KnittedDayDreams

I have followed Stone Knits on Instagram for quite a while now, admiring all of the fabulous sock patterns that they are able to create, and yet I have never knitted any.

Why you might ask? Yes, that’s a great question, because I really don’t know the answer myself! I have a few in my favourites on Ravelry, but something has always stopped me. I think it’s that I haven’t done too much colour work knitting in the past. I did knit a fabulous fair isle shawl (Ravelry link) by Deborah Newton back in 2019, photo below. Using all Rowan Felted Tweed DK, it was a fairly big project at the time. My first time attempting steeking as well, which I found out, isn’t as scary as everyone makes it out to be!

I think I may have done a couple of very small fair isle projects since then, but nothing on the same scale. So why did it take me so long to attempt colour work socks?

I have knitted quite a few pairs of socks since I started to knit, basic socks, cable socks, lacy socks, the Winwick Mum patterns and tutorials are my favourite. But never a colour work sock!

I think it’s because quite a few years ago, probably around 2016, I knitted a fair isle hat that was too small. I don’t have it anymore, so I don’t know if the initial pattern wasn’t big enough for my head, or if my floats were too short, but either way, it didn’t fit on my head!

I have big, wide feet, yes, I know you’re jealous! I think that’s perhaps why I hesitated trying a colour work sock, but then the Bee-autiful Socks (Ravelry link) pattern was released last July and it was only a matter of time before I had to give them a go!

I love bees, and when Stone Knits released the pattern, they made a version with fluffy wings! Sigh!

I saw them pop up on Instagram again a couple of months ago, and immediately dove into my yarn stash to see if I had the perfect bee colours.

I knew I had a mustardy/yellowy colour, but it had to be the right bee colour, and luckily it was. I also had a black, a grey and then the perfect neon pink to set it all off.

I started knitting, and as per usual, couldn’t wait to finish the rib to get onto the actual socks aka the bees!

And just look how beautiful the first row of bees are! (Also, they’re resting on my favourite bee blanket!)

Shortly after taking this photo, I put the sock onto a flexible stitch holder to try it on, and – it fits! I’m so pleased as I really didn’t know whether my floats were long enough to make the sock stretchy enough to fit onto my feet. Also, too long floats are another issue, but I think I have managed to hit the right length on the first try.

I can’t wait to see more bees appear on these socks, and I think I might have got the colourwork socks bug (or should it be bee?!) and will have to try more of Stone Knits patterns!

Jen x