Socks rock

I am absolutely sold on sock knitting.  I am almost finished with my second pair and I have learned so much and am still learning and that aspect makes it so much fun to knit socks.

My first sock is a little baggy (size 1 needle), and the heel flap is rather tight (I read the pattern wrong, but didn't figure that out until I did the second sock); the second sock is less baggy and the heel flap is normal; the third sock I tried a smaller needle (size 0) and it may be just a touch too small, but I had to stick with that for the pair, so the fourth will be the same (it is nearly finished).  For my next pair of socks I am going back to a slightly larger needle (the smaller size 1 needle) and will try a gusset heel without a heel flap.

Another super exciting part of sock knitting is discovering new sock yarns to love too.  Opal is my new favorite.  It is the Volkswagon of sock yarn.  It is made in Germany, with all kinds of beautiful design and color schemes built into a super soft and functional and consistent yarn.  My dad bought me a ball of Opal cotton-wool blend sock yarn years ago when his office was right next to a local yarn shop in Kansas.  I didn't know how to knit socks then and I thought I needed two balls in order to make a pair - so I just saved it.  Turns out the Germans do sock yarn right and sell you enough for a pair in each ball.  After seeing some of the beautiful socks others have made with Opal, I found my ball of yarn and cast on.  I can see why people love this yarn, the patterns and the colorways are just absolutely beautiful.  Plus, I love the cotton-wool blend that he chose.  Well done dad! (and the nice saleswoman who I assume helped him pick it.)  :)