A million thank yous to the brilliant person on the Socknitters group who posted the idea of knitting both socks at the same time on dpns (wish I could remember who you are). I am shocked and amazed at how well this technique works. Just a few days ago I was moaning about how B O R I N G this sock was to knit and how L O N G the cuff was. Well, I cast on the second sock and, as if by magic, my socks went

From this

To this

To This

in a matter of 4 days (with no more than a hour spent on knitting each day). At this rate I will be finished with the pair in a day or two. It is almost like the socks are racing to see which one gets finished first. Right now the blue needles sock is in the lead by a gusset but the silver needles socks is rounding the gusset and closing fast. It may be a photo finish.

This sock has a horseshoe or Dutch heel which is quite attractive and fun to knit. I am not certain of the purpose of the “seam” down the back but I like the look.

Keep on socking!!!!

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Deets
Yarn – Knit Picks Dancing Two step
Pattern – Madder Rib from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Needles – Size 1 dpns

Just a few sock photos to share. I stole borrowed this idea from someone on the socknitters group (sorry but I do not remember which one of you 10,000 socknitters it was). She said that to avoid the DSSS (Dreaded Second Sock Syndrome) she cast on two socks onto two sets of dpns and them knit them alternately. So far I have not really had problems with the DSSS but this pair will definitely be the one since the first one seems eternal.

I really like the rib in this pattern but it is a bit monotonous to knit and I could swear that it shrinks as you are knitting it. After knitting for what seemed like forever on the cuff, I measured to see if I had the commanded 8 inches of cuff – nope only four. I knitted for 3-5 yearsa few more minutes and measured again – four and 1/16 inches. So I knitted for another century and a half still more minutes and it still measured less than 4 1/2 inches. The only logical conclusion that I can reach is that this sock is either shrinking or some evil wizard had put a spell on it causing my sock cuff to unknit itself when I am not watching. I wanted to actually complete these as a matching pair since they are for a gift. So I decided to try out knitting the second sock alternately with the first one. Sure hope it works. That birthday bag is going to be rather empty if I don’t finish either sock.

In other sock news, inspired by the exploits of the Yarn Harlot’s traveling sock, I decided to take my sock to the museum yesterday. He seemed to enjoy the visit – especially the Native American footwear exhibit.
Here he is back at home relaxing after the trip

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Details
Patterns Top-Madder Rib Sock and Bottom-Gentleman’s Sock with Lozenge Pattern. Both from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarns: Top-KnitPicks Dancing Two Step colorway; Bottom-Jang Lawoll Basic Black

Here is my progress after the second trip through the lace chart – still loving this yarn. One more round of the leg chart and I will be ready for the heel. My progress has been slow because my knitting time has been very limited lately. Don’t you hate it when life interferes with knitting?? I have also been going a little slower on this sock because it is a booger to rip so I am taking it slow and easy so that I don’t make mistakes. I am also progressing slowly on the Madder Rib. It is a bit monotonous so I can’t do much of it at one time. And I am also working on a surprise sock for my dh’s birthday. Don’t tell him though!!

This is the first lace repeat on the leg of Pomatomus. I love the smooth color changes. It shows off the stitch pattern nicely without detracting from it.

The first is Madder Rib from Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks in Knit Picks Dancing – Two Step. This is a very stretchy yarn that takes a little getting used to and it has a very busy colorway so it doesn’t lend itself to a lot of patterns. However, I think the Madder Rib suits the color nicely. It is a nice pattern to knit. Easy enough to knit while chatting or watching TV but interesting enough to keep you from getting bored out of your mind. And I think once these are knitted they will be very comfortable socks because the yarn has a very nice feel. I think I will enjoy the cotton for summer.

The next is Pomatomus by Cookie A (from Knitty Winter 2006) in Sol Joy – Lagoon (thanks for all the comments on which sock to knit with this yarn). This yarn is an absolute delight to knit. I love the feel – tightly plied but still very soft, the colorway is spectacular and it knits up wonderfully. There is no splitting with this yarn. There is a little bit of fuzzing as you handle it but not enough to be objectionable. The hand dyed colorway moves softly from one color to the next so there is no striping and minimal pooling when you knit. I really cannot say enough nice about this yarn. This is a really fun to knit pattern too – but that is not surprising coming from Cookie. It isn’t so difficult that it is discouraging but it definitely keeps you on your toes. No snoozing on this pattern. If you pay attention you can see the pattern in the knitting so it is easy to see mistakes as you knit along. I am really enjoying this one. Hope I still feel this way when I get to the foot chart.

I have added another 15 rounds since the photo was taken and it really looks fabulous in this pattern. Will try to post another photo tomorrow but I would prefer to take a daylight photo so you can really see the colors.