In the style of Charlene Schurch...

When planning a pair of socks for my DH I had originally planned to use a pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks but with 10 stitches per inch & a foot width of 10" the yarn didn't 'carry' any of the available 5 stitch patterns. The fleck dominated & the patterns just didn't work. So I settled on a boring 3x2 rib. However that didn't last long as I got bored after 5 rows so I threw a cable in for good measure & repeated it every 4th row.

The 5 stitch patterns in Sensational Knitted Socks are all cuff down but I wanted to go toe up, so reused the heel that I discovered when knitting my Oriel Socks as I have found them really comfortable. This meant a bit of tinkering on the heel but I got there in the end. They were mainly knitted together on a 24" Knit Picks Classics Circular once I got past the toes but separated for the heels.


Toe Up Walking socks

I reinforced the heel by using a slip stitch so hopefully they'll last in his walking boots. The socks fit his wide feet perfectly & the cable serves to pull the fabric in on his slender calves!


Toe Up Walking socks

Pattern: My own made up with the aid of Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Regia Country 6ply in Granite
Gauge: 10 spi
Needles: 2x 3mm Knit Picks Classics Circulars
Technique: Toe up using the Turkish Cast On, two socks at once on circular needles. A reverse slip stitch heel flap & finished off with a stretchy bind off (scroll down to the red text).

Amazingly I even managed to get the stripes to match:


Matching stripes

I've got more info with some in-progress pics on my blog

Finished!

Thanks, Alison, for sending me an invitation. I'm a big fan of Charlotte's books.

I finished the spiral toe (book 2) on sock two of my double spiral socks. I used 76 stitches for the ribbing and 84 for the pattern, which had a repeat of 14 stitches. 70 stitches would not have fit my ankle, but it would probably fit a normal sized ankle. I used 2.5 mm needles and navy solid Knitpicks Essentials with a Regia color yarn. I used just over one skein of the navy yarn and a little less than one skein of the Regia. Someone with normal sized ankles would have no problem knitting the pair from one skein of each yarn. Sport weight yarn and 56 stitches would probably work too.

I'm using the Double Spiral mosaic (slip stitch) design from Sensational Knitted Socks. I'm quite happy with the look of the heel and gusset on this pair. I've made several mosaic patterned socks and the gusset decreases always wreak havoc with the pattern. I think I almost solved the issue with this design. More Sensational Knitted Socks has more ideas that I'll use in future sock designs. It came in my Knitpicks order along with the second skein of navy Essentials yarn so I could finish sock two. I love all of the mosaic stitches in both books.

I finished the first socks I made with a book pattern on March 30th. My DH is wearing them to work today. Sorry for the bad pictures. I think I need a camera of my own. DD always has hers and I'm forced to use my scanner. I used the alternating 2 X 2 rib and a vintage Socka yarn in brown tweedy stripes. Boring socks to make but a very nice finished product. I've also started a pair of broad spiral rib socks from the new book in some vintage Opal yarn. I have to recommend this pattern. It's hard to see in the dark yarn but it looks great. I am just using a plain K4, P2 rib on the foot portion of the sock instead of the baby cable rib on the leg. More pictures when I'm finished.

Margie

First efforts

I'm excited to have discovered this book and this KAL. I bought the book in January, after devouring the library's copy.

My first pair are the green Corded Rib socks, which I made in Gjestal Silja Sockegarn using size 4 Inox circular needles. The knitting experience was good--the fit not good. (Apparently I was measurement impaired and thought my 8.5" foot was 9.25" around.) They're warm and great for around the house, but a bit baggy. If I were to make these again I would--obviously--measure correctly, and probably go down a needle size for a less-drapey fabric. (Being nearly a sock novice, I just went with the recommended needle size for this sport-weight yarn.)

I am MUCH happier with the blue socks, pictured here nearly ready to be kitchenered. I am making these with KnitPicks Essential Solid in Dusk using size 2 KnitPicks options circulars. I also learned how to make TWO socks on two circulars--what a blast! These fit like a dream and the color is perfect for wearing with jeans.

Next up? probably the slipstitch rib, or maybe I'll up my learning curve and try the chevron?

Addendum: If you'd like to know more about the technique, see my blog.