Second Sock Syndrome Conquered

And my Gentleman’s Sock in Railway Stitch is DONE and MAILED today. This is my first attempt on the hundreds of fabulous sock patterns designed or redesigned by Nancy Bush. Concisely written instructions, I followed the pattern meticulously to the last word, altered nothing except adding two grey bands on the cuff. It was originally a solution to save a few extra yards of the main colour for the foot, since the gentleman who will be wearing the socks has bigger feet than the pattern was designed for. In retrospect, I found the bands balance up the strip pattern of the heel flap and toe nicely. Shall I call it “form follows function”?

Yesterday as I looked through Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s Knitting Rules for her generic sock pattern (which has been extremely popular in Ravelry) I stumbled upon the “Ten Reasons Not to Knit socks” list and the 3^rd point really made me laugh out loud:

Once you knit a pair for someone, there is a 96% probability that you will be not only asked but continuously implored as well, to provide him with a lifetime of hand-knit socks. If this person is young, this could be a lot of socks.

Hmm… I guess it’s time to stash more sock yarns!

Pattern: Gentleman’s Sock in Railway Stitch from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Needles: I tried using one 100mm long 2mm Addi Turbo circular needle, four metal DPNs but eventually found the most comfortable way was to knit with a set of five Clover bamboo DPNs.

Yarns: CC yarn is unknown brand from the basement of Romni Wools four or five year ago. MC is Lana Grossa Meilenweit 50 Seta/Cashmere. Also, the MC used in heel flap is Regia Silk for the reason that I was really afraid of running out of the Lana Grossa, which Romni Wools doesn’t carry anymore.

Personally I love the pattern, as well I stated in my letter to the recipient that my hand-knitted socks are “labour of love”, so he must wear them with pride and cherish them with heart!