More Christmas Knitting

In addition to the mittens I posted about yesterday, I also knit a pair of socks recently, as a Christmas gift for my dad.  I was so good about knitting gifts from stash this year, I'm quite proud of myself.  (It wasn't that hard, since I only knit two gifts.)  These were knit out of some yarn that I knit into an ill-fitting pair of socks several years ago.  How silly am I that I knit the first sock, tried it on with difficultly, because it was done in a cable pattern with these weird wrapped stitches that caused it to only go over my heel if I tugged and tugged, and then went ahead and knit the second sock anyway??  But I did.  They actually fit fine once they were on my feet, but I decided I was not interested in battling with my socks to get them onto my feet, and so I threw them in the sock yarn bin to recycle someday.  And then I actually did!  Eventually.  Isn't it amazing when "someday" actually comes around?

I started to believe the yarn was cursed, because I started these many times before finally getting them right.  First I was going to knit Ann Budd's Mock Wave Cable socks from Favorite Socks, but knitting the large size, they were coming out ginormous, even though I was using much smaller needles than the pattern calls for.  And the small size was going to be too small.  I tried various ways of adjusting the size, but wasn't satisfied with any of them.  Then I mucked about with some improvised patterns, but none of them panned out either.

Finally I settled on Thuja, which I think is a perfect Dad sock pattern.  Interesting enough, but still quite understated for conservative Dad taste, and super easy to work.  Since I was using fingering weight yarn rather than the DK called for in the pattern, I knit the sock on 64 stitches and adjusted the heel & toe accordingly.

Dad reports that he likes them very much.  I actually had never knitted him socks before.  But before you start pitying my dad, keep in mind that he owns two whole sweaters that I knit for him, and one of them is Henry VIII.  And a cashmere hat.  (Do I sound defensive?  I feel defensive.  I guess I'd better knit more socks for Dad.)

Comments

[Teresa C]

Great socks. I say, Knit what you like, like what you knit.

[Kat with a K]

They look great!