2011 was definitely a record knitting year for me — I completed more projects than ever in one calendar year, and I finally got back to knitting larger clothing projects like dresses (not completed yet) and adult-size tops. 2011 was also a record "selfish" knitting year with three of my completed projects being made exclusively for my personal use. But given my record knitting output overall this year, I am going to give myself a pass on the selfish knitting 🙂
The last of these three projects is a new pair of socks. I decided one day this fall that I wanted to incorporate a smaller project into my ongoing knitting, at the time a baby blanket and dress, so that it would be easier for me to knit while not in the house. I also decided that I don't have enough hand-knit socks (I don't. It makes me sad). Unfortunately, I ran into some gauge problems with the stash yarn I decided to use — yarn bought on a whim at Smiley's in Queens this past spring — and so had difficulty finding a pattern from my stack of knitting magazines and books at home. I ultimately looked on Ravelry, and then checked out a book at the Brooklyn Public Library that had the pattern I thought would work — thankfully the pattern worked out well to achieve the size of socks I wanted (though I made the foot maybe 1/4 inch too long), but I have to admit I am not that much a fan of the pattern. The resulting pattern seems a little too rough and almost choppy for me, but at least they will be a good pair of house socks. Project details follow the picture of the completed socks.
Van Dyke Socks for Madhu
Pattern: Van Dyke Socks by Wendy D. Johnson
Yarn: Fashion Toes by Filatura Lanarota
Needles: Two Addi Turbo US1 circulars
Post-Blocking Measurements: 6 1/2 inch foot circumference, 7 inch leg circumference, 9 3/4 inch foot length, and 8 3/4 inch leg length
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