Firstly, thank you for all the kind words about the Forest Path Stole. Believe me when I say that I am so relieved that it's done. It was a major slog, but really lovely when I unpinned it. I'll try to get some photos of it worn, over the weekend. With such a dark colour, I need good lighting to get reasonable photos.
In the meantime, I managed to finish these.
The pattern is the Lighthouse Gansey Socks by Anne Hanson. I love the gansey bit, but found the ribbing to be tedious... so you can understand my joy when I finished them, on the flight to the US. Once the amusing bit was done, I had to force myself to finish the rest of it The socks are for my pop and are a little too big for my feet (my dad has fairly small feet for a man).
The pattern is great. The only changes that I did
1. I used the heel stitch. I like that better than plan ribbing.
2. I also used a 6 x 2 ribbing. It's stretchy but works faster than the 2 x 2 ribbing.
I know that the photo is pretty poor and you can't see the lighthouse, but it was the best that I can do, under the circumstances, I'm going to have to try for my photos in the daylight, but I don't think that grey yarn photographs particularly well, under any lighting.
The 6x2 ribbing is a great idea & I love how it looks. Great socks & the perfect color for a dad.
Posted by: Ann at February 20, 2008 11:16 PMHey Polly! Slightly off-topic, but the coincidences are there: It was at Stitches West, Santa Clara CA, last year that I saw a demo of your Kiri Shawl on exhibit. The vendor was all out of the pattern but was able to refer me to your website. Since I had no working printer, nor Adobe, I was not able to download your pdf for the Kiri. So, I hand transcribed the instructions and proceeded to knit two versions of that lovely shawl.
Ennyway-- you're in the States again (still?), just in time to miss Stitches West (again?). Just wanted to thank you again for your lovely design -- and for your most entertaining blog!
I think it's funny that all your projects are knitted in darkish yarn, and you have to find time to take photos in daylight! It must be lovely to finish off two things in quick succession, now you can start a new lace project.
Posted by: dawn at February 20, 2008 11:38 AMYay for finishing the socks. I'm sure your father will be pleased since none of the socks in the package for your mom fit hiim!!! I thought that was too funny. Now your dad has some socks that will fit him. Enjoy your trip to the States. Are you visiting family?
Posted by: Wanda at February 20, 2008 06:38 AMPolly,
Congratulations! I, too, just finished a pair of sox for myself that I started last AUGUST! Totally in agreement that the ribbing is tedious after finishing the fun part at the top of the leg. Mine was the Spey Valley Sock from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. They are on my feet right now and I am looking forward to putting them in the regular laundry. I used Kroy, which was not in your many, many weight tests. It is over 200 yds. per ball, 85% wool, 15% nylon, machine washable & machine dry. I will get a photo up by tomorrow.
Have a wonderful visit to USA, enjoy our dreadful winter weather, and hope your father really enjoys his new sox!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy JC at February 19, 2008 11:30 PMIt must have been nice to have worked on something less complex after the stole. I hope your father is really happy with them. You're lucky; the only man I knit socks for is my husband with his UK size 11 feet.
Posted by: Mandella at February 19, 2008 08:46 PMLots of FOs around here lately. Your needles are smokin'! :-)
Posted by: Beth S. at February 19, 2008 08:34 PMCongratulations on finishing the socks, they look so lovely and cosy your pop will be thrilled with them.
Isn't it lovely when men have small feet, it makes sock knitting so much easier. I'm knitting some for a friend's husband who wears UK 7, so much more manageable than Jeremy's UK 11.
Posted by: Louise at February 19, 2008 06:11 PM