I Have Socks

My finals are complete (and I passed all my classes.  In fact, my GPA went up this term.  I'm not going to question it.)  I am so happy that the term is over and I can finally relax a bit.  Here's how I managed to survive that last week of classes/finals (which included three all-nighters):

My secret weapon.  They're called "chocolate covered espresso beans", but I call them "zOMGyumThesearesoADDICTIVE!!!1!!"  I need to remember that espresso actually makes me sick, but they did their job and kept me awake, while also providing a delicious dose of chocolate in the process.  Yum.

I am now at home and as of 4am this morning I have completed my grad school applications (minus one, which isn't due until the 15th).  Hooray for getting things done.

Oh, speaking of getting things done, look what I did!

I made socks.  They're only ankle socks because I have large feet and the remaining yarn would only have gotten me to an awkward length up the leg.  I only ever wear ankle socks anyway, so I'm quite happy with these.

Pattern: Regatta Socks by Anne Hanson

Needles: Size US 0 (2.00mm), magic loop

Yarn: Hand-dyed by Liz of MacKintosh Yarns (thanks Liz!)

Time taken: October 31, 2009 - November 29, 2009

The only modifications I made were, obviously, to shorten the leg of the sock.  After the heel, I did one zig (half of the zig-zag pattern, naturally) before switching to the boat motif.  I only did one row of sailboats before finishing up the sock with some rows of twisted rib and then a fantastic stretchy bind off that you all have to try ASAP.

Look, it doesn't flare out, and it stretches for miles!  I definitely prefer to it to a sewn bind-off, and it's easier to do, too (in my opinion).  Seriously, if you're a toe-upper, you definitely have to give this one a try.

This pattern utilizes a short row toe and heel, but I'm not sure how I feel about them yet.  You see, they short row shaping creates a ridge on the inside of the sock that I sort of thought was uncomfortable at first.

I then exacerbated the problem by weaving in my end along that ridge (well, the one on the other side).  However, now that I've worn the socks around all day yesterday (and I wore them to bed last night.  Be quiet, it gets cold here, and my feet are always freezing as it is), I don't feel the ridge anymore.  I'm not an un-fan of the short-row toe/heel technique, but I don't know if it's my favorite.  Oh well, whatever floats your boat!

...and speaking of boats (man, I just love my clever segues...)

Aren't those boats fantastic, parading their way around my ankle?  Yeah, I thought so too.  You can see in this picture the one other thing I didn't entirely like about the pattern, although it would be just fine if I hadn't made these ankle socks.  The row of eyelets below the sailboats has a tendency to pucker up on these socks which I think is a little unattractive.

All in all though, it's a great pattern and I'm so happy to have another pair of wool socks for myself.  Why don't I knit socks more often?