I finished my first project from my Valentine’s Swap package last weekend. I was curious to try the Sirdar Crofter DK Yarn, a self-striping yarn that creates a fair isle effect as you knit (without switching colors), partly because the yarn had a nice hand, partly because it was sport weight, and should knit up faster than the fingering weight yarn I normally use for socks, and partly because I was curious about the pattern the yarn would create on the sock. I wanted to find a pattern that had a little texture, something easy but not boring, and I settled on Put a Sock in it’s Harris Tweed Socks.
Technical specs:
- Yarn: Sirdar Crofter DK Yarn
- Plaid Colorway
- Needles: Size 1 magic loop
- Pattern: Harris Tweed Socks by Ali Green
- New skills:
- Garter Ridge Heel Border
- Pattern Modification
- Matching Socks
The pattern is simple, but has some lovely details: an eye of partridge heel with a garter ridge heel border (which makes finding the stiches that need to be picked up along the gusset much easier), and my hopes for the heavier weight yarn were realized. The pattern worked up quickly, and was simple enough that it made good TV knitting.
With these socks, I tried something I’ve never done before, making a matching pair. I started the socks in the same place in the color repeat, and was pretty successful, all the color stripes lining up in the right order. Until I got to the toe. On the first sock, the toe is mostly light blue, while on the second, it turned out purple and dark blue. Just different enough to make them interesting.
I did modify the pattern slightly at the toe, as it recommended grafting with 10-12 stitches remaining. I found that to be too pointy a toe, and instead grafted the second with 16 stitches left. I then ripped the first toe back and grafted it the same way, so the toes of the socks actually fit my feet.
I found this particular yarn to be a little splitty, but manageable, and softer than I expected given the 25% cotton content. I think I’ll be making more sport weight socks, especially for my husband’s size 11 feet! And this is a good unisex pattern. Maybe I need to take him yarn shopping….
