FO: Coupling socks

A pair of socks in under a month!  That’s a rarity for me.

I figured out a few keys to making it work.

• If there’s a part that will be hard to do on the train (e.g. turning the heel) make sure I get it done at home so I don’t delay.
• No surprise here – cast on for sock 2 AS SOON AS I’M DONE WITH SOCK #1.  I didn’t lose any time between the first and second sock.
• Also no surprise – I need to have another commute-friendly project at the ready for times when I just need a break

I love the colors – especially that yellow.  I wish I was able to get more white in the sock but I knit them as long as I will wear – any longer and they’d be annoying.  I do want to think of something small to pair with the leftovers.  Maybe garter strip stripes in a shawl/scarf?

A couple of other things I learned

• I only had 2 bouts with pills – at the start of hank #1 and at the end of hank #2.  I’m still planning to be gentle with these socks since they don’t have any nylon in them.
• ChiaoGoo needles are my new favorites for socks.  Super-smooth joins and sharp tips.  I used the 24″ Red Lace needles.  I bought 2 and have a third coming this week.  I had originally been turned off by ChiaoGoo because they had a bend in the needle – not good for socks – but the Red Lace don’t have bends.

The details

• Coupling by Deb Barnhill
• Gypsy Girl Creations Transitions in the Viola Bouquet colorway
• Mods
  • Judy’s Magic Cast On
  • Smaller gauge so I increased 4 sts on the sole and followed the high instep instructions for the heel flap
  • At 4.5 lace reps on the leg, increased from a 7 st rep to a 9 st rep (charts below)
  • Knit a total of 6 lace reps on the leg, and then 32 rnds of k2 p1 ribbing
  • Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO

I love these socks, but you know what the best part is?  This is the last of my yarn from Rhinebeck 2011!  I have no leftover yarn, and just in time since Rhinebeck is less than 3 weeks away.  I already have some ideas for things I’m going to shop for this year, but that’s for another post.

Setup Rounds

9-stitch repeat (after setup rounds)