Lest you think that I only write posts about Socktoberfest, I wanted to prove that I am actually making socks this month too! Sock knitting comes slower for me than other garment and accessory knitting. I have whipped up a sweater in ten days, but socks take me weeks upon weeks. However, this has not squelched my love of socks – it just takes me longer to get a product!
Festive, no? 
This sock has taken so long, it feels like I should count it as a finished object by itself!
This detail (blocking on a wine bottle, I might add) is a great representation of the natural color of the yarn, which is Three Waters Farm Handpainted Merino from Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. These socks have been notoriously difficult to photograph throughout the process. The lace panel is quite fun to work through, and I find myself looking forward to sock 2. I started this sock at the end of July (right before Project Spectrum's neutral month). At this speed, is sock 2 a possibility before 2007? I hope Socktoberfest can help me with that! 
Just as a reminder, this sock was originally planned to be a knee high, as seen here in the Winter 2004 Interweave Knits magazine. They were inspired by a mid-90s Vivienne Westwood design[seen here at Anna's site], and adapted and changed by knitwear designer, Kristin Spurkland. However, it became clear that with the lace panel and no calf-shaping built into the pattern, it was not going to be a knee high. I am very happy with the length, however, and they will be worn frequently, because brown is my obsession. I am already planning outfits around the socks!
Now… to move on to the second one!
However, with the premiere of LOST last night, I could not get bogged down in the lace chart of that sock. I had not planned on starting these, but it just kind of happened… (was anyone else slightly disappointed with the premiere? I hope they pick it up)
I bought the lovely Greetings from Knit Café book over the summer with a gift certificate (I won *bingo* at the company picnic!) and there are many patterns that I like in the book, but I knew I had to have these socks (see the theme here? I can't seem to get knee socks outta my mind!)
CANYON HIKING SOCKS from Knit Café
My version:
Dark Rose Heather colorway of Lion Brand Wool Ease – It's been in my stash for ages, and I played around a little with the needles and got a nice gauge swatch. I am also planning a dark pink/purple stripe around the calf section, like the model photograph above, except in one color. Working these on size 5 (3.75mm) needles might actually give me some quick(er) results too – But, no promises!
You are doing what I am doing today, knitting up sock swatches! I am trying to learn how knit a pair of socks in a different pattern other than plain for Socktoberfest. I have had a heck of a time learning, frogging and starting over but I will succeed! I hope…..:)
Love the color of that Wool-Ease. Ya know, i’ve yet to work with Wool-Ease, don’t even have any in my dwindling stash.
The only yarn i bought at MS&W, i made into a scarf, “Wavy” from Knitty. The yarn was from Thorne Farms, friends of ours from our local UU Church. I wish i’d bought a third hank to make the scarf a bit longer…it’s a lovely shade of “Spring Green” to remind me of the Spring to come when were piled in with snow. :::grin:::
I never doubted that you knit socks!
~Suz~
Festive, yes! Can’t wait to see the new knee highs too.
Gorgeous sockies, Lolly! So glad you have a minute to knit some
for yourself while sharing all this Socktoberfest goodness with the
rest of us mere mortals! Cheers! – janis
What amuses me is that the first picture looks remarkably like the colorway of the socks I’m working on now (even if it’s not the actual color of your yarn, as you note).
And the wool-ease … I think I have a skein of that. As I recall, my mom gave it to me while she was destashing.
Coincidence? You decide.
I love wearing knee high socks in the winter. But they can be hard to find in stores. I am going to try them, eventually. Need to finish my first pair first! The leaf sock is so beautiful.
Your sock is so gorgeous, and looks VERY complicated, no wonder it’s taken you so long… juts beautiful!
xx
[...] Yarn: Three Waters Farm Merino in "Etudes in Brown" colorway Source: Maryland Sheep and Wool 2006 purchase Pattern: "Lace Knee Highs" from Interweave Knits, Winter 2004 Needles: Inox size 2.5mm (US 1.5) metal Notes: Features and inspiration noted here [...]