Moni's Nature Socks!

I was so wrong!
Thanks to Renee, who told me about the master numbers in Cat's book, I could make these socks a "New Pathway" experience.

I had already started on the first sock, toe up, and had knit about three inches, when Renee's comment (see how important comments are? Thanks by the way for all your comments, I appreaciate them very much!) made me go over the book, and have a closer look. Sure enough, I took out my measuring tape and measured my feet. I had already the toe as a swatch, and so I could calculate all the parts I needed to know.

As I've mentioned before, I've done a couple of "Flow Motion" socks by Cat already, so I wanted to make this pair with the arch expansion as well. I was familiar with that concept. (At first, when I got the book, I fully intended to knit the sample socks).

After I've got all my numbers, I used the Upstream arch expansion on these socks, as well as the master plain heel. I saw the cuff of the "Jeweled Steps" socks, and liked that one for my socks, and I did a double stranded bind off.

All the time my handspun yarn made me think of Nature. So many different shades of green, yellow and even a little rose, mixed up in that yarn. I felt like an elf putting on these socks. Right from the start I thought I wanted to mark that nature thought with something special, so I made a leave on one of the toes. I also knew, that these socks would not be twins with the random striping (very Trekking XXL like, don't you think?). I used the feather & fan stitch on the right toe part, which doesn't show up that well at all, but I know it's there and I like it. My first sock was the leave sock, and I finished that one late at night. It looks like my creative juices run stronger when I'm starting to get tired, because instead of weaving in the ends, I braided the ends and incorporated a wooden bead, just for the fun of it! Another element of nature. I was so pleased that I ran outside and took a picture of the finished sock to send a picture to my daughter. ;o) It was totally dark outside, and I could only see the sock during the flash was on, just a split second. Anyway, I had so much fun knitting these socks, and it made me happy using my own handspun yarn.

By the way, my feet are happy to be warmed by these 100% Corriedale wool socks, no complains about scratchiness, and they are very, very warm!
I did a good dye job as well (pat myself on my shoulder), because the bath water for my socks had hardly any color in it.
I've knit the toe -foot-heel part with 2mm needles. After the heel, about an inch up, I changed to 2.25mm needles. I still can't believe that my 3-ply yarn was thin enough to knit with 2mm needles!!! ;o) This pair is women's size large, for myself of course.

That's the outside photo, made late at night.

Cat's socks look a little like you are knitting for a clubfoot, but actually fit like a second skin when put on. I'm debating what to do next. I've got a few yarns she's using for her socks in the book in my stash, very happy about that. On the other hand, socks, socks, and nothing but socks gets kind of boring for you to see and for me to knit ( no that's not true, I could knit socks for eternity). My sweater is making me feel guilty, waiting in it's basket, but that's the last thing I want to work on right now. I've started some mitts, stranded knitting! Who on earth enjoys knitting like that? Not me. I haven't ripped it out yet, but I think I just can't do it. Lace would be nice too, but what? Too much to choose from, can't decide. So please forgive me, if I 1. show more socks (maybe) or 2. don't have to show anything finished at all, because I'm casting on and ripping it out again. Not so much fun, being so indecisive! I've got some mohair/wool blend on my spinning wheel, spinning for a 3-ply sock yarn again.

And for friends of Sam's here's a picture of him enjoying himself with his big red ball, while I was throwing Biko her tennis ball.