Soxx #20 from Colorful Knit Soxx
It feels like a huge accomplishment whenever I finish my husband’s socks. His feet are pretty average in size for a guy—one of those popular shoe sizes you can never score in a sale section—but the instep! He has a very high instep, and when I am knitting the heel flap and the gusset section, it honestly feels like it’s never going to end. Well, thankfully the end always comes, and I get to see the precious big smile on his face, which keeps me casting on the next and the next (x ∞) socks for him.
I enjoy knitting intricate patterns, but there is something very pleasing about knitting simple colorwork patterns. The regular rhythm of the stitches has a calming effect, and I feel like it jives better with my logic-loving, Vulcan-like mind. Also, it is much easier to modify for difficult feet like my husband’s. I think Kerstin Balke’s designs are some of the best in that regard.
This was my first time trying Thrud Sock from Viking Fiber Co. Thrud Sock is their all-natural sock yarn base with 80% Shaniko RWS certified fine wool blend and 20% locally sourced mohair; I had tried four other non-superwash, nylon-free sock yarns spun with mohair, and this is my fifth one. (When I try Erika Knight’s Moorland Mohair, which I hope to be some time this year, that will conclude my journey in trying out all-natural sock yarns that contain mohair, unless I spot a new yarn with the same make-up.) Compared to the other four, this yarn creates a more supple and somewhat inconsistent (the orange color more than the other two) fabric, which might not be the best thing for a daily hiker, aka my husband. I don’t know if that is due to the kind of wool that was used to create this yarn—this was also my first time using Shaniko wool, which I had avoided because I thought it wouldn’t be suitable for socks—or the way it’s milled and spun. (I have to say, though, this yarn is much more loosely spun than most sock yarns.) I heard from Kyle, the owner of Viking Fiber Co., that he has had some difficulties with the mill he is working with, so that could be the reason. In any case, I am going to knit a pair for myself to see how it feels on my feet; my husband and I have different preferences when it comes to fabric texture.
The modifications I made from the pattern:
ᐧ Cast on 68 sts → increase to 72 sts for the colorwork section → decrease to 64 sts for the foot in the gusset decrease
ᐧ My usual gradual toe decrease
ᐧ Longer cuff (20 rounds)
ᐧ The eye of partridge heel flap (picked up 20 sts for the gusset)
ᐧ Used 2.25 mm needle for the colorwork section and 2 mm needle for the rest
Yarns used:
ᐧ Viking Fiber Co. Thrud Sock (non-superwash US Grown 80% Shankio RWS certified fine wool blend + 20% locally sourced mohair, 3 ply) in Ship Wreck, Odin’s Ravens and Herbs of Seidr
Needles used:
ᐧ ChiaoGoo Red Lace 2.25 mm. and 2 mm