Handspun Friday - The Sock Edition

I knew it would happen sooner or later and I wouldn't have a new skein of yarn to share on Friday. But I made it all the way to the end of June with a new skein each week. I figured this week I'd show you something I knit with one of those skeins.

I love how these socks turned out. They are soft, thick, and squishy. I used my first 3-ply yarn to knit these and I plan on several more pairs. The yarn was great to knit with and the resulting socks are great. I could be a little bit biased though because of all the work that went into this pair. This pair is being sent to my mom as a thank you for the sewing lesson. My next pair will be for me.

As far as pattern goes, I did what I normally do. I found a stitch pattern I liked and incorporated it into my usual sock formula with toe up with a short row heel and toe. I don't change that basic part too much because it is easy and fits my foot well. I know problem people have with short row heels is little holes all along the diagonal line. I don't have that problem, but each side of the sock does look different. The photo on the left is the side that the wraps are picked up on the purl side and the right photo shows the wraps that are picked up on the knit side.

The toes I work end up looking the same with two slightly different sides - but I never really notice while I'm wearing the sock. I don't think either side is objectionable. It is just a little odd that they are different. The method I use is double wrapping when I turn at an already wrapped stitch and picking up both wraps. I don't know really who to credit with the method. When I was trying to figure the whole concept out, I ended up reading several different sets of instructions and setting everything down and giving it a try and this is how it turned out.

I don't have a square to post from this project. I used every bit of the yarn for the socks. So I decided to close the post with a picture of the fiber and the yarn. That way you can see all stages of this project. Hopefully I'll have some new handspun ready for next Friday.

Project Info
Stitch Pattern: Openwork Rib from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Yarn: My own handspun; superwash merino wool; 324 yards/4oz; dyed by Pigeon Roof Studios
Needles: addi TURBO Needles - US# 2 (3 mm)
Gauge: 7 stitches per inch in stockinette
Stitches Around: 64
Notes: toe up on 2 circular needles; short row toe and heel