sock porn for knitting voyeurs.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

i've heard it said that i give good knee. or, german stockings complete

german1
German Stockings by Cookie A
Fearless Fibers Sock yarn, colorway "Royalty"-- 2 sk.
US 1, 2.25mm dpns -- 9 sts/inch **different gauge than patt**
Started: March 19, 2007 (?)
Finished: May 20, 2007

Beautiful, inspiring, impractical... all the things forbidden love should be! I really like this pair of stockings :)

I think I wrote about the things I wanted to cover already when I finished the first of these, but a little echo. The yarn is FF Sock and knit at a tighter gauge than the Louet Gems Pearl of the pattern (9 sts/inch v 8 sts/inch), but that with Cookie's sizing options in the pattern, I was able to use her numbers for a large sized stocking (I'd usually fit a M) and it worked out well as far as fit goes. This is pretty cool, since as long as you know your gauge and can spotcheck your math for the important circumferences (calf, ankle, foot) you can easily switch in your yarn of choice.

german4

The Fearless Fibers yarn is great-- I love the color. I know that this stocking's patt pops more on a solid background, and also more when on a light colored background, but since I knit the sample pair of these stockings in white I wanted something different this time around. When on, the pattern pops much more than when taking unmodelled shots (you can see some pics of the stockings off in my flickr stream). The variation of color in the yarn was just fun for me to knit with, and I'm happy with the choice-- however impractical.

german2

I used US 1's to get 9 sts/inch with the yarn, but I think that the yarn will do best on US 0's. I have a mental block when it comes to the idea of kneehighs on US 0's, though. :) I used 2 hanks of yarn (4 oz each, 120 gm) but only used 70 gm & had 50 gm left over from each. That means I have enough for another pair of purple socks (yay! I'm thinking anne from knitspot's smoke socks...?) and that if you have a smaller calf/leg than me you may be able to eke out a pair of stockings for yourself from only 1 hank of yarn.

german5

Don't think that the 2 months it took me to knit these was an indication about the pattern or yarn... life and spinning just has a way of distracting me sometimes. I think it took me less than 2 weeks to knit the (XS) sized pair, so its not a tough knit at all... just one you need to stick to. (To be honest, the "hardest" part is the cuff ribbing... it seems to go on forever! Stick it thru and you'll just sail, really.)

german7

I know, in the back of some of your minds you're thinking this is an obnoxious color pairing for these, and if I wore them out the house I'd look a mess. (It's okay!) Really though, they're already impractical since I don't wear skirts or shorts, and looked actually pretty silly taking these pictures downstairs with my neighbors all wondering about my apparent foot fetish again. I think they're just really fun, and will be a little nostalgic for me... I used to wear thigh high stockings with a garter belt when I was in high school-- underneath my jeans. I did it for me, because I liked the way they felt and looked, and that they were a secret that no one else knew about. I think these are going to be like those.

german6

I also think I may need sock garters for them. They slouch a little too much during actual wear for ocd-me, but they feel really good on. :)

I think that's it! Very anticlimactic :)

36 comments:

adrienne said...

Love them! I can't wait to have some time to start working on mine again (stuck at the ribbing....)
They look really great in the purple :)

Stacey said...

those came out great!!! I like the color - they will be toasty warm this winter! You may want to try getting some thin elastic and weaving it in at the ribbing - I am going to do that with my turkish stockings (talk about obnoxious color!) so they stay up better.

Alyson said...

I think they look great! I'm not biased at all, despite the fact that I stole your idea and bought some Rowan four-ply in a nice eggplant shade from the Knit Happens sale, specifically for these stockings. (Also most like to be worn under jeans.) I'm impressed at any pattern that someone is willing to knit more than once - can't wait to try them!

karrie said...

Your socks look great! Now you have me thinking about sock garters. I have been wanting to make some for myself ever since I saw the ones for sale here. <- Dangerous website, even for those that can knit their own socks.

Jennifer said...

They are gorgeous! I like it in the FF.

turtlegirl76 said...

They're gorgeous! Love the color choice.

Dave said...

I think they're gorgeous, colour and everything. No such thing as an impractical hand-knit sock. :-)

Romi said...

Oooh! Gorgeous!

Sabrina said...

Those look great! I really like the colour, no matter if it's the best choice for the pattern or not; it somehow fits.

Ginny said...

I think both pattern and yarn look beautiful. Awesome socks!

Karen said...

They look amazing!

Rachel said...

They came out great! My neighbors can't fathom why I'm always outside taking pictures of yarn. By comparison an apparent foot fetish probably would seem normal.

I agree with Karrie. The Sock Dreams website is dangerous. Very, very dangerous.

Grace said...

Oooh, pretty!!

Lori said...

I love them! I know what you mean about the impracticality... but they'll be warm under jeans, should you ever need that extra warmth (I was wishing for it this past winter!)
Great job!

AEBL said...

The stockings are beautiful! I really like the variety of photos.

Chris said...

They are absolutely stunning! I don't see anything obnoxious about the color...

KnitterBunny said...

Garters! Garters! I want to wear them with garters. Hee Hee

Angie said...

Beautiful, If you decide you don't like them, I'll wear them proudly... :)

Acornbud said...

Ooh, sock secrets. Love them! What a great pattern. Your came out perfect!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful socks. I already had them in my queue and now I am even more convinced. :)

Anonymous said...

WOW! Those are amazing, love the color!

Elemmaciltur said...

Wow! I'm in awe!!!

Micki said...

Stunning! If you're going to make stockings that spectacular, it is indeed a wise choice to make them in a color that will get noticed.

Anonymous said...

hotttt! I'm been meaning to try these out (or just make something similar) for knee highs. I think they'd go with your color choice. :-)

lexa said...

Totally awesome! Love the color, and it's great you have enough yarn left to make another pair. :)

WandaWoman said...

They look great. Love the color you chose too. I think I would draw the line at knitting knee highs on 0s too.

knitspot anne said...

i think they are totally cool in that color and the pattern pops just great! i love that yarn too . . . a real nice hand when knit at a tight gauge.

Anonymous said...

You are so right, that the pattern does pop out when worn. They have turned out great and now I am tempted to do them in a colour, instead of creamy white. I would not have thought. Thank you for showing us.

Allegra said...

Bravo! They are fantastic! I think the color is great too!

April said...

Those are stunning, I think you did a wonderful job. I love Fearless Fiber yarn! But I gotta ask, how the hell do you get those pictures? Are you a magical contortionist?

Maureen said...

The socks look fantastic! I just started a pair for my sockapalooza partner and the ribbing is taking FOREVER. Of course 122 stitches might have something to do with it.

Zonda said...

Fabulous!! Love them!

Anonymous said...

I love how the socks turned out in that yarn! I'm with Stacey - threading some elastic should hopefully do the trick.

Rhonda the Stitchingnut said...

Those socks are beautiful!

Virtuous said...

Those are gorgeous! My fav color is purple too! I have seen those on Cookie's website and LOVE them! One day when I am all grown up in knitting! :o)

Anonymous said...

AWWW socks! i love 'em


check out my sock garters!! i really AM obsessed with socks. i need some of yourS! :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5669544

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