Sunday, April 01, 2007

At last

Well it's taken me a while (and three season of the west wing) but the poms are done. Ta da:


And I love them! They're like a big warm hug for your feet. And a well timed hug at that, it's just starting to cool down in this part of the world (which also means less natural light, so sorry if the photos are a bit crappy). The clap has made a couple of appearances lately too. God I love this thing. If you haven't made one, do it! Do it now! You won't regret it.


But I digress. Much as I love these socks finished they were a total pain in the patchanga to knit. The pattern was awesome, and the yarn (merino cashmere in forest moss) was lovely and soft (cashmere will do that), but, well, they were a process. The first pair I started I frogged because I just wasn't handling such teeny-tiny double points. These pair were made magic loop, two at once. I wasn't risking the dreaded second sock syndrome. Anyway, I think most of the problem was the needles, which were awful. Awful. They were bamboo circulars and the clasp was not smooth at all. Can someone please save my sanity and tell me where I can get 2.25mm and 2.75mm Addis or something similar? Is there some knittery secret I'm not in on? I've tried all of the usual aussie distributors and none of them seem to have these sizes. Someone please save me from the horror of crappy circular needles.

I shouldn't get too carried away though. In the end it was all worth it. What I really, really love about them is they make my new favourite shoes fit real good ($15, target, bargain.) And I don't know if you can see it in these photos, but they've knit up in a subtle light green/dark green diagonal stripe which I think is wicked.


Cool, no?

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

What beautiful socks!! I ahve some of the very same wool put away for socks myself!!! And I West Winged (Season 1) my way through my baby blanket!! What a coincidence!! I am most impressed with your magic looping too. The socks look fantastic!!!

Louise said...

those are gorgeous - well done
Lx

Anonymous said...

Cool, yes! I love the color. LOVE the color. You did a great job.

Anonymous said...

the poms are gorgeous. i love the greens in that yarn.lmjtvct

miss ewe said...

Preeetty... the colour is great, and the stitch definition is really good in that yarn for a pattern like that! Well done, you!

Coleen said...

Those are some fabulous socks! I have had half a pom on the needles forEVER. You may just inspire me to finish them!

Anonymous said...

They look great!! I think the yarn works well for the pattern. Very cool! :)

Anonymous said...

oh so lovely! they are gorgeous in that yarn. i have knit one pair of poms myself, as a gift, and it was a struggle from start to end. still, i hope to make some for myself one day!

addi turbos unfortunately do not come in neither 2.25 nor 2.75mm. do let me know if you ever find any decent circs in those sizes ...

melissa said...

those turned out so cute! all your hard work paid off.

Madge said...

Very cool! Your Poms are stylin'. Especially with those great shoes! (yay, polka dots everywhere)

lobstah said...

Those socks are so cool, I think that is my fave color for Poms I've seen yet! Enjoy showing them off!

Meg said...

Congrats on a lovely pair. I found those socks to be a pain in the (what was it?) patchanga as well. I just use 2.5mm addis (which i got from STYK) for anything that calls for 2.25 and 3mm addis where 2.75 are called for. Yes that makes me a cheater!

Bells said...

amazing BP! I love them! How funny - we're both doing green socks by Cookie!

You might try www.styck.com.au or http://www.tapestrycraft.com.au/ or www.theknittery.com.au for the addis. Styck is having a sale or was last week.

Rose Red said...

These are great - great! The colour is just so right for this pattern and those shoes rock too!

Denise said...

Highly gorgeous socks there! PERFECT colour and delightful pattern!

As for finding the right sized needles... tricky. I use Ivoré casein 2.25 mm DPNs for my socks, which are really a bit too long, but flexible and easy on my hands. I haven't had luck finding 2.25mm in good quality circs. I've just ordered 2mm Addi Turbos from STYK. I don't know if they even make 2.25 or 2.75 mm...

the knitrider said...

Wow, those came out really great! Arent you glad you stuck through the trials and tribulations?
Looks so cute with the shoes too!

Anonymous said...

A piquant pair of socks is always COOL!
I don't think Addi circs come in 2.25 or 2.75mm.

PS: Do I owe you an email?

Anonymous said...

I'm loving your greenfeet brownpants! Thanks for the comment the other day too - I'm not very good at knowing what to say when I get a compliment! Thanks.

Aren't you loving this beautiful autumn light (suboptimal indoor photography implications aside)...

Kara said...

Those poms are fabulously darling. Love them!

Lizzy said...

These are the finest example of Poms that I've yet seen - truly gorgeous ! Beautifully knitted and a perfect yarn choice.

Shazmina Bendi said...

You are such a rockin' sock star!!

knittingphilistine said...

Beautiful green lovelies!! That sock yarn looks absolutely divine.

E said...

I am in awe. Seriously. I bow down to your socks. They remind me of fan palms in the Daintree :)

Leah said...

COOLEST. SHOES. EVER.

Oh & the poms aren't so bad either! As a matter of fact they are awesome!! Great color choice!!

Sarah said...

Hi! I'm breaking out of lurking-mode. These socks are gorgeous!! Well done! Oh, and I know Melissa here in Seattle and she is just as nice in person (nicer, actually) as she is online.

Anonymous said...

wow...that pair of socks is gorgeous!!!

Anonymous said...

Brownpants, I'm so jealous! I'm suffering from the second-half-of-the-sock syndrome. I stopped mid pom and have lost my place and haven't picked up again. But your finished pair is good motivation... they look great!