Finished: Rosy Baltic Socks
Despite my spearheading the
Finished: Rosy Baltic Socks
Pattern: clementine's Baltic Socks by Di of clementine's shoes
Fiber: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock lightweight in "Rose Quartz"
Needles: size 1 DPNs
Date Started: 10 April 2007
Date Completed: 05 May 2007
Modifications: I cast on 68 stitches instead of 64 and completed 8 pattern repeats on the leg instead of the 10 called for in the pattern. I reduced the number of pattern repeats because STR does not have super-great yardage. I may have had enough yarn to do 9 pattern repeats, but definitely not 10.
The reason for my ability to finish these socks? This must easily have been my favorite sock pattern I've yet knit. What a great pattern! It is written clearly and it is super easy to memorize, making it a fun, quick knit. And the best part is that you end up with some really cute lacy socks that look somewhat complicated without the fuss of following charts.
See how cute? They go with my Birk mary-janes like nobody's business! Love!
The other reason I was able to finish these socks without procrastination is because it turns out I *am* a fan of STR... with two very important qualifications: it must be the lightweight version and it has to be the semi-solid "Shaded Solids." I love that the STR base yarn is perfectly spherical. It is sproingy and really tough (doesn't break easily, which is a characteristic I like in sock yarn). It also has great stitch definition. I will admit that even the shaded solids pool a little bit, but paired with the right patterns, like this one, it isn't incongruous and doesn't make me shriek in terror, like the pooling effects of some of the multicolors. I am no longer hesitant to openly praise STR. I like it, I like it!
Some favorite details of this pattern: I got to try out the short-row heel technique again. This time 'round was much easier, and, well, I love the short-row heel. Having done it a couple of times now, I am more able to appreciate the not having to pick up gusset stitches and try desperately to avoid gaps and holes. I also love the pattern the slightly variegated yarn makes on short-row heels.
I also love the vertical lacy-leaf pattern on the front and back of the socks. The lace panels are separated by panels of stockinette stitch on the sides, which makes the socks fit really well, as they provide a bit of stretch. You can also add or subtract stitches from these side panels to customize the fit of the sock for your leg size, too. Ingenious.
I love these socks. They may very well be my favorites that I've knit thus far. I know I will knit this pattern again, no question about it.
And now that I've finished a whole pair of socks, be prepared to see several new beginnings of socks-to-be popping up shortly!
Have a terrific Sunday and can't wait to see everyone's MDS&W Festival loot!
Labels: FOs, FOs 2007, pink, project spectrum, rosy baltic socks, socks, socks that rock
posted by knittingphilistine at 2:17 PM
56 Comments:
Yeah, yeah, yeah! They look great. I need that colorway in my stash ASAP. And they do go perfectly with those shoes, which are also very cute.
A pair of socks, I am so proud of you! :D
Nice job! I've never seen that pattern before, but I like it..
Lovely, lovely!
Love that lace pattern. I've never seen the Birk Mary Janes! Recently, I lost my clogs & have been searching for a replacement. Hmm...
-L
Stunning socks! Clearly you have a knack for pairing the right socks with the right shoes.
Wow, I love those socks so much! Great color, great lacey pattern. I will do my best to control the pooling on your socks! ;) Now, I need to get some cute Mary Janes to wear handknit socks with.
-Your Sockpal.
BeaUtiful socks. I really like them with your Birks too!!
Those look great! I really like the way that pattern looks - I had never seen it before. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
They look absolutely lovely. I just bought this yarn to make the Cookie A pattern from Knitty Gritty only to read on the website that those were knit from the medium weight. I might have to give these a try. love the mary janes. Must be a sister thing as I need to loose my clogs and must replace the grotty pair I have.
- A
Gorgeous socks! I think Rose Quartz must be the most beautiful STR colourway-and it looks so good in this pattern.
Those socks certainly rock, what a pretty pattern, and I really love rose quartz color.
I'm right there with you on the lightweight. I've only used it for socks. I did, however, make a blanket from the heavyweight. ;-)
The socks look great!
i also have to agree that the str yarn is wonderfully sproingy - i love the socks that i make from it!
funnily, i never seemed to have considered their semi-solids. i've always gone straight for the variegated ones. guess that'll be changing now! :)
Fabulous!!! The surge of energy these gave you will get you through many single socks!
these socks are fabulous! love the colour, love the design...just love everything about them!
way too cute...
Beautiful socks, Megan. I adore the ol' Rose Quartz myself... have numerous hanks (of various weights) in the stash! And, I absolutely love the shoes! Love 'em!!
But, isn't that Cookie's pattern (Baudelaire - without the cable)?
gorgeous!!!
LOVE them. I am printing out that pattern tout suite--I think they might be my sock pal's socks!
Gorgeous!!
Really cute socks!
It's curious that they pooled a bit. My Roza's Socks are almost finished and there was no pooling whatsoever.
*Beautiful* -- i want to try the pattern AND the yarn. :)
The socks look great--don't you just love when the yarn, the color, and the pattern all converge to create the perfect FO?!
I'm with you on the STR. I do like it, but only the shaded solids. Still though, nothing beats Koigu!
But even more importantly, I love the quilt in the background! It looks handmade and vintage-y!
i totally love those! the yarn looks beautiful with that pattern.
i just printed it out, maybe i'll make these soon.
Beautiful! Oh those are so lovely. You make me want to knit socks again.
sproingy :)
ooooh lovely!
Beautiful! I can't remember if I mentioned this earlier but these are very similar to the Birch Leaf socks from Gathering of Lace that I made sometime back. Except that the leaf pattern isn't replicated at the back of the leg, there's a different rib pattern. You could try those too.
The colour is gorgeous, too.
Yes, love the shaded solids as well, so preferable to the variegated in my book...
I'd like to state for the record:
Di's "Clementine's Baltic Socks" pre-dates(by publication dates at least) Cookie's "Baudelaire" by a year, actually a full 13 months.
Oh, those are gorgeous! I love the color, I love the pattern, I love it all. Great job!
Oh, those socks are absolutely gorgeous! I love the pattern, and the yarn really brings out the details. Congrats!
Very pretty! Excellent combination of yarn and pattern. I can see why you had to make the second sock!
Rosy goodness!
Total gorgeousness! While I am not a fan of the STR freaky colour pooling (I have bought two more colours to give them a good go though!!) I mus admit that my Monkey's in STR are my faves to wear - so warm and comfy. STR definitely makes a great knitted fabric. And thanks for the pattern link - I think one of my Sundara's will be makingup this lovely design (not that I'm rubbing it in - once a month now she is going to be introducing repeatable Almost Solids, so you can build that stash up again in no time!)
Hi- so glad you enjoyed knitting them, and thanks for being so complimentary about the pattern I wrote! I really enjoyed knitting them too.
I see someone has commented on similarity to one of Cookie's patterns- As you know from reading the pattern I wrote, I came across the design when it was used by a German sock-knitters group a few years ago. I think that it's great that it's being enjoyed by other English reading knitters too.
gorgeous socks my friend!! they look fabulous. :-)
Mmm, they are lovely, M! and the shoes! the shoes! Perfect match!
They are so cute! I love the way the yarn is variegated just enough to give some real depth to the pattern. (is the pattern online anywhere in english? I can only find links to the german version.)
How beautiful! Are they for your secret sock pal? Is that why you did two?
those came out amazing! I may have to use my skein of rose quartz for those - i really love how they came out!!!!
You know, I've considered making these but your enthusiasm for the pattern has convinced me. I have some Koigu that would be perfect too. Your socks look absolutely beautiful!!!!! AND A PAIR! Woo! What happened to single socks?? heh. kidding...
Well, I think they are terrific, color and all. The color seems to help highlight the intricacies of the pattern...pretty pretty!
Those are beautiful! Love the colourway you chose. And knitting 2 of them?! - Go on wid your bad self! Definitely going on my to-knit list.
So gorgeous! I love the combo of the yarn and the pattern.
I'm feeling abandoned, but I guess I can't blame you ...that siren call of the STR can be strong.
Yay to finished socks. They look great. I've always kind of stayed away from lacey socks, but it seems as if a solid/varigated type yarn is a good way to go if I ever wanted to go that way.
Love those overlapping leaves! Nice socks.
ps. your toes are pointy!
Your socks are so pretty - as always. You have inspired me to give sock knitting another chance.
So pretty! This might be just the pattern for my Garnet STR. :)
These are so nice. They don't scream and yell, they just are so classy and simple, yet dainty but clean. It's really hard for me to describe what I mean, for some reason (go figure--I'm a writer). Anyway, I had to add my kudos to the heap you've already received. Very nice job indeed. I love that colorway. Is it just me, or is pink actually OK to like now? ;)
A completed pair?! Oh my!!!
They look wonderful. And the semi-solids make such wonderful socks, don't they?
ohhh.. i was totally eyeing the palmost solids at Md S&W but they were all heavyweight. i hope the mediumweight isnt too heavy. your finished pair is beautiful!
as far as twisted flower: i got exact gauge with the koigu on size 1s, and i did the first repeat on size 2s to fit the calves. the circ of the sock with size 2s is 8.5" (around) and the sz 1s is 7.5" (around). i usually like my socks on sz 1s with 28 sts/4" to be 64 sts around, but the tighter gauge and the 72 sts is just fine. there isn't a ton of stretch, but you could always do the size 2s and add a few purl sts inbetween the pattern (there is 2 written, but you could do 3 or even 4) to make more ribby and stretchy, but tight when needed.
good luck!
p.s. i am going to europe and then back to MA/VT until Jume 6th but afterwards we HAVE to meet up!
beautiful!
I want to lay down on your quilt and take a nap........i might need to borrow your socks so my feet don't get cold! :)
These look awesome! Love them with the Birks too!
Hello to another fellow Phila, PA:)
Your soaps sound so wonderful.
Really nicely done!!! I love them!
Wow...Those are GORGEOUS! I love the pattern, the color, and the way they go with your shoes. Your feet must be very happy. This pattern is going straight to the top of my "Must Knit" list!
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