SOS 2007: Last Pair

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

With just 3 days to spare, I managed to finish my last pair for Summer of Socks 2007: the Radioactive Jaywalkers!

Pattern: Jaywalker by Grumperina from September 2005 MagKnits
Yarn: 2 x 50g of Novita Wool (100% merino), dyed with food coloring
Needles: 3.0mm 80cm aluminum circular needle
Mods: Knitted toe-up using sport/DK weight yarn in * k-f/b, k6, dd, k6, k-f/b * pattern (34 sts in instep, 28 sts in sole). Revisited Widdershins heel with the following numbers: B28, C44, D12, E20, F8. (They'll make sense when you read the instructions. :) Increase to 34 sts on the heel/back needle, cuff in modded stitch pattern.
Other: Sixth and final pair for Summer of Socks 2007, Sockdown: Ravelry September 2007 challenge (Grumperina or toe-up)

• $$$: Yarn: 2 x 2.90 € = 5.80 €. Food coloring about 3 € per bottle; I used three colors but nowhere near entire bottles.
• Pattern: It's a fun pattern and I can see why it's so popular. However, I don't like how the k f/b stitches look -- knitting the back loop produces a purl bump and I'd prefer a smoother and more invisible increase.
• Techniques: The pattern is also very simple and the only semi-special stitches are k f/b and double decrease, dd (which are super easy).
• Yarn: This is the best and softest Novita yarn I've used. I've never used it for socks before so we'll see how the 100% merino holds up. I was also quite pleased with my dye job and the self-striping effect was a great match with the Jaywalker zigzags. :)
• Instant Gratification: In total, it took me 18 days to knit the socks but they were on hold for while there. In truth, the pattern is super fast to knit but, again, I got sidetracked with other projects.
• Will I Wear Them? The socks are a tiny bit too large and the cuffs are slightly flared and droopy. (I didn't bind off tightly enough.) Will probably wear these as house socks.
• Final score: 4/5. I'd like to tweak the stitch pattern and re-knit in fingering weight yarn.

Technically, there'd still be time to knit more socks. But I'm no Wendy (18 pairs, dude!) so this will be my last pair for this knit-along. However, my sock knitting is far from over. :) I'll post a little self-evaluation of my results a little later on in the week.

You can add a comment here. Note that your comment may not appear immediately after posting.