Sunday, October 21, 2007

FO: rambling vine socks

Thanks for all your comments on the last post. I've been tracing through comments on other blogs too, and a few threads on ravelry. All interesting stuff. I was contemplating a follow-up post musing on the politics of fantasy, but I really should be channeling such energies into my thesis. Instead, I'll go with an unexcused celebration of one of my personal indulgences, and show off an FO.
rambling vine socks

It'll be winging its way to a friend as fast as Royal Mail will carry it, along with pattern and yarn for the second sock and some other bobbly-themed goodies (e.g. some beaded icord).

Pattern:
My own, based very loosely on Martin Storey's Rambling Rose ("inspired" I think is the term). The vine motif starts at the toe, and grows as you knit, winding itself up the side of your ankle. I'm thinking of developing it further; making it a bit more complex. If I do it again, I'll use a crisper, lighter yarn so its easier to photograph (in real life it looks lovely, but dark colours, fuzz and blogging are not a good mix).

Yarn: Wensleydale Longwool 4ply. I wanted a very English yarn, as my pal's in the US. It's very warm and soft, and apparently it wears pretty well. The fuzz gives it a really yummy, mossy look - a very sniffable yarn.

close up vine 2

20 comments:

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

Really lovely Alice! For the ultimate English experience, why not tuck some Wensleydale cheese in the parcel??:)

Bryony Ramsden said...

Those are beautiful!

Lola and Ava said...

Quite pretty and unique! How many skeins of the Wensleydale did you use? I bought five of the cream colored 4-ply at iKnit London over the summer to make a shawl, but these are infinitely yummier. Might have to knock off some socks soon.

Ava

Ashley said...

So very very sad that I know for sure that those aren't coming to me. They're stunning!

(And may I suggest a nice Dairy Milk or something in the package instead of actual Wensleydale? :))

Alice said...

Ava - I used just over 1 ball, but you could probably do a sock in one (toe-up to be sure, it'd be tight if the foot is a big one)

To Heather and Ashley - I think Dairy Milk might be the way to go, it'd be so illegal to send cheese (foot and mouth! blue tongue! BSE!!)

Anonymous said...

They are lovely! Lucky pal... Post the pattern for the rest of us (then I can indulge my obsession with bobbles!) :)

schrodinger said...

They look fantastic! I'm sure that your ssl pal will love them (and the challenge).

Anushka said...

Those socks are just utterly yummy. My handknitted socks have appeared to become lost in the cavern of doom that is out washing machine and I'm trying to pretend that my crappy shopbought ones are as warm and fluffy as those. :)

About trousers and mothers: my own mother has been telling me ever since I hijacked her sewing machine that everything is too difficult to do...you need to be professoinal...button holes are hard...trousers need to be tailored...you can't sew jackets....blahblahblah. The trews are amongst the easiest garment that I have sewn: five seams, the zip and the waist band, and a then bit of altering and huzzah!

Anonymous said...

Love those socks! I love them in that color, but also see them in a nice flowery color, also!

Anonymous said...

OOOOOOoooo I do like those - do post the pattern, please.

Anonymous said...

I *love* the mossy-ness of that yarn! Perfect match for the design.

Stacey said...

that is beautiful!!!!!

Veronique said...

You created a pattern for the single sock exchange?! Wow.

susan93940 said...

Alice, those socks look so warm and soft! Am on the fast track to add to my sock collection as weather is cooling and I don't have a laundry fairy. Which brings me to your previous post. You find Nigella difficult to swallow with her two ovens, but we Americans have to put up with the perfection of Martha Stewart and her extensive staff that make every clever thing she does appear effortless. Maybe that's why I tossed the T.V. Even the news seems like one long infomercial.
Luckily for us we can focus on yummy yarns and put the confusion out of our minds. I'm not advocating giving up the duties of citizenship, but balancing the input one will tolerate.

Amy said...

That's a lovely, lovely sock. What a lucky pal!

Anonymous said...

I wandered over from ADD Knitter's site. That sock is incredible!

Karen said...

The socks are extraordinary. You are very talented! I had seen them on the recipients blog, where I also subscribe, but hadn't linked over here, so was surprised when I made my way (through feed lines) over and see it was you who made them. They're fabulous!

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