Recipe for Knitting Socks

New Year, new and a slightly less spooky look for The Haunted Quilter. Yet again I delve into the Maureen stash (knitting and sewing bits & bobs inherited from a much loved aunt), this time for a really old handwritten sock recipe:

Directions for Knitting Socks

Caston about 49 stitches (for Phyllis I have 69). The odd one for the seam stitch.

For the Well - knit 2 purl 2 the required length. Then do a few rounds plain.

The pattern consists of two rounds commencing on the third stitch after the seam stitch.

1st Round. Make one by bringing cotton to front of needle, knit 2 together. Continue this until you get to the two stitches before the seam stitch.

2nd Round. Purl all the way round commencing on the third stitch after seam stitch. This finishes the pattern. You then knit a few rounds plain (3 is nice) and then repeat pattern.

Continue pattern in the foot on front needle as far as you think will show. The toe is plain.

NB Keep the two stitches on either side the seam stitch plain throughout. If you put in any narrowings you will of course have only 1 plain either side until you narrow again.

You will require about 3 balls of Brightage (?) for one pair.

Hope I have made it quite clear.

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I think this recipe presumes a certain amount of skill and experience in knitting socks - I got lost on the third stitch after the seam stitch. Also, it is a bit of pot luck on sizing...presumably Phyllis had larger than average sized legs.

Escargot helmet

Last year, without a specific project in mind but unable to resist, I bought some lovely hand-dyed wool from Croft Wool and Weavers in Torridon (mentioned in the post 'good hats'):

nettle

weld

Inspired by my current Poirot box set marathon, I was looking for a Cloche hat pattern. Must be getting a bit mature in my tastes because although this is my 3rd time through this box set, for the first time I find myself admiring Miss Lemon's style:

Miss Lemon

I scoured the net and came across this magnificent free pattern on Ravelry, designed by Veronica Parsons: the Escargot hat. There are lots of versions on google images and I noticed that many of them are a bit roomy. I have a tiny head (no wasted space in there) so I reduced the pattern by 10 stitches:

Escargot cloche

Veronica Parson's 'Escargot' worn by Thimble

So far I have worn it once and received many exclamations of admiration, awe and astonishment. What a hat! I think it makes me look like a warrior lady soldier...

Chalcidian helmets

...but someone else said it looks like an old american football helmet. Nevertheless I feel I have notched it up a step in the style stakes for 2013.