Once upon a time, I ran across Emily (@fiberaddictionem) on Instagram. She was calling for sample knitters and paying in my favorite currency, yarn. I’d already fallen in love with her Freak Like Me colorway, so I jumped at the chance. She sent me the yarn and pattern, Froggin’. The cuff was gorgeous, but then I realized this pattern didn’t show off the yarn as well as it could. So, between the two of us, we concocted a plan. She sent me Don’t Piss off the Redhead which worked with the pattern in a pleasing fashion and I kept the Freak Like Me yarn for another day.

I generally work on one “plain” sock and one complicated sock at a given time. Soon, Freak Like Me was up to bat. Through trial and several errors, this is the pattern I ended up with*
CO 64
k1tbl, p1 ribbing for 1.25 inches for cuff.

1 row of: k1, right cable cross (not twisted), p1 around

k3, p1 ribbing for the rest of the leg until you’re 1 inch above the heel.

Fish Lips Kiss Heel (over half + 4 sts Thank you, @gemkhull on instagram)

After finishing the heel, I went back to p1, k3 ribbing over the top half of the foot and stockinette on the bottom half of the foot until it was time for toe decreases (starting on the center of the bottom of the foot)

decrease round-
knit til 3 before first marker(where top of foot begins), k2tog, k1
k1, ssk, knit til 3 before next marker, k2tog, k1
k1, ssk

non-decrease round-
knit

alternate decrease and non-decrease rounds for 4 rows.
decrease round for 8 rows.
Graft 16 sts.

*This is not so much a pattern as it is me noting where I ended my experiment. Use at your own risk.

To be continued…

In the fall of 2008, I was inspired to make a burnt orange and white star baby blanket for a dear friend who also happens to be a UT grad. At the time, I didn’t know if she was planning another baby, but it just felt like a good idea. I sent the blanket to the Texas State Fair and it won honorable mention.
Fast forward to 2014. My good friend welcomed a daughter into the world, and I congratulated her in the best way I know, with very tiny socks.

Pattern: Phalanges by Clare Devine
Needles: 2.25mm
Knitting Time Needed: 9 hours (faster if you’re proficient at sewing in a picot edging)
Yarn: In the end, the Mommy-to-be and I dove into her stash and came up with burnt orange sock yarn. I wanted the orange to be Longhorn approved and her stash is heavy with burnt orange options.

Ps. When baby girl has outgrown these socks, I’ll to turn them into Christmas ornaments. One for baby girl and one for her priceless mom.

Pps. Check out what others have finished at:

Wisdom begins in Wonder

Natural Suburbia