In Which the Pirate is Exceedingly Pleased.

Back in May, I started a pair of toe-up socks using some chain-plied merino yarn that I’d spun up about five years ago. I had eight ounces but I wasn’t sure how far it would go, so I wound it into two cakes and started knitting. As the sock grew up my leg, it looked like I’d be able to make knee-highs – and since the yarn was on the thicker side, that seemed like a really good idea. These were gonna be some warm socks.

I worked in calf increases through a series of trying on the sock, measuring, adding more stitches, and taking careful notes so that I could duplicate it for the second sock.

Despite some inconsistency in my spinning (I do feel like I’ve gotten better since then!) and some nervousness towards the end of the second sock when I was playing yarn chicken (I won!) I am super pleased with the way these came out.

So now I’ve got a pair of fraternal twin stripy socks with Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato heel (which I learned from this YouTube video). Here’s their project page on Ravelry, with some notes that may or may not be useful to you if you’re curious about the calf increases.

And then, of course, I had the fun of trying to take pictures of my own legs and feet from an angle that showed off the socks but didn’t look super awkward! Eventually I accomplished it after discovering that my phone’s camera will take a picture if I shout “cheese” at it. It should be easier next time, as I got a remote control for the camera as a winterholiday gift!

I also got a lighting kit with those inside-out umbrellas for properly illuminating my subjects, and I’m hoping to get the chance to try that out soon. It’s been so dreary and gray, I’ve had trouble getting good photos – but this should solve that problem nicely.