Because the husband wanted some thicker socks to go with his boots, I dug out my Dale Tiur, thinking that it was DK. In fact, it's sportweight. The husband actually chose this colour, thought the yarn suitably soft and wanted a pair of limbos for himself. But with the gauge difference, rather than test knit the pattern, I've ended up knitting this with 66 stitches. (which would be fine for a woman's sockweight sock but this is perfect for a man's US 11.5 feet)
I'm going to admit that working with this yarn hasn't been fun. (Please don't drum me out of the Scandies Yarn lover's club) For some reason, it's a really slow go and as I'm using smaller needles on a fluffier yarn, I'm finding that I have a tendency to split it, not notice it for 10 rows and the ripping back a stitch to fix it. The sock is pretty dense, I'm working them on 2.5mm. In hindsight, 3,00mm would had probably been fine, but as the Tiur did not have any synthetic in it, I thought that a tighter gauge would give better wear. Now I've noticed that these are also going to have to be hand-washed. (What did I get myself into?)
In case you were wondering, no I didn't find the yarn for the other sock. However, rooting around for it, has unearthed a few UFO's that I've forgotten all about.
About that hat.. here's a few close-up:
It's got a funny construction on the back.
Almost helmet like from the side
The top decreases are not symmetrical. The op isn't perfectly round, it's oval.
I still think its a cute hat Polly. Love the colors. Thanks for sharing the issues with it.
Posted by: kathy b at January 26, 2006 09:27 PMThat is a very ... er, unique hat. But honestly? It doesn't look all that bad on you.
Posted by: Colleen at January 24, 2006 06:32 PMWhat a fun hat! Are you going to try to "reverse engineer" it and come up with a pattern to share with us? Hint hint... :) There's something fun and whimsical about having a tassel hang off the top of your head.
Posted by: Sara at January 24, 2006 04:13 PMI always handwash my socks anyway, even the superwash ones. I'm probably just making more work for myself, but the one time a pair of Mountain Colors socks accidentally went through the dryer, I was devastated. I'd hate to make a mistake like that again (or have my husband make it for me, sigh.)
Posted by: Beth S. at January 24, 2006 04:12 PMYay now I can knit Limbo as I have size 12 (american feet) am off to raid my stash.
Thank you
Ah, socks for big feet.... Nice colour and I'm sure they'll be lovely and cosy when you finish!
You looked cute in the hat.
Posted by: Anita at January 24, 2006 11:05 AMI love the hat that your hubby bought you. I look terrible in hats otherwise I'd be knitting myself one right away.
Posted by: kitkatknit at January 24, 2006 02:05 AMAh, thick man socks! I wish someone would make a DK weight sock yarn that was the same blend as in the fingering/sock weight. All winter my husband has been asking for a pair of thicker socks and I haven't really found any yarn that will stand up to his durability need and my machine washability needs!
Very nice color, though and they do look like they will be both lovely and warm!
Posted by: Theresa at January 24, 2006 12:09 AMOooh, I kind of like the construction of the back of the hat ... I'm still seeking the perfect earflap-hat pattern.
Posted by: Anne at January 23, 2006 11:10 PMWell, even with all the difficulties, the sock looks great!
Posted by: Chris at January 23, 2006 10:39 PM