 12:38 | #15

    Dang. Felting already? Between that and the Koigu, that’s one big sock disappointment for the last two pairs, eh? I think I need to try out my Yarnnerd stuff. If it doesn’t felt, you may have a new handpainted yarn obsession coming up.

  16. March 2nd, 2007 at 12:38 | #16

    Dang. Felting already? Between that and the Koigu, that’s one big sock disappointment for the last two pairs, eh? I think I need to try out my Yarnnerd stuff. If it doesn’t felt, you may have a new handpainted yarn obsession coming up.

  17. March 4th, 2007 at 13:04 | #17

    Hey hey! This actually has nothing to do with this post, but I found something that I thought might be of interest to you! You’re always talking about having stockpiled wool you don’t know how to use yet, so…

    Voila! A knitted wig! I thought it was cute. A perfect solution for that inevitable next unhappy haircut experience!

  18. March 4th, 2007 at 13:04 | #18

    Hey hey! This actually has nothing to do with this post, but I found something that I thought might be of interest to you! You’re always talking about having stockpiled wool you don’t know how to use yet, so…

    Voila! A knitted wig! I thought it was cute. A perfect solution for that inevitable next unhappy haircut experience!

  19. March 4th, 2007 at 14:18 | #19
  20. March 4th, 2007 at 14:18 | #20
  21. March 4th, 2007 at 14:21 | #21

    … I fold. Still kinna want one of those bob wig knithat-things though. I could make one of my girlish friends wear it, hahaha.

    Maybe I should take up the needles again…?

  22. March 4th, 2007 at 14:21 | #22

    … I fold. Still kinna want one of those bob wig knithat-things though. I could make one of my girlish friends wear it, hahaha.

    Maybe I should take up the needles again…?

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