Sometimes I’m looking for a challenge when I pick up my knitting needles. After knitting some relatively simple ribbed socks, I decided to try a lace sock pattern called Veil of Rosebuds, (via The Knitter’s Book of Socks by Anne Hanson). I’d been drooling over this pattern ever since I got the book last year.
A fancy pattern deserves fancy yarn, so I dug through my stash and found a gorgeous skein of Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Arco Iris. This fabulous merino wool is soft, sturdy, and a joy to knit. The best part, however, is the color scheme – gorgeous shades of green, brown, dusty pink, and golden yellow.
A great pattern + beautiful yarn = awesome socks!
Veil of Rosebuds Socks in Malabrigo yarn (Arco Iris)
The pattern is extremely well written, which I’ve come to expect from The Knitter’s Book of Socks. The pattern stitch is written out both in list form and as a chart, (it’s nice to have a choice!). In addition, detailed instructions on stitch counts for each needle made it so easy to follow each phase of the sock (i.e. leg, heel, toe).
It’s tricky to keep track of lace stitches on the needles because of constant stitch increases and decreases. One missed yarn over can screw up the entire row! To keep better track of stitch count, I placed markers at the end of each 14 stitch pattern repeat. After each 14 stitch repetition, I counted stitches to make sure I had the required 14 stitches for each section between the markers. If I don’t get the right number, I know I missed something and I don’t have to unknit an entire row to find it.
This sock marks the first time I’ve knit a short row heel on needles. I’ve done countless short row heels (and toes) on a sock loom, but never on needles! It’s quite a different experience. It’s a lot harder to spot wrapped stitches. Again, I used markers in front of the last wrapped stitch so I didn’t get lost. Overall, I’m happy with how it turned out and loved the absence of a gusset (picking up stitches is a pain!).
The last fun part of these socks was the arrival of my new sock blockers. These plastic forms allow me shape socks for photographs and maintain the shape of socks that try to shrink during washing (I’ve got a pair that partially felted and this should fix those right up size wise!). I love them!
– – –
What’s your favorite thing this week?
– – –
c.b.w. 2015
C.B. Wentworth 
These are beautiful! That pattern looks so intricate. Good thing you came up with such a brilliant method to keep all of those stitches accounted for. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks! 🙂 The pattern was tricky to learn, but once I fell into the rhythm it was easy. The markers helped make it easy, too! I’ve used the marker method on larger projects and it always does the trick!
LikeLike
These socks are wonderful. What an accomplishment. My favorite thing today: sleeping in.
LikeLike
Thanks!
I slept in today, too! 🙂 (Too hot to hike!)
LikeLike
These are really fabulous! The heels look great! I agree-it is much easier to do a short-row heel on the sock loom than on needles. The sock forms make the pattern really show up well in the photos. That sounds like a great book-might have to put it on my wish list.
My favorite thing is a promised break in our heat wave on Sunday. To only have a high of 87° has never looked so good. I hope the weather forecasters know what they are talking about-if it’s 100° again I may not be able to recover from the ensuing depression.
LikeLike
I messed up on one side of the heel on my first sock, but the mistake is hard to spot, so I left it in. 🙂 I’m loving the sock blockers – I can’t believe I waited this long to get a pair!
How lucky to get a break from the heat! We’re still frying with no relief in sight. The only saving grace is the lack of humidity.
LikeLike
SUCH a beautiful pattern!! These would look so good with a bright colored tights beneath! Today…hmmm…favorite thing…Dinner and a movie with the boys – Dr Sues’s Horton Hears a Who!! The ending on that one always makes me teary! 🙂
LikeLike
Seuss’ there…that look better! 😉
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like a lovely way to spend the evening. 🙂 Have fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person