Specs
Pattern Jaywalker. 84 stitch sock at 9 spi (pattern recommended just under 8 spi but I liked the yarn better at 9).
Yarn Tess Super Socks in an unknown coloway (if I had to guess I’d say Confetti). Is it just me or does Tess not mark the hanks with the colorway?
Yardage I used 80 grams which translates to approximately 360 yards.
Needles 2-2.5mm/US 1 Addi Turbos
Mods
I made several small mods to the pattern.
- I used a tubular cast-on and did a 1×1 rib instead of a 2×2 rib at the top.
- I used 2 circs instead of DPNs. The pattern adjusted to the circs just fine, but you did need to think about where to split between the 2 circs. Because of the way the pattern increases and decreases you need to split the circs right where 2 increases occur. In order to do this and still have the pattern look right you also need to do the first increase at the end of needle 2 (so the increases are right next to each other). I don’t know if I’m explaining this well, but leave a comment if this doesn’t make sense. It’s not critical that you split the needles this way, but if you don’t you’ll have to reshuffle stitches every 7 or 8 rows.
- Garter stitch short row heel. I didn’t follow any pattern for this so I’m not sure I did this correctly. I wrapped all but 9 sts for the 84 stitch sock. When going to pickup the wraps I had to pickup the WS wraps differently. This surprised me at first since it’s garter st. On the WS rows I lifted the wraps off of the stitch that it wrapped. So from right to left my left-hand needle had 2 wraps and then the stitch itself. Then I did a sssk (knitted all 3 together). This formed the best-looking RS. If anyone knows of a better way to pickup wraps on the WS of garter stitch please let me know!
- Once I finished the heel I needed to decrease a bit. So I added in a 3-stitch gusset. The first 3 rows after I finished the heel included the double decreases at the sides. After that I did a SSK or K2tog just like the pattern says.
Thoughts on the yarn
This yarn is a dream to knit with! I can’t believe I’ve had Tess sock yarn in my stash for a year! It is very stretchy and with 20% nylon I expect it will hold up well. There was a considerable difference in softness once I washed them. I washed the first sock as soon as I was done and you could really tell which one had been washed. The yarn did lose some magenta color when washing but I only knew that because of the color of the water. The yarn itself remained vivid.
Gorgeous socks, don’t you just love the fact it’s cold out there and we can wear them all the time?
Cute cute cute! I love the colourway, whatever it is!
Very nice! I love the color and the way the sock shows off the yarn. Very good work.
Great job! So, by lifting off the wraps, are you doing more of a YO thingie?
wow!! cute socks… beautiful stripes.
I love the socks, very cool!
So pretty! I love the way your heels turned out, lined up so perfectly with the stitch pattern, and that yarn is beautiful! Enjoy.
Very cute! If I were to knit myself a pair, it would be a short ankle version like you’ve made here. Should I include them in the gallery?
Love the socks! Your cast-on and 1×1 rib is a nice change. I may have to borrow your idea!
Tess’ doesn’t mark the skeins. Makes me crazy.
They look awesome. Happy Thanksgiving!
Beautiful socks Jody! I have a Q…what do you use for your provisional yarn when starting the tubular C.O.? I just started my Jaywalkers and I wanted a 2×2 tubular…I used other sock yarn, cotton blend sock yarn and finally Perle Cotton and it was just so difficult to dig out the stitches from the provisional, after 4 tries (and many naughty words!) I ripped and went with a german twisted C.O. — so what’s your secret?
Great socks! I love Tess yarns — I am working on a sock right now in it, and it is just a dream to work with. Love your pair, Jody 😉
Beautiful socks!!