Randy's Warm Winter Socks

 These socks are so warm for winter!  The pattern is Classic Socks by Melinda Goodfellow.  The yarn is Opal 8 ply sock yarn.

 I enlarged the sock pattern a bit.  I cast on 52 stitches with the German Twisted Cast on, and I knit a k2, p2 ribbing for 2" with size 3.5 mm needles.  

Then I knit a pattern of k3, p1 for the leg using size 3.75 mm needles until 4.5" long, including cuff.  This allows a lot of stretch for the foot and leg.

I love this sock pattern.  It comes in lots of different sizes.  Randy really likes his new socks!

Notes:  Heel turn:  Sl1, p14, p2tog, p1, turn (8 left)   sl1, k5, ssk, k1, turn (8 left)

Repeat, dec over gap.  Finish with 16 stitches left on heel.

Pick up 13 stitches and 1 in gap on each side.  Dec. next round and following round because of extra stitches.  Knit plain round, Dec round, etc. until 13 stitches on each needle:  52 stitches.  Keep top of foot in k3, p1 until toe.

Knit foot in pattern until 9 1/4" long.  Foot 10.5-10 3/4" long.  Toe almost 2"  Making it longer in case of swelling.  

Toe:  Dec. round and knit round until 28 stitches.  Knit 1 round then dec. to 24 sts., then dec. to 20 sts.  Kitchener 10 and 10.  

Wash in lukewarm water with Ivory clear or other mild detergent and a little hair conditioner.  Let soak for awhile.  Place in lukewarm rinse water and let soak.  Rinse again if needed.  Press out excess water and lay flat to dry.  The conditioner softens the socks.

 

J's Christmas Stocking

I saw a pattern for a very pretty Christmas stocking called Yuletide Monogram Stocking by Clare Lakewood and decided to make it for my daughter.  She will have a fireplace soon, and it will look so pretty on the fireplace this Christmas.

 

I used Rauma Strikkegarn, 2 balls each of red (144) and white (454).  Strikkegarn is Norwegian 100% wool.  I used needle sizes US 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) for the cuff and US 2 1/2 (3 mm) for the stocking.  

Strikkegarn is a heavier yarn than called for in the pattern, but I had some in my stash.  So, the Christmas stocking ended up larger.   Strikkegarn is a DK weight yarn. 

I knit a k2, p2 ribbing for the top edge instead of a hemmed cuff.  I also put her initial on both sides of the stocking instead of just the front.  I knit the alternate chart. 

I-cord loop:  I used 4 stitches for the I-cord.  To end the I-cord, take the tail of the yarn through the stitches from right to left twice.  Sew the I-cord on very securely about 1/2" down from the edge.  I sewed it also along the I-cord sides to make it more secure.

It will look so pretty on her fireplace!