My friend used to date someone who thought "penultimate" meant something like "super awesome" instead of "next to the last".
This is my penultimate single sock. It's really awesome ;) This brings my single sock count to eight.
Pattern: Evening Stockings for a Young Lady by Nancy Bush (from Knitting Vintage Socks)
Yarn: Brooks Farm Acero
Needles: Susan Bates DPNs size 1
Time to Knit: May 26 to June 2
Modifications: I didn't want to do a knee sock, so I started with the ankle width. I cast on 60 stitches, followed the ribbing directions for 2 inches, did 5 rows of the second ribbing pattern, and then did 14 lace repeats on the leg. Although I kept the purl stitches as written in the heel, I did slip every other knit stitch to make more of a reinforced heel flap. On the toe, I stopped before doing the k2tog round, knit one round even and then Kitchenered the remaining stitches.
I like the details on this pattern. The gusset decreases are bumped out an extra stitch so the slanted stitches are more prominent. I also like the continuation of the ribbing into the heel flap. This was my first time doing a Dutch heel, and it was fun to try something new.
This yarn was really great to work with. I really like the stitch definition and color. The yarn is not as stretchy as normal wool yarn, so you might want to keep this in mind when knitting socks. The normal measurements I do for deciding when to start the toe didn't quite work -- I had to extend my toe by a little bit. This is not a problem; it's just something to take into account. I did have a little bit of trouble making sure all of the fibers were picked up in a single loop (splitty is such an ugly word), but it wasn't a huge inconvenience.
Great pattern, great yarn. I'll definitely be looking for more Acero at Rhinebeck. I can also picture using it to make a sweater-- something simple and drapey on size 3 needles. It could do the job, and at $17 a skein, it wouldn't be all that expensive.
Nice sock!
Posted by: David | June 04, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Gorgeous! The yarn is such a pretty color and it looks quite made for the pattern. Really, really lovely.
Posted by: Jean | June 05, 2007 at 12:14 AM
I think this is the first Acero I've seen knit up, and I love the way your sock turned out. Now I need to decide what to do with mine...
Posted by: kelp! | June 05, 2007 at 01:05 AM
Really beautiful, Kristy! Thanks for telling us how you modified the pattern. I usually don't like lace socks for myself, but if I run across a nice dove grey, I may have to knit these as an non-knee-high dress sock.
Nice quilt too!
Posted by: Brenda | June 05, 2007 at 01:14 AM
Love it! IT being the operative word here :)
Posted by: Nora | June 05, 2007 at 02:00 AM
They're gorgeous!
Posted by: tiennie | June 05, 2007 at 03:33 AM
beautiful! am i the only one wondering why this is the *pen*ultimate? what's next?
Posted by: jody | June 05, 2007 at 05:33 AM
Very pretty sock!
Posted by: kim | June 05, 2007 at 08:30 AM
That is so pretty!!! I love how Nancy puts the little details like the heel purl stitches in - she is the master!
So which will be your first pair when you go to knit the mates to all these??
Posted by: stacey | June 05, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Beautiful. I love that color, and the pattern is one I have always flipped by in my book, but seeing yours is making me rethink it.
Posted by: Emma | June 05, 2007 at 09:42 AM
Gogrgeous sock. That color suits that pattern so well.
Posted by: Suz | June 05, 2007 at 09:43 AM
I do like the heel. I think the whole sock is pretty of course, but the heel looks nice.
Wonderful job! :)
Posted by: Sacha | June 05, 2007 at 09:59 AM
Penultimate, funny. I love this sock, I think the Acero really adds to the charm too, it's gorgeous, jolly even.
Posted by: nova | June 05, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Beauteous sock! I love the ribbing on the heel flap. My DH sometimes misuses words (gah!). I'll never forget when he asked me to scratch his back because he had "an itch on a vicarious part of his back."
Posted by: Kim | June 05, 2007 at 10:33 AM
Lovely work Kristy. I have worked with several Brooks Farm yarns but have not yet tried Acero. Hmm...maybe a reconoitering run at Stitches Midwest is in order.
Blessings to someone who has S3 (single sock syndrome)worse (better?) than me - I can only claim six!
Posted by: Susan P | June 05, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Beautiful sock! Did you make that quilt in the background?
Posted by: Christine | June 05, 2007 at 10:54 AM
What a beautiful sock! The pattern is incredible--I like the ribbing on the heel, too.
Posted by: Carrie | June 05, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Gorgeous socks, and such a beautiful heathered color. I also really like your quilt. Did you make it?
Posted by: Deb | June 05, 2007 at 04:29 PM
That sock is amazing!
Posted by: Lindsey | June 05, 2007 at 10:21 PM
I always have difficulties with "nonplussed," usually using it to mean "underwhelmed." Beautiful sock!
Posted by: Faith | June 05, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Stunning!
Posted by: Tanya | June 12, 2007 at 07:28 AM