Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Leaves of Grass

The challenge: Knit a pair of socks without a pattern. The solution? Re-visit the old knitlist circa 1997.

Pattern: Leaves of Grass Anklet socks by Marilyn Roberts

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Potluck. Color: Pearberry.

Needles: Hiya steel 32" circulars, US size 1 (2.25mm) Magic loop.

Pattern Review:
Easy to follow, though the lack of picture was surprisingly maddening.

There is an error in the leaf instructions, but it is easy to spot. There is "P3" where a "P2" should be in the last row. Weird, considering this pattern has been online since 1997.

The socks are worked in ribbing from the cuff down, with a traditional heel flap, and leaf lace along the top of the foot.

It would have been nice if the lace was charted, but alas, no. For a pattern lacking a picture of the finished object, perhaps a chart would be asking too much.

Modifications: None. Unless you count making a longer cuff. In which case, one.

Yarn Review: I adore Cherry Tree Hill Supersock. The base is the familiar Louet, that many sock people seem to use. It's washable (though I always hand wash) and wears well. It's not squishy soft nor is it scratchy.

A word regarding the color. They do these "potluck" or "lottery" colors which are limited edition and highly intriguing. I bought this particular oddity at The Loopy Ewe based on a tiny thumbnail picture.

I like weird colors. I like Pears and berries. This yarn is a crazy insane weird color. I like it.

Overall: A perfectly fine pair of socks. It's a basic sock, with a lot of ribbing. And the lace is on the top of the foot, where it is hard to show off. But they fit well and were a fast project.

I have no idea why this pattern is so named. There are leaves, but not like grass. Is it after the Whitman poetry collection? These particular socks seem to sing the body electric on their own. Maybe it's just so.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

OK, so I have a stupid question... I'm about to embark on a new pattern but one of the abbreviations is WT...? Do you have any idea what this means? For example: K4, WT.

Help!

Star said...

That is weird. Could it be wrap and turn? Usually written as W&T.

Wrap and turn is used for short rows like on a shoulder or a sock.

T.M. said...

Great looking socks;the colors are so cool. And the pattern is very intriguing. I don't think I could knit without a pattern-you are brave!!