New sock

Next project: a sock for Ed, Kris’s and my Portland host.  We are each knitting one sock of the pair.  As you can see, this is a quite plain but manly sock in a very neutral color called “MASH Tent.”  The yarn is Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering (75/20/5 merino/cashmere/nylon) with 4 plies and a very tight twist.  It is round and bouncy and lovely to work with.

We’re knitting the Stepping Stones Socks from Clara Parkes’ forthcoming The Knitter’s Book of Socks – I got the pattern in a promotional thingie at Sock Summit.  It’s wonderfully simple.  After a 1x1 rib cuff, the stitch pattern alternates between one row of k1p1 and another row of k3p3.  You know I’m a sucker for rib variations.This photo is terrible (thank you, convention center lighting) but stands as proof that I actually have a pattern:

You know, after all the dozens of pairs of socks I’ve knit, this is the first time I’ve knit a man-sized sock.  It is BIG.  Because the stitch pattern repeats over 6 stitches, I wanted something that divided nicely into it.  We went with a 72-stitch cast-on.  And to make sure it’s roomy and stretchy enough at the top, I’m knitting on 2.25mm needles now.  I’ll transition to 2.0 mm at some point soon.

I also continue to work on Mom’s Pamuya shawl, but unless I move it onto waste yarn or a really long cable, you will not benefit from a new photo – so there is none today.  It gets 4 stitches bigger every other row, which means it gets slower and slower to knit.  Or at least, it seems so.

Kris, have you started the sock yet?  Bug me to send you the details so we can matchy matchy!