post-Toronto knitting vigor

Sock yarn heaven
Originally uploaded by diluvienne.

Last June, while I was in Toronto, I visited what I heard afterwards to be the biggest yarn store in North America. Really cool store. It is called Romni and while I was there, I started a really strong yarn envy. I always wanted to try cotton and since it was in the middle of Summer, I felt that knitting cotton made sense, so I went a little crazy and bought a big bunch of cotton skeins.

Spiral sock
Originally uploaded by diluvienne.

While I visited Toronto, we were staying at a friend's parents' house. One of our generous hosts was a knitter too and she gave me a copy of an easy sock pattern. I felt that there couldn't any better usage of one of my cotton skeins!

The pattern is taken from a knitting book from the 50's. Very easy to do, no heel to execute, but entertaining and interesting spiral. It has no name, so I'll call it "Spirally"!

Spirally

Gauge: 12 rounds = 1 inch.

Cuff: Cast on 56 sts loosely; divide on 3 3mm needles; join. Work K2, P2 ribbing for 1 1/2 inch (or less, like I did).

Leg:
Round 1 *K4, P4; repeat from * to end; mark end of round. Repeat last round 3 times.
^At beginning of next round K5, *P4, K4; repeat from *, end round P3;
P1 st from next round and mark for end of round; then K4, P4 for 3 more rounds.
Repeat from ^ shifting end of round pattern, 1 st to the left every 4th round until desired length. At this point, try sock on to determine exact length require before toe.

Toe:
K1 round plain.
1st dec. round: *K6; k2tog; repeat from * to end of round; 49 sts. K3 rounds even.
2nd dec. round: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round; 42 sts. K3 rounds even.
3rd dec. round: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round; 35 sts. K3 rounds even.
4th dec. round: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round; 28 sts. K3 rounds even.
5th dec. round: K2tog 14 times; 14 sts. K1 round.

Break off, leaving an end. Draw end through all sts twice, tighten and darn in end.

The Sock is Done
Originally uploaded by dcoombs.

The yarn is Mandarin Petit (color 5200), a Norwegian cotton yarn. Very soft! I like it!

I realized with wonder and happiness as I was knitting it that the yarn I chose was equally spiraling, but in opposite direction than the stitch spiral. Very interesting!

I have instructions for children and men size as well, if anyone is interested. Feel free to ask any questions!

My second (completed) pair of socks!