Boys To Men . . .

Boys to Men is a new pattern, and my #7 pair of socks completed in the 52PPII. The socks shown here are modeled by my 7-year old, Duncan, and were knit from the Regalia remnants (50 grams of Wollmeise in Rittersporn on 2.25 mm needles, toe-up).

This is an embossed moss rib stitch pattern featuring a hybrid gusset and short row heel in three sizes to fit young child through adult men foot measurements. Experimenting with worsted weight yarn and larger needles would create even more sizing options.

Regalia . . .

Regalia, my sixth pair of socks for the 52PPII is now off the needles and available to buy on my website, at Ravelry, and through the Buy Now button below.

Regalia is knit from Wollmeise Sockenwolle 100% Merino Superwash in the beautiful Rittersporn color using 2.25 mm needles. Knit top-down with a mirrored stitch pattern for the right and left legs, the motif is located off center. The heel is a standard heel stitch heel flap with a French heel. There is a standard wedge toe. The sock is designed for Ladies S (M, L) and features optional beading within the motif’s medallions.
The design is clearly charted, with no written stitch instructions given for the stitch pattern. Instructions for how to read the chart are given for those who have little or no experience with chart reading.

52PPII -- My Sanity is Debatable

Yes, I've gone round the bend. Almost certifiable, I'm sure. I joined the 52 Pair Plunge II. The 2008 challenge to complete 52 PAIRS of socks between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009. If you know me, you're probably going, "Yeah, menopause hasn't been very kind to poor Terry. She's lost all reason. First it was adopting 3 kids after she was 45. Now, it's committing to knit 52 pairs of socks during the next year."

Oh, if you only knew. Not only will I knit 52 pairs in the next year, but I have challenged myself to design as many of them as possible.

And, since June 1, I've completed three pairs, nanny-nanny-boo-boo, and thank you! First was Flamenco, (OK, so I got a couple of days headstart and the rule is COMPLETE pairs during the year, so that is totally within the rules all you Type-As out there) then a pair for Abby from the Flamenco remnants.

And then just a couple of hours ago, only about an hour short of the end of the first week of the plunge, pair #3, which is Enchantress. Enchantress will be available later on this month when Meg finishes test knitting the model in the most lovely black Panda Silk to show the very mesmerizing stitch pattern. But for now, I knit through the pattern myself using Lime and Violet's Sasquatch Sock in the Violet's Spring colorway. Even though the stitch pattern is swallowed up by the beautiful hand dyed colors, I did get this pair finished, and what the hey . . . . socks is socks! :-)

So here they are, and just WAIT until you see the black Enchantress version!

Top-down or toe-up . . .

Ana left a comment in the Koi Socks (thanks, Ana!) asking about whether the Koi socks are worked toe-up or top-down. The Koi socks are knit top down, but the stitch pattern would look exactly the same worked from toe-up, and is easily convertible.

Which made me realize I needed to put more information on the Socks page of my website to tell a little bit more about the pattern. I've incorporated a brief description for each pattern which you may find helpful.

In a nutshell, Flambeau, Gracious, Tangled Faeries, and Miss O'Hara are all toe-up construction. The rest of the socks are knit top-down.

Flamenco . . .

This latest sock is called Flamenco, featuring lacy ribs and a central lace strip which runs from top to toe, and even down the center of the heel flap.  It's knit top-down with a standard heel flap and gusset construction, and sized for Ladies Medium.

This sock is my first completed pair in the 52 Pair Plunge II.

Flamenco is  available now from my website, from Ravelry, or directly from my blog by clicking the button below.