Socktober Success: Esther

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Pattern: Esther
Size: 60 stitches - heel to toe length 9in
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug - just under 1 skein in colourway Velvet Plum
Needles: 2.5mm Brittany Birches
Started: 1 September 2007
Finished: 14 October 2007
Notes: I love the finished socks, they are really beautiful but I can't imagine what would ever induce me to knit this pattern again! It's well written and does produce a lovely sock but is so fiddly to execute and hard to memorise that I just didn't enjoy knitting most of it. I am proud of the complexity of the design but I really had to push myself on through line by line and I want to enjoy knitting my socks more than that.

One element of the process I did enjoy was working with this yarn. It is so wonderfully springy and has a great stretch to it which makes the socks a dream to wear. The length of the yarn to 100g (267metres) is quite low compared to many skeins designed to make a pair of socks but I found it was a comfortable amount for these. I think it's a good choice for a lady sock but I don't think I'd attempt hearty man socks from one skein. Here's a shot of my leftovers for info. The option of knitting it on larger needles - the ball band recommends 3.25mm - would give you a bit more coverage; I do have a very dense fabric on the 2.5mm needles. Dense in a good squishy way though.

Comments

Piglottie said…
They are beautiful! I love the colour and it goes really well with the design. I know what you mean about patterns that look good but are not enjoyable to knit. I say knit something simple, satisfying and quick next to keep your mojo happy :)
16 October 2007 at 23:12:00 BST
Charity said…
It's too bad the pattern was kind of a pain, but the finished socks look great! :0)
16 October 2007 at 23:32:00 BST
Marianne said…
Oh Sarah, the Esther socks are SO beautiful! and I agree with piglottie, wise words indeed!
16 October 2007 at 23:33:00 BST
Veronique said…
Very nice! I've finished one, and it's impossible to memorize that stitch pattern... At least for me! Good job :)
17 October 2007 at 00:58:00 BST
florencemary said…
I totally agree with the 'looks good but cr*p to knit' sentiment, as recent experience has told me!

The Esthers really do look good though, and I adore the shade.
17 October 2007 at 07:33:00 BST
Linda said…
They are beautiful, well done.
17 October 2007 at 07:54:00 BST
Seahorse said…
Well done for persevereing - the socks are lovely!
17 October 2007 at 14:49:00 BST
Anonymous said…
Fabulous socks! Such a rich colour. Are you enjoying the Socktoberfest?
17 October 2007 at 16:31:00 BST
Glenna C said…
THey are so pretty even if it was hard work! I want to try this pattern but maybe I'll wait until I'm ready to tackle the challenge of a fiddly one.
17 October 2007 at 18:57:00 BST
Anonymous said…
Gorgeous socks. I like Jitterbug and this has reminded me that I havne't knitted with Jitterbug for too long and have at least one skein in my stash. Gorgeous colour.
17 October 2007 at 22:40:00 BST
Curly Cable said…
Your Esthers are beautiful and all your perservence has paid off, They look super. Well done;)
18 October 2007 at 13:55:00 BST
yvette said…
They are very pretty. I am kind of worried about running out of yarn for my jitterbug socks.
18 October 2007 at 18:23:00 BST
Lolly said…
The new socks are just brilliant - I love the deep saturated tones with a simple and elegant pattern. Great work on these ;)
19 October 2007 at 15:05:00 BST
Reckless Glue said…
these are beautiful and I absolutely love the colour! --almost making me rethink my sock-knitting aversion.
19 October 2007 at 19:29:00 BST
Sarah Ditum said…
Yes, a definite success! It's a shame you couldn't enjoy the process, but I think the product will give lots of pleasure.
20 October 2007 at 09:19:00 BST
blog-blethers said…
They look fantastic and definately worth the persistance with the pattern!
21 October 2007 at 17:45:00 BST
Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said…
Sock love...Yummy
Suzie Sews
PS I can not make socks for love nor money!!!
23 October 2007 at 11:47:00 BST
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