Perfect match

    My first time using self-striping yarn and amazingly, the socks match perfectly!

    I've made self-patterning socks before - and they were fun - but the striped ones were particularly pleasing.

    The yarn is Stray Cat Socks 'Tranquility' with a matching blue solid for the heels and toes.

    I knew that using a heel flap would likely distort the gusset/instep stripes somewhat, but in fact they worked out only one round narrower than the rest* and you can barely see the difference.

 

*That's with 64 stitches on 2mm needles.

Comments

[Lindy]

These are beautiful - such restful colours. I'm knitting my first pair of socks and have just read that they will need blocking. Please would you explain how you block yours?

[Lizzie]

Lovely- your knitting is so beautifully regular! Well done.

[Cornflower]

With pleasure, Lindy.
All I do is fill a basin with warm water to which I've added a little wool wash, and put the socks in to soak for 10 minutes. I rinse them, gently squeeze out as much water as I can, then I put them on a towel, smooth them into shape, and leave them to dry. I do this on the warming plate of the Aga so they do have heat, but any flat surface would do though it would take a little longer.
I've never used sock blockers, nor have I had to pin them - just evening them out is sufficient.
When I wash the socks after wear I dry them in the same way.
I hope that helps, and your socks turn out very well.

[Cornflower]

Thanks, Lizzie - the wool seems to do the work!

[Dark Puss]

This "Stray Cat" is impressed! x

[Toffeeapple]

Oh my, those colours are lovely and the striping is perfect. How do you manage not to get a hole at the gusset?

[Lindy]

Thank you so much for your advice,Karen. Now I can use what I would have spent on a blocker to buy some delicious yarn.

[Cosy Books]

It's worth a bit of extra time and using 2mm needles...the end result is a gorgeous sock!