• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Grumperina

Always up to something

  • Home
  • About
  • Completed Projects
  • Patterns
  • My Helpful Tips
  • Contact Me

Friends

August 23, 2006 By grumperina

It’s good to have a best friend, don’t you think? Maybe you appear different on the outside, have different personalities, likes and dislikes… But when push comes to shove, you have the same morals and values; you’re made of the same stuff, so to say.

And so with these socks.

The one on the left is of course the Blue and Cream Stocking from Meg Swansen’s Knitting. The one on the right is its newly found friend, the Estonian Stocking.

Pattern: The Estonian Stocking is a true chimera:

  • the basic shape mimics the Blue and Cream Stocking, including the oh-so-snug arch shaping (check out the Fall 2006 Vogue for more inspiration!)
  • as before, the French Toe is from Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks (p.21)
  • the pattern motifs are from Nancy Bush’s Folk Knitting in Estonia, including those from Marko’s Mittens (p. 100) and the whorl (p. 29).

Needles: size US 1 Susan Bates, 2 circulars and 5 dpns.

Yarn: Sundara Yarn sock yarn, in 006 and 024. I think I used about half a skein of blue, and 1.5 skeins of orange.

Gauge and size: gauge in stranded section: 8.3 spi, 9 rpi. I think the gauge is different for this stocking than the first because the orange is just a little fluffier, and more of it is used here. The stocking is 13″ in circumference at the calf, 7″ in circumference at the ankle, and 17″ long from cuff to bottom of heel.

If you compare, you’ll notice that this stocking is a little wider. Indeed, it ended up being worked over more stitches to fit the pattern repeats – I started with 108 sts and narrowed my stranded work to 68, then to 64 for the foot (versus 106 to 54 for the Blue and Cream Stocking).

Another improvement – I knit the ribbing at the top over fewer stitches (92) and on smaller needles (US 0), then increased for the colorwork. This is to accommodate the difference in gauge between stranded and regular knitting. If I were even more obsessive/compulsive than I already am (God help us all if that ever becomes the case), I would make a similar adjustment for the few rounds of regular knitting separating the different sock sections.

I also modified the shape slightly, decreasing more rapidly where the calf tapers, thus accommodating my bulbous calves and tiny ankles better. I think you can see the difference in this photo:

Seriously, my legs are shaped like that. Otherwise I wouldn’t have done it!

The verdict is that I love this one as much as the first. I heart you, little huge stocking! I think it was smart to make the second different – even though this pattern motif was much simpler and slightly more boring, it was more interesting than knitting a second one of the same thing. So I chugged through it without too much complaining.

I have more Fair Isle knitting planned for the future. This time, the socks will be knit from the toe to the cuff, because I find myself somewhat bothered by the V’s of the colorwork stitches being upside down. But before I get to that, here are a few more shots of this glorious Estonian stocking (click for bigger):

  
simply fabulous arch shaping; view from the side; inside-out


0 likes

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    August 23, 2006 at 10:51 am

    Totally love ’em!!! But the blue’s my fave…..

  2. sabine says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:00 am

    both stockings look great! i love them! lovely arch shaping, i like that too!

  3. Rosemary says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:01 am

    Oh my, they both are fantastic!

  4. Ruby says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:06 am

    I like the detailing on the foot – but have wondered if when you are wearing the sock you can feel the shaping. I’m such a tenderfoot that I’ve held off making a pair for me with this detailing for fear that it would be irritating when wearing, and then never wearing the socks.

  5. laura b says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:07 am

    It came out so beautifully! Since you’re not going to wear them, though, what will you do with them? For some reason, the word ‘shadowbox’ comes to mind.

  6. betzig says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:12 am

    Truly, they are both wonderful socks. I second Laura B.’s suggestion, shadowboxes would showcase the true art of these socks. I hope to one day be so cool as to knit socks that impressive…

  7. Samantha says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:16 am

    Those are two of the most wicked awesome socks I have ever seen. Bravo!! 🙂

  8. Charity says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:21 am

    Beautiful work! These are amazing – I’m so impressed :0) I especially love the arch shaping at the foot.

  9. hellahelen says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:30 am

    Hot Damn! How cute would those mismatched stockings look with a bell-shaped knee-length skirt and some sassy mary janes? Nice work. As always, an inspiration.

    Helen

  10. Stephanie says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:33 am

    Good golly – that’s a gorgeous socks. Fabulous work.

  11. Maritza says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:38 am

    Ohmygod, those are simply gorgeous! Great job with the Fair Isle, and that shaping is just amazing. I love what you did with the arch of the foot. Beautiful! You are officially my sock-guru.

  12. Jen says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:38 am

    Hey, just so y’all know – spread the word – the Meg Swansen sock pattern in the Fall VK is ENTIRELY wrong, as in, the ENTIRE PATTERN. The correct pattern is posted on the VK website.

    ?!? True story!

  13. Lillian says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:41 am

    Great socks! When you do the toe-up fairisle socks, are you going do knit the arch shaping too?

  14. Sarah says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:42 am

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I am in awe.

  15. Beth says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:42 am

    Those are gorgeous!!!!

  16. E to the M says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:45 am

    That arch shaping is so beautiful it makes me wish I wasn’t flat-footed so I could do some on my socks.

  17. Jessica says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:04 pm

    Those are great!

  18. Dove says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:05 pm

    They are both just beautiful. They really do go together very well!

    I’m very impressed with the shaping — through the calf and the arch (I’ve gotta try arch-shaped socks! You and Vogue have been haunting me in that respect). And look how heat the stranding is in the back! That’s it! I’m learning Fair Isle!

  19. jean says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:21 pm

    Those are wicked awesome! I agree with the comments about framing these puppies and displaying them as artwork. They are a work of art. Great job!

  20. Courtney says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:25 pm

    LOVE them! I love the colors (go Sweden) and the motifs. PLUS, they look uber warm, which is always a bonus for me.

  21. Molly says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:26 pm

    OMG those are both beautiful! For me, the toughest sock I will attempt is the Arrrgyle. I like patterns better than color changes.

  22. Glenna says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:31 pm

    Those stockings look beautiful! Perhaps one day I will attempt fair isle in socks – fair isle sweaters have been enough of a challenge so far 🙂

    Will you be wearing the 2 socks together?

  23. kelly says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:55 pm

    beautiful, however you choose to display them or not. They are lovely even just showcased by your blog ;o)

  24. beth says

    August 23, 2006 at 12:59 pm

    simply beautiful! I really think you should frame those ya know!

  25. michelle says

    August 23, 2006 at 1:15 pm

    Absolutely stunning!

    You never cease to amaze me!

    I am currently working on a jaywalker and will post when I am done…another stunning creation of yours!

  26. Andrea Atkinson says

    August 23, 2006 at 1:20 pm

    There is only one way to display these…..on your feet. They are fantastic and I am in awe but not surprised at all. You are a very talented person.

  27. June says

    August 23, 2006 at 2:03 pm

    Looks fun! You should wear them about town with a black baby doll dress and big clunk doc martens.

  28. tllgrrl says

    August 23, 2006 at 3:32 pm

    Wow. Yep, I’d be wearing them with black tights, a black mini-skirt/dress and black ankle boots.

    Think people’d notice ’em?

    : )

  29. Ann says

    August 23, 2006 at 3:44 pm

    Holy cow! Those are some beautiful socks.

  30. Cara says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:30 pm

    Fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing all the details!

  31. LaurieM says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:30 pm

    You’re socks are gorgeous and flawless. But I must say, I do miss that panel that runs down the sides of the first one. You know, where the swirls are. I think your design would have benefited from something similar.

    I do not mean to detract from your accomplishment in any way. This is just my opinion.

  32. Rebekkah says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:31 pm

    They’re even in my alma mater’s colors. True sock perfection. 🙂

    Beautiful work. My feet are screaming for them, now, as I also have high arches. They look incredibly comfortable, in addition to beautiful. Time for a trip to the library.

  33. gleek says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:35 pm

    that arch shaping is brilliant!

  34. loribird says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:35 pm

    Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. You are truly amazing, Ms. Grumps. And to think you did this all despite being allergic to wool… (and hey, don’t you have a life beyond knitting, something about graduate classes…? Where do you find the time???)

  35. PumpkinMama says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:36 pm

    Love them to pieces! Nice work (as always)

  36. Ann says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:36 pm

    Wow! Love them. Love the arch shaping. Is that because you have high arches, or you’re just a stickler like that?

  37. maryse says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:37 pm

    i do love that arch shaping. nice work as always.

  38. Carole says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:41 pm

    They are truly a work of art, Kathy.

  39. earthchick says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:41 pm

    You absolutely, completely rock.

    p.s. – in those colors, you’d be a big hit here in Ann Arbor, with Michigan football about to start up – Go Blue!

  40. Sheri says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:42 pm

    Not much I can add to the previous comments but just had to tell you they’re stunning! Wow!!!! I just bought a couple of books to try to get my knack back for 2 color knitting. I hope I can knit something half as good as those 2 socks!

    Sheri in GA

  41. Laura says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:46 pm

    Your knitting is AMAZING! I’m so impressed with the inside of the sock. You have the stranding totally down. I’m just beginning fair isle and am imspired.

  42. wavybrains says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:48 pm

    Like everyone else, I have to chime in and say how delightful these are. I love thing that are not matchey matchey.

  43. amisha says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:52 pm

    absolutely, unbelievably gorgeous. the patterning is great, and i echo all the praise of the arch shaping… it’s a lovely pairing of form and function.

  44. Valerie in San Diego says

    August 23, 2006 at 4:58 pm

    The arch shaping just makes me want to cry, it’s so lovely!

  45. Ida says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:13 pm

    Oh. My. Gosh. !! Gorgeous! If you go for the shadow-box thing, you’ve got to figure out how to display them so that the arch shaping shows. But I hope you knit another one or (two) and wear them.

  46. Lynn in Tucson says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:16 pm

    Simply stunning. That’s the most beautiful bottom of a sock I’ve ever seen!

  47. Aija says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:20 pm

    Beauty beauty!! The colors just pop as well, awesome choices all around.

  48. trek says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:22 pm

    That foot shaping looks neat. Can you feel it on your foot?

  49. Rhonda from Baddeck says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:36 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous! Stranded color work and extensive shaping — they’re incredible!

  50. jen says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:38 pm

    I absolutely love the arch shaping! And the inside is so neat and tidy!

  51. Janine says

    August 23, 2006 at 5:45 pm

    Bravo!

  52. Sarah says

    August 23, 2006 at 6:29 pm

    Those are such lovely stockings. I’m quite curious about the arch shaping. Could you tell us if/how that shaping feels? What about after wearing them all day with shoes? I suppose we may need to wait for a different part of the year for that answer. Still, you could adopt a socks and shoes only weekend.

  53. Brenda says

    August 23, 2006 at 6:32 pm

    I love them both! I can’t pick which is my favorite. I think they compliment each other well and would look great with a jean skirt on a cool fall day….

  54. Michelle says

    August 23, 2006 at 6:58 pm

    They are your “kids” you can like/love them both equally.

    They both look wonderful and for different reasons.

  55. canknitian says

    August 23, 2006 at 7:03 pm

    My God. You’re a wizard — inside and out!

  56. Virginia says

    August 23, 2006 at 7:20 pm

    Absolutely delightful, especially as a pair. What whimsey.

  57. pam says

    August 23, 2006 at 7:35 pm

    WOW! I just don’t have that much patience. Color me impressed!

  58. marie in florida says

    August 23, 2006 at 7:40 pm

    socks as art. i’m proud of you

  59. Lissa says

    August 23, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    Yay! Socks! Beautiful!

  60. Carolyn says

    August 23, 2006 at 7:47 pm

    I really love it. I hope the friends don’t go out together in public…but if you made a twin for the second one, I think they would rock!

    Interesting, I never even thought of the problems in fair isle toe up..i’ll be watching.

  61. Kristen says

    August 23, 2006 at 8:13 pm

    Fantastic! BTW, you DON’T have bulbous calves or ankles!

  62. Amy says

    August 23, 2006 at 8:32 pm

    I disagree with Lissa–I think you should totally wear them out togehter in public… I would 🙂

  63. Karen B. says

    August 23, 2006 at 8:33 pm

    Simply stunning stockings! You are so gifted AND funny. Bulbous. Ha!

  64. claudia says

    August 23, 2006 at 9:45 pm

    Bright. Very, very bright.

    😉

  65. Alison says

    August 23, 2006 at 10:19 pm

    I will have to keep an eye out for a woman walking around Cambridge in these socks. Awesome.

  66. Katie says

    August 23, 2006 at 10:26 pm

    Fantastic!

  67. joy says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:21 pm

    What a cute couple they make! 🙂

  68. Sue F. says

    August 23, 2006 at 11:33 pm

    BFF! 🙂 Seriously, they complement each other beautifully.

  69. Jeanie says

    August 24, 2006 at 1:41 am

    So fun and awesome! I think this should make a pair as they compliment each other so well:)

  70. Kate says

    August 24, 2006 at 1:50 am

    Wow. Those are beyond amazing.

  71. Isela says

    August 24, 2006 at 2:46 am

    Outstanding work! Do you see me standing and giving you a standing ovation–you absolutely rock!

  72. Claudia says

    August 24, 2006 at 3:28 am

    wow! Both stockings just look marvelous, perfect, absolutly gorgeous.

    You are a master in knitting!

  73. Jenn says

    August 24, 2006 at 7:16 am

    Herrschners has Classic Elite Classic Silk on sale – just for you I’m sure!

    http://www.herrschners.com/products/product.aspx?special=1&sku=710326&id=2&tab=3

  74. Ann says

    August 24, 2006 at 7:17 am

    Pure inspiration. Thank you for sharing your incredible work!

  75. Dana says

    August 24, 2006 at 7:25 am

    Just incredible. I thought I was O/C but you have me beat by a mile. I could never do all that fiddling. But I am totally blown away by these socks. The photo of the foot shaping alone could make me weep! Awesome work.

  76. AmyP says

    August 24, 2006 at 7:58 am

    Really lovely colourwork – and so practical!

  77. Brenda says

    August 24, 2006 at 8:52 am

    I absolutely love these socks and I admire your color-work skills. I’m OK with Fair Isle but nowhere near as good as you. You’ve inspired me to try some Fair Isle socks of my own.

    Also, I can sympathize with having bulbous calves. I constantly have trouble finding knee socks that will fit comfortably over them. Hah, maybe you’ve inspired me to knit tall socks as well.

  78. lorinda says

    August 24, 2006 at 9:09 am

    Stunning.

  79. Jody says

    August 24, 2006 at 9:15 am

    Wow – they look great! I love the fact that they’re “friends” instead of “mates” that’s such a cool idea! It really makes me want to try fair isle mismatch socks!! And the arch shaping?! Love it love it love it!!

  80. Mary K. in Rockport says

    August 24, 2006 at 9:25 am

    I’m still cogitating on a use for these socks as you’re not going to actually wear them. Christmas stockings to “hang by the mantle with care” for twins? Swedish twins? The blue-footed sock, your first one, is more slimming on the “shapely” calf, don’t you think?

  81. Kirsten says

    August 24, 2006 at 9:45 am

    They are fabulous. Why pick a favorite? A mother never chooses between her twins. . .

    That arch shaping is a thing of beauty.

  82. Julia says

    August 24, 2006 at 10:27 am

    The underside of the foot is my favorite part – so clever.

  83. Judy says

    August 24, 2006 at 11:08 am

    Love those patterns. How great to be able to fit the sock to the leg! I always have extra fabric around my ankle and top of my foot. I’m new at socks.

  84. Denise in Kent, WA says

    August 24, 2006 at 11:21 am

    Spectacular socks! Awe inspiring. You have NO idea how pleased I am that I’m not the only one whose calves are shaped like that (grin). Must try the arch shaping for my husband’s next pair of socks, too; his arches are as high as mine are flat.

  85. Annarella says

    August 24, 2006 at 12:11 pm

    Totally mind-blowing!

  86. Lazuli says

    August 24, 2006 at 12:20 pm

    The socks are stunning!

  87. Britt says

    August 24, 2006 at 3:26 pm

    Absolutely amazing. One day I hope to half as talented as you. Thanks for letting me oogle 🙂

  88. Jan says

    August 24, 2006 at 4:05 pm

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

  89. pam huang says

    August 24, 2006 at 6:11 pm

    very elegant foot wear! beautiful job.

  90. brooke says

    August 24, 2006 at 10:37 pm

    The knitting, the details, the photographs–everything is just gorgeous!

  91. Lolly says

    August 25, 2006 at 7:29 am

    Arch shaping!? Be still my heart! Gosh, I love socks 😉 Beautiful work!

  92. laura says

    August 25, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    Those are really stunning. I’m inspired. 🙂

  93. Ragan says

    August 26, 2006 at 9:43 pm

    You are amazing! Is it hard to do the fair isle with socks? I am dying to try this but scared.

  94. heatherly says

    August 29, 2006 at 5:47 pm

    i love the arch shaping. i have short wide feet. high arches. i want to figure out this foot shaping. i think i would never remove my socks though.

    all my embroidery, sewing, etc work my mom alwayus looked at the wrong side before telling me i did a good job. i love the inside of your sock!

  95. mimi says

    August 29, 2006 at 5:54 pm

    I Love them, The blue is my favorite.

  96. ineke says

    August 31, 2006 at 11:30 am

    I’ve never seen such beautiful formed socks before!….

  97. Ineke says

    August 31, 2006 at 12:58 pm

    These socks are great! I’ve never seen socks beautiful formed!

  98. sue says

    September 6, 2006 at 9:40 pm

    What fab socks. I can knit most things but socks always elude me, so well done and love the colours.

  99. sue says

    September 6, 2006 at 9:43 pm

    Ab fab socks. Can’t do socks well myself, but these are great.

  100. fluttercrafts says

    September 13, 2006 at 11:49 pm

    Holy cow, you are completely amazing.

  101. Sile says

    September 25, 2006 at 11:33 pm

    I LOVE those!! You might just inspire me to learn how to knit socks… Will be dreaming of these.

Primary Sidebar

© 2018 All Rights Reserved.

Search This Site

Subscribe to Posts

Subscribe to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

Recent Posts

  • Instagram FO catch-up
  • Dragon Belly Shawl – crocheted linen – is done!
  • Sonya’s fox shirt is done!
  • A rookie mistake
  • A t-shirt I sewed!

Archives

Copyright © 2019 Grumperina · Log in