just another pair of socks

Gosh I am fed-up with being stuck at home. The other day I walked to the nearest M&S just to see some different faces. I bought peppers, snacks and daffodils, absolutely essential. Our lives are spectacularly boring, it numbs my mind. Bored-out instead of burned-out? Everybody is busy with one thing or another so not that kind of thumb twiddling boredom but that mind crushing kind that freezes the brain. I find the lack of stimulation suffocating. I blame this for my lack of creativity. That and the Royal Mail for not delivering a package that was posted a week ago. It contains notions for a dress that is waiting to be sewn, something I was looking forward to making.

Anyway, while my brain tries to remember snippets of interest for my February ...ing post, I thought I'd share with you my latest pair of knitted socks. I didn't fancy creating my own pattern so trawled Ravelry for one. I found the Vapour Socks by Helen Stewart. I think I was drawn to it by the poetic description and the pretty lace pattern. It was quite pricey for a sock patterns (£5) but I don't mind paying someone else for the creative process. 

I used Drops Nord in an antique rose shade for these socks. I haven't used this yarn for socks before but I am sure it will wash and wear well. All Drops yarns do. I am a die hard fan of Drops yarns, good value for money and good quality, too. I love natural fibres and Drops make them affordable. Of course sock yarn is best with a percentage of polyamide for durability. Drops Nord is 25% Peruvian Highland sheep wool, 45% alpaca and 30% polyamide. It is soft and squishy and I love it. 

The pattern was easy to knit with a pattern repeat over 12 rows. No fancy or tricky stitches and therefore perfectly suitable for the beginner knitter. But (and it is a big but), the pattern write up is so confusing and clumsy! There are 28 pages of pattern. This includes a front page, two general instructions pages and one final page describing finishing touches. There are three sizes to choose from, with eight pages of instructions for each size. I am not joking! Every single round is written out in full, with the exception of the 15 rib rows for the cuffs. What was I supposed to do? Print out 8 pages and tick each round off? I think not. At first I thought there is no pattern repeat because why on earth would you write up each round separately if there was a pattern repeat? It was by sheer accident that I scrolled to the very last page to find a pattern chart, which placated me somewhat. Once I found this, the knitting was easy peasy. 

Can you tell that I was annoyed by this pattern? Such a shame really because this designer has a few more patterns that are really pretty. I won't buy any of them because I like instructions to be clear and concise.

Anyway, I am delighted with the result and I realise that it is a waste of energy to get annoyed about a silly pattern. I am already knitting another pair of socks (different pattern). Knitting socks is quite soothing and perfect for long dark evenings. It doesn't require much thinking, which is good, too. 

Thanks for visiting. Have a great week!

Comments

  1. Those socks are lovely Christina. What a lot of paperwork to wade through to get to the (k)nitty gritty of the pattern! I am still trying to overcome my fear of circular pins but I really must give it a go this year. Something easy I think. Have a good week x

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  2. The socks are lovely.

    I don't understand what is happening in the knitting world. The new designers seem to make everything as difficult as possible. I'm old and been knitting over 50 years. I find this modern urge to chart everything and knit in the round confusing and funny.

    Whatever happened to the yarn companies selling patterns?

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  3. I love knitting socks.Wineick Mum has some good patterns.Those pink ones are really pretty.

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  4. Gorgeous socks and I love the colour. I’m very sad with my socks, just the same old pattern all the time but the advantage is that I need no pattern anymore as it’s in my head. Yes I agree about the brain numbing boredom. I get to the same time each day with the thought of deja vu. Bit like I’m in a time loop. Hey Ho. Have a good week, we may have snow tomorrow, keep your fingers crossed for us, at least it will be a bit of excitement lol! B x

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  5. Those are gorgeous! I may by that pattern myself. The Drops yarn sounds fabulous. I am feeling the desire to knit another pair of warm, wool socks. You did an excellent job!

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  6. Bravo on the socks.. they look very fancy and lacy. I had a hard enough time just doing plain socks so I will never try anything that challenging. You're in good company, everyone is going a bit nuts during this crazy time. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. The socks are beautiful, I am in awe of your knitting skills. Boredom is starting to creep in here too, not helped by the awful weather.

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  8. I can understand your frustration with the pattern but the resulting socks are beautiful. I totally get what you mean about boredom. I don’t thing i’m Bored as such because I always have something to do, but it’s the mind numbing tedium of everyday the same with no surprise outings etc that is really getting to me. I think we all need something to look forward to,

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  9. They are really pretty and I love the shade of your yarn. X

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  10. No boredom here.. just the tedium of the never ending routine. Same day after day.
    As tricky as they may be the socks turned out beautifully.

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  11. What pretty socks! I love the color and they look so cozy. I have a top in the same color and it's one of my favorite colors to wear.

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  12. Drops yarn is my go to as well, love your socks. CNx

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  13. I feel my life is soooooo boring. All I do is work, come home late do homework, eat, put Little B to bed, shower and get ready for work. Over and Over again. On the weekends there are a lot of projects to do, not involving yarn I might add and then I start over again. Really, so, so boring! By the way I love the socks they are beautiful, and well worth the 200 pages of instructions!

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  14. Knitting socks is the perfect activity all year round ... although I might be a bit biased! Your socks are lovely, such a pretty colour :) xx

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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