On-the-sly knitting revealed
It's my Aunt Nance's 80th birthday today. She's one of my two knitting aunts, and whenever she would come over for dinner, she would always bring her knitting to work on during the pre-dinner glass of wine in the living room. I have memories of watching her knitting socks my whole life -- although up until a few years ago I couldn't really figure out how, what with all of those little pointy needles sticking out in different directions. She's probably knit hundreds of socks over the years, and I bet most of them were for other people. I figured it was high time somebody else knit some socks for Aunt Nance. So I appointed myself! 
Pattern: Roza's Socks from the spring 2007 IK
Designer: Grumperina
Yarn: Regia 4-ply (colour 315)
Needles: 2.25mm circular (Magic Loop)
Modifications: Eye of Partridge heel flaps
Comments: I enjoyed this pattern. The brioche stitch pattern was not totally mindless, but simple enough that I could watch TV while working on these socks. I knit both socks at the same time instead of one after the other -- not both socks on the same needles, but I'd pick up one sock and knit to the heel, and then put it down, pick up the other one and knit it to the heel, and so on. It worked out well, because I knew both socks would be exactly the same, and because both were finished at basically the same time. And another first: I blocked these socks! As with any ribbed socks, when they were finished they looked loooooong and skinny, so I decided to break out a pair of sock blockers I bought at that church bazaar last month. Obviously the brioche pattern looks better when stretched, but I was shocked at how nice the socks felt after blocking! If I've knit you a pair of socks in the past, I apologize for not having blocked them! It made them look great. I'm very happy with these socks.
25 comments:
Nice! Lucky Aunt Nance! Maybe I'll try blocking my next pair of socks... maybe.
Wow, those look great! I love that color. So dignified. I hope your aunt loves them! It will be great for her to be on the receiving end of some socks!
They're absolutely lovely! Must add that pattern to my "to-knit" list.
Lovely and thoughtful present! I have been wanting to see that pattern knit up.
And, yes, that is a great way, knit both at the same time, that's just how I knit my socks. Less chance of forgetting what you did, consistent gauge, and when you're done you are done.
I don't block but I do steam and stretch them into shape, (otherwise they look like wringed out rags when you blog them, and really isn't that the most important part?)
I'm sure blocking is the way to go, they look great!
lucky Aunt Nance! That is quite a lovely pair! my poor Aunt is getting the ugliest socks in the universe! :)
Those are some awesome socks. It must be really gratifying to know she'll realize the amount of work put into making them, and that'll make them all the warmer to her.
Ooo! I love the sock blockers. This may sound silly, but I've been wanting to buy a set of those but haven't because I'm worried that they won't be similar enough to my feet in shape. Weird, huh?
They're lovely, and what a delicious color!
they are gorgeous! I have these in my queue and might have to bump them up the list! I give all my socks a bath in Soak and then block them - the feel so great and look so wonderful!
they are beautiful! lucky auntie! love the cool sock blockers. i have some (fibertrends) ones and it really does make a difference, doesn't it.
i love the color. so sweet of you to pass the knitting back UP the chain.... :)
A pair of blocking socks. Aaaaaaaaah! Is there a more beautiful site? Yours look so crispy. Your aunt Nance will be delighted.
So pretty!
Gorgeous socks!
I confess, I love a nice blocked sock. I block mine every time I wash them. A little excessive, but they look amazing when I put them in the drawer.
Those socks look AWESOME!!!!!
Lovely socks!
those are beautiful! i love the sock blockers - what a difference it makes. i admit i've never blocked any socks i have made either...bad....
The sock blockers make them look like fake socks -- like the fake food that looks so gorgeous in magazines but you can never recreate? Awesome!
Those are beautiful, Alison. I love the colour!
Very pretty. I'm sure your Aunt will love them!
Beautiful, and someone who knits 2 at the same time, the same way I do it! A 'sole' mate - pun intended!
How sweet that you knit your Aunt Nance the socks that Grumperina made for her grandma! They look great - I can't wait to make them. Except mine were going to be for me...
Oh, I just noticed in your sidebar that you're writing on Little Mosque on the Prairie! I haven't seen the show, but I've checked out the website. I'm in Islamic Studies in Chicago and I'm curious about that show myself...
Beautifully executed and a perfect gift for your Tante Nance!
Those are absolutely beautiful! That makes me want to try that pattern...
And I've been the recipient of a pair of BrainyLady socks, and I can tell you right now that they were spot-on perfect, blocking or no blocking. Actually the most perfect fitting pair of handknit socks I have!
I like the idea of knitting at the same time, but not on the same needles. Smart.
I love those socks. I wonder how'd they work with a variegated yarn?
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