FO: Liebchen Socks

The Summer gift knits are complete. I present to you my step-mother-in-law, J's, Liebchen* Socks.

Pattern: Baby Cable Rib from "Sensational Knitted Socks"
Yarn: Wollmeise Superwash Sockwool, Granataphel colorway
Needles: 2.5mm Addi circ, magic loop
Heel: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock
Size: Women's Large, 80 stitiches

I'm really pleased with how these turned out, and my only wish is that I had sock blockers and sunshine to really show them off.

The Construction

Most of the stitch patterns in "Sensational Knitted Socks", particularly the 4-stitch ones, are super easy to memorize. The Baby Cable Rib is only a very slight variation on 2x2 ribbing, so as long as you remember to do something a little bit different every four rows, you're golden. The problem for me is that I'm really slow at ribbing, so these felt like they took forever. Or it might have been the 80 stitch circumference. Yow!

But the real highlight is the heel. I mentioned before that I was going to go easy on myself and do a short-row heel. Of course that didn't mean that I was happy with the heels I'd used so far. On a whim, I took a look at the heel Wendy uses.

And joy of joys, Wendy's heel does not create holes in the short rows! Look!!!

You still wrap and turn, but you slip the first stitch after the turn. Somehow this plugs up the holes. I love it. I wish I'd gotten around to checking out her pattern before.

The Yarn

I've done my fair share of drooling over the Wollmeise yarn, so I'm going to refrain from gushing. However, I really can't say enough good things about it. The base yarn is 100% wool, but it's not fuzzy. So the stitch definition is incredible. And while the skein isn't snuggly, the knitted fabric is very smooth and squishy. It's not at all itchy, but it feels sturdy. I think these will wear very well.

Then there's the color. The yarn is so well dyed, no little spots of white poking out. I'm also ecstatic at how even the colorway knit up. It's definitely a variegated yarn, but there's zero pooling anywhere on either sock. The hue is rich and saturated, definitely eye catching. Hopefully J really meant red when she said she wanted red socks.

I need to give these puppies a wash and pick out all the dog and cat hairs that found their way into the fabric. If the sun pokes through the clouds before I mail them off this week, I'll try to get some better photos. I feel like I'm just not doing them justice. You might have to order some Wollmeise to see the magic for yourself.

* By they way, I do not call my step-mother-in-law "liebchen." It'd be like calling her "darling," and I don't have to tell you how weird that would be. The socks, in Baby Cable Rib, are my little darlings. I'm a bit sad to send them on their way, but I'm sure they'll have a happy home in Australia. Besides, they're way too big for me.

Comments

[Adrienne]

Your socks are beautiful!!!

[sophanne]

The socks look great- I am also a fan of that sensational socks book and will definitely be checking out Wendy's heel instructions! They look amazing! How funny is it when the most interesting thing to comment is "I like the way your heel looks." what would the non-knitters say?!

[Grad School Knitter]

Those are super beautiful. I'm sure your MIL will love them!

[Elinor]

Those are so pretty!! I have one baby cable rib sock done awaiting its mate and I know what you mean about needing blockers to show the rib off - it's a really nice, simple pattern but so pretty. I'm sure she'll love them!

[Jeannie]

Beautiful!!! The color is great and I love how there is zero pooling. The heel turned out perfect too. I can't wait to knit with my Wollmeise yarn now. I think it will have to move up in the "must knit with this now" line.

[Jennie]

The socks looks great! :) And that is one great short row heel. I may need to try that pattern out.

[Jessica]

They look great! 80 sts.?! That *is* a lot! I'm sure she'll love them. :) When do you arrive in the states? Sounds like things are moving fast. Best of luck with the rest of the packing and whatnot.

[Heather]

Yowza, they look great! I LOVE that pattern and have done it several times, always with success. And gushing over Wollmeise is entirely appropriate...

[tiennie]

Nicely done! Really like the heels!

[stacey]

Good thing they are too big, right? It'd be even tougher to send them off. I am working on the foot on my second baby cable in Wollmeise - and I love the pattern too! And I love how the sock yarn hugs your foot!

[Schrodinger]

80 sts, that's big even for me ;) The socks look fabulous, I'm sure they will be well received.

[Jeanne]

Very pretty! Baby cable is one of my favorite patterns. And the yarn - wow - I really need to get some!

[knittingphilistine]

The socks are gorgeous. I now have an immense crush on all things Wollmeise. Thanks a lot. ;)

[Lolly]

So pretty! and what a great heel :)

[olga]

oh gosh, I keep reading such nice stuff about that yarn! I will be a broken woman if I can't have some of that crack. I've never done a heel with that method, I realy must get up to speed with this knitting world. And yes, everything is very liebchen about those sockies.

[Jennifer]

Your socks are amazing! And those heels are a work of art. Bravo!!!

[KelInCal]

SO pretty! The pattern and the yarn work so good together.

I'm going to have to get some of that yarn!

[Alison Hyde]

Your socks are gorgeous!

[Alison Hyde]

Your socks are gorgeous!

[Alison Hyde]

(I'm not quite sure how my comment got doubled up by my hitting the back button, but maybe that was meant to be one compliment for each sock?)