Pewter Socks

So RM spent part of spring break doing our taxes (read crabby and not at all fun to be around). This meant very limited computer access until he was done. I am sorry that I have not responded to comments or posted for almost a week.

I spent part of spring break showing up at the neighbors with a bottle of wine asking, "Can I come over while RM does taxes, if I share a glass with you?" Because I have the best neighbors, they happily invited me in. Or was it the free wine?!

But I also got the first pair of socks done for the 52 Pair Plunge. I call them Pewter Socks.

***added - this picture looked better before I . . . oh, hell it just stinks. So, please click on it to get a bigger view for detail. Sorry. ***

I love Shirley Paden’s Pewter Coat that was in IK Winter 2006. The cable designs are interesting. She includes some cables that have purling and yo’s in them. These were challenging and new for me. Plus I simple adore knitting through the back loop. Each stitch seems to pop off the knitting, so I use kbl in ribbing quite often.

Though the Pewter Coat is lovely, I knew that it was something I just would not have the time to knit. Still, I longed to try the cable designs. Each pattern repeat is over 32 stitches, if doubled that makes 64 (yep, math wiz right here folks). Coincidently, that is just the number of stitches I like to use when knitting toe-up socks. So, I thought I would give socks a go with Shirley’s pattern.

Here's the down low:

Pattern: A toe-up, with a lot of help (OK all of the chart) from Pewter Coat in the IK, Winter 2006. I loved this sweater, but knew I would never knit it. So, I used the pattern to create these socks. I can not take any credit for this great design. It all goes to Shirley Paden, who is the designer of the coat, and I feel, these socks. I just took the chart and added a toe, heel and cuff.
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss in Burgundy (70% Merino Wool, 20% Silk)
Needles: US 1 Addi Turbo Circular (knit on Magic Loop Method)
Gauge: 32 St over 4" in stockinette
Started: April 1, 2007
Finished: April 6, 2007
Notes: . I have noticed several designs that start the pattern of the sock immediately after completing the toe. In this case (because of the cables) I felt it best to knit six rounds before beginning to knit the pattern. After that, I just kept going until the yarn ran out. Also, I don't like socks that start the pattern too soon after the heel is turned (rubs in my shoes). So I did not begin the chart until I had six rows of stockinette complete. I knit the cuff with a kbl (knit through the back loop) in the ribbing. In my humble opinion, this seems to make the ribbing "pop" a little more.

If Shirley reads this, I hope she realizes that she designed a great versatile pattern

One pair done, 51 more to go.