It’s the first Thursday of the month — that means it’s time for some sock talk!
And friends, I’m pretty excited because … I have some finished socks to share!
These have been a long time coming! I’ve blogged about them quite a few times … but since it’s been awhile, a quick refresher. The pattern is Smooth Operators by Susan B. Anderson. The yarn is Trailing Clouds Nimbus Self Striping Sock in the “Mind the Gap” colorway — the colors represent the London Tube lines!
The pattern is a top-down, afterthought heel sock designed to work well with self patterning yarns. I knit the pattern with very few modifications. I cast on 60 stitches, as I was between the small and medium size. The pattern is great, with lots of picture tutorials as well as a quick reference version of the pattern. Susan (as if we’re on first name terms!) also includes some alternate heel and toe decreases and kitchenering methods at the end of the pattern, and I tried those out here.
The designer set out to create a better fitting afterthought heel sock, and these certainly fit like a glove! I loved working with the yarn too. It’s 75% BFL, 25% nylon yarn, so a bit toothier than merino sock yarn. Because of the yarn’s body, I do think some of my tension variation shows up a bit more — but a nice long soak in the bath should sort that out (I’m still apartment/cat sitting, and I don’t have blocking supplies with me!)
Speaking of cats, my charge was very helpful with my photo session (which involved my camera, stacked on some books, and using my phone as a shutter!)
Are you tired of sock pictures yet? I can’t really get enough of these amazing colors (there are even more pics on my Ravelry project page)! I’ll have to think of something fun to do with the rather substantial leftovers I have …
And one last one (promise!) … new socks, new shoes! A good week …
I’d hoped to have a little bit of my next sock project — Droving by Ann Kingstone — to show you as well. I’ve cast on a few times with some different color combos, but none have been a go yet. So that’ll have to wait!
Head on over to see what sock knitting Maggie at Project(s) in Progress and Paula at Spin a Yarn are up to this month! And if you’d like to link up, we write about sock knitting on the first Thursday of each month!
Happy Thursday!
fiber and sustenance 
You socks look awesome! I’ve been wanting to try an afterthought heel and I might have to give these a shot 🙂
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I really liked the pattern. I mostly just used the short summary version, but she does have lots of nice picture tutorials, so it’d be a great pattern to try out an afterthought heel! Your finished socks make me want to cast on for a cozy ribbed pair!
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Oh, I highly recommend these! I put them on as soon as they are home from the laundromat 🙂
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Amazing socks! What a splendid (and clever) self-striping yarn. I will have to check out that pattern. Thanks for sharing the sock talk and pictures!
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Thanks very much! The yarn is so fab … I saw it months ago and immediately had to have it!
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Those socks are amazing, definitely photo worthy! The colours are mesmerising, I wouldn’t want to put my boots on and hide them.
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Thank you 😀 I think these will definitely be worn proudly peeking out of boots — perfect socks for a gray day!!
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Fun socks and they look adorable with those shoes!
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Thank you 😀
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I suddenly want to make socks – those are awesome!
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Thank you!! They were a great project to pick up and put down as the mood took me — very easy knitting!
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These are full of happy, toe-warming wonderfulness.
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Thank you Stefanie! They definitely bring a big smile to my face 😀
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I LOVE that socks yarn! I really want to get my hands on some so I can having these amazing socks! Thanks for sharing and btw love the cat photos:)
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Thanks, Sierra! I loved knitting with the yarn — definitely can wholeheartedly recommend getting it 😀
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Love, love, love these! They look absolutely awesome. I feel bad that I didn’t have a sock post this month; however there was no sock knitting accomplished. There really hasn’t been much knitting at all accomplished lately and I hate to keep rehashing the same stuff. As soon as I get back on the knitting train, I will let everyone know!
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You shouldn’t feel bad at all! Glad you’re doing alright though, but sorry to hear you haven’t been able to do much knitting! Will look frward to seeing what you’re up to when you’re back 🙂
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I love your beautiful socks! I haven’t tried Susan’s ( we also are on first name basis lol) Smooth Operator pattern, but I plan to now. Also would you tell me what brand your shoes are? They’re so cute and look great with these stripey socks!
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Thank you, Diane!! The socks make me sooo happy! As do the shoes! They are Allbirds Wool Runners — I got them as a birthday present! They are made out of wool and super comfy! My favorite sneakers 😀
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