Luscious color, yarn that flows and glows -- what more can a knitter ask? You will like the feel of knitting with Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock Select yarn. Here's a pair of socks that I just finished using the color "Martha's Vineyard."
About the knitting: I went back and forth from knitting one sock at a time with Clover Bamboo double points in 2.75 mm (US #2) to doing two socks at a time with an Addi Turbo 2.75mm 40" needle. Sometimes I find that when I'm traveling it is easier to knit with one ball of yarn. That's when I take one sock off of the magic loop needle and keep on knitting.
I began knitting this yarn on a US#1 needle. I cast on 68 stitches and knit almost 2 inches of 1 by 1 ribbing. Then I slipped the ribbing band onto a holding strand and tried it on my foot. The cuff was more stretchy than I expected. It slid over my heel and ankle easily and was too big for my calf. I like a tighter fitting sock, so I started again. This time I cast on 60 sts and used a US#2 needle, just like I usually do for socks.
About the pattern: I used the broken rib stitch leg pattern with a 1 by 1 ribbing. This is the pattern that is pictured on the right on the front of our NRS Socks pattern. The broken rib gives interesting texture to the fabric and is an easy variation to remember. The NRS Sock pattern has lots of photos, some stitch variations, and full directions (with photos!) for doing Kitchener stitch to weave the toes. It is written for double point needles, but if you have done the magic loop method you can adapt it easily for the NRS socks. As you know, this pattern is by Graywood Designs and we know that we publish good stuff!
Finishing: After the socks came off the needles, I soaked them for a half hour in two quarts of warm water with a half cap of lavendar Eucalan. I rinsed them lightly in another basin of warm water and rolled them in a terry cloth towel. I laid them out on a counter top and turned them every 2-3 hours. In about 12-14 hours, the socks were dry.
And a bit more: When I start a pair of socks with Cherry Tree Hill's Supersock again, I will try casting on even fewer stitches (probably 56) and use US#1 needles since there is a lot of give to the knitted fabric with the 100% wool. Hmm, I like the color "Spring Frost" -- maybe I'll give that color a try next! Maybe tonight!
