Some time ago, I promised Laura a pair of knitted socks, and when I saw this purple Supersock from Cherry Tree Hill, it was Fate.
I originally wanted to make socks with a ruffle around the cuff, and set my heart on the one from a Jaeger book a few years ago, which in small doses in the Supersock looked lovely, but in a long-enough length to fit around even Laura's slender ankle drooped most unbecomingly. I fiddled, tried a few other edgings, and then thought of this one from an old Debbie Bliss sailor jacket, turning it sideways. Picking up the stitches in the middle of the edging is in fact an dodge to head off that droopiness that comes with an unsupported edging, but after a while I got interested in the sideways-ness as a design element in itself.
Afterwards, Laura confessed that she actually liked this sock better than the ruffled one, anyway.
The pattern, which is available in the Original Patterns album in the sidebar, is sized to fit girl's small, medium, and large, or approximately 5 1/2 in. /14 cm (6 1/2 in. /16.5 cm, 7 1/2 in. /19 cm) foot circumference. If you use Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, I would recommend not drying these socks by machine, as the slight haze that will result would obscure the lace of the cuff.
Sweet socks! What a pleasure to check back and find your latest entries. I missed your thoughtful and visually lovely posts.
Posted by: Sidney | January 04, 2007 at 06:51 AM
Too cute! I'm inspired. I'm going to go through my copy of "Knitting on the edge" and pick out a cute ruffle or edging for a pair of my own. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Amy | January 04, 2007 at 08:07 AM
I love the edging! What a great pair of socks. I'm NOT going to shown my daughter, the handknit-sock-queen-wearer this one. (Because I have other things on the go at the moment.)
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 05, 2007 at 10:50 AM
I think that is one of the prettiest knitted socks I have seen in a long time - I love the sideways knitting, it really looks great, I am definitely going to remember this project - its wonderful.
Posted by: juliet | January 05, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Heirloom socks! Not joking - she'll probably put them on her girl and tell the story. Love the color too.
Posted by: Nancy | January 05, 2007 at 03:57 PM
In this entry of 1/3/07, in the 2nd photo down showing the 3 edging samples, can you tell me where you found the pattern for the sample at the top of that particular photo (it's the one with the little inset 'godet')?
Thanks, Suzy C.
Posted by: Suzy | January 08, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Suzy, that ruffle is from the "Myrtle" cardigan/sweater in the Jaeger booklet JB24 by Martin Storey (http://www.woolworks.com/Knitting/Yarn/Jaeger/JB24/JB24.html). The little reverse st st sections are narrow rectangles, whose shape and curl make the st st triangles stand out very prettily.
Posted by: Jeanne | January 09, 2007 at 06:25 AM
I love the edging! Very delicate without being fussy. I'll have to put these on my to knit list.
Posted by: Marie | January 15, 2007 at 03:11 AM