They're finished

They look and feel fantastic (80% wool and 20% silk)

The colour is a very dark purple and the lace pattern is quite elegant.

These and the Frolicking Feet are going to a very special couple of friends.

Did I mention my long awaited parcel has arrived and now I can finish my Big Man Socks for Joe.

Wool and Silk beauties

 Still waiting for my parcel to arrive so I can finish Joe's socks....let's hope it arrives soon otherwise I'll start getting low on my stash!  LOL

So these are already into the heel shaping. The green is temporary of course!

Linen Stitch Soles

I've tried making these socks before and found them fiddly where the linen stitch meets the stockinette stitch...nothing changed there!

I made them with 4 ply yarn and 2.75mm needles to fit a smaller foot. I also used 3.00mm on the linen stitch sole stitches. This made the sole a slightly lighter weight weave.

I used the free (for personal use) pattern An American in China with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn in the colour called Sweetie which I purchased from my usual online knitting haunt The Loopy Ewe

My friend tells me that her homemade socks always wear out very quickly on the ball of the foot - not the heels or toes as is more common.

Now that they are finished I don't think the colour scheme is really "her" so I'm looking for another recipient! A woman with average sized feet.

Waiting for my parcel.

I am still hoping my yarn from USA will arrive before Christmas but with each passing day I wait hopefully for its arrival and keep on knitting....not that I'm getting short of stash mind you!!

..just for something different I've made Grandmother's Favourite Dishcloth and since no parcel has arrived this week I've made yet another pair of socks.

Done the "Done Roving"

The colours are more subtle than the photograph shows. Generally I'm pretty happy with the finished pair although I have the usual problem of the colours pooling where there are shorter rows.

I've put a small eight stitch panel of Fractured Lattice from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns just to keep it interesting and the finished pattern isn't too prissy for a pair for men's socks.