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I’ve had a ball of Regia Pairfect yarn in my stash for nine years. I know exactly how old it is because I was on vacation in Seneca Falls when I happened upon a yarn store that was going out of business, and everything was 40%. I had just started working in the nonprofit sector, and I was working with a very limited yarn budget, so being able to snag LYS yarn at a craft store price was a really big deal for me! Definitely a day I remember. (Though, of course, I’m super sad that the store went out of business! It looked like a nice place!)
Then… the yarn sat in my stash for way too long. It was one of those things where it was so nice that I didn’t want to use it, you know? But I finally decided to cast on with it and had a good time knitting these socks. They were my “purse project” for most of 2024. That is, the pair of super vanilla socks you keep in your purse in case you end up in a waiting room or get a seat on the train.
This colorway of Pairfect is really cool because it features stripes at the top but it has a solid foot for a real vintage vibe. I looked at the current offerings on Regia’s website and it looks like they only create full-sock patterning yarns now. Too bad! But, if you love this look, it would be very easy to DIY the leg stripes with leftovers in your stash. (In fact, this would be a wonderful way to use leftover self-striping sock yarn!)
How to Knit These Without a Pattern
I didn’t use a pattern to knit these socks. I started with 64 stitches on US 1.5 DPNs and did a 2×2 rib for an inch, then knitted stockinette through the striped sections. Once I was one round into my main color, I inserted a short-row heel: the Fish Lips Kiss Heel, to be exact, which is a favorite of mine! I often use this heel whenever I work with variegated yarns to avoid pooling in my socks. You can read more about the heel here. This is obviously not variegated yarn and, truthfully, there is no particular reason why I picked this heel for this sock. I guess I was just in an FLK mood.
yarn details
Regia Pairfect Color 07114
Fingering Weight
75% Wool, 25% Nylon
100 g/ 459 yd balls
Purchased in September 2016
project details
pattern: no pattern
size knit: CO 64
needles: US size 1.5 (2.5 mm) 5” wood dpns
yarn used: 331 yards (72 grams)
finished size: 9.75” from top of cuff to bottom of heel; 8.75” from back of heel to end of toe; about 7.5-8” circumference on leg and foot
duration: November 2023 – October 2024
notes
- I’ve been asked to link to my sock blockers in the photo above! The blocker with the flowers is by MlynJedrow on Etsy. The ones with the heart are also from Etsy, but the shop has been closed for years. However, MlynJedrow makes adorable heart sock blockers, too. I haven’t seen anyone else make them with the darker wood like mine – if you know where to buy some, definitely leave a link in the comments!
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