I have been “nose to the grindstone,” as they say, much of this long weekend. It’s the best kind of work, though! I’m designing two sock patterns. They share some structure but look vastly different… different yarns, gauge, patterning.

One required me to use “only” one yarn. I realize that I am almost uncomfortable without the ability to contrast two yarns against one another. I have stretched a bit on this project, because of that. It has been good for me.

The resulting design is receiving excellent responses from those involved. It does not hurt that the yarn is incredibly beautiful!!! The yarn inspired the final design, and I’m happy with how they work together.

This first design is still in the “secret project” phase, which is not comfy for me. It’s required, for my work. Work is a wonderful “problem,” don’t you agree? I will show you when it becomes public, which will probably be another month down the road.

The Non-Secret Sock (see photo)

The other sock I’m working up in 3 different yarn combinations. The one pictured here is a fingering-weight sockyarn by SR Kertzer which is bamboo and nylon. It is lustrous, it’s fluffy rather than stiff, it has a decent stretch to it. I have not found a non-wool sockyarn in fingering weight I’ve liked this much before.

I must confess that I really am biased with yarns. I am very fond of animal fibers. I knit primarily because I wanted bright colored socks in wool, that fit my small feet. It was all about wool, when I picked up the needles after a decade away.

Many non-wool yarns are getting nicer and nicer. However, I probably would never have discovered this yarn had Rob at Threadbear Fiberarts not given me these two skeins to work with. So far, I’m quite pleased.

The pink and green combination just screams “peonies” to me. It’s a great time of year for this combination. I’ve also got two other combinations planned or in proces (one with a test knitter). One is more bold than the sample here, and one is more subtle. Two of the three samples are knit from non-wool summer sockyarns.

Although this is my 2nd-priority project for a few more days, it will be ready for you folks sooner than the other one. My planned release date for this sock is June 15. This is one benefit to self publishing!

The details on this sock are: toe-up swirl toe, afterthought heel, and a short tennis-like rib cuff for summer. It has been my “knit in public” project while the secret project has been at home. I’ll show you more as it progresses.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010 at 12:15 amand is filed under Knitting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.