Winter Garden Socks

When I wanted to learn sock knitting, I bought the fabulous book Knit Socks by Betsy Lee McCarthy.  I used this book to make my very first pair of socks and a couple pairs of the Classy Slip Up Socks.  I can’t say enough great things about this book – I think it’s a great place to get started with sock knitting, if you learn well from books.

I always thought the Winter Garden Socks were the most beautiful socks in this book, but they looked so difficult that I never thought I would have the skill to make them.  But then, one day, I was like, “hey!  I’m an awesome sock knitter – I can make them now!”  And I did.

So, here are my gorgeous socks:

yarn details
Knit Picks Stroll in Peapod, Dusk, and White
dye lots: 63628, 40845, 44970
fingering weight
75% Merino 25% Nylon
machine wash & dry
231 yards / 50 grams @ $4.69 each

project details
pattern: “Winter Garden” by Betsy Lee McCarthy in Knit Socks
needles: 1.5 (2.5mm) wooden dpns
gauge: 31st and 42 rows over 4” in stockinette
yarn used: 101 yards Peapod, 111 yards Dusk, 101 yards White
duration: November 2013 – July 2015 (took a long break from these…)

notes:

• The pattern has you using a different size needle for different parts of the socks.  I think I may have done this with the first sock, but probably not the second sock.  I don’t think it made much of a difference.
• To avoid jogs in the stripes I used the method where you knit the first row in the new color normally, then on the second row, you pick up the stitch below it and knit it together with the first stitch of your new round.
• I’m fairly certain that I did not pick the best method for managing my color changes with the stripes. I broke the yarn at each stripe and wove in the ends as I worked.  This was really time consuming and I think it makes that area of the sock look a little untidy (even though the weave is more or less invisible — there is just more bulk in that area).  Not sure if I ever want to knit striped socks again – it was sort of a drag.  If I do, I must find a better method.
• Loved the cute fair isle details on the cuffs and heel!!