March Madness

I didn't make the first round cut in Sock Madness, due to a number of extenuating circumstances, but I did get some decent socks out of it:




The Mad Cow Socks were not being very cooperative in the photo shoot arena, so this is all you get. On with the...

Project Specs:
Pattern: Mad Cow Socks by Jennifer Brooks Young from Sock Madness 2007 Round 1
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill in Burgundy and Northern Lights
Needles: 5 US size 1 (2.25 mm) metal dpns for the foot and let, US size 0 (2 mm) for the cuff
Size: CO 8 stitches for a toe-up sock, increasing up to 56 stitches
Started: 10 March 2007
Finished: 15 March 2007
Pattern Mods: No modifications were allowed for the competition! After I was out, however, I doubled the length of the cuff and used one needle size smaller to work. I used Grumperina's bind-off.

These socks have confirmed that I really do need to use size 0 needles (or fewer stitches) to get a sock that really fits me well. These socks are quite comfy and cozy, but they are a tad on the loose side, even with the tighter cuff, and there is a bit of extra fabric on the instep. I'm not sure I can bear ripping them out again though. I like the interplay of the two complementary yarns (there is no red in the Northern Lights!) Also, I have realized how some of those sock mavens out there knit socks so fast! Plain stockinette is speedy, even when you are juggling two balls of yarn!

Of course I cast on for another pair the very next day:



Yes, the yarn is called Eat Your Veggies, but I have another name for it... which will be revealed when the socks are a little further along...

posted by Carrie @ 5:28 PM