Instead we have the socks for the L part of the A-Z sock knitting challenge (in my colour of the moment of course).
Pattern: Leyburn socks by MintyFresh
Yarn: Artesano Hummingbird 4 ply
Needles: 2.25mm dpns
Mods: Quite a few changes on these, the pattern has a lot of comments about poor fit so I worked them top down with a heel flap rather than toe up with a short row heel. The leg was done over 72sts and the foot over 66sts.
The stitch pattern has floats which reduce the stretchiness a bit, I did a higher stitch count than usual and made a concious effort to keep the floats loose. This is actually really good practise for colourwork as you are making the same kind of floats and as they are on the front they are easy to see and keep loose.
It is a super pattern, only a little slower to do than a plain vanilla sock but with a great finish. It also mixes handpainted yarns up well or looks equally good in a solid colour.
The yarn I used is fantastic. It is 100% alpaca and so soft and squishy. It is a little hairy, but not so much it obscures the stitch pattern, this could make the socks a little tickly but they seem ok so far. It is also a little thinner than typical sock yarn so I will have to see how it wears. Hopefully it will be ok and not felt or rub through into holes as I would love to use it again, it is that soft and delicious.
