Feeling Faux
Look! It's spring! Daffodils are blooming, honeysuckle leaves are opening, and the silver maple trees have big red buds.
And here's a pair of socks in super Autumnal colors so all our blog readers in the southern hemisphere don't feel left out. :)
The pattern is Faux Cables Socks by imawale imawale (free pattern, Ravelry link). It is a mosaic pattern, which means you only use one yarn per round, and you slip stitches to create the colorwork effect.
The pattern is really easy and a great introduction to mosaic knitting - or a fun pattern if you already feel comfortable with it. The pattern is mirrored on each sock, so the "cables" created by the slipped stitches go in different directions.
I used a previous club colorway, Wildlife Welcome, in Targhee Fingering for the background, and the color of the contrast mini for the cables. I used a total of 30g for the contrast. The socks have 64 stitches and are about a US women's size 7. So, there likely isn't enough in a standard 25g mini to make these socks - unless you want to omit the cable on the foot, and just use the stripe - but your scrap pile probably has some leftovers that will work!
You might notice that the bottom of the foot is different on each sock.
Ooops!
The pattern includes a slip stitch motif on the bottom of the foot, but I sort of forgot about it when I did the second sock.
The stripes match nicely on both socks though, eh??
So silly.
Mosaic knitting like this is having a moment right now. It is perhaps "trending?" It's what all the cool cats are jiving to, apparently. Totally rad. Did you see the current issue of PLY magazine includes a mosaic sock pattern by Laura Linneman, which uses handspun yarn spun 3ply2ways? I'm certain I didn't invent the process, but a few years ago, I had an article published in PLY about spinning a single braid of fiber into sock yarn that is both a traditional 3 ply, and a chain ply. I then knit the two yarns together as stripes in socks.
Here are poorly lit photos of a few pairs:
Laura took the concept and elevated it with her new pattern and article. It's so cool!
PS: My original pair of 3ply2ways socks (on the left) turned 9 years old this month! I did just darn the heel on both socks for the 3rd time, but they still look great. I'll try to get evidentiary photos soon. I know this is a tough sell, but I love non-superwash, no nylon socks. I knit tightly and, personally, only wear holes in the heels. Everyone's feet are different, but I'm an advocate for trying handspun socks!
Enjoy the daffodils (or fall leaves), friends!