Completely Free

Maybe that is not the best title for a post on Valentine's Day.  Rest assured I am talking about socks not my marriage.

The Free Socks are done and oh boy are they fraternal.  I can't quite get the colors right.  This picture shows them as more subdued than they really are.  THEY ARE LOUD! (pardon my screaming)  As always, click on the images to see them larger.

The yarn:  about 325 yards of my own fingering weight handspun, see this post for more info.
ETA: I got 7.25 sts/in in stockinette and one chevron repeat = 1 1/8 inches for this yarn.

The pattern: my basic toe-up sock which uses Judy's Magic Cast-On for the toes and the Your Putting Me On method for the heels.  The pattern stitch is a simple chevron with two variations (one per sock - why deny the fraternal nature of this pair?).
Started spinning on Saturday February 4, 2007 and completed on February 14, 2007.  Pretty quick if I do say so myself.

The loud sock
This one has the simpler chevron pattern.  It is a multiple of 10 when worked in the round:
R1: *k1, yo, k3, sl 2 knitwise k1 psso, k3, yo*
R2: knit

I used 3 chevrons on the top of the foot and 8 around the leg starting just past the heel.

The quiet sock
This sock is the same except that it has a purl ridge every 8 rows.
Set-up row: *k1, p9*
R1, 3, 5, 7: *k1, yo, k3, sl 2 knitwise k1 psso, k3, yo*
R2, 4, 6: knit
R8: *k2, p7, k1*

Both socks have my favorite ribbing, a slipped stitch ribbing.  I start it by working two stitches thereby shifting the start of the round those two stitches.
R1: *k1, sl 1 purlwise, k1, p2*
R2: *k3, p2*
The middle knit stitch is slipped every other row.  It should align with the k1 between the yarnovers and with the chevron decrease.

On both socks, the chevrons at the toes and above the heels start with the set-up row to create a purl ridge.  I think it enhances the chevron.

I have to admit that these socks were a lot of fun.  I had meant to do something entirely different (not socks) when I started the random spinning at the Spin In.  It just happened.  I would do it again, but maybe with a more subtle color selection.  Trust me these socks are much louder in person.  In fact, they verge on fugly (or are firmly planted in fugly territory).  Oh well, it was a fun experiment, the socks fit very well, and I love shocking people with my socks (my co-workers think I am  crazy, the socks I wear confirm this belief).

Here are my Valentines.  Sammie in his ferocious dog pose and my sweet, sweet husband Roger.  Mwah!  Love my boys.

Comments

[LaurieM]

I can't decide which I like better. I think what astounds me about these socks, is how you started with a chaotic pile of color and ended up with orderly stripes.

[AuntieAnn]

Love the socks. They certainly have character. I will have to try that chevron pattern.

[AuntieAnn]

I'm curious how the 80-stitch count compares to what you would do for a stockinette sock on the same needles and with the same gauge yarn. I'm having a hard time figuring out a good stitch count for me in biased, chevron-type knitting patterns.

[Denise]

(hi, new blog reader here)
Cute Boston! We have one too - aren't they cuddle bugs?
I've been enjoying the ongoing story of your free socks. Love the way they turned out!

[Nora]

I love the socks - and the "ferocious" dog (ok, your hubby's cute too)!

[pippi]

OHMIGOAWD!
I love those!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They have to be the best socks I've seen all year! (and I mean the past 12 months, not just the past 2.5!)

[Kerry]

OMG!!! They are amazing!!! I love that they are fraternal and wild and crazy!

[DeeAnn]

Now that was a fun project! The sock design details are great - perfectly paired with that crazy yarn. Navajo plied fingering weight?? I swoon at the thought, I can't figure out the navajo plying so save my mind.

Lucky you with two sweet valentines :)

PS. I was sorry to hear about Toby, I've been so out of touch. Hugs to you!

[DeeAnn]

Now that was a fun project! The sock design details are great - perfectly paired with that crazy yarn. Navajo plied fingering weight?? I swoon at the thought, I can't figure out the navajo plying to save my mind.

Lucky you with two sweet valentines :)

PS. I was sorry to hear about Toby, I've been so out of touch. Hugs to you!

[Andy]

Hey I really love the wild, loud socks! Mine are like that too, most often, see the orange and green ones, and the mismatched but same pattern ones on the top of the site, too! Loud is cool for socks! Yeah!
http://shuvani11.livejournal.com/?skip=20#19096